Margaret Baker Genovesi (c. 1933 – 23 February 2022[1]) was an Australian soprano based in Rome.
Born in Brisbane as Margaret Baker, her early musical promise as a child was recognised with performances broadcast on Australia's Amateur Hour.
[5] Baker Genovesi then moved to Europe to complete her studies and was supported by scholarships awarded by the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Rome, and the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena.
Her operatic roles included: Violetta La traviata (including her Australian professional debut); Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro (including her European debut); Circe in The Enchantress Circe (recorded with Flavio Colusso [it; de]); Miss Pinkerton in The Old Maid and the Thief (recorded with Jorge Mester); Valletto in L'incoronazione di Poppea (recorded with Nikolaus Harnoncourt); Fortuna, Guinone and Melanto in Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (also recorded with Nikolaus Harnoncourt) and First Witch/ Second Woman in L'incoronazione di Poppea (recorded with Charles Mackerras).
[6] Amongst her pupils is the Italian dramatic coloratura soprano Desirée Rancatore.