A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cavalieri, Katharina

CAVALIERI, Katharina, dramatic singer, born at Währing, Vienna, 1761. At a very early age she was placed under Salieri by some wealthy connoisseurs who had heard her sing in church, and in 1775, when barely 14, was engaged at the Italian Opera. A year later the Emperor Joseph founded a German Opera, to which she was transferred. As Cavalieri never sang out of Vienna her name is almost unknown elsewhere, but Mozart's approval stamps her as an artist of the first rank. In one of his letters (1785) he says 'she was a singer of whom Germany might well be proud'; and it was for her he composed the part of Constance in the 'Entführung,' the soprano part in 'Davidde penitente,' that of 'Mad. Silberklang' in the 'Schauspiel-Director,' and the air 'Mi tradì in 'Don Giovanni,' on its first representation at Vienna, May 7, 1788. Salieri called her his favourite pupil, and wrote the principal parts of several operas for her. She sang in nearly all the oratorios produced by the Tonkünstler-Societät (now the Haydn-Verein), and maintained her popularity to the last, against many eminent singers. Her voice was of considerable compass, and she was a cultivated musician. She made up for her want of personal attractions by her fascinating manners. She was compelled from over-exertion to retire when in the prime of life (1793), and died June 30, 1801.

[ C. F. P. ]