Fanny Tacchinardi Persiani

Fanny Tacchinardi Persiani (October 4, 1812, Rome - May 3, 1867, Paris) was an Italian soprano particularly associated with bel canto composers, such as Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, and early Verdi.

Life and career

Born in Rome, she was the daughter of cellist and tenor Nicola Tacchinardi, with whom she trained from childhood. She made her stage debut at Livorno, in Fournier's "Francesca da Rimini" in 1832. She quickly appeared in Venice, Florence, Milan, Naples, etc., in opera such as; "Tancredi", "La gazza ladra", "Il pirata", "L'elisir d'amore".

Noticed by composer Gaetano Donizetti, she created for him the title roles in "Rosmonda d'Inghilterra" (Florence, 1834), in the immensely popular "Lucia di Lammermoor" (Naples, 1835), and in "Pia de' Tolomei" (Venice, 1837).

She made her Paris debut at the Théâtre-Italien in 1837, as Amina in "La Sonnambula", and sang at the premiere of "Linda di Chamounix", there in 1842. She also appeared in London, Vienna, St Petersburg. Other notable roles were the lead soprano in "Torquato Tasso", "Lucrezia Borgia", "Ernani", "I due Foscari", she also enjoyed success in Mozart operas.

Tacchinardi Persiani retired from the stage in 1859. She was married to composer Giuseppe Persiani in 1830, and added his surname to hers.She taught voice in Paris with him, after her retirement.

Her voice was described as sweet and light with a brilliant upper register and remarkable agility, she is said to have been able to sing the same aria several times and add a different cadenza each time.She was one of the first soprano of the "nightingale" category, opening the doors to future sopranos such as Jenny Lind, Adelina Patti, Nellie Melba, Amelita Galli-Curci, etc.

ources

* "Le guide de l'opéra, les indispensables de la musique", R. Mancini & J-J. Rouvereux, (Fayard, 1986) ISBN 2-213-01563-6