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Giulia Grisi

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Giulia Grisi was a celebrated Italian opera singer of the 19th century.

Giulia Grisi 002
Giulia Grisi 002

She was a dramatic soprano, a voice type known for its power and intensity. Critics of her time praised her voice for its exceptional beauty, smoothness, and evenness. Her career was highly influential, spanning a total of 30 years. She performed widely across Europe, South America, and the United States. In America, she and her husband were treated as major international celebrities. Her talent helped establish Italian opera as a vital part of the London music scene.

Performing opera requires immense skill and the ability to master complex new roles. Grisi made her stage debut in 1828 in Bologna, playing the role of Emma in Rossini's *Zelmira*. She later achieved great success in Paris in 1832 as the title character in *Semiramide*. In 1835, she created the role of Elvira for the premiere of Bellini's final opera, *I puritani*. She was also the first singer to perform the role of Adalgisa in Bellini's *Norma* in Milan. In 1842, composer Donizetti wrote the roles of Norina and Ernesto specifically for Grisi and her partner, the tenor Mario.

Music was a fundamental part of Grisi's family heritage. She was born in Milan to Gaetano Grisi, an officer for Napoleon, and Giovanna. Her maternal aunt, Giuseppina Grassini, was a famous opera singer in London and across the continent. Grisi's musical talent was shared by her relatives. Her older sister, Giuditta, was a singer who created the breeches role of Romeo in Bellini's *I Capuleti e i Montecchi*. Her cousin Carlotta was also a performing artist, working as a ballet dancer.

Père-Lachaise - Division 26 - Grisi 03
Père-Lachaise - Division 26 - Grisi 03

Grisi's personal life was marked by significant transitions and complex relationships. She first married the French nobleman Count Gérard de Melcy in 1836. This marriage was unhappy, and it involved a legal struggle because the Count refused to grant a divorce. During this time, Grisi had a relationship with Frederick Stewart, the 4th Marquess of Londonderry. They had a son named George Frederick Ormsby, born in London in 1839. While George was not legally recognized as a Stewart, his father supported his education at an English boarding school.

In 1844, Grisi married Giovanni Matteo de Candia, a famous tenor known by his stage name, Mario. Mario was a member of a noble family from the Kingdom of Sardinia. The couple lived in both London and Paris, and they also maintained a home at the Villa Salviati in Florence. They had a family of six daughters: Giulia, Rita, Maria Angelina, Cecilia Maria, Clelia, and Bella Maria. They also legally adopted Grisi's son, George Frederick, giving him the name Fredo de Candia for inheritance purposes. The family often enjoyed private vacations at a cottage in Bordighera, where Grisi felt most at home.

Grasi's life came to an end following an accident during a train trip. While traveling to Saint Petersburg, Russia, she crossed into Germany and became ill. She spent her final days in a hotel in Berlin under the care of a Dr. Isabell. She died on November 29, 1869, at the age of 58. Her husband, Mario, brought her body to Paris for burial. She is interred at the Père Lachaise Cemetery, where her grave is marked by a plain white stone inscribed "Juliette de Candia."

Giulia Grisi 002
Giulia Grisi 002

The legacy of Giulia Grisi continues through both musical and literary channels. After her death, Mario donated a substantial sum of money to the Paris Opera. This donation funded scholarships for sopranos, helping to support the next generation of singers. Her daughter, Cecilia Maria de Candia, became a recognized writer. In 1910, Cecilia published *The Romance of a Great Singer – A Memoir of Mario*. This book provides historical details about both her mother and her father, preserving their story for future readers.

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File:Père-Lachaise - Division 26 - Grisi 03.jpg
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