A lecture on Maria Malibran

Musicologist Marco Beghelli recounts the life of Maria Malibran.
As part of the series of conferences entitled “Una alla volta, per carità”, organised by the Fondazione Rossini, on Saturday 11 October at 5.30 pm in the Sala degli Specchi at the Rossini National Museum, musicologist Marco Beghelli will recount the life of Maria Malibran. If we take at face value the untold enthusiasm of those who heard her sing, Maria Malibran was the greatest opera singer of all time, mythologised by her premature death at the age of just 28. Yet no important composer ever wrote an opera for her.
Not even Rossini, although she can be counted among the greatest performers of his works. The first time was with Il barbiere di Siviglia in 1825: it was also the first time that an Italian opera was performed in New York. Two hundred years after that event, this is an opportunity to paint a portrait – more human than artistic – of that unique singer.

 

Published in : 24 October 2025