(Lodi, 1815 - Sant'Agata (PC), 1897)

Opera singer (soprano), whose real name was Clelia Maria Josepha, she came from a Lombard family dedicated to music: her father, Feliciano, was a composer.

After her studies at the Conservatory of Milan, she debuted in Lodi in L'Elisir d'amore. She became well known on the opera scene, going on her first tournée to Vienna in 1835 and winning praise in her successful debut at the Scala in Milan four years later.

She had talent and unusual sensitivity, and became the intelligent interpreter of several of Verdi's operas: her performance contributed in no small measure to the triumphal premières of Nabucco in 1842 and Ernani in 1844.

But her weak health and the fatigue of an intense and disordered lifestyle allowed her only a brief carrier.

Her fame is tied especially to her role as second wife of Giuseppe Verdi. They lived together from 1848, and in 1859 finally married.

Giuseppina accompanied and counselled Verdi throughout his prolific artistic activity and isolated private life at Villa Sant'Agata, near Busseto, until 1897, the year of her death.

Her remains repose beside those of Verdi in the chapel prepared for the purpose by the Maestro at the retirement house for musicians founded by him in Milan.

Of exceptional importance to Verdi's biography is Giuseppina's correspondence, most of which has been published.

(Taken from MARCHESELLI T. and F., Dizionario dei Parmigiani. Parma, I, Benedettina, 1997.)