Tarquinia Tarquini Italian dramatic soprano Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Education
2. Professional Debut and Early Career
3. International Success
4. Collaboration with Riccardo Zandonai
5. Later Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Tarquinia Tarquini, an Italian dramatic soprano, was born in 1882 in Colle di Val d'Elsa, Tuscany. She received her vocal training at the Milan Conservatory and also took private lessons in Florence.

Professional Debut and Early Career

Tarquini made her professional opera debut in 1905. Over the next two years, she performed in regional opera houses throughout Italy. In 1907, she traveled to the United States at the invitation of impresario Henry Russell and joined his San Carlo Opera Company in Boston. Her debut role was Santuzza in Puccini's "Cavalleria rusticana." She then embarked on a tour of North America with the company. That same year, she also sang the title role in the American premiere of Cilea's "Adriana Lecouvreur" at the French Opera House in New Orleans.

International Success

From 1908 to 1911, Tarquini sang in opera houses in Austria, Egypt, Italy, and Portugal. Her repertoire included roles such as Cio-Cio San in Puccini's "Madama Butterfly," Maddalena de Coigny in Giordano's "Andrea Chénier," Mimì in Puccini's "La bohème," and the title role in Massenet's "Manon." She achieved particular acclaim for her performance as Salome in Richard Strauss's "Salome." Being skilled in dance, she performed the Dance of the Seven Veils herself, becoming one of the first opera singers to do so. This caused some controversy among conservative critics.

Collaboration with Riccardo Zandonai

On October 14, 1911, Tarquini sang the title role in the world premiere of Riccardo Zandonai's opera "Conchita" at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan. The role had been written specifically for her, and Tarquini's performance was a great success. She sang "Conchita" several more times, including at the Royal Opera in London and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Later Life and Legacy

Tarquini married Riccardo Zandonai and retired from singing in 1917. She spent most of her remaining years with her husband in Pesaro and Milan. She died on February 25, 1976, at the age of 93. Tarquini never made any commercial recordings. Her major triumphs included Carmen in Covent Garden, and her performances of "Conchita" and "Salome."