A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Grassi, Cecilia

by Julian Marshall

GRASSI, Cecilia, who afterwards became the wife of John Christian Bach ('English Bach'), was born in 1746. She came to London with Guarducci in 1766, as 'first woman," and remained in that capacity at the opera for several years. Burney thought her 'inanimate on the stage, and far from beautiful in her person; but there was a truth of intonation, with a plaintive sweetness of voice, and innocence of expression, that gave great pleasure to all hearers who did not expect or want to be surprised.' She was succeeded in 1772 by Girelli, but remained in England until the death of her husband in 1782, when she returned to Italy, and retired from public singing.

[ J. M. ]