Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

July 10, 1903 in Naples, Italy

Death

:

October 5, 1974 in Imola, Italy

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Ebe Stignani was a renowned Italian mezzo-soprano who was born on July 10, 1903, in Naples, Italy. She was the daughter of a singing teacher and began her musical training at a young age. Her father recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Stignani made her operatic debut in 1925 at the Teatro Lirico in Milan, where she sang the role of Amneris in Verdi's Aida. Her performance was well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young singers of her generation. Over the next few years, Stignani performed in a number of leading roles in operas by Verdi, Rossini, and other composers. She was particularly noted for her performances in the roles of Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore and Eboli in his Don Carlo. In 1933, Stignani made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she sang the role of Amneris in Aida. Her performance was a great success, and she went on to become a regular performer at the Met for the next 20 years. Stignani's career continued to flourish throughout the 1930s and 1940s, and she became one of the most sought-after mezzo-sopranos of her time. She performed in leading roles in operas by Verdi, Rossini, Donizetti, and other composers, and was known for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence. One of Stignani's most memorable performances was in the role of Azucena in a production of Il Trovatore at La Scala in Milan in 1940. Her performance was so powerful that it reportedly brought the audience to tears. Stignani also received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1951, she was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon an Italian citizen. She was also awarded the title of "Commendatore" by the Italian government in recognition of her contributions to the arts. Stignani continued to perform well into the 1950s, but her career began to slow down as she entered her 50s. She retired from the stage in 1958, but continued to teach singing until her death in 1974. Despite her relatively short career, Ebe Stignani is remembered as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of the 20th century. Her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence made her a favorite of audiences and critics alike, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of singers.

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