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Carlo Bergonzi pictured with French singer Charles Aznavour in 2009 |
Italian opera singer Carlo Bergonzi, considered a leading performer of Verdi's work, has died aged 90. During a career spanning 40 years, Bergonzi performed a string of stage roles, making his debut as a tenor at Milan's La Scala in 1953. His voice was captured on numerous recordings, including one of every major Verdi operatic aria, which was made in 1976. After his retirement, he continued to work as a teacher. He also ran a Verdi singing competition and managed a hotel.
He was regularly performing well into his 60s, and at the age of 75 undertook the demanding title role in Verdi's Otello at New York's Carnegie Hall, amongst a roster of stars including Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. But the role was too challenging and Bergonzi withdrew part way into the performance and was replaced by his understudy.
His vocal prowess extended across a whole range of recorded operatic material, including La Boheme, Madame Butterfly and Lucia di Lammermoor. He was careful not to push his voice beyond its natural confines, which extended his performing career. During World War Two, Bergonzi was held in a Nazi prisoner of war camp for three years, and returned to resume his singing career which had begun as a youth in the church choir.(Francisco Martins\David Sanchez).
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