Birthplace of Elvira Hidalgo

The life of Elvira Juana Rodríguez Roglán is a fascinating story. Born in Valderrobres on 27 December 1891, her family moved to Barcelona during her childhood, where she began her musical training. She studied singing with Conchita Bordalba and piano, completing her studies in Milan. In 1908, she made her debut at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples as Rosina in Rossini's "El Barbero de Sevilla", and her performance was a great success. From that point on, her artistic career took off spectacularly.

Within a few years, this talented soprano performed at the finest opera houses around the world, including Monte Carlo, Paris, Prague, Cairo, Vienna, Florence, Palermo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg, La Scala in Milan, Athens, Buenos Aires, Chicago, the Metropolitan in New York, the Liceu in Barcelona, the Teatro Real in Madrid, Covent Garden in London, Ostend, and many other operatic centres. She shared the stage with outstanding singers of her time, such as Titta Ruffo, Chaliapin and Stracciari, among others.

Elvira de Hidalgo, as an important representative of bel canto, left an indelible mark on the world of opera. Her performances in iconic roles such as Rosina in "El Barbero de Sevilla", "La Sonámbula", "La Hija del Regimiento" and "Lucía de Lammermoor" distinguished her as one of the most celebrated sopranos of her era. Her ability to master the bel canto style and her vocal virtuosity made her an irreplaceable figure in opera.

Her influence, however, was not limited to her stage career. As a teacher, she played a fundamental role in the revival of bel canto after the Second World War. Her teaching and guidance contributed greatly to the development and success of future generations of lyric singers. Among her most celebrated pupils was the famous Greek soprano María Callas, who became one of the most influential voices in the history of opera and whose legacy endures to this day.

Towards the 1930s, the soprano decided to retire from the operatic stage and devote herself to teaching. She lived in Greece, where she worked as a singing teacher at the Athens Conservatoire, and among her most celebrated pupils was the legendary soprano María Callas. In addition to their professional relationship, Elvira de Hidalgo and María Callas maintained a deep friendship throughout their lives.

After her time in Athens, Elvira de Hidalgo moved to Turkey, where she continued to give singing lessons and helped to organise opera in Ankara. She subsequently returned to Milan, where she devoted herself to teaching until the end of her days. Elvira de Hidalgo died on 21 January 1980 in that Italian city, leaving a lasting legacy both in her successful operatic career and in the training of young talents in the world of lyric singing.