Anna Girò
Encyclopedia
Anna Girò or Anna Giraud La Mantovana, was the stage name
of Anna Maddalena Teseire, an Italian
contralto
. She is best known for her collaborations with composer Antonio Vivaldi
, who wrote several operatic roles for her.
. Girò's father was a French barber and wig manufacturer. She began to study with Vivaldi around 1720. She made her debut at Treviso
in the fall of 1723, and in 1724 debuted on stage in Venice
, performing Laodice
by Tomaso Albinoni
. She sang for Vivaldi starting with her 1727 appearance in his opera Farnace
. Vivaldi's contemporaries and modern scholars have speculated on the nature of the relationship between Vivaldi and Girò, but Vivaldi insisted the relationship was purely artistic.
Girò was prima donna
on dozens of performances through her career. She continued her successful career until 1748, when, after singing during the carnival in Piacenza
, she married a widower, Count Antonio Maria Zanardi Landi, and retired from performing.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
of Anna Maddalena Teseire, an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
contralto
Contralto
Contralto is the deepest female classical singing voice, with the lowest tessitura, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. It typically ranges between the F below middle C to the second G above middle C , although at the extremes some voices can reach the E below middle C or the second B above...
. She is best known for her collaborations with composer Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
, who wrote several operatic roles for her.
Life and career
Girò was born in MantuaMantua
Mantua is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province of the same name. Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, made it one of the main artistic, cultural and notably musical hubs of Northern Italy and the country as a whole...
. Girò's father was a French barber and wig manufacturer. She began to study with Vivaldi around 1720. She made her debut at Treviso
Treviso
Treviso is a city and comune in Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Treviso and the municipality has 82,854 inhabitants : some 3,000 live within the Venetian walls or in the historical and monumental center, some 80,000 live in the urban center proper, while the city...
in the fall of 1723, and in 1724 debuted on stage in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, performing Laodice
Laodice
-Greek mythology:* Laodice , daughter of Priam, king of Troy* Laodice, daughter of Agamemnon, a.k.a. Electra* Laodice, one of the Hyperborean maidens* Laodice, consort of Phoroneus...
by Tomaso Albinoni
Tomaso Albinoni
Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni was an Italian Baroque composer. While famous in his day as an opera composer, he is mainly remembered today for his instrumental music, such as the concertos, some of which are regularly recorded.-Biography:Born in Venice, Republic of Venice, to Antonio Albinoni, a...
. She sang for Vivaldi starting with her 1727 appearance in his opera Farnace
Farnace
Farnace , is the title of several 18th-century operas set to various librettos. The earliest version was written by Lorenzo Morari with music by Antonio Caldara, first performed at the Teatro Sant'Angelo in Venice in 1703...
. Vivaldi's contemporaries and modern scholars have speculated on the nature of the relationship between Vivaldi and Girò, but Vivaldi insisted the relationship was purely artistic.
Girò was prima donna
Prima donna
Originally used in opera or Commedia dell'arte companies, "prima donna" is Italian for "first lady." The term was used to designate the leading female singer in the opera company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given. The prima donna was normally, but not necessarily, a soprano...
on dozens of performances through her career. She continued her successful career until 1748, when, after singing during the carnival in Piacenza
Piacenza
Piacenza is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Piacenza...
, she married a widower, Count Antonio Maria Zanardi Landi, and retired from performing.