Giulio Gari was a renowned Italian-American tenor and opera singer who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on December 15, 1909, in New York City, Gari was the son of Italian immigrants. His father, Antonio Gari, was a well-known baritone who performed in various opera houses in Italy and the United States. Gari's mother, Maria, was a soprano who also performed in operas. Gari grew up in a musical family and was exposed to classical music from a young age. He began singing at the age of six and received his formal training at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. He also studied with renowned vocal coaches such as Enrico Rosati and Giuseppe de Luca. Gari made his professional debut in 1932 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where he performed the role of the Duke in Rigoletto. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. Over the next few years, he performed in various operas, including La Traviata, Tosca, and Carmen. In 1936, Gari was invited to perform at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. He received critical acclaim for his performance in La Bohème and was hailed as one of the most promising tenors of his generation. Gari continued to perform in operas throughout the 1930s and 1940s, both in the United States and Europe. He also appeared in several films, including The Great Waltz (1938) and The Chocolate Soldier (1941). In 1945, Gari founded the Giulio Gari Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to young opera singers. The foundation has since helped numerous aspiring singers pursue their dreams of a career in classical music. Gari's career reached new heights in the 1950s and 1960s, when he performed in several high-profile productions. In 1951, he performed in the world premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti's opera The Consul at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City. The opera went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1950. In 1955, Gari performed in the world premiere of Samuel Barber's opera Vanessa at the Metropolitan Opera. The opera was a critical and commercial success and helped establish Gari as one of the leading tenors of his time. Gari also performed in several productions of Verdi's operas, including Aida, Il Trovatore, and La Forza del Destino. He was particularly renowned for his performance in the role of Radames in Aida, which he performed numerous times throughout his career. In addition to his work as a performer, Gari was also a respected vocal coach and teacher. He taught at the Juilliard School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, where he mentored several young singers who went on to have successful careers in classical music. Gari received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Cavaliere Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Italian government. He was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1963. Gari continued to perform and teach until his death on February 5, 1995, at the age of 85. He left behind a legacy as one of the most talented and influential tenors of the 20th century, and his contributions to the world of classical music continue to be celebrated today.

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