A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Novello, Clara Anastasia
NOVELLO, CLARA ANASTASIA.
Countess Gioliucci is the real name of this lady, although she is generally known by her maiden name as above. She was born June 10th., 1818, and breathed from her earliest years an atmosphere of music; her father, Mr. Vincent Novello, being an eminent professor of that science. At nine years of age she commenced her course of preparatory studies, being placed under the care of Mr. Robinson, of York, from whence she returned to her father's root in about a year. Soon after this she became a candidate for a vacancy in the Conservatore de Musa Sacra, at Paris, which she gained, although there were many competitors. Here she studied with ardour and success the great masters of sacred music, and fitted herself for that peculiar walk she has since so much distinguished herself in. At the public exhibitions of the pupils she excited much attention, although so complete a child, that she was placed upon a stool in order that she might be properly seen.
When the revolution of 1830 caused the dispersion of the students of the Conservatore, she left Paris, having previously witnessed such sights of horror as caused her to fall into a kind of lethargy. After a while, however, she recovered, and made her debût before a British audience at a concert at Windsor, given by Mrs. Jewell. In the same year she sung in the Ancient Concerts, and also in those of the Philharmonic Society; she was then, although but fourteen years old, elected a member of this society.
From 1834 to 1837, she took prominent parts in the musical festivals and leading concerts in this country, and in the latter year, lit the request of Mendelssohn, she went to Leipzic, to assist in the Gewand Hans Concerts, of which he was director. Here she won golden opinions alike from the professor and the public, owing, it Is said, to "her pure youthful voice, purity of intonation, and thorough-bred musical feeling." From Leipsic she went to Berlin and Vienna, receiving the warmest welcome from the highest personages at the respective courts.
In 1838 she went to Italy, displaying her powers at the celebration of the coronation of the Emperor of Austria, as the King of Lombardy. In that year and the next she again sung in the principal cities of Germany, and then proceeded to St. Petersburg, and presented her introduction to the Empress of Russia, who received her most kindly. Towards the close of 1839 she visited Rossini, at Bologna, and in accordance with his advice, relinquished public life for a year, and devoted herself to the study of stage action, with a view to operatic music. Having perfected herself in tins, she made her first appearance on the stage at Padua, in the character of Semiramide, and was so successful that she was quickly engaged.
During the carnival of 1842 she sung at Rome and Grenoa, and while in the Papal territory, at Fermo, became acquainted with Count Gigliucci, to whom she was married, in November, 1848, after the termination of her continental engagements, and returned to England; where she performed on "Saffo," and other operas, at Drury Lane, then under Macready's management After her marriage she retired into the privacy of domestic life for a time, but 1852 saw her again before the public, under her old familiar maiden name, displaying her versatile talents in operas, concerts, and oratorios, in London, the provinces, and on the continent. She is now fulfilling an engagement contracted in 1844, at the Scala, at Milan, and occasionally delighting the public of other places with her sweet voice and brilliant execution.