# A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lebrun, Francesca

From volume 2 of the work.
​LEBRUN, Francesca, the daughter of Danzi the violoncellist, was born at Mannheim in 1756. Endowed by nature with a voice remarkable alike for its purity and extent, ranging as high as F in alt without difficulty, she improved her natural advantages by careful study, and became one of the best singers that Germany has produced. She made her first appearance (1771) when scarcely 16 years old, and charmed the court: in the next year she was engaged at the Mannheim Opera. Fétis says that in 1775 she became the wife of Lebrun the oboist, whom she accompanied to Italy, singing first at Milan (1778) in Salieri's 'Europa riconosciuta.' The Milanese were delighted with her clear and beautiful voice and easy vocalisation, in spite of the intrigues of La Balducci, the prima donna of La Scala, who endeavoured to set them against her young rival. This account must, however, be corrected; for, whereas Fétis says that she only came to England in 1781, there is no doubt that she was here five years earlier, then unmarried, arriving with Roncaglia, with whom she sang in Sacchini's 'Creso.' 'Though her name was Italian [called in the cast, Francesca Danzi, Virtuosa di Camera di S.A.S. l'Elettore Palatino], she was a German, and had never been in Italy. She was young, well-looking, had a voice of uncommon clearness and compass, capable of the most astonishing execution, and was an excellent musician. Yet her performance was considered unsatisfactory, being too much alla Tedescha, and more like that of an instrument than of a human voice. She soon after married M. Lebrun, an eminent player on the hautbois, which confirmed her in the bravura style, as she was in the habit of singing songs with an obbligato accompaniment for that instrument, in which the difficulties performed by both were quite astonishing, each seeming to vie with the other which could go highest and execute the most rapid divisions. After performing in 'Erifile,' also by Sacchini, and other operas, she left England after one season, but was re-engaged for the next but one' (Lord Mount-Edgcumbe). It is therefore clear that she did not marry Lebrun until after 1777. She reappeared in London as Mme. Lebrun in 1779, being again the prima donna for serious opera, and continued with Pacchierotti to sing in London for two or three seasons; she then went away, 'nor was her place ever well filled during the remainder of Pacchierotti's stay' (Idem.).
She sang in 1785 at Munich, after which she returned to Italy, achieving the same brilliant success at Venice and Naples as elsewhere. In 1788 and 1789 she appeared at Munich in Mozart's 'Idomeneo,' Prati's 'Armida,' and the 'Castor and Pollux' of Vogler. She started for Berlin in Dec. 1790 to fulfil an engagement, but on her arrival lost her husband, and herself died May 14, 1791.
Mme. Lebrun, beside being a great singer, was an accomplished pianiste, and composed well for that instrument. She published at Offenbach (1783) some sonatas with violin accompaniment, and some trios for piano, violin, and cello, which contain pretty melodies and are written with facility.
Of her two daughters, the elder, Sophie, better known as Mme.Dulcken, was born in London ​June 20, 1781, and became celebrated as a pianiste. She was remarkable for quick and true feeling, as well as a good style of execution, and made successful concert tours through France, Italy, and Germany. On April 18, 1799, she married Dulcken, a famous maker of pianos at Munich. She composed, but never published, some sonatas and other pieces for the piano.
[ J. M. ]