although critics as usual could not agree, giuseppina grassini was undoubtedly one of the greatest stage singers of the 18th and 19th centuries. commonly classed as a contralto, grassini sang, in fact, in tessiture which would later be ascribed to mezzo-sopranos and had rather a narrow vocal range. she could however rely upon a voice of great power and volume and, at the same time, of considerable pliability, to which she added excellent interpretative capability and, moreover, extraordinary physical beauty. this last quality made her not only the subject of many love affairs but also the ideal model for many contemporary painters including andrea appiani.