Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

February 10, 1923 in Milan, Italy

Death

:

July 5, 2010 in Atlanta, GA

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Cesare Siepi was an Italian operatic bass who was born on February 10, 1923, in Milan, Italy. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a cellist, and his mother was a pianist. Siepi began singing at a young age and was trained in the Milan Conservatory. Siepi made his operatic debut in 1941 at the age of 18 in the role of Sparafucile in Verdi's Rigoletto at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence. In 1946, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City as the Grand Inquisitor in Verdi's Don Carlo. Siepi's career continued to flourish throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He performed in many of the world's leading opera houses, including La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Vienna State Opera. He was particularly renowned for his performances in Verdi's operas, including Don Carlo, Aida, and Otello. One of Siepi's most memorable performances was in the role of Don Giovanni in Mozart's opera of the same name. He first performed the role in 1953 at the Salzburg Festival and went on to perform it many times throughout his career. His interpretation of the character was praised for its depth and complexity. Siepi also received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1958, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, one of Italy's highest honors. He was also awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 1963 and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1973. In addition to his operatic performances, Siepi also recorded extensively. He recorded many of the great operatic roles, including Don Giovanni, Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro, and Mephistopheles in Faust. His recordings were praised for their clarity and power. Siepi retired from the stage in 1994 after a career that spanned over 50 years. He continued to be involved in the opera world, serving as a judge for many international singing competitions. He also taught master classes and gave lectures on opera. Cesare Siepi passed away on July 5, 2010, at the age of 87. He was remembered as one of the greatest basses of the 20th century, with a voice that was both powerful and expressive. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of opera singers and fans.

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