The New International Encyclopædia/Lablache, Luigi

LABLACHE, lȧ′blȧsh′, Luigi (1794-1858). A celebrated Italian operatic singer, born in Naples in 1794, whither his mother and his father, who was French, had fied from Paris during the Revolution. His voice, a deep bass, was of wonderful range, flexibility, and volume; and his acting, particularly in the characters of Figaro and Leporello, was almost as remarkable as his singing. His first engagement as a singer was at the San Carlino Theatre at Naples, in 1812; he appeared afterwards in La Scala, Milan, and in Vienna, and also at the San Carlo, in Naples, during the intervals of the Vienna season. On his first appearance in London, in 1830, he met with immediate success, and for a number of years he resided alternately in the French and English capitals, singing during both the Paris and London seasons. He died at Naples. Consult Couailhac, Galerie des artistes dramatiques de Paris (Paris, 1841).