Beautiful opera star Adelina Patti, the greatest soprano ever! 1882 cabinet card

Description

Adelina Patti (1843-1919) was one of the greatest, if not THE greatest opera soprano who ever lived!
She was born in Madrid, Spain, the daughter of opera singers. She made her stage debut in New York City at the age of 8. “Acknowledged to be the greatest musical wonder of the time”, audiences and critics were stunned by the maturity, range, and purity of her voice and she began a 3 year US tour. She made her operatic debut at age 16. Reviews of this 1859 New York performance: “Adelina Patti, then a trifle over sixteen years old, was the reigning queen of song with none to dispute her sway; furthermore, her reign lasted for at least thirty years and possibly more. The history of opera shows nothing like it.” “Miss Patti sang with sympathetic tenderness – a rare gift in one so young – and increased the enthusiasm of the audience to a positive furore! The audience were in a state of enthusiasm which is difficult to describe. The scene after the curtain fell was one which is rarely witnessed in any American theatre." “Her voice is clear and excellent; the brilliant execution which she begins with at the outset of her career ranks with that where the best singers end.” “A pure soprano voice of rare flexibility…a finished artist, a most brilliant vocalist…A veritable sensation” [Odell, Annals of the New York Stage].
She sang for Abraham and Mary Lincoln at the White House. Mourning the recent death of their son Willie from typhoid, the couple were moved to tears by her singing of Home, Sweet Home. The Lincolns requested an encore and the song became associated with Adelina. She performed it at the end of her recitals and concerts.
Her brilliant 63 year career encompassed the years 1851-1914. In her prime she was paid ,000 [2020 = 0,000+] IN GOLD before her performances. She toured Europe for 20 years, with royalty showering her with bouquets, invitations, gifts, decorations, and awards. Her world tours inspired “audience frenzy and critical superlatives wherever she went.” Composer Guiseppe Verdi described her as “the finest singer who ever lived and a stupendous artist.” “Her voice was a technical marvel.” “The exquisite skill of her vocalization cannot be too highly praised…the best singing to be heard in the world.” “…the unquestionably most perfect, most brilliant vocalist of her time, perhaps of all time.” At the age of 62 she made 30+ gramophone recordings. She died at the age of 76 in her castle in Wales, which had been her home for more than 40 years.
Adelina poses standing front, her face turned half-right, wearing a dress with lace ruffles inside the open bodice and very elaborate embroidery on both sides of the bodice opening.
Photographer: [Jose Maria] Mora, Copyright 1882, by J.M. Mora, 707 Broadway, N.Y. Blank reverse.
Condition: Superb with a very clear, bright image. Exhibits almost none of the warping typical of cabinet cards. A gorgeous cabinet card, probably the finest of this opera star in existence!