Gilda dalla Rizza facts for kids
Gilda Dalla Rizza (born October 12, 1892 – died July 5, 1975) was a very important Italian soprano. A soprano is a female singer with the highest voice range.
She was born in Verona, Italy. Gilda Dalla Rizza started her opera career in Bologna in 1912. Her first role was Charlotte in the opera Werther. She became famous for singing in a style called verismo. This style of opera focuses on realistic stories and strong emotions.
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Puccini's Favorite Singer
The famous composer Giacomo Puccini thought Gilda Dalla Rizza was his favorite soprano. She was the first singer to perform the role of Magda in his opera La rondine in 1917. Puccini also saw her perform as Minnie in La fanciulla del West. He was so impressed that he said, "Behold, at last I have seen my Fanciulla."
She also performed the first European shows of Puccini's operas Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. These performances happened in Rome in 1919. The King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III, was there to watch. Puccini even thought of her for the role of Liù in his opera Turandot. However, by the time of the premiere, her voice was too strong for the young slave-girl's part.
Performing Around the World
Gilda Dalla Rizza sang in many major theaters across the world. She performed in cities like Rome, Florence, and Turin in Italy. She also traveled to São Paulo and Buenos Aires in South America. Other cities included Rio de Janeiro, Naples, Monte-Carlo, and Barcelona. She never performed in the United States.
Famous Roles and Stages
Gilda Dalla Rizza sang many different roles during her career. Some of her famous parts were in operas like La bohème (as Mimì) and Madama Butterfly. She also performed in Tosca, Cavalleria rusticana, and Andrea Chénier. She even sang the soprano part in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
She performed at the famous Teatro alla Scala in Milan from 1915 to 1934. There, she sang in operas such as Andrea Chénier and Tosca. She also performed in La traviata, which was conducted by the famous Arturo Toscanini.
In 1920, Dalla Rizza also appeared at Covent Garden in London. She sang in operas like Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly, and La bohème. She also performed in Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, and Tosca there.
Life After the Stage
Gilda Dalla Rizza stopped performing on stage in 1939. However, she returned for one last performance of Suor Angelica in Vicenza in 1942.
In 1926, she married a tenor (a male singer with a high voice) named Agostino Capuzzo. He passed away in 1963. After retiring from singing, she became a teacher. From 1939 to 1955, she taught at the Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello in Venice. Gilda Dalla Rizza died in Milan in 1975.
She made several recordings between 1913 and 1928. These recordings were for companies like Columbia and Fonotipia. She recorded parts from many operas, including Madama Butterfly and Tosca. In 1931, she was part of the first recording of the opera Fedora.
