Giannini, DavidABAA
Bust-length photograph signed in full and inscribed to Bruce Johnson
réf. 24035Ca. 143 x 96 mm. Minor creasing to upper right corner; signature and inscription slightly smudged but legible. Dusolina Giannini "made her operatic début at Hamburg as Aida in 1925. Subsequent engagements took her to Berlin Vienna and Covent Garden as well as to Salzburg 1934-6 where she sang Donna Anna under Walter and Alice Ford under Toscanini. In 1938 she created the part of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter an opera by her brother Vittorio Giannini. Her career at the Metropolitan began with Aida in 1936 and lasted until 1941 during which period she also played Donna Anna Santuzza and Tosca. After appearing in Chicago 1938-42 and San Francisco 1939-43 she took part in the first season of New York City Opera 1943 as Tosca at the opening and then Carmen and Santuzza. She retired some 20 years later and devoted herself to teaching. Giannini's voice was a true dramatic soprano backed by strong temperament and impeccable musicianship as revealed by her recordings notably her Aida. She was also a noted concert singer." Max de Schauensee in Grove Music Online. unknown books
