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Giovanni Matteo de Candia (Mario)

(1810-1883), Italian tenor

Sitter in 16 portraits
Born in Cagliari, Sardinia to an aristocratic family, he studied at the Royal Military Academy. Whilst serving as a second-lieutenant to the King of Sardinia's Guards in Turin, he got into some debt, his father's refusal to help him financially, led to him being expelled from the army on 24 November 1836. He travelled to Paris where he was welcomed at the salons. He performed as an amateur tenor at the salon of Principessa Cristina Belgiojoso, supplicating his income by giving fencing and riding lessons. He debuted as 'Mario', freeing himself of the burden of his inherited nobility. Becoming the most celebrated tenor of his era, he was idolised by audiences in London and Paris. He was the partner of the opera singer Giulia Grisi

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'The Italian Opera Company', by Nelson & Marshall, published by  Richard Burton & Co - NPG x20491

'The Italian Opera Company'

by Nelson & Marshall, published by Richard Burton & Co
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860
NPG x20491

Giovanni Matteo de Candia (Mario), by Charles Bergamasco - NPG x20488

Giovanni Matteo de Candia (Mario)

by Charles Bergamasco
albumen carte-de-visite, mid 1860s-mid 1870s
NPG x20488

'Upwards of five hundred photographic portraits of the most celebrated personages of the age', by Frederick Holland Mares, after  Disdéri, and  Camille Silvy, and  Duroni & Murer, and  Émile Desmaisons, and  John Jabez Edwin Mayall, and  Herbert Watkins, and  William Edward Kilburn, and  Horatio Nelson King, and  John & Charles Watkins, and  James Mudd, and  Unknown photographers, published by  Ashford Brothers & Co - NPG x139661

'Upwards of five hundred photographic portraits of the most celebrated personages of the age'

by Frederick Holland Mares, after Disdéri, and Camille Silvy, and Duroni & Murer, and Émile Desmaisons, and John Jabez Edwin Mayall, and Herbert Watkins, and William Edward Kilburn, and Horatio Nelson King, and John & Charles Watkins, and James Mudd, and Unknown photographers, published by Ashford Brothers & Co
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
On display in Room 22 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG x139661

Giovanni Matteo de Candia (Mario), by W. & D. Downey - NPG Ax28522

Giovanni Matteo de Candia (Mario)

by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1874 or before
NPG Ax28522

Giovanni Matteo de Candia (Mario), by George Zobel, printed by  Thomas Brooker, published by  John Mitchell, after  Leonida Caldesi - NPG D38223

Giovanni Matteo de Candia (Mario)

by George Zobel, printed by Thomas Brooker, published by John Mitchell, after Leonida Caldesi
mezzotint, published 21 May 1855
NPG D38223

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