A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Pellegrini, Felice

by Julian Marshall

PELLEGRINI, Felice, an excellent bass singer, was born at Turin in 1774. After singing as a chorister in the Cathedral, he became the pupil of Ottani, who taught him counterpoint and the art of vocalisation. At 21 he made his début at Leghorn. His fine voice and good method were at once recognised, and he continued to sing with success at several of the chief Italian theatres, at Rome in 1805, at Milan in 1806, and at Naples from 1807 to 1810. In 1811 the grand part of the father in 'Agnese' was written for him by Paer; and in this he made his first appearance at Paris.

Though past his youth, he was favourably received, and began to be applauded in the buffo rôles of Rossini's operas. Superseded by Zucchelli, he endeavoured, but fruitlessly, to find an engagement in his native country; Ebers, however, who had just lost Remorini, was glad to engage him for London at £500 for the season of 1826. He was successful here, especially in comic characters. In 1829 a place, as professor of singing at the Conservatoire at Paris, was obtained for him by the Vicomte de la Rochefoucauld. He did not, however, long enjoy this position, for in 1832 he began to lose his faculties, and he died, in poor circumstances, Sept. 20 of that year. Pellegrini left 6 opera of Duets, Trios, Ariette, Cantate, and Solfeggi, published at Paris.

[ J. M. ]