Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

November 17, 1881 in L'Aquila

Death

:

December 14, 1962 in Rome, Italy

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Nazzareno de Angelis was a renowned Italian bass-baritone opera singer who was born on December 8, 1881, in the town of Civitanova Marche, Italy. He was the son of a shoemaker and grew up in a humble family. Despite his family's financial struggles, de Angelis showed a keen interest in music from a young age. He began singing in the local church choir and soon became known for his exceptional voice. De Angelis received his formal music education at the Conservatory of Naples, where he studied under the guidance of renowned vocal coaches such as Beniamino Carelli and Vincenzo Lombardi. He made his operatic debut in 1907 at the Teatro Bellini in Naples, where he played the role of Colline in Puccini's La Bohème. His performance was well-received, and he soon became a sought-after performer in Italy. In 1910, de Angelis made his debut at the prestigious La Scala opera house in Milan, where he played the role of Ramfis in Verdi's Aida. This performance marked a turning point in his career, and he soon became a regular performer at La Scala. He also performed at other major opera houses in Italy, including the Teatro San Carlo in Naples and the Teatro Regio in Turin. De Angelis's powerful voice and commanding stage presence made him a favorite among audiences and critics alike. He was particularly known for his performances in Verdi's operas, including Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, and Don Carlo. He also excelled in the works of other composers, such as Mozart's Don Giovanni and Rossini's The Barber of Seville. In addition to his performances in Italy, de Angelis also toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States. He made his American debut in 1913 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he played the role of Ramfis in Aida. He went on to perform at other major opera houses in the United States, including the Chicago Opera and the San Francisco Opera. De Angelis's career was interrupted by World War I, during which he served in the Italian army. After the war, he resumed his career and continued to perform until the late 1930s. He retired from the stage in 1939 but continued to teach voice at the Conservatory of Naples until his death in 1962. Throughout his career, de Angelis received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of opera. In 1924, he was awarded the title of Cavaliere della Corona d'Italia by the Italian government. He was also awarded the title of Commendatore della Corona d'Italia in 1932. In 1951, he was awarded the prestigious Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. De Angelis's legacy as one of the greatest bass-baritone opera singers of all time continues to be celebrated today. His recordings are still widely available, and his performances are studied by aspiring opera singers around the world. He is remembered not only for his exceptional voice but also for his dedication to his craft and his contributions to the world of opera.

More....