Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis

Who was Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis?

Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis was an Italian operatic soprano, one of the leading sopranos of her time, particularly associated with Donizetti roles.

Born Giuseppina Ronzi in Milan, she studied with Pierre Garat and made her debut in Bologna in 1816, also appearing in Genoa, Florence, Bergamo. Her career took off at the Théâtre-Italien in Paris during the 1819-20 season, where she appeared as Susanna, Carolina, Rosina, and Fiorilla. In 1822, she went to London, where she obtained brilliant successes at the King's Theatre, notably in La donna del lago and Matilde di Shabran. She returned to Italy in 1825, and was engaged at the San Carlo in Naples, where she also won considerable acclaim.

She was considered the best Donna Anna next to Henriette Sontag, and the best Norma after Giuditta Pasta, and created the leading roles in five operas by Gaetano Donizetti: Fausta, Sancia di Castiglia, Maria Stuarda, Gemma di Vergy, and Roberto Devereux.

She was married to Italian bass Giuseppe de Begnis. She retired from the stage shortly after his death. She died in Florence, aged 53.