Lucia Elizabeth Vestris was an English actress and a contralto opera singer, appearing in works by Mozart and Rossini.
Background
Lucia Elizabeth Vestris was born in London in 1797, the first of two daughters of German pianist Theresa Jansen Bartolozzi and art dealer Gaetano Stefano Bartolozzi. He was a musician and son of the immigrant Francesco Bartolozzi, a noted artist and engraver, appointed as Royal Engraver to the king. Gaetano Bartolozzi was a successful art dealer, and the family moved to Europe in 1798 when he sold off his business. They spent time in Paris and Vienna before reaching Venice where they found that their estate had been looted during the French invasion. They returned to London to start over and Gaetano taught drawing. The couple separated in London and Therese gave piano lessons to support her daughters.
Education
Lucia studied music and was noted for her voice and dancing ability.
Career
Lucia Elizabeth Vestris had an 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 Lane 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 Giovanni, and with such introduced songs as " Cherry Ripe, " "Meet me by moonlight alone, " "I've been roaming, " etc.
In 1831, having accumulated a fortune, she became lessee of the Olympic Theatre, and began the, presentation of a series of burlesques and extravaganzas- for which she made this house famous.
Her last appearance (1854) was: for his benefit in an adaptation of Madame de Girardin'.
s La J pie fait peur, called Sunshine through Clouds, and she died in London on the 8th of August 1856.
But in plays like Loan of a Lover, Paul Pry, Naval Engagements, etc. , she was delightfully arch and bewitching.
Connections
Lucia Elizabeth Vestris was married at age 16 to the French dancer, Auguste Armand Vestris, a scion of the great family of dancers of Florentine origin, but her husband deserted her four years later.
She married in 1838 for the second time, to the British actor Charles James Mathews, just before leaving on tour with him for America. They cooperated in their subsequent managerial ventures, including the management of the Lyceum Theatre and the theatre in Covent Garden.
Spouse:
Charles James Mathews
She married Charles James Mathews in 1838 on the eve of what was to be an unsuccessful American tour and from 1839 to 1842 managed Covent Garden with him.
Spouse:
Auguste Armand Vestris
In 1813 she married Auguste Armand Vestris (see above), who deserted her four years later.
