Giulia Grisi
Italian soprano who created iconic roles for Bellini and Donizetti.
Giulia Grisi (22 May 1811 – 29 November 1869) was an Italian opera singer. She performed widely in Europe, the United States and South America and was among the leading sopranos of the 19th century. Her second husband was Giovanni Matteo de Candia (also known as "Mario the Tenor"), scion of a noble family of the Kingdom of Sardinia. She is buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, her grave marked "Juliette de Candia", styled in her married last name; usually better known by the courtesy title the Marquesse of Candia.
- born
- 22 May 1811, Milan
- died
- 29 November 1869, Berlin
- field
- Opera singer (soprano)
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- Leading soprano of the 19th century; creator of roles in Bellini's Norma and I p
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Born in Milan, Giulia Grisi was the daughter of Giovanna (née Grassini) and Gaetano Grisi, one of Napoleon's Italian officers. She came from a musically gifted family: her maternal aunt Giuseppina Grassini was a favourite opera singer, her older sister Giuditta created the breeches role of Romeo in Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi, and her cousin Carlotta was a ballet dancer. Grisi made her stage debut as Emma in Rossini's Zelmira in Bologna in 1828. Rossini and Bellini both took an interest in her. She was the first to play the part of Adalgisa in Bellini's Norma in Milan, in which the dramatic soprano Giuditta Pasta took the title role. In 1832 she appeared in Paris in the title role of Semiramide in Rossini's opera and was a great success; in 1834 she made her debut in London as Ninetta in La gazza ladra; and in 1835 she created the role of Elvira in the premiere of Bellini's final opera, I puritani at the Théâtre-Italien. In 1842, Donizetti wrote the parts of Norina and Ernesto in Don Pasquale for Grisi and Giovanni Matteo de Candia, who was to become the love of her life. Her voice was described as a dramatic soprano which, during her prime, was praised by music critics for its exceptional beauty, evenness and smoothness. Her career spanned 30 years in total. She appeared regularly in London with such eminent singers as Luigi Lablache, Giovanni Battista Rubini and Antonio Tamburini, not to mention her husband Mario. In 1854, after they were married, Giulia and Mario undertook a lucrative tour of the United States of America, where they were treated as major international celebrities.
Reader's Guide
Giulia Grisi's significance lies in her central role in 19th-century Italian opera. She was the first to perform several iconic roles, including Adalgisa in Norma and Elvira in I puritani, and Donizetti specifically composed the role of Norina in Don Pasquale for her. Her voice was described as a dramatic soprano praised for its exceptional beauty, evenness and smoothness. She performed regularly in London with eminent singers such as Luigi Lablache, Giovanni Battista Rubini, and Antonio Tamburini, and together with her husband Mario helped establish Italian opera as an important component of the London music scene. Her career spanned 30 years, and she toured the United States in 1854 as a major international celebrity. After her death, her husband donated a substantial sum for the creation of sopranos scholarships at the Paris Opera. Her daughter Cecilia Maria de Candia later wrote a memoir of Mario that also covered much of Grisi's life.
Did You Know?
- Giulia Grisi's older sister Giuditta created the breeches role of Romeo in Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi.
- In 1838, Grisi's first husband Count Gérard de Melcy fought a duel with Lord Castlereagh after discovering a letter; Lord Castlereagh was wounded in the wrist.
- Grisi had a son, George Frederick Ormsby, with Lord Castlereagh, who was brought up by his natural father as a guardian or godfather.
- Donizetti wrote the parts of Norina and Ernesto in Don Pasquale specifically for Grisi and Giovanni Matteo de Candia (Mario).
- Grisi's grave at Père Lachaise Cemetery is marked 'Juliette de Candia', and she was styled by the courtesy title the Marquesse of Candia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Giulia Grisi?
Giulia Grisi was an Italian soprano born in Milan in 1811 who became one of the most celebrated opera voices of the 19th century. She performed across Europe, the United States, and South America before passing away in Berlin in 1869.
What are Giulia Grisi's most famous roles?
She is best known for creating the title roles in Bellini's Norma and I puritani, as well as Norina in Donizetti's Don Pasquale. These premieres cemented her legacy as a defining interpreter of the bel canto repertoire.
Why is Giulia Grisi important in opera history?
As a leading soprano of her era, she shaped the bel canto tradition by premiering major roles composed specifically for her voice. Her close collaborations with Bellini and Donizetti set a standard for how composers wrote for the dramatic soprano.
Where did Giulia Grisi perform during her career?
Her career took her across the European opera stage, into the United States, and as far south as South America. This wide touring circuit made her one of the most internationally recognized singers of the mid-1800s.
Where was Giulia Grisi born and where did she die?
She was born in Milan, Italy, on 22 May 1811. She died in Berlin on 29 November 1869, bringing to a close a career that spanned several decades and multiple continents.
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