Erminia Frezzolini by Mayer & Pierson

Erminia Frezzolini (1818-1884); Italian soprano who created the role of Giselda in Verdi's "I Lombardi" in 1843. She also created the role of Giovanna d'Arco by Verdi in 1845. Both premieres in Milano at La Scala. She was a pupil of her father, the famous bass- buffo Giuseppe Frezzolini (1789-1861), who in 1832 created the role of Dulcamara in the premiere of Donizetti 's "Elisir D'amore".
In 1837 she made her debut in Florence in the title role of Belllini's "Beatrice di Tenda ". Soon she became one the most important Donizetti and Bellini interpreters of her generation in Italy. In 1838 she sang at Siena and Ferrara, in 1839 at Pisa, Reggio Emilia, Perugia and Bologna, in 1840 at Turin. In 1840 she enthralled the audience of La Scala in the title role of Donizetti 's "Lucrezia Borgia". In 1842 and 1850 she sang at London, in 1852-53 at Madrid and in1853-57 in Paris. In 1846, she sang at the Teatro San Carlo Naples in the world premiere of Mercadante's "Gli Orazi ed I Curiazi". She made numerous guest appearances in Europe and North America. During the years 1841/46 she was married to the tenor Antonio Poggi (1806-75), who sang as her partner in the aforementioned premiere of "Gianna d' Arco" the role of King Charles VII of France.