Role

:

Conductor

Genre

:

Opera

 

Giuseppe Antonicelli was a renowned Italian conductor and pianist who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was born on January 1, 1893, in Naples, Italy, to a family of musicians. His father, Giuseppe Antonicelli Sr., was a well-known conductor and composer, and his mother, Maria, was a pianist. From a young age, Antonicelli showed a keen interest in music and began studying the piano under his mother's guidance. Antonicelli's musical talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly became a prodigy. He made his debut as a pianist at the age of nine, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. His performance was met with critical acclaim, and he was hailed as a child prodigy. Antonicelli continued his musical education at the Naples Conservatory, where he studied piano, composition, and conducting. He graduated with top honors and went on to pursue a career as a conductor. He made his debut as a conductor in 1914, leading the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Verdi's Requiem. Antonicelli's career as a conductor took off quickly, and he soon became one of the most sought-after conductors in Italy. He was appointed the principal conductor of the Rome Opera in 1923, a position he held for five years. During his tenure, he conducted numerous operas, including Verdi's Aida, Puccini's La Bohème, and Rossini's The Barber of Seville. In 1928, Antonicelli was invited to conduct at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He made his debut with a performance of Verdi's Il Trovatore, which was a huge success. He went on to conduct numerous operas at the Met, including Puccini's Tosca, Verdi's Otello, and Wagner's Tristan und Isolde. Antonicelli's career continued to flourish throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He conducted at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. He also made numerous recordings, including a highly acclaimed recording of Verdi's Requiem with the NBC Symphony Orchestra. Antonicelli's career was not without its challenges, however. During World War II, he was forced to flee Italy due to his anti-fascist views. He spent several years in South America, where he continued to conduct and perform. He eventually returned to Italy in 1946, where he resumed his career as a conductor. Antonicelli's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. He was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1952 and was made a Knight of the Order of the British Empire in 1956. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome in 1963. Antonicelli continued to conduct and perform well into his 80s. He died on November 23, 1968, in Milan, Italy, at the age of 75. His legacy as a conductor and pianist lives on, and his recordings continue to be celebrated by classical music enthusiasts around the world.

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