Original artwork description:

Luísa Todi (1753 – 1833) was a popular and successful Portuguese mezzo-soprano opera singer.

Luisa Todi was praised for her vocal abilities, her clear diction, her linguistic skills, her professionalism, her talent as an actress, and the emotion and sensibility with which she infused her roles — qualities that make her seem an extremely modern performer. These are the same qualities that have ensured that Luísa Todi is still remembered across the centuries.

By 1823, following her earlier vision problems, she had become completely blind. She died on October 1, 1833 after suffering a stroke the previous July. She died in complete poverty.

Before her death, Luísa Todi saw her talent immortalized in Antoine Reicha’s book Traité de melodie, where she is described as “the Singer of all Centuries”.

In modern Lisbon, the street in which Luísa Todi died was named Rua Luísa Todi in 1917. This is at the northern edge of Bairro Alto, just off Rua de São Pedro de Alcântara above the church of São Roque. She was also immortalized in her native city of Setúbal with a large monument and bust as well as the naming of Setúbal’s biggest main avenue as Avenida Luísa Todi.

serie " Women of April Country – Mujeres del pais de Abril"

Materials used:

Acrylic on canvas

Tags:

#portuguese woman #portuguese artist #portuguese opera singer. #luisa todi #portuguese singer #todi #portuguese mezzo-soprano #woman #portugal #woman wearing flowered hat #woman portraits #portugal place