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Giuseppina StrepponiItalian opera singer, soprano
Date of Birth: 08.09.1815
Country:  Italy |
Content:
Biography of Giuseppina Strepponi
Giuseppina Strepponi was an Italian opera singer, soprano, and the second wife of the great Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. She is considered one of the main reasons for Verdi's early successes, as her outstanding vocal talents drew much attention to his early operas.
Early Life
Strepponi was born in Lodi, Italy, as the eldest child of organist and opera composer Feliciano Strepponi and his wife Rosa Cornalba. Her father gave her initial music lessons, primarily focusing on piano. In 1832, Feliciano Strepponi passed away, and Giuseppina continued her education at the Milan Conservatory. She continued to study both piano and singing, but it became evident that her vocal abilities were far superior. In 1834, she even won first prize in a bel canto competition.
Opera Career
Strepponi made her debut on the opera stage in December 1834, portraying Adria in Luigi Ricci's "Chiara di Rosembergh." However, her real breakthrough came the following spring when she delivered a brilliant performance at the Teatro Grande in Trieste. Her portrayal of the lead role in Gioachino Rossini's "Matilde di Shabran" brought her fame and attention.
She began receiving invitations to perform in major opera houses around the world, quickly becoming the main breadwinner for her family. In the summer of 1835, Strepponi traveled to Austria, where she sang the roles of Adalgisa in Vincenzo Bellini's "Norma" and Amina in his "La sonnambula." Her performances were well-received, making it peculiar that she did not perform outside of Italy after 1835.
Personal Life and Later Years
Upon her return to Italy, Strepponi embarked on a romance with tenor Napoleone Moriani. Although the relationship was short-lived, she did bear two illegitimate children. In the early 1840s, she began a relationship with La Scala manager Bartolomeo Merelli, which also did not last long but resulted in another son.
Strepponi's peak of popularity occurred in the late 1830s and early 1840s. During this period, she actively performed throughout Italy, taking on leading roles in most popular operas of the time. She made her debut at La Scala in 1839, portraying Leonora in the premiere of Verdi's first opera, "Oberto." In 1841, Strepponi sang the title role in Gaetano Donizetti's "Adelia," which was specifically written for her.
In 1844, Strepponi began experiencing vocal problems, likely due to an intense performance schedule. In 1845, she gave a disastrous performance in Palermo, being heavily booed by the audience. Unfortunately, her voice never fully recovered. She made sporadic appearances on the opera stage for a short time but officially retired in 1846. She moved to Paris and became a vocal instructor.
In the summer of 1847, Strepponi began a romance with Giuseppe Verdi, which lasted until her death in 1897. They officially married in 1859. Their marriage proved to be extremely successful, and Strepponi's death deeply affected Verdi.
