Pio Botticelli

Pio Botticelli (8 January 1789 – 6 September 1855) was an Italian bass-baritone active in the opera houses of Italy from 1810 until the mid-1840s. Amongst the numerous roles he created in world premieres were Pietro il Grande (Peter the Great) in Donizetti's Il falegname di Livonia and The Caliph in Pacini's La schiava in Bagdad. He also sang the role of Leucippo in the Austrian premiere of Rossini's Zelmira.

Life and career Botticelli, was born in Rome, the son of Salvatore Botticelli who was also a noted bass. His earliest recorded performance was in 1810 when he sang the role of Montezo in Nicola Antonio Manfroce's Alzira at the Teatro Valle in Rome. From 1813 until 1816, he was a singer in the Basilica della Santa Casa in Loreto. During that time he also appeared on the opera stage, creating the roles of Aldano in the premiere of Carlo Coccia's Evellina at the Teatro Re in 1814 and The Spirit of Austria in and Ferdinando Orlandi's Il mistico omaggio at La Scala in 1815.