Born in Forli, the city once ruled by the so-called Tigress of Forli, Caterina Sforza, Giulietta Simionato’s singing talent was recognised from an early age, when she was invited by the nuns at her boarding school to study singing. Apparently, young Giulietta’s family were opposed to the idea, especially her mother. Therefore, it was only after her mother’s death, that Simoniato threw herself wholeheartedly into singing.

After winning her first classical singing competition in Florence, she was offered an audition at Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Although the audition was successful, the then director of la Scala thought it prudent to give her voice two more years to mature, before hiring her. Returning  after the agreed time period, she was then given her initial contract.

Simionato had a large repertoire including the Rossini roles of Rosina in Il Barbiere di Sevilla and Angelina (Cinderella) in La Cenerentola. She also performed Charlotte in Massenet’s Werther and the title role in Bizet’s Carmen. 

Although she is perhaps most remembered for her renditions of dramatic Verdian roles such as Azucena in Il Trovatore, Amneris in Aida, and Princess Eboli in Don Carlo, Simionato was also a major recording star and all of her recordings are held in high regard and remain ‘must have classics’, recorded with other esteemed operatic stars of the day.

Her interpretation of Santuzza in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana is one of many outstanding performances on record.

She retired in 1966, but her ongoing vitality was renowned. Simionato entered into directorial positions and teaching singing, and consummate performer and actress, she appeared in many films well into her 90s.

She was featured in Daniel Schmid’s award-winning 1984 documentary film Il Bacio di Tosca about a home for retired opera singers founded by Giuseppe Verdi. She also appeared in an interview by Stefan Zucker in Jan Schmidt-Garre’s 1999 film, Opera Fanatic.

She died in Rome at age 99.