- Giannina Russ
Giannina Russ (
March 27 ,1873 , Lodi –February 28 ,1951 ,Milan ) was an Italian operaticsoprano , particularly associated with the Italian repertory.Life and career
Russ studied piano and voice at the Milan Music Conservatory with Leoni.She made her debut in Bologna, as Mimi, in 1903, at
La Scala in 1905, asAida , and in Florence in 1908, as Norma.She was quickly invited abroad, making debut in 1904 at both the
Royal Opera House in London, and theMonte Carlo Opera , also appearing at theTeatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and theManhattan Opera in New York, in 1907.Russ performed in a wide range of roles, from
bel canto toverismo , her repertory included;Semiramide , Giulia, Amaltea, Paolina, Abigail, Elvira, Leonora, Amelia, Wally, Gioconda, Santuzza, etc.She possessed a beautiful and grand voice, if somewhat uneven, and a strong dramatic temperament, she enjoyed more success in Latin countries than in Anglo-Saxon countries. After retirement she became a respectedvoice teacher, amongst her pupils were
Margherita Grandi andClara Petrella .ources
"Le guide de l'opéra, les indispemsables de la musique", R. Mancini & J-J. Rouvereux, (Fayard, 1986), ISBN 2-213-01563-6
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