Annarosa Taddei was a renowned Italian mezzo-soprano who was born on December 17, 1933, in Florence, Italy. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Her father, Luigi Taddei, was a well-known baritone who performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Taddei began her musical training at a young age and studied at the Conservatorio di Musica Luigi Cherubini in Florence. She made her operatic debut in 1955 at the Teatro Comunale di Firenze in the role of Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto. Her performance was well-received, and she quickly gained recognition as a rising star in the opera world. In 1957, Taddei made her debut at La Scala in Milan, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. She performed the role of Rosina in Rossini's The Barber of Seville, which was a huge success. This performance launched her career and led to many more opportunities to perform at major opera houses around the world. Throughout her career, Taddei performed in a wide range of operas, including works by Mozart, Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini. She was known for her powerful voice and her ability to convey emotion through her performances. Her performances were often praised for their depth and nuance, and she was considered one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of her time. One of Taddei's most notable performances was in the role of Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore. She performed this role at the Royal Opera House in London in 1964, and her performance was widely praised. The Times called her performance "a triumph of vocal and dramatic artistry," and it cemented her reputation as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of her time. Taddei also performed in many other major opera houses around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the Paris Opera, and the Vienna State Opera. She was a regular performer at the Salzburg Festival, where she performed in productions of Mozart's Don Giovanni and Così fan tutte. In addition to her opera performances, Taddei also performed in concerts and recitals. She was known for her interpretations of Italian art songs and was a frequent performer of the works of Italian composers such as Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti. Throughout her career, Taddei received many awards and honors for her performances. In 1962, she was awarded the Premio della Critica Musicale Italiana for her performance in Rossini's La Cenerentola. She was also awarded the title of Cavaliere di Gran Croce by the Italian government in recognition of her contributions to Italian culture. Taddei retired from performing in 1985, but she continued to be involved in the opera world as a teacher and mentor to young singers. She taught at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena and at the Conservatorio di Musica Luigi Cherubini in Florence. Many of her students went on to have successful careers in opera, and she was known for her dedication to teaching and her passion for the art form. Annarosa Taddei passed away on January 2, 2002, at the age of 68. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of her time and a beloved teacher and mentor to many young singers. Her performances continue to be celebrated and remembered by opera lovers around the world.

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