Home > Lucia Elizabeth Vestris

She was born Lucia Bartolozzi in London, the daughter of Gaetano Stefano Bartolozzi (1757-1821) and granddaughter of Francesco Bartolozzi, the engraver. In 1813 she married Auguste Armand Vestris, who deserted her four years later. Her contralto voice and attractive appearance had gained Madame Vestris her first leading role in Italian opera in the title-role of Peter Winter's II ratio di Proserpina at the King's Theatre in 1815. She had immediate success in both London and Paris, where she played Camille to Talma's Horace in Horace. Her first hit in English was at Drury LaneThis article is about a street in London called Drury Lane. For the fictional detective created by Ellery Queen writing as Barnaby Ross, see Drury Lane. Drury Lane is a London street, originally named after the Drury family, owners of a large house there in James Cobb 's (1756-1818) Siege of Belgrade (1820). She was particularly a favourite in "breeches parts," like Cherubino in the Marriage of Figaro, and in Don GiovanniDon Giovanni is an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. It was premiered in Prague on October 29, 1787. Of the many operas based on the legend of Don Juan, Mozart's is the most famous and widely regarde, and with such introduced songs as " Cherry Ripe ," "Meet me by moonlight alone," "I've been roaming," etc.

In 1831Events February- March Revolts in Modena, Parma and the Papal States are put down by Austrian troops February 20 Battle of Grochow. Polish rebel forces divide a Russian army. March 1 Democrat Samuel Smith becomes President Pro Tempore of the United States, having accumulated a fortune, she became lessee of the Olympic Theatre, and began the, presentation of a series of burlesqueIn Art "Burlesque" was originally a form of art that mocked by imitation. It was often ridiculous in that it imitated several styles and combined imitations of authors and artists with absurd descriptions. In this, the term "burlesque" was often used intes and extravaganzas--for which she made this house famous. She married Charles James MathewsCharles James Mathews ( December 26, 1803 June 24, 1878), was born at Liverpool, a son of the actor Charles Mathews and became even better known than him in the same profession. After attending Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby he was articled as pupil to in 1838Events January 6 Samuel Morse first publicly demonstrates the telegraph. January 8 Alfred Vail demonstrates a telegraph using dots and dashes (this is the forerunner of Morse code) January 12 Joseph Smith, Jr. and Sidney Rigdon flee Ohio for Missouri Marc, accompanying him to AmericaThe United States of America also referred to as the United States U. America ¹ or the States is a federal republic in central North America, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It shares land borders with Canada in and aiding him in his subsequent managerial ventures, including the management of the Lyceum Theatre and the theatre in Covent Garden. In 1840 she staged one of the first relatively uncut productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, in which she played Oberon, beginning a tradition of female Oberons that lasted for seventy years.

Her last appearance ( 1854) was for Charles's benefit, in an adaptation of Madame de Girardin's La Joie fait pour, called Sunshine through Clouds, and she died in London. Her musical accomplishments and education were not sufficient to distinguish her in grand opera, and in high comedy she was only moderately successful. But in plays like Loan of a Lover, Paul Pry, Naval Engagements, etc., she was delightfully arch and bewitching.

This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.