Portrait of the singer Giulia Grisi (1811-1869)

Soprano Giulia Grisi, (born Milan, 22nd May 1811 – died Berlin, 29th November 1869), amongst the greatest interpreters of lyric theatre of the nineteenth century, was the sister of mezzo soprano Giuditta Grisi, cousin of ballerina Carlotta
Grisi, and niece of Giuseppina Grassini.  A whole family of artistic women! After an unfortunate marriage to Count Gérard de Melcy, she married the famous singer Mario de Candia, also featured in a miniature portrait in the case in the
centre of the room. Both Rossini and Bellini knew and admired her. At La Scala in 1831, Giulia was the first to play Adalgisa in Bellini’s Norma, alongside Giuditta Pasta in the lead role. The Museum’s archive has the singer’s original passport.