Giuditta Grisi
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Giuditta Grisi (July 28, 1805, Milan - May 1, 1840, Lodi) was an Italian operatic mezzo-soprano, sister of soprano Giulia Grisi and cousin of ballerina Carlotta Grisi.
She studied in Milan, and made her debut in Vienna, as Faliero in Bianca e Faliero, in 1826. Quickly specialized in Rossini roles, which beginning in 1827, she sang throughout Italy, also creating several roles in opera by composers such as Persiani, Coccia, Pacini, etc. Bellini wrote for her the role of Romeo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi in 1830.
She appeared in London, and at the Théâtre-Italien in Paris, singing Romeo, La straniera, La donna del lago, etc.
Superbly gifted, she suffered early from serious vocal problems, which necessitated considerable transposition and rewriting of the vocal line. She died prematurely aged only 34.
Sources
- Le guide de l'opéra, Roland Mancini & Jean-Jacques Rouveroux, (Fayard, 1986) ISBN 2-213-01563-6