Theresa Jansen Bartolozzi
Encyclopedia
Therese Jansen Bartolozzi (ca. 1770 – 1843) was an eminent pianist whose career flourished in London around the end of the 18th century. She was the dedicatee of piano works by a number of famous composers.
in Germany some time around 1770. Her father was a successful dancing master, who moved to London with his family. The family business of teaching dance to well-off customers was quite successful and was continued for some time by Therese and her younger brother Louis Jansen (1774–1840). According to an anonymous biography of Jansen's daughter (see below), the business made over 2000 pounds per year.
Both Therese and Louis studied with the famous pianist Muzio Clementi
. Therese particularly excelled, and by her young adulthood, she had become an outstanding performer. By 1791 she probably had a strong reputation, as Johann Peter Salomon
gave her and her family free tickets to the first series of the famous concerts which Joseph Haydn
gave in London under his auspices.
Not long after, works were being dedicated to her by composers: Clementi, Haydn, and J. L. Dussek
(see below). She was listed by a contemporary encyclopedist as one of Clementi's three most distinguished pupils, along with John Field
and Johann Baptist Cramer
.
Little evidence survives to document her career as a performer. Salwey mentions a performance of a Haydn sonata before the Anacreontic Society
prior to 1791 and two other performances in 1806. It is possible that Jansen's fame developed primarily from performances in private homes.
Therese Jansen was married on 16 May 1795 to Gaetano Bartolozzi
(1757-1821), a son of the noted artist and engraver Francesco Bartolozzi
. One of the witnesses at the ceremony was their friend Haydn. Gaetano Bartolozzi was primarily an art dealer who also branched out into the sale of other goods as well; his work often took him to Venice
. Bartolozzi was successful in his business and had purchased an estate about fifty miles from Venice. Like Therese, he was musical and was a fine violinist and violist.
Following two miscarriages, Therese gave birth to a daughter Elizabetta Lucia, who grew up to be a famous actress and theatre manager, performing under her married name of Lucia Elizabeth Vestris
, or Madame Vestris. Therese and Gaetano also had a second daughter Josephine.
In 1798, Bartolozzi closed up his art business, auctioning off his stock at Christie's
, and the family left for Europe: first Paris, then Vienna, and finally Venice. While in Vienna, they probably renewed their acquaintance with Haydn; they were among the subscribers to the first edition of The Creation, which Haydn published himself in 1800. Arriving in Venice, the Bartolozzis found that their property had been looted by French forces during the recent invasion of the area
.
Needing to start over financially, they returned to London, where Bartolozzi began giving lessons in drawing. He died in 1821. Therese Bartolozzi separated from her husband there. She supported herself and her two daughters by teaching piano.
Therese Jansen Bartolozzi died in London in 1843.
Life
Therese Jansen is believed to have been born in AachenAachen
Aachen has historically been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne, and the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, ...
in Germany some time around 1770. Her father was a successful dancing master, who moved to London with his family. The family business of teaching dance to well-off customers was quite successful and was continued for some time by Therese and her younger brother Louis Jansen (1774–1840). According to an anonymous biography of Jansen's daughter (see below), the business made over 2000 pounds per year.
Both Therese and Louis studied with the famous pianist Muzio Clementi
Muzio Clementi
Muzio Clementi was a celebrated composer, pianist, pedagogue, conductor, music publisher, editor, and piano manufacturer. Born in Italy, he spent most of his life in England. He is best known for his piano sonatas, and his collection of piano studies, Gradus ad Parnassum...
. Therese particularly excelled, and by her young adulthood, she had become an outstanding performer. By 1791 she probably had a strong reputation, as Johann Peter Salomon
Johann Peter Salomon
Johann Peter Salomon was a German violinist, composer, conductor and musical impresario.-Life:...
gave her and her family free tickets to the first series of the famous concerts which Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
gave in London under his auspices.
Not long after, works were being dedicated to her by composers: Clementi, Haydn, and J. L. Dussek
Jan Ladislav Dussek
Jan Ladislav Dussek was a Czech composer and pianist. He was an important representative of Czech music abroad in the second half of 18th century and the beginning of 19th century...
(see below). She was listed by a contemporary encyclopedist as one of Clementi's three most distinguished pupils, along with John Field
John Field (composer)
John Field was an Irish pianist, composer, and teacher. He was born in Dublin into a musical family, and received his early education there. The Fields soon moved to London, where Field studied under Muzio Clementi...
and Johann Baptist Cramer
Johann Baptist Cramer
Johann Baptist Cramer was an English musician of German origin. He was the son of Wilhelm Cramer, a famous London violinist and musical conductor, one of a numerous family who were identified with the progress of music during the 18th and 19th centuries.-Biography:Johann Baptist Cramer was born in...
.
Little evidence survives to document her career as a performer. Salwey mentions a performance of a Haydn sonata before the Anacreontic Society
Anacreontic Society
The Anacreontic Society was a popular gentlemen's club of amateur musicians in London founded in the mid-18th century. These barristers, doctors, and other professional men named their club after the Greek court poet Anacreon, who lived in the 6th century B.C. and whose poems, "anacreontics", were...
prior to 1791 and two other performances in 1806. It is possible that Jansen's fame developed primarily from performances in private homes.
Therese Jansen was married on 16 May 1795 to Gaetano Bartolozzi
Gaetano Stefano Bartolozzi
Gaetano Stefano Bartolozzi was an Italian engraver, art dealer, and merchant. He was the a son of the famous engraver Francesco Bartolozzi, a friend of Joseph Haydn, the husband of the outstanding pianist Theresa Jansen, and the father of the celebrated actress and theatre manager Lucia Elizabeth...
(1757-1821), a son of the noted artist and engraver Francesco Bartolozzi
Francesco Bartolozzi
Francesco Bartolozzi was an Italian engraver, whose most productive period was spent in London.He was born in Florence...
. One of the witnesses at the ceremony was their friend Haydn. Gaetano Bartolozzi was primarily an art dealer who also branched out into the sale of other goods as well; his work often took him to Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. Bartolozzi was successful in his business and had purchased an estate about fifty miles from Venice. Like Therese, he was musical and was a fine violinist and violist.
Following two miscarriages, Therese gave birth to a daughter Elizabetta Lucia, who grew up to be a famous actress and theatre manager, performing under her married name of Lucia Elizabeth Vestris
Lucia Elizabeth Vestris
Lucia Elizabeth Vestris was an English actress and a contralto opera singer, appearing in Mozart and Rossini works. While popular in her time, she was more notable as a theatre producer and manager...
, or Madame Vestris. Therese and Gaetano also had a second daughter Josephine.
In 1798, Bartolozzi closed up his art business, auctioning off his stock at Christie's
Christie's
Christie's is an art business and a fine arts auction house.- History :The official company literature states that founder James Christie conducted the first sale in London, England, on 5 December 1766, and the earliest auction catalogue the company retains is from December 1766...
, and the family left for Europe: first Paris, then Vienna, and finally Venice. While in Vienna, they probably renewed their acquaintance with Haydn; they were among the subscribers to the first edition of The Creation, which Haydn published himself in 1800. Arriving in Venice, the Bartolozzis found that their property had been looted by French forces during the recent invasion of the area
French Revolutionary Wars: Campaigns of 1797
The French Revolutionary Wars continued from 1796, with France fighting the First Coalition.On 14 February, British admiral Jervis met and defeated a Spanish fleet off Portugal at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. This prevented the Spanish fleet from rendezvousing with the French, removing a threat...
.
Needing to start over financially, they returned to London, where Bartolozzi began giving lessons in drawing. He died in 1821. Therese Bartolozzi separated from her husband there. She supported herself and her two daughters by teaching piano.
Therese Jansen Bartolozzi died in London in 1843.
Works dedicated to Therese Jansen
- Muzio ClementiMuzio ClementiMuzio Clementi was a celebrated composer, pianist, pedagogue, conductor, music publisher, editor, and piano manufacturer. Born in Italy, he spent most of his life in England. He is best known for his piano sonatas, and his collection of piano studies, Gradus ad Parnassum...
: 3 piano sonatas Opus 33 (1794) - J.L. DussekJan Ladislav DussekJan Ladislav Dussek was a Czech composer and pianist. He was an important representative of Czech music abroad in the second half of 18th century and the beginning of 19th century...
:- 3 sonatas for violin and piano Op. 13 (1793)
- Piano sonata Op. 43 (1800)
- Joseph HaydnJoseph HaydnFranz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
:- 3 piano trios Hob. XV: 27–9
- 2 piano sonatas Hob. XVI: 50 and 52Piano Sonata No. 52 in E-flat major (Haydn)The Piano Sonata No. 52 in E flat major, Hob. XVI/52, L. 62, was written in 1794 by Joseph Haydn. This is the last of Haydn's piano sonatas, and is widely considered his greatest...
- Louis Jansen: Piano sonata Op. 6 (1802)