Rosina Penco

In 1853, she created the leading soprano role of Leonora in Giuseppe Verdi's hugely successful opera Il trovatore.

She had appeared in Trieste the previous year as Azucena in Il trovatore by Francesco Cortesi, based on the same Spanish play as Verdi's opera.

[1] The composer recommended her for the leading soprano roles of his subsequent operas La traviata and Un ballo in maschera, saying that Penco had much spirit and a good stage presence.

She subsequently appeared as Amelia in Un ballo in maschera at Covent Garden and the Théâtre Italien, Paris.

[3] Rosina Penco was praised for her sweetness of voice combined with highly dramatic acting and vocal agility.