A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bertolli, Francesca

BERTOLLI, Francesca, who arrived in England about the end of September 1729, was a splendid contralto, and 'also a very genteel actress, both in men and women's parts.' She was one of the new company with which Handel opened the season of 1729–30, and appeared in 'Lotario' and the revival of 'Tolomeo,' and in 'Partenope,' Feb. 24, 1730. She sang again in 'Poro,' Feb. 2, 1731, with Senesino: this opera had a run of fifteen nights, at that time a great success. Bertolli took in it the part formerly sung by Merighi. She took part in the revivals of 'Rodelinda' and 'Rinaldo' in the same season, and in the new operas, 'Ezio' and 'Sosarme,' at the beginning of 1732. In this season she sang, in English, the contralto music of 'Esther,' then performed first in public (April 20), and repeated six times during May; and she appeared in 'Acis and Galatea,' sung partly in English and partly in Italian. In this same year she also performed in 'Flavio' and 'Alessandro' by Handel, and in Attilio's 'Coriolano.' In 1733 she played in 'Ottone,' 'Tolomeo,' and 'Orlando,' and in 'Deborah,' Handel's second English oratorio. She followed Senesino, however, when that singer left Handel, and joined the opposition at the Lincoln's Inn Theatre: she sang in 'Onorio' in 1734, and in Veracini's 'Adriano in Siria' in 1735, as well as in other pieces. In 1737 she returned to Handel, and sang in his 'Arminio,' Jan. 12, at Covent Garden; 'Giustino,' Feb. 16; 'Berenice,' May 12; and a revival of 'Partenope.' Her name never occurs again in the libretti of the time, and her after-history is unknown.

[ J. M. ]