Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Cesar Vezzani was a French tenor who was born on October 15, 1888, in Ajaccio, Corsica. He was the son of a music teacher and began his musical training at a young age. Vezzani studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and made his debut at the Paris Opera in 1913. Vezzani quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading tenors of his time. He was known for his powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He was particularly renowned for his performances of French opera, including works by Gounod, Massenet, and Bizet. One of Vezzani's most notable performances was his portrayal of Don José in Bizet's Carmen. He first performed the role in 1919 and went on to perform it over 200 times throughout his career. His interpretation of the character was praised for its intensity and emotional depth. Vezzani also had a successful career as a concert singer. He performed in recitals throughout Europe and the United States, and was particularly admired for his performances of French art songs. He was also a prolific recording artist, and his recordings of French opera and art songs are still highly regarded today. In addition to his performing career, Vezzani was also a respected voice teacher. He taught at the Conservatoire de Paris and at the École Normale de Musique de Paris, and his students included several notable singers, including the soprano Régine Crespin. Vezzani received several awards and honors throughout his career. In 1925, he was awarded the Legion of Honor, one of France's highest honors. He was also awarded the Grand Prix du Disque several times for his recordings. Despite his success, Vezzani's career was not without controversy. He was known for his difficult personality and his tendency to clash with conductors and directors. He was also criticized for his tendency to over-sing, which some felt detracted from the emotional impact of his performances. Vezzani retired from performing in 1945 and devoted himself to teaching. He continued to teach until his death on March 11, 1951, in Paris. He was 62 years old. Today, Vezzani is remembered as one of the greatest French tenors of the 20th century. His recordings and performances continue to be admired for their emotional intensity and technical skill, and his legacy as a teacher lives on through the singers he trained.

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