Adelina Patti in a splendid portrait now on show in Milan
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
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
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