Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

June 27, 1893 in Mogliano Veneto

Death

:

January 26, 1975 in Treviso, Italy

Genre

:

Opera

 

Toti Dal Monte was an Italian soprano who was born on June 27, 1898, in Mogliano Veneto, Italy. Her real name was Antonietta Meneghel, but she adopted the stage name Toti Dal Monte. She was the daughter of a shoemaker and a seamstress, and she grew up in a modest family. Her parents were not particularly interested in music, but they recognized their daughter's talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in singing. Dal Monte began her musical studies at a young age, and she showed great promise as a soprano. She studied with several teachers, including Ettore Pinelli and Luigi Ricci, and she made her debut in 1916 at the Teatro Sociale in Rovigo, Italy. She quickly gained a reputation as a talented singer, and she was soon invited to perform in other cities throughout Italy. In 1919, Dal Monte made her debut at La Scala in Milan, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. She sang the role of Musetta in Puccini's "La Bohème," and her performance was a great success. She was praised for her beautiful voice, her acting skills, and her stage presence. This performance launched her career as an international opera singer. Over the next few years, Dal Monte performed in many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Paris Opera. She sang a wide range of roles, from Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" to Verdi's "La Traviata." She was particularly known for her performances in the operas of Puccini, and she was considered one of the greatest interpreters of his music. Dal Monte's career reached its peak in the 1920s and 1930s. She was a favorite of audiences and critics alike, and she received many awards and honors for her performances. In 1924, she was awarded the title of "Prima Donna Assoluta" by the Italian government, which recognized her as the greatest soprano of her time. She was also awarded the Order of the Crown of Italy and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. One of Dal Monte's most famous performances was in the 1926 premiere of Puccini's "Turandot" at La Scala. She sang the role of Liu, a slave girl who sacrifices herself for the love of her master. Her performance was so moving that the audience gave her a standing ovation, and she became known as the "Queen of Liu." Dal Monte's career was interrupted by World War II, when she was forced to stop performing due to the political situation in Italy. She spent the war years in hiding, and she returned to the stage in 1945, after the war ended. She continued to perform for several more years, but her voice began to decline, and she retired from the stage in 1952. After her retirement, Dal Monte devoted herself to teaching. She taught at the Conservatory of Music in Venice, and she also gave private lessons to young singers. She was known for her strict but supportive teaching style, and many of her students went on to have successful careers in opera. Dal Monte died on January 29, 1975, at the age of 76. She was remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century, and her recordings continue to be admired by opera lovers around the world. Her legacy lives on through her students and through the many recordings she made during her career.

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