Luigi Lodovico Marchesi, 1754-1829, Milanese castrato singer. 1791 silver medal minted in Rome for a performance at the Teatro Venier in Venice. By Giovanni Hamerani. (Silver, 31.55 mm. 10.09 g). A(LOYSIO) M(ARCHESI) CVI MENS DIVINIOR ATQVE OS MAGNA SONATVRVM – G(IOVANNI) HAMERANI F(ECIT). Bust to left. Rev. ALOYS(IVS) MARCHESI FORMA EGREGIVS INGENIO PRAESTANS CANTV VNICVS VENETIIS IN THEATRO VENERIO EGIT AN(NO) MDCCXCI VTINAM QVOTAN(N)IS. Inscription in nine lines, with star at top and bottom, within laurel wreath. Voltolina P., La storia di Venezia attraverso le medaglie n. 1736 (this medal); The collection of Medals of Musicians formed by Paul Niggl, lot 1251. Glossy patina of old collection. About uncirculated. Rare.
Ex The Serenissima Collection III, Arsantiqua 11 Dicember 2003, lot 163 and Astarte XIX, 6 May 2006 lot 562.
Marchesi achieved extraordinary fame throughout Europe thanks to her talent and the female voice derived from emasculation. He made his opera debut in 1774 in Rome, playing a female role. In 1782, he became a musician for Victor Amadeus III, King of Sardinia, with a salary of 1500 lire. He performed in the main Italian theatres as well as in St Petersburg, Vienna and London, where he reached the height of his fame, being proclaimed the greatest singer of his time. In 1796 Marchesi refused to sing for Napoleon when the latter entered Milan.