Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

March 25, 1910 in Turin, Italy

Death

:

September 8, 2014 in Milan, Italy

Genre

:

Opera

 

Magda Olivero was an Italian soprano who was born on March 25, 1910, in Saluzzo, Italy. She was the daughter of a wealthy family and was raised in a musical environment. Her father was a pianist and her mother was a singer, and they encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Olivero began her musical training at a young age, studying piano and voice. She made her debut as a singer in 1932, at the age of 22, in the role of Lauretta in Puccini's opera "Gianni Schicchi" at the Teatro Lirico in Milan. Her performance was well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as a talented soprano. Over the next few years, Olivero performed in a number of operas in Italy, including "La Traviata," "Rigoletto," and "Tosca." In 1938, she made her debut at La Scala in Milan, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, in the role of Desdemona in Verdi's "Otello." Her performance was a huge success, and she became a regular performer at La Scala. During World War II, Olivero continued to perform in Italy, despite the difficult conditions. She also performed for Italian troops stationed in North Africa and for prisoners of war in Germany. After the war, she resumed her career in Italy and began to perform internationally. In 1951, Olivero made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, in the role of Violetta in "La Traviata." Her performance was a sensation, and she quickly became one of the most popular sopranos at the Met. She went on to perform in a number of other operas at the Met, including "Tosca," "Madama Butterfly," and "Adriana Lecouvreur." Olivero's performances were known for their emotional intensity and dramatic power. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of the roles of Violetta in "La Traviata" and Adriana in "Adriana Lecouvreur." Her voice was described as rich and warm, with a distinctive vibrato. In addition to her performances at the Met, Olivero also performed at other major opera houses around the world, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Paris Opera, and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. She also made a number of recordings, including a highly-regarded recording of "Adriana Lecouvreur" with the conductor Tullio Serafin. Olivero continued to perform well into her 80s, and she remained a beloved figure in the world of opera. She was known for her dedication to her craft and her willingness to take risks in her performances. She was also known for her generosity and kindness to her colleagues and fans. In recognition of her contributions to the world of opera, Olivero received a number of awards and honors. In 1975, she was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on an Italian citizen. In 1993, she was awarded the title of "Commendatore" by the Italian government, in recognition of her contributions to Italian culture. Olivero died on September 8, 2014, at the age of 104. She was remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of opera singers.

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