Scalchi-Lolli, Sofia
$20.00
Italian contrato, sang in Gounod’s “Faust” at 1883 opening of the Metropolitan Opera House, appeared in US debuts of several well-known operas
Description
Autograph ID: 6691
Condition: Very good, very mild toning to top edge, light mount remnant verso
Description: “(1850-1922) Italian contralto also sang in the mezzo soprano range. In 1866, she made her debut in Mantua as Ulrica in Verdi’s “Un ballo en maschera”. Her 1st major international success was at Covent Garden in 1868 at her London debut as Azucena in Verdi’s “Il trovatore”. She sang at Covent Garden until 1890, performing most standard lower-pitched female opera roles. She toured the US for the 1st time 1882-83 with Mapleson’s company. She helped make opera history when she sang in the newly built Metropolitan Opera’s 1st staged work, Gounod’s “Faust”, which inaugurated the theatre on Oct. 22, 1883. She returned to Mapleson a year later but went back to the Met 1891-96. She sang in several important US premieres, incl. Verdi’s last 2 masterpieces, “Otello” and “Falstaff”. She also appeared in the US debuts of Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” and Giordano’s “Andrea Chenier.” Scalchi retired from the Met in 1896 and formed her own private company a year later, which undertook a final American tour. She made no recordings. She wed Ferrara aristocrat Count Luigi Alberto Lolli, in 1876, becoming Countess Lolli, was billed as “Scalchi-Lolli” thereafter.
Autograph sentiment (“In remembrance of”) signed on a 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 card, adds 1898.”
Type: Signed Card
