Marietta Alboni by Gurney

Marietta Alboni (1826-1894); Italian contralto and one of the most famous and celebrated singers of the 19th century. In 1842 she made her debut at Bologna as Climene in Pacini’s "Saffo", and that same year she achieved a notable success in Rossini’s "Le siège de Corinthe" at La Scala in Milan. In the following years she toured Austria, Germany, eastern Europe and Russia. In 1847 she made a sensational London debut at Covent Garden as Arsace in Rossini’s "Semiramide". In 1852/53 she toured Spain and the United States to great acclaim. She married, settled in Paris and left the stage officially in 1863. She continued giving occasional concerts and she sang at Rossini's funeral in 1868. Because of her worsening obesity she made her final appearance in 1872.