Birth

:

June 4, 1920 in Trieste, Italy

Death

:

March 4, 2003 in Florence, Italy

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Fedora Barbieri was an Italian mezzo-soprano who was born on June 4, 1920, in Trieste, Italy. She was the daughter of a professional singer and grew up in a musical family. Her father, Giuseppe Barbieri, was a baritone who performed in various opera houses in Italy, and her mother, Maria Carpi, was a pianist. Barbieri began her musical training at a young age, studying piano and singing with her father. She made her debut as a mezzo-soprano in 1940, at the age of 20, in a production of Verdi's "Aida" at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste. Her performance was well-received, and she soon began to receive offers to perform in other opera houses throughout Italy. In 1941, Barbieri made her debut at La Scala in Milan, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. She performed the role of Maddalena in Verdi's "Rigoletto" and received critical acclaim for her performance. This marked the beginning of a long and successful career for Barbieri, who would go on to perform in many of the world's leading opera houses. Throughout her career, Barbieri was known for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence. She was particularly renowned for her performances in Verdi's operas, including "Aida," "Il Trovatore," and "Don Carlo." She also performed in works by other composers, such as Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" and Bizet's "Carmen." Barbieri's performances were not limited to Italy. She performed in many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. She also toured extensively throughout Europe, South America, and the United States. One of Barbieri's most memorable performances was in the title role of "Carmen" at the Metropolitan Opera in 1956. Her performance was widely praised, and she received a standing ovation from the audience. She went on to perform the role of Carmen many times throughout her career, becoming one of the most celebrated interpreters of the role. Barbieri received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1951, she was awarded the prestigious Viotti d'Oro prize for her performance in "Il Trovatore" at the Teatro Regio in Turin. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1956, in recognition of her contributions to Italian culture. Barbieri retired from the stage in 1970, after a career that spanned three decades. She continued to be involved in the world of opera, however, serving as a judge for many international singing competitions and teaching master classes. She also made occasional appearances on stage, including a performance in the role of the Countess in "The Marriage of Figaro" at La Scala in 1980. Barbieri passed away on March 4, 2003, at the age of 82. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of the 20th century, known for her powerful voice, dramatic stage presence, and unforgettable performances.

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