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Giulia
Grisi (1811-1869) was an Italian soprano and one of the most famous
divas of the first half of the 19th century, who made her debut at
the age of 17 in Rossini's Zelmira. In 1830, Bellini composed
the role of Giulietta in I Capuletti e i Montecchi (his version of
Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet) expressly for Grisi's talents. She also sang the role of Adalgisa
in the world premiere performance of Bellini's Norma
and later went on to become one of the most important Normas ever.
She was married to tenor Mario de Candia. Nathaniel Parker dedicated the following poem to her, entitled To Giulia
Grisi...
When the rose
is brightest,
Its bloom will soonest die;
When burns the meteor brightest,
’T will vanish from the sky.
If Death but wait until delight
O’errun the heart like wine,
And break the cup when brimming quite,
I die--for thou hast poured to-night
The last drop into mine.
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