Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/B/Bernardi, Francesco

Bernardi, Francesco, commonly called Senesino, was an excellent soprano singer, born at Sienna about the year 1680. His celebrity appears to have commenced at Dresden, in 1719. Handel, hearing of his talent, then engaged him for his opera in London, at a large salary, and he made his Abut there in 1721. Senesino's voice was considered on the continent as a mezzo soprano, though m England it was regarded as a contralto. In the year 1726, he was taken ill, and as soon as he was able to travel, went to Italy for the recovery of his health ; after remaining there about two or three years, he returned to London. Senesino's voice was penetrating, clear, equal, and flexible ; his intonation was pure, his shake perfect, and he was peculiarly renowned for his delivery of recitative. In 1739, Senesino was residing at Florence. He died about the year 1750.