Death

:

October 30, 2003

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Franco Bonisolli was a renowned Italian tenor who was born on May 16, 1937, in Rovereto, Italy. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a singer. Bonisolli's love for music was evident from a young age, and he began singing in the church choir when he was just six years old. Bonisolli's talent was recognized early on, and he began studying music at the Conservatory of Verona when he was 16 years old. He studied under the guidance of Maestro Ettore Campogalliani, who recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue a career in opera. Bonisolli made his professional debut in 1962 at the Teatro Nuovo in Milan, where he sang the role of Alfredo in Verdi's La Traviata. His performance was well-received, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young tenors in Italy. Over the next few years, Bonisolli performed in several major opera houses across Europe, including La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Vienna State Opera. He was known for his powerful voice, which had a distinctive timbre and a wide range. He was equally comfortable singing the bel canto repertoire of Rossini and Donizetti as he was singing the more dramatic roles of Verdi and Puccini. One of Bonisolli's most memorable performances was in 1972, when he sang the role of Radames in Verdi's Aida at the Arena di Verona. The performance was broadcast on television and was watched by millions of people around the world. Bonisolli's rendition of the famous aria "Celeste Aida" was particularly impressive, and it became one of his signature pieces. Bonisolli also had a successful recording career, and he recorded several albums of opera arias and duets. His recordings of Verdi's La Traviata and Rigoletto, as well as Puccini's La Bohème, are considered some of the best interpretations of these works. Despite his success, Bonisolli was known for his temperamental personality and his tendency to cancel performances at the last minute. He was also known for his unconventional behavior, such as wearing sunglasses on stage and smoking cigarettes during performances. Bonisolli's career was cut short in 2003 when he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He retired from performing and spent the rest of his life in his hometown of Rovereto. He died on October 30, 2003, at the age of 66. Despite his controversial reputation, Franco Bonisolli was a talented and influential tenor who left a lasting impact on the world of opera. His powerful voice and unique interpretation of the repertoire continue to inspire new generations of singers and music lovers.

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