Rauzzini, Venanzio (1746–1810)

Italian castrato soprano and composer. Brother of Matteo Rauzzini, he made his operatic debut in Rome in 1765, and two years later entered the service of the court in Munich. In 1772 he sang the leading role in Mozart's Lucio Silla in Milan, where Mozart also wrote for him the motet Exsultate, jubilate. In 1774 he settled in England, appearing both as a singer and opera composer. From 1778 he lived increasingly in Bath, where he taught singing and was director of the Assembly Room concerts. Among his pupils were Nancy Storace, John Braham, Mara, and Michael Kelly.

Works operas Piramo e Tisbe (1769), L'ali d'amore (1776), L'eroe cinese (1771), Astarto, Creusa in Delfo (1783), La regina di Golconda (1784), La vestale (1787); Requiem (1801); cantatas; Italian arias, duets.; 12 string quartets and other chamber music; harpsichord sonatas.