Josefa Gassier-Fernandez by Heath & Beau

Josefa Gassier-Fernandez (1821-1866); Spanish soprano.

She started her musical career as a choir singer in Madrid. After vocal studies with the tenor Pasini she made her debut (under her maiden name) in 1846 in London at Her Majesty's Theatre as Elvira in Verdi's "Ernani". In 1848 she married the opera singer Edouard Gassier (1820-1872) and since their marriage they often performed together. Their first tour was to Italy (Milan, Palermo and Venice). In the years 1849/52 they were very successful in Spain and in 1854 they were engaged by the Théâtre-Italien in Paris. In 1855 they performed at the Drury Lane Theatre and her most memorable roles were Amina in "La Sonnambula", Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor", Norina in "Don Pasquale" and Rosina in "Il barbiere di Siviglia". In the following years she mainly performed in London, but after 1861 she gradually retired from the stage.