1. Adelina Stehle: A Coloratura Soprano of Verdi and Puccini
2. Debut and Early Career
3. Success at La Scala
4. Verdian and Puccinian Masterpieces
5. International Tours
6. Teaching Legacy
7. Later Years and Death

Adelina Stehle: A Coloratura Soprano of Verdi and Puccini

Early Life

Born in Graz, Austria, in 1860, Adelina Stehle was the daughter of an Austrian military conductor, Franz Stehle, and an Italian mother. She began her musical training in Milan, Italy.

Debut and Early Career

Stehle made her official operatic debut in Broni, Lombardy, in 1881 as Amina in Vincenzo Bellini's "La sonnambula." She initially settled in Broni and married local lawyer Carlo Mangiarotti. Their son, Giuseppe Mangiarotti, became the progenitor of a renowned fencing dynasty.

Success at La Scala

In 1890, Stehle debuted at Milan's La Scala and quickly gained recognition for her exceptional voice. Throughout the 1890s, she sang in numerous premiere productions, including Verdi's "Falstaff" in 1892, where she created the role of Nannetta.

Verdian and Puccinian Masterpieces

Stehle and her husband, Edoardo Garbin, played pivotal roles in popularizing Giacomo Puccini's "La bohème." They also performed in other operas by Verdi and Puccini, such as "Adriana Lecouvreur" and "Fedora." Her interpretations of verismo operas garnered her particular acclaim.

International Tours

Stehle's career flourished internationally. She performed in South America, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Saint Petersburg. Her voice matured over time, allowing her to tackle more dramatic roles.

Teaching Legacy

After retiring from singing, Stehle embarked on a successful career as a vocal teacher. Her most notable student was Giannina Arangi-Lombardi.

Later Years and Death

Stehle died on December 24, 1945. Her legacy as a renowned coloratura soprano and exponent of Verdi and Puccini's operas endures.

Soprano