Jane Barbier

Who is Jane Barbier?

Jane Barbier was an English contralto of the 18th century, best known for her performances in the operas of George Frederic Handel. She created the roles of Dorinda and Arcano, and also sang in Rinaldo. After leaving Italian opera she performed in the masques Johann Pepusch, and worked for John Rich in various pantomimes and English-language operas. Thomas Arne's Rosamond, where she took the role of King Henry, marked the end of her successful career, and after this she largely disappears from the historical record.