Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Nico Castel was a renowned classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of opera as a tenor, conductor, and vocal coach. Born in Rome, Italy, on December 14, 1931, Castel grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer, and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to music at an early age. Castel's passion for music led him to pursue a career in the field, and he went on to become one of the most respected and sought-after vocal coaches in the world. Castel's musical journey began when he started singing in the choir of the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli in Rome. He later studied at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, where he received training in voice and conducting. Castel's talent as a tenor was evident from an early age, and he made his debut as a soloist at the age of 18, performing in Handel's Messiah. In 1952, Castel moved to the United States to pursue his musical career. He continued his studies at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he received a scholarship to study voice. Castel's talent as a tenor was quickly recognized, and he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1954, performing in Verdi's La Traviata. He went on to perform in several other productions at the Met, including Puccini's La Bohème and Tosca, and Verdi's Rigoletto. Castel's career as a tenor was cut short when he suffered a vocal injury in the early 1960s. However, he did not let this setback stop him from pursuing his passion for music. He turned his attention to conducting and vocal coaching, and he quickly established himself as one of the most respected coaches in the world. Castel's expertise as a vocal coach was in high demand, and he worked with some of the most renowned opera singers of his time, including Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and José Carreras. He also served as the principal vocal coach at the Metropolitan Opera for over 30 years, where he helped to shape the careers of countless singers. In addition to his work as a vocal coach, Castel was also a prolific translator of opera librettos. He translated over 200 operas into English, including works by Mozart, Verdi, and Puccini. His translations were widely praised for their accuracy and clarity, and they helped to make opera more accessible to English-speaking audiences. Castel's contributions to the world of opera were recognized with several awards and honors throughout his career. In 1997, he was awarded the National Opera Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the field of opera. He was also awarded the Opera Index Award in 2001, and the George London Award in 2002. Castel continued to work as a vocal coach and translator until his death on October 31, 2015, at the age of 83. His legacy lives on through the countless singers he coached and the operas he translated, which continue to be performed around the world. Castel's passion for music and his dedication to his craft have left an indelible mark on the world of opera, and he will be remembered as one of the most influential figures in the field.

More....