Barbieri, Fedora (1919—)

Italian mezzo-soprano. Born in Trieste, Italy, on June 4, 1919; daughter of Rafaele and Ida Barbieri (both shopkeepers); studied with Luigi Toffolo and Giulia Tess; married Luigi Barlozzetti (an impresario), in 1943; children: two sons, Franco (b. 1944) and Ugo (b. 1955).

Debuted in Florence as Fidelma in Matrimonio segreto (1940); made debut as Meg Page in Falstaff at Teatro alla Scala (1942); after 1946, was a regular performer at Teatro alla Scala; made Metropolitan Opera debut as Eboli in Verdi's Don Carlos (1950); appeared often at the Met (1950–68); also debuted at Covent Garden (1950).

The "meaty" voice of the mezzo-soprano has been often missing on opera stages in the late 20th century, but Fedora Barbieri, born in Trieste, Italy, on June 4, 1919, possessed such a voice. After training with Luigi Toffolo and Giulia Tess , Barbieri debuted in Florence in 1940. Following her marriage to Luigi Barlozzetti, the director of Florence's Maggio Musicale, her career prospered. With her magnificent vocal style, she soon appeared on the stages of Teatro alla Scala (1942), the Metropolitan Opera (1950–68) and Covent Garden (1950). On Rudolf Bing's opening night at the Met, she debuted as Eboli in Don Carlos. She often sang

Adalgisa in Norma with Maria Callas in the starring role, and Mario Del Monaco was frequently her partner in Carmen. Barbieri made few commercial recordings, and these performances are somewhat marred.

John Haag , Athens, Georgia