Ginetta LaBianca, renowned lyric, coloratura soprano, once recognized as the youngest opera singer in history, has passed away. Ginetta was born in Buffalo, New York, and began her singing and musical training at the age of nine. In March 1950, just a couple of months shy of her 15th birthday, she made her debut as Gilda in Rigoletto in the Italian City of Velletri. Less than two months later, she appeared as Rosina in the Barber of Seville at the Teatro dell'Opera in Rome. These accomplishments garnered her recognition in the Guinness World Records 2010 as the youngest opera singer in history.
In addition to the Rome Opera, Ginetta performed with several opera companies throughout her career including La Scala Opera, the International Grand Opera of Sidney, the Philadelphia Opera at the Tanglewood Institute, the Cincinnati Opera, the Central City Opera, and others. She also performed multiple times at Carnegie Hall, where she made her first appearance at age 17. In Milan, Ginetta was the first prize recipient of the 7th International Competition for Opera Singers.
In 1973, she was invited by President Richard Nixon to perform at the White House at an event in honor of Emperor Haile Selassie.
In her later years, Ginetta shared her extraordinary gifts and expertise at master and individual classes with both skilled and aspiring musicians.
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