LUISA TETRAZZINI d1940. Internationally famous Italian coloratura soprano singer. Her voice was remarkable for its phenomenal flexibility thrust steadiness and thrilling tone. She enjoyed a highly successful operatic and concert career in Europe and America from the 1890s through to the 1920s but her final years were marred by poverty and ill health. She had a bitter feud with Nellie Melba (whilst at Covent Garden) but was generally well liked by other colleagues especially Enrico Caruso with whom she was close friends. Adelina Patti the premiere soprano of an earlier generation and not known for generosity towards other singers was a great admirer of Tetrazzini's singing and made a point to attend & loudly applaud the younger soprano's performances. After World War I Tetrazzini largely abandoned the opera stage for the concert platform. She was less fortunate in her three marriages than in her career. Her third husband rapidly dissipated the considerable fortune she had amassed forcing her to continue to give concerts long after her voice had deteriorated. Her last years were spent in financial difficulty and declining health. However the soprano remained cheerful and lovable despite her reduced circumstances. She would often say "I am old I am fat but I am still Tetrazzini." She died in Milan aged 68 on 28th April 1940. The state paid for her funeral.

A lovely original vintage 1934 autograph book page clearly signed in ink by ; Luisa Tetrazzini d1940 (soprano) / Ivor Newton d1981 (piano) and Lisa Minghetti d1961 (violin)

15x13cm Sized Autograph Book Page

Good. View Image.

From the vintage 1930-40s autograph book of Marjorie Heywood of Huddersfield. Her book contained over 100 notable musicians / composers / opera-singers / conductors and entertainers of the period. AFTAL Dealer No13 and UACC RD Memorabilia UK COA. 

ID:117757 (BOX)