{"id":5736,"date":"2025-03-06T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/?p=5736"},"modified":"2025-03-06T19:19:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T18:19:50","slug":"lg-gina-cigna-soprano-march-06-1900","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/2025\/03\/lg-gina-cigna-soprano-march-06-1900\/","title":{"rendered":"GINA CIGNA, SOPRANO, MARCH 06, 1900"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5736\" class=\"elementor elementor-5736\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9d53aa1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9d53aa1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e9e4261\" data-id=\"e9e4261\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c7fa022 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c7fa022\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-02a3a88\" data-id=\"02a3a88\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4d2eddc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4d2eddc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1b8c61a\" data-id=\"1b8c61a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83a2e9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"83a2e9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">gina cigna<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ee66d81 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ee66d81\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-751ba29\" data-id=\"751ba29\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-939616d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"939616d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">SOPRANO<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5a79494 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5a79494\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-54dd661\" data-id=\"54dd661\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9c323d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c9c323d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">march 06, 1900<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-152f879 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"152f879\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ead8fc7\" data-id=\"ead8fc7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed3405d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ed3405d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cc6b704 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cc6b704\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-15bf5f5\" data-id=\"15bf5f5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bc72f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1bc72f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gina_Cigna_White_text-1024x832.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5737\" alt=\"Gina Cigna Drawing\" srcset=\"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gina_Cigna_White_text-1024x832.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gina_Cigna_White_text-300x244.jpg 300w, https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gina_Cigna_White_text-768x624.jpg 768w, https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gina_Cigna_White_text-1536x1249.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gina_Cigna_White_text-2048x1665.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gina_Cigna_White_text-15x12.jpg 15w, https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gina_Cigna_White_text-600x488.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eceeb8c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"eceeb8c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4992109\" data-id=\"4992109\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7071fea elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7071fea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8e6339f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8e6339f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8039e65\" data-id=\"8039e65\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75fce66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"75fce66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n<div class=\"WordSection1\">\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u2018I always preferred temperament and interpretation to voice alone.\u2019<\/span><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn1\" name=\"_ednref1\">[1]<\/a><\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><br><\/span><\/p><p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">A child of the nascent twentieth century, Gina Cigna was born on the 6 March 1900 in Angers to parents of Italian descent. Amazingly she saw the entire century out, dying on the 26 June 2001 in Milan. With such a well-timed entrance and exit, she was doubtless destined for the stage and as a great dramatic interpreter!<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Cigna was one of the most prominent Turandots of the 1930s.<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn2\" name=\"_ednref2\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[2]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn3\" name=\"_ednref3\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[3]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> She was in fact the first artist to record the role of Turandot.<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn4\" name=\"_ednref4\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[4]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> It is claimed that she performed Turandot a total of 493 times &#8211; truly a remarkable stamina and vocal power was required for this feat.<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn5\" name=\"_ednref5\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[5]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> She was also one of the yardsticks by which all subsequent Normas have been measured. Another notable role was Aida,<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn6\" name=\"_ednref6\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[6]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> in which her <i>Ritorna vincitor<\/i> was described as a \u2018searing experience\u2019.<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn7\" name=\"_ednref7\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[7]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> Further superlatives were lavished upon her performance of Aida at New York\u2019s Metropolitan Opera, a \u2018beautiful, clear, pure voice,\u2026a marvellous musician\u2026beautiful vocal control\u2026\u2019<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn8\" name=\"_ednref8\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[8]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> And yet there were critics as well that noted,\u2019The voice is full and has a great range, but the emission is uneven and the agility is heavy.\u2019<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn9\" name=\"_ednref9\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[9]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> What we can be sure of, is that Cigna gave her all to performing the role and her statement in favour of interpretation over vocal perfection is testament to this. How exciting her stage presence must have been. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Initially she studied piano at the Paris Conservatoire but was heard singing by none other than the great Emma Calv\u00e9 who arranged an audition with Toscanini. Remarkably, Cigna accompanied herself on the piano, playing and singing arias from Rossini and Verdi which resulted in an immediate engagement!<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn10\" name=\"_ednref10\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[10]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> Gina Cigna\u2019s professional stage debut was <\/span><span lang=\"PT\">at La Scala as Freia in Wagner<\/span><span dir=\"RTL\" lang=\"AR-SA\">\u2019<\/span><span lang=\"DE\">s Das Rheingold in January 1927.<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn11\" name=\"_ednref11\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[11]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Throughout the 1930s Cigna performed in Latin America, North America and Europe the many roles which she had made her own.<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn12\" name=\"_ednref12\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[12]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Tragically her career was cut short by a serious car crash in 1947 en-route to perform Tosca in Verona. She completed her performance and collapsed afterwards &#8211; she had suffered a heart attack. Cigna never sang again but began an illustrious career as a singing teacher.<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_edn13\" name=\"_ednref13\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-US\">[13]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><span lang=\"EN-US\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"Body\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><br clear=\"all\"><\/p>\n<hr align=\"left\" size=\"1\" width=\"33%\">\n<div id=\"edn1\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref1\" name=\"_edn1\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[1]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\"> JACKSON, PAUL., SATURDAYS AFTERNOONS AT THE OLD MET, THE METROPOLITAN OPERA BROADCASTS 1931-1950, LONDON, DUCKWORTH, (1992), P.130<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn2\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref2\" name=\"_edn2\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[2]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><span lang=\"DE\"> MINTZER CHARLES, ROSA RAISA BOSTON NORTHEA<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">S<\/span><span lang=\"DE\">TERN UNIVERSITY PRESS 2001, P.136<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn3\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref3\" name=\"_edn3\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[3]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> <span lang=\"EN-US\">IBID. P.181<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn4\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref4\" name=\"_edn4\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[4]<\/span><\/sup><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/classicalmusicandmusicians.com\/2019\/07\/23\/gina-cigna\/ [5] IBID. https:\/\/classicalmusicandmusicians.com\/2019\/07\/23\/gina-cigna\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b> <\/b><span lang=\"EN-US\"><b>CLASSICAL MUSIC AND MUSICIANS. GINA CIGNA &#8211; DRAMATIC SOPRANO. 2025<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn5\">\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn6\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref6\" name=\"_edn6\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[6]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> <span lang=\"EN-US\">IBID.<\/span><span lang=\"EN-AU\"> P.129<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn7\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref7\" name=\"_edn7\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[7]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> <span lang=\"EN-US\">IBID. P.130<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn8\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref8\" name=\"_edn8\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[8]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> <span lang=\"EN-US\">IBID. P.131<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn9\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref9\" name=\"_edn9\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[9]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> <span lang=\"EN-US\">IBID. P.132<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn10\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref10\" name=\"_edn10\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[10]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> <span lang=\"EN-US\">IBID.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn11\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref11\" name=\"_edn11\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[11]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> <span lang=\"EN-US\">IBID.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn12\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref12\" name=\"_edn12\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[12]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> <span lang=\"EN-US\">IBID.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"edn13\">\n<p class=\"Footnote\"><a title=\"\" href=\"applewebdata:\/\/E4D619C9-FD68-467E-99DD-1678C97CB734#_ednref13\" name=\"_edn13\"><sup><span lang=\"EN-AU\">[13]<\/span><\/sup><\/a> <span lang=\"EN-US\">IBID.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2018I always preferred temperament and interpretation to voice alone.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>A child of the nascent twentieth century, Gina Cigna was born on the 6 March 1900 in Angers to parents of Italian descent. Amazingly she saw the entire century out, dying on the 26 June 2001 in Milan. With such a well-timed entrance and exit, she was doubtless destined for the stage and as a great dramatic interpreter!<\/p>\n<p>Cigna was one of the most prominent Turandots of the 1930s. She was in fact the first artist to record the role of Turandot. It is claimed that she performed Turandot a total of 493 times &#8211; truly a remarkable stamina and vocal power was required for this feat. She was also one of the yardsticks by which all subsequent Normas have been measured. Another notable role was Aida, in which her Ritorna vincitor was described as a \u2018searing experience\u2019. Further superlatives were lavished upon her performance of Aida at New York\u2019s Metropolitan Opera, a \u2018beautiful, clear, pure voice,\u2026a marvellous musician\u2026beautiful vocal control\u2026\u2019 And yet there were critics as well that noted,\u2019The voice is full and has a great range, but the emission is uneven and the agility is heavy.\u2019 What we can be sure of, is that Cigna gave her all to performing the role and her statement in favour of interpretation over vocal perfection is testament to this. How exciting her stage presence must have been. <\/p>\n<p>Initially she studied piano at the Paris Conservatoire but was heard singing by none other than the great Emma Calv\u00e9 who arranged an audition with Toscanini. Remarkably, Cigna accompanied herself on the piano, playing and singing arias from Rossini and Verdi which resulted in an immediate engagement! Gina Cigna\u2019s professional stage debut was at La Scala as Freia in Wagner\u2019s Das Rheingold in January 1927.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the 1930s Cigna performed in Latin America, North America and Europe the many roles which she had made her own.<\/p>\n<p>Tragically her career was cut short by a serious car crash in 1947 en-route to perform Tosca in Verona. She completed her performance and collapsed afterwards &#8211; she had suffered a heart attack. Cigna never sang again but began an illustrious career as a singing teacher.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5737,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[74],"class_list":["post-5736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legendary-singers","tag-legendary-singers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5736"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5736\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voicedetective.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}