Clotilde Bressler-Gianoli (June 3, 1875 – May 12, 1912), sometimes seen as Clothilde Bressler-Gianoli, was an Italian opera singer born in Switzerland.

Early life

Clotilde Bressler-Gianoli was born in

Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaki ...

in 1875 (some sources give 1874), the daughter of Italian parents. She showed some early talent at piano, and began performing in public at age seven. She trained as a singer at conservatories in Geneva and in Milan.Richard Aldrich
"Mme. Bressler-Gianoli"
''The Century Magazine'' (February 1907): 140.

Career

Gianoli was only 19 years old when she made her professional debut, in Saint-Saëns' ''

Samson et Dalila ''Samson and Delilah'' (french: Samson et Dalila, links=no), Op. 47, is a grand opera in three acts and four scenes by Camille Saint-Saëns to a French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire. It was first performed in Weimar at the (Grand Ducal) Theater (n ...

'' in Geneva."Mme. Gianoli is Dead"
''The New York Times'' (May 14, 1912): 11. She was also principal contralto at

La Scala La Scala (, , ; abbreviation in Italian of the official name ) is a famous opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the ' (New Royal-Ducal Theatre alla Scala). The premiere performan ...

, in 1908. Bressler-Gianoli starred in the title role of Bizet's ''

Carmen ''Carmen'' () is an opera in four acts by the French composer Georges Bizet. The libretto was written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the Carmen (novella), novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée. The opera was first perfo ...

'' in Brussels (1895) and Paris (1900). Her most successful appearance in the role was at the

Manhattan Opera House The Manhattan Center is a building in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Built in 1906 and located at 311 West 34th Street, it houses Manhattan Center Studios, the location of two recording studios; its Grand Ballroom; and the Hammerstein Ballroo ...

in New York City in 1906 and 1907, giving what ''The New York Times'' called "a striking and original performance... er portrayal hasthe allurement of sheer wickedness and all the wiles and treacheries that wickedness suggests". During that run, Bressler-Gianoli was injured on stage, stabbed by

Charles Dalmorès Charles Dalmorès (January 1, 1871 – December 6, 1939) was a French tenor. He enjoyed an international operatic career, singing to public and critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic during the first two decades of the 20th century. B ...

with a prop blade that was sharp enough to draw blood. She went on stage with a bandaged arm for the next performance. Also in 1907 at the Manhattan Opera House, she played the title role in Ambroise Thomas's ''

Mignon ''Mignon'' is an 1866 ''opéra comique'' (or opera in its second version) in three acts by Ambroise Thomas. The original French libretto was by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on Goethe's 1795-96 novel '' Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre''. The ...

''. As part of the Philadelphia-Chicago Opera Company she appeared in Massenet's ''

Thaïs Thaïs or Thais ( el, Θαΐς; flourished 4th century BC) was a famous Greek ''hetaira'' who accompanied Alexander the Great on his campaigns. Likely from Athens, she is most famous for instigating the burning of Persepolis. At the time, Thaï ...

'' and Charpentier's ''

Louise Louise or Luise may refer to: * Louise (given name) Arts Songs * "Louise" (Bonnie Tyler song), 2005 * "Louise" (The Human League song), 1984 * "Louise" (Jett Rebel song), 2013 * "Louise" (Maurice Chevalier song), 1929 *"Louise", by Clan of ...

'' with

Mary Garden A Mary garden is a small sacred garden enclosing a statue or shrine of the Virgin Mary, who is known to many Christians as the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady, or the Mother of God. In the New Testament, Mary is the mother of Jesus of Nazareth. Mary ...

and Dalmorès, both in 1911.

Personal life

Clotilde Bressler-Gianoli was married and had at least one son, Henri, who accompanied her as a little boy in New York. In 1909 she was reportedly losing her sight and spending time in

Zürich Zürich () is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. As of January 2020, the municipality has 43 ...

in pursuit of a cure."Mrs. Bressler-Gianoli, of Carmen Fame, Losing Eyesight"
''Harrisburg Daily Independent'' (July 12, 1909): 3. via

Newspapers.com Ancestry.com LLC is an American genealogy company based in Lehi, Utah. The largest for-profit genealogy company in the world, it operates a network of genealogical, historical records, and related genetic genealogy websites. In November 2018, ...

She died in 1912, in Geneva, from sepsis after an

appendectomy An appendectomy, also termed appendicectomy, is a Surgery, surgical operation in which the vermiform appendix (a portion of the intestine) is removed. Appendectomy is normally performed as an urgent or emergency procedure to treat complicated acu ...

. She was almost 37 years old.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bressler-Gianoli, Clotilde 1870s births 1912 deaths Musicians from Geneva Italian contraltos Operatic contraltos 19th-century Italian women opera singers 20th-century Italian women opera singers Deaths from sepsis Italian expatriates in Switzerland