A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Girelli Aguilar, Signora

GIRELLI AGUILAR, Signora, an Italian prima donna, who took part in the 'grand dramatic serenata' composed by Mozart (1771) in honour of the nuptials of the Archduke Ferdinand, celebrated at Milan on Oct. 17 of that year. 'The archduke and his bride, not only frequently inclined their heads from their box and applauded the maestro, but encored two airs sung by Manzuoli and Girelli' (Holmes, p. 79). After this, Girelli married a Frenchman named Aguilar, and visited London, succeeding Grassi, and singing the principal rôle in Vento's 'Sophonisba' (1772–3); after which her name is not found again in London.

[ J. M. ]