FIORENTINI, CLAUDINA [WILLIAMS, Florentina Claudina] (b Seville, c 1828; d ?1889)

This chapter presents a biography of mid- to late-19th-century singer Florentina Claudina. Apart from her theatrical dates, Claudina sang also in concert, and was spotted in January 1850, performing at a Berlin soiree given by the Earl of Westmoreland, billed as 'prima donna of the Italian Opera, Berlin'. The 1852 season at Her Majesty's Theatre began promisingly. The new opera, Maria di Rohan, was produced on 1 April, with Madame Fiorentini in the title-role. In the early months of 1853 she appeared in a number of concerts, but she also scratched from a number, including Madame Pleyel's concert party, through indisposition. In 1863, she was spotted her at the Pergola, Florence, and in the opening months of 1865 the pair can be seen touring Britain with a concert party including Luise Liebhart and William Winn. In the seasons of 1866 and 1867, Madame Fiorentini can be seen on the bill at the odd London concert.