Lella Ricci

Lella Ricci (c. 1850 – 7 October 1871) was an

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...

opera singer. She was born in Italy as Adelaide Ricci to composer

Luigi Ricci Luigi Ricci may refer to: * Luigi Ricci (composer) (1805–1859), Italian composer * Luigi Ricci (vocal coach) (1893–1981), Italian assistant conductor and vocal coach * Gino Ricci (1910-?), Italian javelin thrower {{hndis, Ricci, Luigi ...

and opera singer Ludmila Stolz (1826–1910; the sister of

Teresa Stolz Teresa Stolz (born Tereza Stolzová; 2 June 1834 – 23 August 1902) was a spinto soprano from Bohemia, for long a resident in Italy, who was associated with significant performances of the works of Giuseppe Verdi, some with his supervision i ...

). She inherited musical talent and enjoyed a great success in the Theatre ''Principe Umberto'' in

Florence Florence ( ; ) is the capital city of the Italy, Italian region of Tuscany. It is also the most populated city in Tuscany, with 362,353 inhabitants, and 989,460 in Metropolitan City of Florence, its metropolitan province as of 2025. Florence ...

. Emilio Usiglio composed the opera ''La scommessa'' for her (the first performance was on July 6, 1870, in Florence). At age 21, Lella Ricci was invited by

Bedřich Smetana Bedřich Smetana ( ; ; 2 March 1824 – 12 May 1884) was a Czech composer who pioneered the development of a musical style that became closely identified with his people's aspirations to a cultural and political "revival". He has been regarded ...

Prague Prague ( ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic, largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague, located on the Vltava River, has a population of about 1.4 million, while its P ...

to sing in the comic opera '' Crispino e la comare'' composed by her father. When in Prague she became pregnant (possibly by Smetana) but to keep her career she chose abortion and died due to internal bleeding. She was interred in

Olšany Cemetery Olšany Cemeteries (, ) is the largest graveyard in Prague, Czech Republic, once laid out for as many as two million burials. The graveyard is particularly noted for its many remarkable Art Nouveau monuments. History The Olšany Cemeteries w ...

. 1850s births 1871 deaths 19th-century Italian women opera singers Italian people of Czech descent {{Italy-opera-singer-stub