Emma Albertazzi
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Emma Albertazzi (née Howson; 1 May 1815 – 25 September 1847) was an English operatic contralto.[1] She began her opera career in Italy, France and Spain, making her British debut in 1837. Critics praised the beauty of her voice but found her acting too "ladylike" and lacking energy. She also sang prolifically on the concert stage. After giving birth to her fifth child, she returned briefly to singing, but died only months later at the age of 32.
Albertazzi was born in Streatham, London, the daughter of Francis Howson (died 1863), an English music professor, and his wife Sarah, née Tanner (died 1839). She had three brothers and a sister, several of whom became performers and some of whom established the Howson family musical dynasty in Australia; her niece was Emma Howson.[1] As a child, Albertazzi studied with a music teacher, Andrea Costa. In 1827, she moved in with Costa, and her parents signed a contract with him.[1]
Her first public performance was in 1828 at the New Argyle Rooms, London, and she performed in a concert the following year at the King's Theatre Concert Room. In 1829 a young Italian, Francesco Albertazzi (died 1857), also began to study with Costa, and the two married in London on 25 November 1829; the bride was 14 years old. Her husband signed additional contracts with Costa.[1] Sources variously report Albertazzi's activities over the next year or so, but she performed in Milan, Italy, in a concert at the Teatro Rè in September 1831.[1]
