Giovanni Matteo Mario

Background

Giovanni Matteo Mario was born on October 17, 1810, in Cagliari, Italy.

Education

He was 12 years old when he moved from Cagliari to Turin, where he studied at the Royal Military Academy. While serving as a second-lieutenant in the King of Sardinia's Guards in Turin, he got some debt. His father refused to help him and the young man, on November 24, 1836, was expelled from the army.

Then he travelled to Paris, and began to study voice with Giovanni Marco Bordogni at the Paris Conservatory.

Career

Before his debut in 1838 at the Paris Opéra in the title role of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Robert le diable, he was instructed by the composer. He was immediately successful, signed his contract simply "Mario, " and was popularly known thereafter by that name alone.

In 1839 Mario made a triumphant debut in London as Gennaro in Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia opposite Giulia Grisi, a famous Italian soprano who became his life-long companion. He made his Paris debut at the Théâtre-Italien as Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. For the next 30 years he was a principal singer of romantic parts in Paris and London, also appearing in St. Petersburg (Russia), New York City, and Madrid. His most admired early roles were Nemorino, Ernesto, and Gennaro. Later he was acclaimed for his Almaviva, which he sang more than 100 times in London, the Duke of Mantua, Raoul, and Faust. In 1871 he gave his farewell performance as Fernand in Donizetti’s La favorita at Covent Garden in London, and after a concert tour of the United States he retired to Rome where his fortunes so declined that friends arranged a benefit recital for him in 1880.

Giovanni Matteo Mario died on December 11, 1883, and was buried in his town, Cagliari, in 1884.

Achievements

• The romantic tenor, Giovanni Matteo Mario was known for the beauty and range of his voice.

Personality

It is said that Giovanni Matteo Mario used to smoke cigars continually, even when taking a bath.

Connections

Giovanni Matteo Mario was married to Giulia Grisi. They had six daughters (three died as children).

Father:

Stefano De Candia Montepagano Fieschi

Stefano De Candia Montepagano Fieschi held the rank of general and was aide-de-camp to King Charles Felix of Sardinia (house of Savoy).

Mother:

Caterina Maria De Candia Montepagano Fieschi

Sister:

Teresa Francesca Rojch (De Candia Grixoni)

Sister:

Angelina De Candia Grixoni

Wife:

Giulia Grisi

Giulia Grisi was an Italian opera singer.

Daughter:

Cecilia Maria Pearse (De Candia)

Cecilia Maria Pearse (De Candia) was a British-Italian writer, amateur singer and society hostess.

colleague:

Giulia Grisi

Brother:

Carlo Felice De Candia