Margarita Durastanti

caricature of Margaret Durastanti at the Teatro San Juan Crisostomo, Venice.

Margarita Durastanti (active between 1700-1734) was an eighteenth-century Venetian singer. Vocally, she described herself better as a soprano, although later on in her career her tone changed to being mezzosoprano.

For the first time professionally performed in Mantua in 1700 but she is particularly remembered for her association with the composer Handel: in fact she enjoys the largest personal association with the composer as a singer.

After singing in Venice, Parma, Florence and Naples arrived in London in 1720. Where he was offered a contract in the Royal Company of Handel. The roles Handel wrote for her over the next five years demonstrated her considerable skills as a singer and actress.

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