Colbran, Isabella (Angela)

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Colbran, Isabella (Angela) (b Madrid, 1785; d Castenaso, Bologna, 1845). Sp. soprano. Considered to be finest dramatic coloratura of her day. Débuts Paris 1801; Bologna 1807; Milan 1808. Engaged for Naples, 1811, where she became impresario's mistress but left him in 1815 to live with Rossini, who married her in 1822 (they separated in 1837). Rossini wrote Elisabetta, Regina d'Inghilterra for her and she created the leading sop. roles in his Otello, Semiramide, Mosè, Armida, La donna del lago, and other operas. Also comp. songs.

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