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Graziella Sciutti 1932–2001

Although once dubbed the ‘Callas of the Piccola Scala’, Graziella Sciutti was in fact a soprano who excelled in Mozart’s soubrette roles. She went on to sing in most of the major opera houses of Europe and America. Born in Turin in 1932, Sciutti trained in Rome at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, and there sang the soprano part in Bach’s St Matthew Passion under Karajan, therafter a loyal supporter. In 1951 she began an association with the Aix Festival, firstly in Menotti’s The telephone and Cimarosa’s Il matrimonio segreto, and then in the Mozart roles – Susanna, Zerlina and Despina – for which she was so renowned. Her Mozart was much admired at Glyndebourne, where she also sang Rosina and Nannetta, at Covent Garden, Salzburg, Vienna, and San Francisco. Latterly she concentrated on directing – at Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, the United States and Canada, as well as in Germany and Italy – and teaching – at the Royal College of Music and worldwide.

Graziella Sciutti: born Turin, 17 April 1932; died Geneva. 9 April, 2001.