Opera Singer. Considered "The Toast of Milan", Annetta Saloski (née Anna Hill) blazed a brilliant trail for Americans in a land where only the greatest voices succeeded. At 18, her voice attracted such attention that she was sent to Milan with donations from the public to study under Sam Giovanni. Her debut at Teatro alla Scala (La Scala) as Marguerite in Faust resulted in a standing ovation. In the 1870s she was considered queen of sopranos. She made her American debut in St. Louis in 1885. After scoring a marked success, she returned to her home city of Cincinnati to sing. Later she went back to Italy, where she married Oscar R. Giaccaglia. Hill sang in more than thirty operas, her most effective roles being in Faust and Traviata. She was a contemporary of Lillian Nordica and Clara Louisa Kellogg, leading American women singers, with Nordica following her in successful Italian appearances. She was at her zenith before the great Adelina Patti sang. Her husband was decorated as Chevalier of Civil Valor by the King of Italy soon after their marriage. They moved to the United States in 1913 and settled in Hollywood.
Opera Singer. Considered "The Toast of Milan", Annetta Saloski (née Anna Hill) blazed a brilliant trail for Americans in a land where only the greatest voices succeeded. At 18, her voice attracted such attention that she was sent to Milan with donations from the public to study under Sam Giovanni. Her debut at Teatro alla Scala (La Scala) as Marguerite in Faust resulted in a standing ovation. In the 1870s she was considered queen of sopranos. She made her American debut in St. Louis in 1885. After scoring a marked success, she returned to her home city of Cincinnati to sing. Later she went back to Italy, where she married Oscar R. Giaccaglia. Hill sang in more than thirty operas, her most effective roles being in Faust and Traviata. She was a contemporary of Lillian Nordica and Clara Louisa Kellogg, leading American women singers, with Nordica following her in successful Italian appearances. She was at her zenith before the great Adelina Patti sang. Her husband was decorated as Chevalier of Civil Valor by the King of Italy soon after their marriage. They moved to the United States in 1913 and settled in Hollywood.
Bio by: Allan Ellenberger
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MOTHER DEAR
ANNA S. GIACCAGLIA-HILL
1851-1931
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