Goodbye, Giusseppe Di Stefano
Sicilian-Born Star Operatic Tenor Dies Near Milan at 86
One of the world's great opera stars and inspirations, the Italian tenor Di Stefano passed away on Monday, March 3 from injuries received 4 years ago in Kenya.
The opera world has said goodbye to yet another Italian tenor. Giuseppe Di Stefano passed away on Monday, March 3 at the age of 86. Lauded as the tenor with a powerhouse voice, Di Stefano sang for 46 years on the stage, a part of an older generation of Italian singers who dominated the mid-20th century.
The tenor often performed with soprano Maria Callas, and it was Di Stefano who unintentionally launched Luciano Pavarotti's career when the former singer was unable to appear in Puccini's "La Boheme" at London's Covent Garden in 1963. The younger Pavarotti stepped up to the role and into the world's eye. Di Stefano appeared at his native country's La Scala Opera House in Milan 185 times and performed at the New York Metropolitan Opera 112 times between 1948 and 1965.
Even American composer Virgil Thompson begrudgingly sang Di Stefano's praises in the New York Herald Tribune after that Italian finished his first performance at the Met. The composer/music critic conceded that though Di Stefano had a voice devoid of "great beauty," he had "impeccable enunciation" and a personality that was "fresh and genuine."
Nearly four years ago in November 2004, Di Stefano was attacked in his Kenyan villa. During the attack, he was severely injured in the head and slipped into a coma. Though he later awoke, he never quite recovered full function. Complications from these injuries resulted in his death on Monday in his home in Santa Maria Hoe just north of Milan, Italy.
Axis Deserter Turned Opera Singer
Born in Sicily in 1921, Di Stefano got his start in opera somewhat by accident. A friend heard him singing a folk song and suggested he try the stage. Unfortunately, WWII put any plans for a professional career on hold, when Di Stefano was drafted into Mussolini's army. Di Stefano managed to escape to Switzerland, however, where he was able to record his singing in 1944.
Only two years later in 1946, Di Stefano was making his debut in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia. His first role was Des Grieux in Massenet's Manon. Though his early singing was characterized by a soaring warmth, he roughened his voice rather soon into his career by taking on too many heavy-voiced roles.
Italian president Giorgio Napolitano offered his condolences and praises of the late tenor to Di Stefano's wife Monika Curth. After a church funeral on Wednesday, March 5, the tenor was buried in Santa Maria Hoe.
Sources
Huizenga, Tom. "Italian Tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano Dies at 86." March 3, 2008. NPR Music.
"Guiseppe Di Stefano, Celebrated Italian Tenor, Dies at 86." March 3, 2008. International Herald Tribune.
