Sciutti, Graziella (1927–2001)

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Sciutti, Graziella (1927–2001)

Italian soprano and director. Born April 17, 1927, in Turin, Italy; died April 9, 2001, in Geneva, Switzerland; studied at Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome; children: Susanna.

Admired for her Mozart, Puccini and Verdi roles, was a soloist in a performance of "St. Matthew Passion," conducted by Herbert von Karajan, in her student days; at Aix-en-Provence, made formal debut as Lucy in Menotti's Telephone (1951), and sang there for many years; signature roles included Susanna in Nozze di Figaro, Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte, Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Nanetta in Falstaff; also created title role in Henri Sauguet's Caprices de Marianne (1954); made Glyndebourne debut as Rosina (1954); sang Carolina in Matrimonio Segreto in inaugural performances of the Piccola Scala, in Milan; made Covent Garden debut (1956) and US debut at San Francisco Opera (1961); also sang with Vienna State Opera; as a director, staged productions at the Canadian Opera, New York City Opera and Juilliard School; taught at Royal College of Music, London.