Crescentini, Girolamo

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Crescentini, Girolamo (b Urbania, 1762; d Naples, 1846). It. mezzo-soprano castrato. Sang in Sarti opera in Padua 1782. Visited London 1785, being coolly received, and spent next 10 years in major Eur. opera houses, his repertory being chiefly operas by Zingarelli, Mayr, Cimarosa, and Gazzaniga. Sang at Teatro São Carlos, Lisbon, 1799–1803, and was also its manager. Lived in Paris 1806–12 as singing teacher to Napoleon's family. Retired 1812 and returned to It., teaching at Naples Cons. Isabella Colbran was one of his pupils. Also a composer.