AUTHORITATIVE | CURATED | First 500 words Free

• Personalities
• Classical
• Contemporary Classical
• Singer

1924–2014 Italian tenor Bergonzi studied as a baritone, singing Rossini’s Figaro in Lecce in 1948 before retraining as a tenor. His second debut was as Giordano’s Andrea Chénier in 1951. He sang regularly at the Metropolitan Opera 1956–88. At Covent Garden, where he made his debut in 1962, he sang many roles including Verdi’s Alvaro and Manrico (conducted ...

• Personalities
• Modern Era
• Opera

1924–2014, Italian Known as ‘the tenor of all tenors’, Bergonzi had a lyrical voice that was both refined and intense. Vocal lessons were interrupted when he was interred in a prisoner-of-war camp, but resumed upon his release and in 1947 he began to make a series of debuts as a baritone. Retraining his voice, he emerged four years ...

• Personalities
• Classical
• Contemporary Classical
• Singer

Tito, ‘Titus’ Clemency’), Zerlina (Don Giovanni) and, later, Carmen, but she was most sought after for Rossini heroines. Introduction | Contemporary | Classical Personalities | Carlo Bergonzi | Contemporary | Classical ...

• Personalities
• Modern Era
• Opera

Bellas Artes – the first time in the Royal Academy’s 250-year existence that a singer was awarded Spain’s highest artistic honour. Introduction | Modern Era | Opera Personalities | Carlo Bergonzi | Modern Era | Opera ...

• The Voice
• Classical
• Contemporary Classical

the Baroque to the twentieth century, though he was most impressive in Italian opera. Through the 1950s, a succession of Italian singers dominated in their national repertory. Carlo Bergonzi made his début as a baritone but, switching to tenor in 1951, he proved one of the most elegant singers of his day. Mario del Monaco (1915–82), Franco ...