Born: 1723 (circa), Italy
Died: 1804
Country most active: United Kingdom
Also known as: NA
The following is excerpted from A Dictionary of Music and Musicians, published in 1900 and edited by George Grove.
GALLI, Signora, a mezzo-soprano, who made her début in Galuppi’s ‘Enrico,’ Jan. 1, 1743, in London. She and Frasi, ‘after transplantation from Italy, took root in this country, and remained here in great public favour, for many years’ (Burney). Galli was frequently employed in male parts on the stage. Though her manner was spirited and interesting, she was little noticed by the public till she sung in Handel’s ‘Judas,’ 1746, when she gained such applause in the air ”Tis Liberty,’ that she was encored in it every night, and became an important personage among singers. She had already sung in ‘Joseph,’ 1744, and she subsequently performed principal parts in ‘Joshua,’ ‘Solomon,’ ‘Susanna,’ ‘Theodora,’ ‘Jephtha,’ &c. She is said to have been a favourite pupil of Handel (Cradock). Twenty years later she sang in Sacchini’s ‘Perseo’ (1774) and ‘Motezuma’ (1775). She became the companion of the celebrated Miss Kay, and was with her when she was assassinated by Hackman, April 7, 1779. She afterwards fell into extreme poverty, and, about the age of seventy, was induced to sing again in oratorios. She appeared at Covent Garden as late as 1797. Lord Mount-Edgcumbe had the curiosity to go, and heard her sing ‘He was despised.’ Her voice was cracked and trembling, but it was easy to perceive that her school was good. She died in 1804.