Adelina Patti

People said Adelina Patti “was the sweetest singer of the age.”

Born in Madrid, Spain, in 1843 to Italian parents who were both opera singers, Adelina was primarily raised in the U.S., where she was considered a child prodigy. Her first performance came at the age of seven. “She was so tiny that she had to stand on a table in order that the audience might see her.”

Adelina continued performing in the U.S., Canada, and the West Indies as a child and into her teens. But a performance in New York in 1859, in her debut in grand opera as Lucia in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” made her a star. After this performance, she began performing in Europe as well.

Adelina became known for her beautiful voice, impeccable technique, and dramatic stage presence. She was particularly renowned for her performances of Italian opera, including works by composers such as Verdi, Bellini, and Donizetti. And she was also known for her performances of French and German opera.

Today, she is remembered as one of the greatest opera singers ever. And her recordings continue to be admired and studied by musicians and music lovers worldwide.

—

Sources: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, NPG.80.187 / HATCH, GLADYS F. “ADELINA (ADELE JUANA MARIA) PATTI.” The Journal of Education, vol. 90, no. 19 (2255), 1919, pp. 512–512. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42767489. Accessed 6 Mar. 2023. / Herman Klein. “Adelina Patti, 1843-1919.” The Musical Times, vol. 60, no. 921, 1919, pp. 603–05. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3701582