Birth

:

August 28, 1927

Death

:

February 24, 2014

Genre

:

Opera

 

Nicolae Herlea was a Romanian opera singer who was born on August 28, 1927, in Bucharest, Romania. He was the son of a famous Romanian tenor, Ion Herlea, who was also a professor at the Bucharest Conservatory. Nicolae Herlea grew up in a musical family and was exposed to classical music from a young age. He began singing in choirs and performing in operas at a young age, and his talent was quickly recognized. Herlea studied at the Bucharest Conservatory, where he received a degree in vocal performance. He then went on to study at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy, where he honed his skills and developed his unique style. Herlea's voice was known for its rich, warm tone and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. Herlea made his professional debut in 1954 at the Bucharest Opera House, where he performed the role of Escamillo in Georges Bizet's opera Carmen. He quickly became a favorite among audiences and critics alike, and his career took off. Herlea went on to perform in some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. One of Herlea's most notable performances was in 1961, when he performed the role of Rigoletto in Giuseppe Verdi's opera of the same name at La Scala. His performance was widely praised, and he became known as one of the greatest interpreters of the role. Herlea also performed in many other Verdi operas, including Aida, Il Trovatore, and Don Carlo. Herlea was also known for his performances of French opera, particularly the works of Charles Gounod. He performed the role of Valentin in Gounod's Faust at the Royal Opera House in London, and his performance was widely praised. Herlea also performed in Gounod's Romeo and Juliet and Mireille. Throughout his career, Herlea received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1963, he was awarded the title of People's Artist of Romania, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon an artist in Romania. He was also awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, First Class, by the Romanian government in 1968. Herlea continued to perform well into his later years, and he remained a beloved figure in the world of classical music until his death on September 20, 2014, at the age of 87. His legacy lives on through his recordings and performances, which continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world. Nicolae Herlea will always be remembered as one of the greatest opera singers of his generation, and a true master of his craft.

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