Role

:

Conductor Performer

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

May 17, 1902 in Trieste, Italy

Death

:

August 9, 1971 in Athens, Greece

Genre

:

Opera

 

Fausto Cleva was a renowned Italian conductor and pianist who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was born on May 1, 1902, in Trieste, Italy, to a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Cleva showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Cleva received his formal music education at the Conservatory of Trieste, where he studied piano, composition, and conducting. He made his debut as a pianist at the age of 16, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Trieste Symphony Orchestra. However, it was his talent as a conductor that would eventually bring him international recognition. Cleva's career as a conductor began in 1924 when he was appointed as the assistant conductor of the Trieste Opera House. He quickly gained a reputation for his musicality and attention to detail, and in 1929, he was appointed as the principal conductor of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna. During his tenure in Bologna, Cleva conducted a wide range of operas, including works by Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart. In 1936, Cleva made his debut at La Scala in Milan, conducting a production of Verdi's "La Traviata." This performance was a turning point in his career, and he soon became one of the most sought-after conductors in Italy. In 1938, he was appointed as the principal conductor of the Rome Opera, where he remained until 1943. During World War II, Cleva left Italy and moved to the United States. He made his American debut in 1944, conducting a production of Verdi's "Il Trovatore" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. This performance was a huge success, and Cleva soon became a regular conductor at the Met. He conducted a wide range of operas, including works by Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, and Strauss. Cleva's tenure at the Met was marked by several notable performances. In 1951, he conducted a production of Verdi's "Aida" that featured the debut of Leontyne Price in the role of Aida. This performance was a critical and commercial success and helped to launch Price's career. In 1955, Cleva conducted a production of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" that was broadcast live on television. This was the first opera to be broadcast live on television, and it helped to popularize opera in the United States. In addition to his work at the Met, Cleva also conducted at other major opera houses, including the San Francisco Opera, the Chicago Lyric Opera, and the Royal Opera House in London. He also conducted several orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Cleva's talent as a conductor was recognized with several awards and honors. In 1955, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, and in 1960, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the City of Milan. He was also awarded honorary degrees from several universities, including the University of Bologna and the University of Trieste. Cleva continued to conduct well into his 70s, and his final performance was a production of Verdi's "La Traviata" at the San Francisco Opera in 1971. He died on August 5, 1971, in San Francisco, California, at the age of 69. In conclusion, Fausto Cleva was a talented conductor and pianist who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He began his career in Italy and quickly gained a reputation for his musicality and attention to detail.

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