Diana Vico

Diana Vico was an 18th-century Italian contralto who had an active performance career in Europe from 1707 through 1732. Performing primarily in operas, she sang in opera houses in Italy, Germany, and England. She began performing professionally as an opera singer in Venice in 1707; making her debut in ’s Vindice la pazzia della vendetta. From 1724 through 1726, she was primarily active as an opera singer in Naples; appearing in nine operas.

Outside of Italy, Vico was a resident artist of the King's Theatre in London from 1714 to 1716. She made her debut there in the pastiche Ernelinda. She had success in several operas by George Frideric Handel, including portraying the title role in a revival of Rinaldo (1714) and creating the role of Dardano in the world premiere of Amadigi di Gaula (1715). Her penchant for crossing and challenging gender lines both on and off stage, led the London impresario Owen Swiny to dismiss her as "some He-she-thing or other". She was engaged by Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria for performances at the Bavarian court in 1720, and returned frequently to Munich over the next decade.

After performances in Milan in 1732, there is no further known record of her activities and whereabouts.