Adelina Patti

Patti was the leading soprano at Covent Gardens for 25 years during the height of her career as a coloratura soprano. She travelled and performed throughout the world including the United States and South America. Adelina debuted in the United States when she was only seven years old displaying the voice of a prodigy. While touring the U.S., she performed with such greats as Gottschalk and the violinist Ole Bull. Her operatic debut came with the role of Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor and at the age of 18 she sang at Covent Gardens for the first time. The only role that she chose to sing that could be considered an error was Carmen but most of her choices were as exceptional as her voice. Adelina Patti's voice was perfectly placed and she demonstrated time and again control, range and secure technique in the presentation of her roles. An exceptional actress whose voice was able to handle more demanding roles in her later performing years, Patti reportedly earned her fees as the most highly paid performer of her day. The characteristics of her voice were considered remarkable and can still be perceived in recordings that she made in 1903. Patti was also noted for some idiosyncrasies such as wearing an excess amount of jewelry and a temperament that allowed her to absent herself from any rehearsals.