Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

March 21, 1878 in Naples, Italy

Death

:

August 12, 1942 in Jackson Heights, NY

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Pasquale Amato was an Italian operatic baritone who was born on March 21, 1878, in Naples, Italy. He was the son of a blacksmith and grew up in a working-class family. Amato showed an early interest in music and began singing in church choirs as a child. He later studied at the Conservatory of San Pietro a Majella in Naples, where he trained under the renowned baritone, Antonio Cotogni. Amato made his operatic debut in 1900 at the Teatro Bellini in Naples, where he sang the role of Silvio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera, Pagliacci. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and dramatic stage presence, and soon began performing in major opera houses throughout Italy. In 1904, Amato made his debut at La Scala in Milan, where he sang the role of Marcello in Giacomo Puccini's opera, La Bohème. The performance was a huge success, and Amato became a regular performer at La Scala, singing in productions of Verdi's Aida, Rigoletto, and Il Trovatore, as well as Puccini's Tosca and Madama Butterfly. Amato's international career began in 1908, when he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, singing the role of Alfio in Pietro Mascagni's opera, Cavalleria Rusticana. He quickly became a favorite of American audiences, and over the next two decades, he performed in more than 600 performances at the Met, singing in productions of Verdi's Otello, Aida, and La Traviata, as well as Puccini's La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly. One of Amato's most memorable performances was in the title role of Verdi's Rigoletto, which he first sang at the Met in 1913. His portrayal of the hunchbacked court jester was praised for its depth and emotional intensity, and he went on to perform the role more than 200 times throughout his career. Amato was also known for his collaborations with the conductor Arturo Toscanini, who he worked with on several occasions, including a 1926 performance of Verdi's Requiem at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. The performance was a huge success, and Amato was praised for his powerful and emotional rendition of the baritone solo. Throughout his career, Amato received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of opera. In 1923, he was awarded the title of Cavaliere della Corona d'Italia by the Italian government, and in 1937, he was awarded the title of Commendatore della Corona d'Italia. He was also awarded the Order of the Crown of Romania in 1924, and the Order of the Star of Romania in 1930. Amato continued to perform well into his 60s, and his final performance at the Met was in 1941, when he sang the role of Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca. He retired from the stage in 1942, and spent his remaining years teaching voice at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Pasquale Amato died on August 12, 1942, at the age of 64. He was remembered as one of the greatest baritones of his time, and his powerful voice and dramatic stage presence continue to inspire opera singers and audiences around the world.

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