Opera Scotland

Giulia Grisi Suggest updates

Born Milan, 22 May 1811.

Died Berlin, 29 November 1869.

Italian soprano.

Giulia Grisi was one of the most important sopranos in the bel canto era.   She created Adalgisa Norma (Milan 1831);  Elvira I Puritani (Paris 1835) and Norina Don Pasquale (Paris 1843).

She trained in Milan, under her sister Guditta (1805-40) and Filippo Gugliena.  Her debut in Milan was in 1828 in Rossini's Zelmire.

She moved to Paris 1832, and sang there 1832-48 and 1856-58.  She first appeared in London in 1834 and sang there every year until 1861, apart from 1842, also touring Britain with that company.  She also made one visit to the USA in 1854-5.

She was the soprano in what became known as the 'Puritani quartet' with Rubini (tenor), Tamburini (baritone) and Lablache (bass).  They sang together at the Paris premiere (25 Jan 1835) and a few months later (21 May) in London.

She was married to the equally famous tenor Giovanni Mario (1810-1883) and toured Britain several times with him.