Birth

:

December 11, 1892 in Lanuvio, Italy

Death

:

March 17, 1979 in Valencia, Spain

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Giacomo Lauri-Volpi was a renowned Italian tenor who was born on December 11, 1892, in Lanuvio, Italy. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father recognized his son's talent at an early age and began to train him in singing. Lauri-Volpi's first public performance was at the age of 16, and he soon began to attract attention for his powerful and expressive voice. Lauri-Volpi's career as a professional singer began in 1913 when he made his debut at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young tenors in Italy, and his career took off. He performed in many of the major opera houses in Italy, including La Scala in Milan and the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. In 1921, Lauri-Volpi made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where he quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike. He went on to perform at the Met for many years, singing in a wide range of operas, including Verdi's "Aida," Puccini's "La Bohème," and Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde." Lauri-Volpi was known for his powerful and expressive voice, which had a distinctive timbre and a wide range. He was particularly noted for his ability to sing high notes with ease and clarity, and his performances were often marked by moments of great emotional intensity. One of Lauri-Volpi's most famous performances was in the role of Radames in Verdi's "Aida" at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan in 1928. His performance was so powerful that it brought the audience to its feet, and he was hailed as a great artist. He went on to perform in many other major productions, including the premiere of Puccini's "Turandot" in Milan in 1926. Lauri-Volpi was also known for his work as a teacher and mentor to young singers. He taught at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome and at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he helped to train many of the leading singers of the next generation. Throughout his career, Lauri-Volpi received many awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. He was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1952, and he was made a Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy in 1928. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome in 1962. Lauri-Volpi continued to perform and teach until his death on March 17, 1979, in Rome. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century, and his recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

More....