Simionato, Giulietta (1910–)

views updated

Simionato, Giulietta (1910–)

Italian mezzo-soprano. Born Giulietta Simionato, May 12, 1910, in Forlì, Italy; studied in Rovigo with Locatello and in Milan with Palumbo; grew up on island of Sardinia.

Won 1st place in a bel canto competition in Florence (1933); sang in premiere of Pizzetti's Orsèolo (1933); debuted at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, singing Beppe in L'Amico Fritz (1936); continued to sing secondary roles at La Scala for next 8 years, then struck out on her own; performed throughout Italy in such leading roles as Carmen (1944–57); debuted at Edinburgh Festival (1947); invited back to La Scala, sang title role in Mignon (1947) and remained a star in Milan for the rest of her career, particularly acclaimed for roles in such operas as Anna Bolena, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Favorita and I Capuletti ed i Montecchi; also performed internationally, singing to wide praise in Salzburg, London, Vienna, Mexico City, Paris, Madrid, Geneva and Rio de Janeiro, among other cities; sang for 1st time in US (1954), in Bellini's Norma with Maria Callas at Chicago Lyric Opera; made successful Metropolitan Opera debut as Azucena in Il Trovatore and continued to perform there until her retirement (1966).

See also Women in World History.

More From encyclopedia.com