Strepponi, Giuseppina (Clelia Maria Josepha)

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Strepponi, Giuseppina (Clelia Maria Josepha) (b Lodi, 1815; d Sant' Agata, nr. Busseto, 1897). It. soprano and 2nd wife of Giuseppe Verdi. Concert début Lodi 1834. Opera début Adria 1834 in Ricci's Chiara di Rosembergh. At Trieste 1835 sang in Matilde di Shabran. Sang in Vienna, Rome, Venice, before La Scala début 1839. Instrumental in getting Verdi's first opera Oberto staged at Milan, 1839. Created Abigaille in Nabucco, Milan, 1842. Retired from stage 1846 to live with Verdi. Married him 1859.