Adelina Patti Biography

Dromo's Den

PATTI, Adelina (1843–[1919] ). An operatic singer of Italian parentage, born in Madrid, Spain. When about 10 years of age, she appeared in a series of concerts with Ole Bull and Maurice Strakosch. After a course of professional study she made her first operatic appearance (1859) in New York. Her real début, which occurred in London, took place in 1861, when she appeared as Amina in La Sonnambula, after which she was acknowledged one of the greatest artists of her day. Her voice was an unusually high soprano, of rich, bell-like quality and remarkable evenness of tone; to these qualities she added purity of style and high artistic finish. She was as popular throughout continental Europe as in England and America. Patti was married first (1868) to the Marquis de Caux (divorced, 1885); in 1886 to Ernesto Nicolini, a well-known tenor (died, 1898); and in 1899 to Baron Cederström, a Swedish nobleman. She made her residence in Wales, being owner of a magnificent castle. After about 1890 she confined herself almost entirely to the concert platform. Carlotta Patti was her sister.

The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XVIII (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 176.