Arias for Nancy Storace

This collection of fifteen arias for soprano by various composers portrays the voice of Nancy Storace (1765–1817), the singer for whom Mozart wrote the role of Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro. Written in an age when composers still tailored their arias to particular singers, these arias give an idea of the kind of roles and style of arias that Storace sang. Three arias are large-scale showcase arias in the seria style, which Storace cultivated at the beginning of her career. The twelve that make up the bulk of the collection are in a vocally simpler, more lyrical style, which Storace eventually came to prefer. In this she was encouraged by Mozart, who fit “Deh vieni” especially to her abilities.