Marietta Alboni was born in Citta di Castello, in 1823, and made her début at Bologna, in 1842. By 1847 she had been engaged as the leading contralto at Covent Garden, where she opened as Arsace in Rossini's Semiramide.
Her voice was a true contralto, ranging from G to G". It was so loved by Londoners that she became Covent Garden's answer to Jenny Lind's phenomenal success at Her Majesty's Theatre. As a result, Alboni's salary was raised from £500 to £2,000 and she became one of the most sought-after singers of her time.
The following year the composer, Meyerbeer wrote an aria especially for her in his opera, Les Huguenots. She was also offered the extraordinary opportunity to sing the baritone role of Don Carlo, King of Castile, in the Covent Garden première of Verdi's Ernani.
For the next ten years she continued to sing as a guest at Covent Garden. In 1853 she toured the United States and, in 1863, married and gave her official retirement performance. Notwithstanding this, like many another singer, she continued to perform throughout Europe until 1872.
She was greatly admired by the composer Rossini, who personally taught her the contralto r├┤les in his operas. Their relationship lasted throughout his life and, in 1868, Alboni and the singer Patti sang at his funeral.
She herself died in June 1894 in Ville d'Avray, France.
