Birth

:

January 28, 1931 in New York City, NY

Death

:

March 19, 2009 in Palm Bay, FL

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Ezio Flagello was a renowned American bass-baritone opera singer, born on March 28, 1931, in New York City. He was the youngest of three children born to Italian immigrants, and his parents were both amateur musicians. Flagello's father played the violin, and his mother sang in the church choir. Growing up, Flagello was exposed to a wide range of music, including classical, opera, and popular music. Flagello began his formal music education at the age of 14 when he enrolled in the High School of Music and Art in New York City. He continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1953. He then went on to study at the Juilliard School, where he received a Master of Music degree in 1955. Flagello made his professional debut in 1957 with the New York City Opera, where he sang the role of the King in "The Love for Three Oranges." He quickly established himself as a rising star in the opera world, and over the next few years, he performed with many of the world's leading opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and La Scala in Milan. One of Flagello's most memorable performances was his portrayal of the title role in Verdi's "Attila" at the Metropolitan Opera in 1960. His powerful voice and commanding stage presence earned him critical acclaim, and he went on to perform the role in many other productions throughout his career. Flagello was also known for his performances in the operas of Richard Wagner. He sang the role of Hagen in "Götterdämmerung" at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany in 1966, and he also performed in productions of "Tristan und Isolde," "Die Walküre," and "Parsifal." In addition to his opera performances, Flagello was also a sought-after concert singer. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He was particularly known for his performances of the bass solos in Handel's "Messiah" and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Throughout his career, Flagello received many awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1962, he was awarded the Richard Tucker Award, which is given annually to an outstanding American opera singer. He was also a recipient of the National Opera Institute's Award for Distinguished Achievement in Opera in 1983. Flagello retired from performing in 1997, after a career that spanned over four decades. He continued to teach voice at the Manhattan School of Music until his death on March 19, 2009, at the age of 77. In conclusion, Ezio Flagello was a highly respected and accomplished bass-baritone opera singer who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. His powerful voice and commanding stage presence earned him critical acclaim, and he performed with many of the world's leading opera companies and orchestras. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence aspiring opera singers today.

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