Guglielmina 'Mina' Leonesi (c. 1890 – c. 1930) was an Italian opera singer and actress, active in the early 20th century. Mina was born to a middle-class family in Rivoli, Italy c.1890. Though predominantly based in Milan and appearing in productions staged 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 ...

, Mina also travelled internationally with her work, including appearances in ''Bluff King Hal'' – a romantic opera by American composer Humphrey John Stewart, based on

King Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disag ...

– in 1914. Mina is a featured as a sitter in five photographic portraits by renowned British-Italian high society photographer Alexander Bassano.National Portrait Gallery – Person – Mina Leonesi
Npg.org.uk. Retrieved on 2012-06-17. Bassano had also famously photographed Queen Victoria and Lord Kitchener, the portrait of whom created the First World war recruiting poster ''Your Country Needs You''. The

photographic plate Photographic plates preceded photographic film as a capture medium in photography, and were still used in some communities up until the late 20th century. The light-sensitive emulsion of silver salts was coated on a glass plate, typically thinn ...

s featuring Mina Leonesi from the London Bassano Studios are held in the

National Portrait Gallery National Portrait Gallery may refer to: *National Portrait Gallery (Australia), in Canberra *National Portrait Gallery (Sweden), in Mariefred *National Portrait Gallery (United States), in Washington, D.C. *National Portrait Gallery, London, with s ...

, London. The

holds a large number of the fashion-related plates; Mina was noted for her beauty, and her operatic roles in historical costume were very fashionable for the period. Mina had two children, a son (Anthony) and a daughter (Antoinette).Mina Leonesi
Theatricalia. Retrieved on 2012-06-17. Mina died in Italy soon after her daughter, Antoinette, died of pneumonia.

References

External links

National Portrait GalleryNational Portrait Gallery
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leonesi Mina People from Rivoli, Piedmont Year of birth uncertain Year of death uncertain 20th-century Italian women opera singers