Operatic Tenor. He was an Italian opera singer, who made his debut in 1951 in Spoleto, as Don José in "Carmen." As a tall young man with a face of a movie star, he was called the "Prince of Tenors." Although he had a long and fruitful partnership with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City between 1961 and 1975, he was considered a globetrotter in opera, performing internationally on esteemed stages: La Scala in Milan, Paris, Munich, Berlin, Vienna, Covent Garden in London, as well as the Metropolitan Opera where he made his debut in "Il Trovatore." At the Metropolitan Opera, he performed in 19 roles, over 15 seasons and in some 365 appearances. In 1957 at Covent Garden, he held a note for 12 seconds to prove a point. His grandfather, two uncles and a brother had musical talents but none as strong as his. Although his father wanted him to study naval engineering at Bologna University, his talent was recognized in a competition, giving him an opportunity to entered the Pesaro Conservatory of Music to study opera. He despised studying with a private teacher, but did with a few. He developed the Corelli's lowered-larynx technique of singing, which gave his high voice even more power. In the summer of 1951, he placed first in the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence, earning a debut at Spoleto, beginning his career. After retiring in 1976, he became a popular voice teacher in New York City. He made at least a dozen recordings of solo arias and complete operas from 1956 to 1970. After suffering from a stroke earlier in the year, he died at age 82. His obituary stated his never smoked cigarettes, yet numerous photos of him are readily available with his holding one.
Operatic Tenor. He was an Italian opera singer, who made his debut in 1951 in Spoleto, as Don José in "Carmen." As a tall young man with a face of a movie star, he was called the "Prince of Tenors." Although he had a long and fruitful partnership with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City between 1961 and 1975, he was considered a globetrotter in opera, performing internationally on esteemed stages: La Scala in Milan, Paris, Munich, Berlin, Vienna, Covent Garden in London, as well as the Metropolitan Opera where he made his debut in "Il Trovatore." At the Metropolitan Opera, he performed in 19 roles, over 15 seasons and in some 365 appearances. In 1957 at Covent Garden, he held a note for 12 seconds to prove a point. His grandfather, two uncles and a brother had musical talents but none as strong as his. Although his father wanted him to study naval engineering at Bologna University, his talent was recognized in a competition, giving him an opportunity to entered the Pesaro Conservatory of Music to study opera. He despised studying with a private teacher, but did with a few. He developed the Corelli's lowered-larynx technique of singing, which gave his high voice even more power. In the summer of 1951, he placed first in the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence, earning a debut at Spoleto, beginning his career. After retiring in 1976, he became a popular voice teacher in New York City. He made at least a dozen recordings of solo arias and complete operas from 1956 to 1970. After suffering from a stroke earlier in the year, he died at age 82. His obituary stated his never smoked cigarettes, yet numerous photos of him are readily available with his holding one.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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