Composer. He was an Italian operatic composer and teacher. He studied with Pasquale Cafaro and Niccolò Jommelli and worked mainly in London, Paris and in all the major Italian operatic centers. He played the harpsichord. He published his first opera, "Il gran Ciddle" in 1773 in Florence. He composed around 80 operas of all genres, mainly in the field of the Italian opera, including "Castore e Polluce" in Florence in 1779; "Arbace" and "Zemira," both in Naples in 1781; "Alonso e Cora" in Venice in 1786; "Calto" and "La morte di Cesare," both Venice in 1788; "Seleuco, re di Siria" in Venice, 1791; and the opera giocosa, "La villanella rapita," in Sutton in 1784. In 1795 he accepted the position of composer at Kings Theatre in London. One of his music students became Sir Henry Bishop, the composer of the famous tunes "Home! Sweet Home!" and "Lo! Here the Gentle Lark" and the first musician to be knighted. In 1799 his opera, "Ines de castro," was successfully performed 21 times. At the age of 58, he committed suicide, most likely in grief of the death of his beloved daughter. He is buried next to his daughter, Caroline, who died June 28, 1807. In 1800 he married Jane Jackson, an average-ranked soprano voice according to critics. His entire estate was left to his widow, who in 1812 married a singer, John Lacy. Eventually, Lacy successfully promoted the career of Bianchi's widow. His widow published parts of his "theoretical work" in the "Quarterly Music Review" for 1820 to 1821.
Composer. He was an Italian operatic composer and teacher. He studied with Pasquale Cafaro and Niccolò Jommelli and worked mainly in London, Paris and in all the major Italian operatic centers. He played the harpsichord. He published his first opera, "Il gran Ciddle" in 1773 in Florence. He composed around 80 operas of all genres, mainly in the field of the Italian opera, including "Castore e Polluce" in Florence in 1779; "Arbace" and "Zemira," both in Naples in 1781; "Alonso e Cora" in Venice in 1786; "Calto" and "La morte di Cesare," both Venice in 1788; "Seleuco, re di Siria" in Venice, 1791; and the opera giocosa, "La villanella rapita," in Sutton in 1784. In 1795 he accepted the position of composer at Kings Theatre in London. One of his music students became Sir Henry Bishop, the composer of the famous tunes "Home! Sweet Home!" and "Lo! Here the Gentle Lark" and the first musician to be knighted. In 1799 his opera, "Ines de castro," was successfully performed 21 times. At the age of 58, he committed suicide, most likely in grief of the death of his beloved daughter. He is buried next to his daughter, Caroline, who died June 28, 1807. In 1800 he married Jane Jackson, an average-ranked soprano voice according to critics. His entire estate was left to his widow, who in 1812 married a singer, John Lacy. Eventually, Lacy successfully promoted the career of Bianchi's widow. His widow published parts of his "theoretical work" in the "Quarterly Music Review" for 1820 to 1821.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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