Adelina Patti was an opera star. People said she "was the sweetest singer of the age."
Adelina was born in Madrid, Spain, in 1843 to Italian parents who were both opera singers. Soon after her birth, the family moved to New York City, where her artistic life began in her early years.
At the age of seven, she performed publicly for the first time. "She was so tiny that she had to stand on a table in order that the audience might see her." Even then, her talent was remarkable.
From there, Adelina spent her childhood and early teenage years performing throughout the U.S., Canada, and the West Indies. Then, she made her debut in grand opera as Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor" in 1859. That performance was special; it turned her into a star. Her fame quickly spread and soon prestigious bookings in Europe came calling 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, though she was also known for the French and German ones. In addition to her musical talent, she was also a savvy businesswoman. At her peak, booking Adelina cost venues $5,000 per night, paid in gold.
As the years went by, the demands of her career took a toll on Adelina's voice. In 1906, she retired to her beloved estate, Craig-y-Nos Castle, in the picturesque Welsh countryside. There, amidst the rolling hills of her adopted homeland, leisurely walks, gardening, and the occasional private performance for friends and family filled Adelina's retirement years.
On September 27, 1919, she passed away at the age of 76.
Adelina singing “The Last Rose Of Summer” in 1905:
Sources:
Adelina Patti portrait - National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, NPG.80.187
“Adelina Patti, Trad, The Last Rose Of Summer, HMB 78.” Internet Archive, https://archive.org/details/adelina-patti-trad-the-last-rose-of-summer-hmb-78
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 12 July 2024.
Herman Klein. “Adelina Patti, 1843-1919.” The Musical Times, vol. 60, no. 921, 1919, pp. 603–05. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3701582. Accessed 12 July 2024.
Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adelina_Patti_1863.jpg
Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelina_Patti
