Giuseppe Verdi on Adelina Patti, one of the great coloratura singers of the 19th century:
When I heard her for the first time (she was eighteen) in London, I was astounded not only by the marvellous performance but also by a number of stage traits that revealed her great acting talents.
Such was the fame and bravura of Dame Adelina Patti that in the 19th Century she was paid $5000 in gold for a performance. This astounding amount, meant that she was paid more in an evening than the US President was paid in a year.
This portrait of coloratura superstar Adelina Patti (1843 – 1919) can be seen in the museum of Milan’s Teatro alla Scala: +39 02 88 79 2473 / 7473
Who has painted this portrait .
Hello, I’ve tried to find out but as it’s new to the collection there’s no documentation yet. I’ll look the next time I’m in the museum.
I would be most grateful . I believe I have a another painting of Adelina potentially by the same artist .
Hello
I too have a painting of Adelina that could also be by the same artist! She’s in costume, and I would love to identify the role she was playing?She’s holding a dagger.
Hello ,
i also have an Adelina portrait that is definitely painted by the same artist , Frossard. I would love to know anything about the artist as i believe he only painted 5 or 6 painting and they were all of Adelina or possibly of her sister Carlotta .
In my portrait , Adelina is dressed as a concubine .
I spotted ours in a U.K auction and felt sure it was Adelina. I later emailed photos to the V.A and they confirmed that it was, without a doubt, but couldn’t tell me more. It also strongly resembles a painting by Karolyn Marko .
Both the paintings have a very commercial look, as if they were painted for reproduction. I haven’t seen any by Frossard. Did he paint the Milan version?
In ours, she is wearing a boldy red and white striped antique looking outfit, and her 1870’s hairdo is tied up with scarlet ribbons. She is also wearing her pearl earrings and necklace and holding a large gold dagger! She certainly commands the room!
What role do you think yours might depict?
I wonder if they were ever reproduced as theatre posters? Most paintings I have seen of her on google show her in everyday or evening attire.
Maybe the museum at La Scala might be able to identify the costumes.
I too would love to know more! She’s a fascinating character!
Hi Liz!
Thought you might like to know that there’s an Adelina Patti exhibition opened at Craig y Nos , that’s running till September.
I can’t get there, but if you’re in the U.K, maybe you might ! It would be a lovely trip and the scenery is spectacular!
Regards,
Vicki