Birth

:

October 21, 1925 in Solvastru, Romania

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Virginia Zeani was a Romanian-born soprano who became one of the most celebrated opera singers of the 20th century. Born on October 21, 1925, in Solovăstru, Romania, Zeani grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. She studied at the Conservatory of Bucharest and made her professional debut in 1948 at the Romanian National Opera in Bucharest. Zeani quickly gained a reputation as a rising star in the opera world, and in 1950 she was invited to perform at La Scala in Milan, Italy. Her performance as Violetta in Verdi's "La Traviata" was a sensation, and she was soon in demand at opera houses throughout Europe. In 1951, Zeani made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London, where she received rave reviews for her performance as Gilda in Verdi's "Rigoletto." She also made her debut at the Vienna State Opera that same year, and in 1952 she made her first appearance at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where she sang the role of Lucia in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor." Zeani's career continued to flourish throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and she became known for her powerful voice, dramatic stage presence, and ability to convey emotion through her singing. She performed in many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Paris Opera, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Some of Zeani's most memorable performances include her portrayal of Violetta in "La Traviata," Gilda in "Rigoletto," Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor," and Mimi in Puccini's "La Bohème." She also sang in many other operas, including "Madama Butterfly," "Tosca," "Carmen," and "La Sonnambula." Zeani received many awards and honors throughout her career, including the title of "Honored Artist of the Romanian People" in 1955, the "Medal of Cultural Merit" from the Romanian government in 1963, and the "Order of Merit" from the Italian government in 1971. She was also awarded the "Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania" in 2000. In addition to her opera performances, Zeani was also a respected voice teacher and mentor to many young singers. She taught at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance from 1977 to 1991, and also gave master classes at many other institutions around the world. Zeani retired from performing in 1982, but continued to be active in the opera world as a teacher and mentor. She passed away on June 10, 2021, at the age of 95. Virginia Zeani was a true legend of the opera world, known for her powerful voice, dramatic stage presence, and ability to convey emotion through her singing. Her performances continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world, and her legacy as a teacher and mentor to young singers will continue to shape the future of opera for generations to come.

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