Pasta

Pasta, GIUDITTA (JUDITH), opera singer, was born of Jewish parents, Negri by name, at Como near Milan, 9th April 1798, and received her musical education at Como and in the conservatoire at Milan. She married a singer called Pasta before 1816, and was at first a failure on the stage. Her first great triumph was achieved at Verona in 1822, seven years after she began to sing. The year following she was engaged at the Paris Italian Opera, where her singing excited great admiration. From 1825 to 1833 was the period of her most splendid triumphs, which were won principally in London and Paris. She withdrew from the stage in the following year, and resided on the banks of Lake Como till she died on 1st April 1865. She had a magnificent voice, which passed easily from the highest soprano notes to the gravest contralto tones. In addition she possessed fine dramatic power. Her principal rôles were Medea, Desdemona, Semiramide, La Sonnambula (the opera of this name was written for her by Bellini), Nina, Camilla, and Giulia in Romeo e Giulia.