Isabella Girardeau

Isabella Girardeau (née Calliari?? – ?) was an Italian operatic soprano who flourished in London, England from 1709 to 1712. Commonly referred to by the opera going public in London as "La Isabella", she is best remembered today for creating the role of Almirena in the momentous premiere of George Frideric Handel's Rinaldo on 24 February 1711 at the Queen's Theatre in the Haymarket (it later became the "King's Theatre" after King George I's accession in 1714) in which she introduced the famous aria "Lascia ch'io pianga". She had succeeded Joanna Maria Lindelheim, "The Baroness", as one of the leading sopranos at that theatre. She is said to have had a bitter rivalry with the Queen's other prima donna, the soprano Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti.

Life and career Very little is known about Girardeau's life. Her place and date of birth and activities prior to December 1709 are unknown. Though often styled 'Mademoiselle',

In 1711 Girardeau was seen at the Queen's Theatre as Climene in Alessandro Scarlatti's Pirro e Demetrio, Fronima in Bononcini's Etearco, and Almirena in the momentous premiere of George Frideric Handel's Rinaldo. Rinaldo was Handel's first opera written for the London stage, and it was the first Italian language opera written specifically for the English theatre. A tremendous success with the public, a further 12 performances were immediately scheduled after its premiere; at the end of the run, popular demand was such that two more were added. In 1712 she made her last known stage appearances as Oronte in Francesco Gasparini's Antioco and Veremonda in Gasparini's Ambleto. Her whereabouts and activities beyond 1712 are unknown.