Tess, Giulia (1889–1976)
Tess, Giulia (1889–1976)
Italian operatic soprano. Born on February 19, 1889, in Milan, Italy; died on March 17, 1976, in Milan; studied singing under Bottagisio; married Giacomo Armani (a conductor).
Giulia Tess, who was born in Milan, Italy, in 1889, achieved a noted career as an operatic soprano, beginning with her debut at Prato in 1904. During her earliest performances, she sang mezzo-soprano, but she retrained for several years and after 1922 successfully expanded her professional vocal range to that of a soprano. Her repertoire included the roles of Mignon, Salome, and Elektra. In 1909, she performed in Venice and in Prague. She also made appearances in Vienna and St. Petersburg.
Tess, who was married to the prominent conductor Giacomo Armani, retired from the stage in 1940 and devoted her time to opera production and to giving music lessons. Among her more memorable students were Tagliavini and Fedora Barbieri . Tess died in Milan in 1976.
Gloria Cooksey , freelance writer, Sacramento, California