Opera Singer. Probably the premier contralto of mid 19th century Europe, she sang leading roles in virtually all the principal venues of her day. Born Maria Anna Marzia Alboni, she was raised in central Italy, had early vocal training with Antonio Bagioli, and later was to be a student of Gioachino Rossini, personally instructed by him in his works. Marietta's professional debut came at Bologna in 1842, though accounts differ as to whether she bowed as Orsini in Donizetti's "Lucrezia Borgia" or as Clymene in Andrea Pacini's "Saffo". Success there led to her La Scala Milano debut as Neocle in Rossini's "The Siege of Corinth" and to further appearances in numerous roles including Leonore in Donizetti's "La Favorita", the title lead of Rossini's "La Cenerentola", Adalgisa from Vincenzo Bellini's "Norma", and Romeo in the same composer's "I Capuleti e I Montecchi". Her voice was said to be both strong and flexible, encompassing a range of two-and-a-half octaves and, indeed, she sang roles ranging from male baritone such as Don Carlo in Verdi's "Ernani" to light soprano including Norina in Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" and Amina from Bellini's "La Sonnambula". Judging by the records of her successes and failures, she apparently had more aptitude for comedy than for drama, with her assumption of the title role in "Norma" being considered a flop. Marietta conquered Europe from an early age, touring Austria in 1843, Russia in 1844 and 1845, and making both her London and Paris debuts in 1847 as Arsace in Rossini's "Semiramide". While at London's Covent Garden, a press 'rivalry' similar to the feuds of present day professional wrestling was developed between her and Swedish soprano Jenny Lind who was appearing at the competing Her Majesty's Theatre. She was to tour Spain and America in 1852 and 1853 and later was to join soprano Adelina Patti in a duet from Rossini's "Stabat mater" at the great composer's 1868 Paris funeral. Marietta was married twice, the first time to Italian Count Carlo Pepoli (deceased 1866), the second in 1877 to a French officer named Zieger. Her final operatic appearance came at Paris' Theatre Italien in 1872 as Fidalma from Cimarosa's "The Secret Marriage". She retired in Paris and little is known of her later years beyond the report that she apparently became quite obese.