steely tone was perfect for those wicked heroines, as well as her fantastic heroic fioratura mixed with her beautiful bel canto technique and a range that encompassed the 3 female ranges. This role of Abigaille in Nabucco, written for Verdi’s mistress Giuseppina Strepponi, is extremely demanding and known to have wrecked many voices, but it fit Maria like a glove! ... verdi giuseppina strepponi assoluta maria callas diva bel canto mezzo soprano coloratura lady macbeth sfogato abigaille opera ...