Tecla Vigna (died April 1927) was an Italian opera singer and educator based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tecla Vigna, from a 1907 publication.

Early life

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Tecla Vigna was born at Savigliano in northern Italy, and studied music at the Conservatory of Milan, where she earned her diploma in 1879.[1] She trained with voice teacher Francesco Lamperti.[2]

Career

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Vigna, a contralto, performed roles in opera in several Italy cities[3] before being recruited by pianist Albino Gorno to the faculty of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1882.[4] Vigna wrote a text, 90 Daily Vocal Exercises (1894), published while she was teaching at the conservatory. After years of contentious disagreements with the school's administration,[5] she resigned from the college in 1906,[6] and soon she was teaching at her own school.[7][8] Her vocal method was described as "distinctly Italian, and distinctly modern, and dramatic in the very best sense of the term."[1] Her students gave well-reviewed recitals and were active in the Euterpe Society of Cincinnati.[9][4]

Personal life

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Vigna became an American citizen in 1920.[10] In ill health, she closed her school and retired in 1925,[11][12] and moved back to Milan, where she died in 1927.[13] In 1932, one of her American students visited her grave in Milan, and left a bouquet of gardenias in tribute.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b J. S. V., "Tecla Vigna, Singer and Teacher" Musical Courier (May 27, 1908): 16.
  2. ^ "Tecla Vigna, a Producer of Artists" Musical Courier (June 27, 1916): 28.
  3. ^ Tecla Vigna listing, La Voce Antica.
  4. ^ a b "Signorina Tecla Vigna" Music (May 1892): 88.
  5. ^ "Miss Vigna to Fight Van der Stucken" Cincinnati Enquirer (February 10, 1897): 5. via Newspapers.com 
  6. ^ "Promise Not Kept" Cincinnati Enquirer (April 5, 1906): 12. via Newspapers.com 
  7. ^ "Cincinnati" Musical Courier (June 10, 1908): 24.
  8. ^ "Tecla Vigna, Distinguished Vocal Instructor, and her Pupils" Musical Courier (April 27, 1916): 65.
  9. ^ "Tecla Vigna's Pupils Win High Praise" Musical Courier (March 16, 1916): 44.
  10. ^ "Tecla Vigna to Become a Citizen" Music Magazine (December 23, 1920): 54.
  11. ^ "Tecla Vigna Ends Labors; Taught Many Noted Singers" Cincinnati Enquirer (June 21, 1925): 62. via Newspapers.com 
  12. ^ Carl B. Adams, "Tecla Vigna's Farewell" Cincinnati Enquirer (June 26, 1925): 7. via Newspapers.com 
  13. ^ "Tecla Vigna Dies" Cincinnati Enquirer (April 22, 1927): 10. via Newspapers.com 
  14. ^ "The Girl About Town" Indianapolis Star (January 20, 1935): 21. via Newspapers.com