Country

:

Spain

Birth

:

September 13, 1887 in Barcelona, Spain

Death

:

May 17, 1974 in Barcelona, Spain

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Hipolito Lazaro was a renowned Spanish tenor who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music during the early 20th century. He was born on August 13, 1887, in Barcelona, Spain, to a family of musicians. His father, Jose Lazaro, was a well-known baritone, and his mother, Maria de la Concepcion, was a pianist. Growing up in a musical family, Hipolito was exposed to music from a very young age, and he showed a keen interest in singing. Hipolito received his early education at the Escolania de Montserrat, a renowned choir school in Catalonia, Spain. He received rigorous training in music and singing, which helped him develop his vocal skills. He also studied at the Conservatorio del Liceo in Barcelona, where he honed his skills in opera and classical music. In 1910, Hipolito made his debut as a professional singer at the Teatro Principal in Zaragoza, Spain. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He went on to perform in several operas and concerts throughout Spain, earning critical acclaim for his performances. In 1913, Hipolito made his debut at the Teatro Real in Madrid, one of the most prestigious opera houses in Spain. He performed the role of Don Jose in Georges Bizet's opera Carmen, which was a huge success. His performance was praised for its intensity and emotional depth, and he quickly became a favorite among audiences and critics alike. Hipolito's success in Spain led to international recognition, and he was invited to perform in several countries, including Italy, France, and the United States. In 1915, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. He performed the role of Radames in Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida, which was a huge success. His performance was praised for its power and clarity, and he quickly became a favorite among American audiences. Hipolito continued to perform at the Metropolitan Opera for several years, earning critical acclaim for his performances in operas such as La Boheme, Tosca, and Carmen. He also performed in several other opera houses throughout the United States, including the Chicago Opera and the San Francisco Opera. In addition to his success as an opera singer, Hipolito was also a prolific concert performer. He performed in several concerts throughout his career, including performances with the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was also a frequent performer on radio broadcasts, which helped him reach a wider audience. Hipolito's career was not without its challenges. He suffered from health problems throughout his life, including a serious bout of pneumonia in 1924 that forced him to take a break from performing. He also faced criticism from some quarters for his decision to perform in the United States during World War I, which was seen by some as a betrayal of his Spanish heritage. Despite these challenges, Hipolito continued to perform throughout his career, earning numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the world of classical music. He was awarded the Cross of Alfonso XII by the Spanish government in 1920, and he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1925. He was also awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic by the Spanish government in 1930. Hipolito retired from performing in 1935, after a career that spanned more than two decades.

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