Giuseppina Huguet
Encyclopedia
Giuseppina Huguet was a Spanish operatic soprano
with a lyrical voice who sang throughout Europe prior to World War I
.
Huguet was born in 1871 and registered on official documents as "Josefina" Huguet. Her first music teacher was Francisco Bonet in Barcelona, where she soon made her operatic debut as Lakmé at the Teatro Liceu of Barcelona. She subsequently toured several countries, including some South American nations. She performed, too, with success in Italy, appearing for the first time at Milan's La Scala
in 1896, where she sang the role of Ophélie in Ambroise Thomas
's Hamlet. Huguet proved popular in Russia as well.
Although Huguet often sang coloratura
parts, such as Rosina in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, she also undertook the verismo
roles of Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème
and Cio-Cio-San in Puccini's Madama Butterfly
, and her recordings even include excerpts from Wagner's Lohengrin
(on which she is accompanied by the famous tenor Fernando De Lucia
). Indeed, her complete repertoire contained a wide range of roles: from The Queen of Night in Mozart's The Magic Flute
to Nedda in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci
.
Huguet's career as a recording artist was not particularly extensive. Her discography consists mainly of arias and ensemble pieces from opera that were made by the forerunner of HMV
. She also sung the role of Nedda in the first complete recording of Pagliacci in 1907 (with the Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala di Milano, Carlo Sabajno
conducting). Volume One of The Record of Singing by Michael Scott
(Duckworth, London, 1977) contains a synopsis of her career and an appraisal of her records, some of which are available on CD transfers.
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...
with a lyrical voice who sang throughout Europe prior to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Huguet was born in 1871 and registered on official documents as "Josefina" Huguet. Her first music teacher was Francisco Bonet in Barcelona, where she soon made her operatic debut as Lakmé at the Teatro Liceu of Barcelona. She subsequently toured several countries, including some South American nations. She performed, too, with success in Italy, appearing for the first time at Milan's La Scala
La Scala
La Scala , is a world renowned opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala...
in 1896, where she sang the role of Ophélie in Ambroise Thomas
Ambroise Thomas
Charles Louis Ambroise Thomas was a French composer, best known for his operas Mignon and Hamlet and as Director of the Conservatoire de Paris from 1871 till his death.-Biography:"There is good music, there is bad music, and then there is Ambroise Thomas."- Emmanuel Chabrier-Early life...
's Hamlet. Huguet proved popular in Russia as well.
Although Huguet often sang coloratura
Coloratura
Coloratura has several meanings. The word is originally from Italian, literally meaning "coloring", and derives from the Latin word colorare . When used in English, the term specifically refers to elaborate melody, particularly in vocal music and especially in operatic singing of the 18th and...
parts, such as Rosina in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, she also undertook the verismo
Verismo
Verismo was an Italian literary movement which peaked between approximately 1875 and the early 1900s....
roles of Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème
La bohème
La bohème is an opera in four acts,Puccini called the divisions quadro, a tableau or "image", rather than atto . by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger...
and Cio-Cio-San in Puccini's Madama Butterfly
Madama Butterfly
Madama Butterfly is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Puccini based his opera in part on the short story "Madame Butterfly" by John Luther Long, which was dramatized by David Belasco...
, and her recordings even include excerpts from Wagner's Lohengrin
Lohengrin (opera)
Lohengrin is a romantic opera in three acts composed and written by Richard Wagner, first performed in 1850. The story of the eponymous character is taken from medieval German romance, notably the Parzival of Wolfram von Eschenbach and its sequel, Lohengrin, written by a different author, itself...
(on which she is accompanied by the famous tenor Fernando De Lucia
Fernando De Lucia
Fernando De Lucia was an Italian opera tenor and singing teacher who enjoyed an international career....
). Indeed, her complete repertoire contained a wide range of roles: from The Queen of Night in Mozart's The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute is an opera in two acts composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form that included both singing and spoken dialogue....
to Nedda in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci
Pagliacci
Pagliacci , sometimes incorrectly rendered with a definite article as I Pagliacci, is an opera consisting of a prologue and two acts written and composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo. It recounts the tragedy of a jealous husband in a commedia dell'arte troupe...
.
Huguet's career as a recording artist was not particularly extensive. Her discography consists mainly of arias and ensemble pieces from opera that were made by the forerunner of HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
. She also sung the role of Nedda in the first complete recording of Pagliacci in 1907 (with the Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala di Milano, Carlo Sabajno
Carlo Sabajno
Carlo Sabajno was an Italian conductor. From 1904 to 1932 he was the Gramophone Company's chief conductor and artistic director in Italy...
conducting). Volume One of The Record of Singing by Michael Scott
Michael Scott (artistic director)
Michael Scott is the founder of the London Opera Society. In his role as the society's sole artistic director, he brought to London Marilyn Horne, Joan Sutherland, and Boris Christoff. He was also responsible for introducing Sherrill Milnes, Ruggero Raimondi, and Montserrat Caballe...
(Duckworth, London, 1977) contains a synopsis of her career and an appraisal of her records, some of which are available on CD transfers.