Dusolina Giannini
Encyclopedia
Dusolina Giannini was an Italian-American soprano
, particularly associated with the Italian repertory.
Born in a musical family, she was the daughter of Italian tenor Ferruccio Giannini (1868-1948), who came to the United States in 1885, and with whom she first studied, later studying with Marcella Sembrich
in New York. She began in concert in 1923, in New York, also appearing in England. She made her stage debut in Hamburg, as Aida
and Santuzza
, later appearing in Berlin, Vienna, London. She sang at the Salzburg Festival
in 1934, as Donna Anna
and Alice Ford
, and made her debut at the Paris Opéra
in 1936, as Donna Anna. In 1938, she created, in Hamburg, the role of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, an opera by her brother Vittorio Giannini
(1903-1966).
She sang at the Metropolitan Opera
from 1935 to 1942, also appearing at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
(1938-42) and the San Francisco Opera
(1939-43). She also took part in the first season of the New York City Opera
in 1943, as Tosca
. After the war, she continued appearing in Paris, London, Berlin, and Vienna, and then turned to teaching, notably in Zurich.
Giannini's voice was a true dramatic soprano, backed by strong temperament and fine musicianship. She can be heard on a complete recording of Aida from 1928, opposite Aureliano Pertile
.
Giannini's sister, Eufemia Giannini-Gregory, was a respected voice teacher at the Curtis Institute of Music
in Philadelphia and taught Frank Guarrera
and Anna Moffo
.
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
, particularly associated with the Italian repertory.
Born in a musical family, she was the daughter of Italian tenor Ferruccio Giannini (1868-1948), who came to the United States in 1885, and with whom she first studied, later studying with Marcella Sembrich
Marcella Sembrich
Marcella Sembrich was the stage name of the Polish coloratura soprano, Prakseda Marcelina Kochańska...
in New York. She began in concert in 1923, in New York, also appearing in England. She made her stage debut in Hamburg, as Aida
Aida
Aida sometimes spelled Aïda, is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette...
and Santuzza
Cavalleria rusticana
Cavalleria rusticana is an opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni to an Italian libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci, adapted from a play written by Giovanni Verga based on his short story. Considered one of the classic verismo operas, it premiered on May 17, 1890 at the Teatro...
, later appearing in Berlin, Vienna, London. She sang at the Salzburg Festival
Salzburg Festival
The Salzburg Festival is a prominent festival of music and drama established in 1920. It is held each summer within the Austrian town of Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart...
in 1934, as Donna Anna
Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni is an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and with an Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. It was premiered by the Prague Italian opera at the Teatro di Praga on October 29, 1787...
and Alice Ford
Falstaff (opera)
Falstaff is an operatic commedia lirica in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi, adapted by Arrigo Boito from Shakespeare's plays The Merry Wives of Windsor and scenes from Henry IV. It was Verdi's last opera, written in the composer's ninth decade, and only the second of his 26 operas to be a comedy...
, and made her debut at the Paris Opéra
Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier, , is an elegant 1,979-seat opera house, which was built from 1861 to 1875 for the Paris Opera. It was originally called the Salle des Capucines because of its location on the Boulevard des Capucines in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, but soon became known as the Palais Garnier...
in 1936, as Donna Anna. In 1938, she created, in Hamburg, the role of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, an opera by her brother Vittorio Giannini
Vittorio Giannini
Vittorio Giannini was a neoromantic American composer of operas, songs, symphonies, and band works.-Life and work:...
(1903-1966).
She sang at the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
from 1935 to 1942, also appearing at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. It was founded in Chicago in 1952, under the name 'Lyric Theatre of Chicago' by Carol Fox, Nicolà Rescigno and Lawrence Kelly, with a season that included Maria Callas's American debut in Norma...
(1938-42) and the San Francisco Opera
San Francisco Opera
San Francisco Opera is an American opera company, based in San Francisco, California.It was founded in 1923 by Gaetano Merola and is the second largest opera company in North America...
(1939-43). She also took part in the first season of the New York City Opera
New York City Opera
The New York City Opera is an American opera company located in New York City.The company, called "the people's opera" by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, was founded in 1943 with the aim of making opera financially accessible to a wide audience, producing an innovative choice of repertory, and...
in 1943, as Tosca
Tosca
Tosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 14 January 1900...
. After the war, she continued appearing in Paris, London, Berlin, and Vienna, and then turned to teaching, notably in Zurich.
Giannini's voice was a true dramatic soprano, backed by strong temperament and fine musicianship. She can be heard on a complete recording of Aida from 1928, opposite Aureliano Pertile
Aureliano Pertile
Aureliano Pertile was an Italian lyric-dramatic tenor. He is considered to have been one of the most exciting operatic artists of the inter-war period, and one of the most important tenors of the entire 20th century.- Life and career :Pertile was born in Montagnana, Northern Italy, 18 days after...
.
Giannini's sister, Eufemia Giannini-Gregory, was a respected voice teacher at the Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
in Philadelphia and taught Frank Guarrera
Frank Guarrera
Frank Guarrera was an Italian-American lyric baritone who enjoyed a long and distinguished career at the Metropolitan Opera, singing with the company for a total of 680 performances. He performed 35 different roles at the Met, mostly from the Italian and French repertories, from 1948 through 1976...
and Anna Moffo
Anna Moffo
Anna Moffo was an Italian-American opera singer and one of the leading lyric-coloratura sopranos of her generation...
.
Sources
- Le Guide de l'opéra, les indispensables de la musique, R. Mancini & J.J. Rouvereux, (Fayard, 1986), ISBN 2-213-01563-6
- Grove Music Online, Max de Schauensee, Oxford Press University, April 2008.