Malibran, Maria Felicità
Malibran, Maria Felicità
(märē`ä fālēsētä` mälēbräN`), 1808–36, French-Spanish contralto. Malibran was the daughter of the tenor Manuel GarcíaGarcía, Manuel del Popolo Vicente, 1775–1832, Spanish tenor, teacher, impresario, and composer. He was the first to produce opera in Italian in New York (1825–26) and in Mexico (1827–28). Maria Malibran and Pauline Viardot-Garcia were his daughters.
..... Click the link for more information. and the sister of the mezzo Pauline Viardot-GarciaViardot-Garcia, Pauline
, 1821–1910, French mezzo-soprano; sister of Maria Malibran; pupil of her father, Manuel García. Following her concert debut in Brussels in 1837 and her opera debut in London in 1839, she became celebrated for her wide range, fine technique,
..... Click the link for more information. . She made her opera debut in 1825 as Rosina in the The Barber of Seville in London. Celebrated especially for her dramatic and passionate interpretations of roles in Rossini's and Bellini's operas, Malibran's voice was of unusual color and great range, extending into the soprano register.
Malibran, Maria Felicita
(born García). Born Mar. 24, 1808, in Paris; died Sept. 23, 1836, in Manchester. French coloratura mezzo-soprano; of Spanish descent. Daughter and pupil of M. García; sister of the singer P. Viardot-García.
Malibran made her debut in 1825 in London. She performed in opera houses in France, Italy, and Great Britain and won fame as one of the outstanding singers of the 19th century. Her talent was best revealed in roles characterized by intense emotion and passion. Such roles included Norma and Alina in Bellini’s Norma and La Sonnambula, Leonora in Beethoven’s Fidelio, and Desdemona in Rossini’s Otello. Malibran’s performances were distinguished by improvisation and great artistry. She wrote a number of musical compositions, including nocturnes and art songs.
REFERENCES
Pougin, A. M. Malibran. Paris, 1911.Flament, A. La Malibran. Paris, 1937.
Lancellotti, A. Le voci d’oro, 3rd ed. Rome [1953].