daydreambeliever
11-14-2007, 09:15 AM
The photo of Italian opera-singer, Cecilia Bartoli’s cradling of Maria Malibran’s death mask which accompanies her new album is slightly creepy. However, it’s understandable when one realises that Bartoli has long been fascinated by the 19th- century diva and her new record is a tribute to her.
Malibran was a feisty and independent woman who disliked convention and went her own way, somewhat like the forty-year old Bartoli. The modern diva learned Flamenco against the will of her parents!
Maria Malibran was born in 1808 in Paris. The daughter of a famous musician, Manuel del Popolo Garcia and a soprano mother, she led a gypsy life. Her father dragged the family across Europe because his work involved traveling and appearing on different stages. Maria’s brother, Manuel, and sister, Pauline Viadot-Garcia, were also accomplished singers and composers.
Malibran made her first stage appearance at the age of four and debuted in opera at a young age. She became successful playing the heroines of Rossini and the composer, impressed by the musical Garcia family, helped her achieve her fast rise to stardom.
When she was 17 the family traveled to America where she starred in the first production of Don Giovanni in that country as Zerlina and in Rossini operas.
The family unfortunately lived in constant fear of their bad-tempered father. According to one story: “Her sister and she were said to live in constant fear of their father, and an old tale has it that two men passing the Garcia home heard terrible screams coming from inside. One turned to the other and asked whether or not they should call the police, and the response was, "Never fear, it's only old Garcia beating cadenzas into his daughters." (Divasthesite.com)
Maria married at 17, perhaps to get away from her father. Her husband was 28 years older than her but apparently still good-looking and wealthy. He soon began having money troubles, however, and was taken into house arrest.
Maria fled back to Europe where she began singing again. She was feted in France until she caused a scandal by falling in love with the violinist, Charles de Beriot. She also became hugely successful in Italy. The Italians adored her and famous composers, such as Rossi, wrote songs and operas for her. She became the first diva.
She died at only 28 in a riding accident.
Cecilia Bartoli, now 40, was called ‘the reincarnation of Maria Malibran’ when she began her meteoric rise to success. She had never heard of her then but later she became interested in this very independent woman who used to travel in men’s clothes and negotiate her own fees. She admires the attempts that Malibran made to become emancipated in a very restrained world.
In her latest album Bartoli has brought Malibran back to life by reviving her songs. Each tells a different story. The album also includes photos and documents about Malibran. The limited edition is accompanied by a book about her.
It has been highly praised by critics and leapt to the top of the Billboard Classical Charts soon after it was released recently.
Lisa-Anne Sanderson
Malibran was a feisty and independent woman who disliked convention and went her own way, somewhat like the forty-year old Bartoli. The modern diva learned Flamenco against the will of her parents!
Maria Malibran was born in 1808 in Paris. The daughter of a famous musician, Manuel del Popolo Garcia and a soprano mother, she led a gypsy life. Her father dragged the family across Europe because his work involved traveling and appearing on different stages. Maria’s brother, Manuel, and sister, Pauline Viadot-Garcia, were also accomplished singers and composers.
Malibran made her first stage appearance at the age of four and debuted in opera at a young age. She became successful playing the heroines of Rossini and the composer, impressed by the musical Garcia family, helped her achieve her fast rise to stardom.
When she was 17 the family traveled to America where she starred in the first production of Don Giovanni in that country as Zerlina and in Rossini operas.
The family unfortunately lived in constant fear of their bad-tempered father. According to one story: “Her sister and she were said to live in constant fear of their father, and an old tale has it that two men passing the Garcia home heard terrible screams coming from inside. One turned to the other and asked whether or not they should call the police, and the response was, "Never fear, it's only old Garcia beating cadenzas into his daughters." (Divasthesite.com)
Maria married at 17, perhaps to get away from her father. Her husband was 28 years older than her but apparently still good-looking and wealthy. He soon began having money troubles, however, and was taken into house arrest.
Maria fled back to Europe where she began singing again. She was feted in France until she caused a scandal by falling in love with the violinist, Charles de Beriot. She also became hugely successful in Italy. The Italians adored her and famous composers, such as Rossi, wrote songs and operas for her. She became the first diva.
She died at only 28 in a riding accident.
Cecilia Bartoli, now 40, was called ‘the reincarnation of Maria Malibran’ when she began her meteoric rise to success. She had never heard of her then but later she became interested in this very independent woman who used to travel in men’s clothes and negotiate her own fees. She admires the attempts that Malibran made to become emancipated in a very restrained world.
In her latest album Bartoli has brought Malibran back to life by reviving her songs. Each tells a different story. The album also includes photos and documents about Malibran. The limited edition is accompanied by a book about her.
It has been highly praised by critics and leapt to the top of the Billboard Classical Charts soon after it was released recently.
Lisa-Anne Sanderson