Carlo Bergonzi

about

The Italian singer Carlo Bergonzi (born 13 July 1924) is one of the most admired tenors of the post-war period. Although he performed and recorded various bel canto and verismo roles, he is above all associated with the operas of Giuseppe Verdi, including a large number of his lesser-known works which he helped revive. Essentially a lyric tenor, Bergonzi is greatly admired for his beautiful legato and elegant phrasing. Bergonzi was born in Vidalenzo, near Parma. He began his studying singing after an audition at age 14, originally as a baritone. During World War II, he was imprisoned in a German prisoner-of-war camp for anti-Nazi activities. When the war ended and he was released, he returned to Italy and began studies at the Boito Conservatory in Parma. On August 7, 1947, at the age of 23, Bergonzi made his professional debut came as Schaunard in La Bohème in Catania (Arena Argentina). Other baritone roles included: Arlesiana (Metifio), Don Pasquale (Dottor Malatesta), L'Elisir d’amore (Belcore), Lucia di Lammermoor (Lord Enrico Asthon), Le Astuzie di Bertoldo, Ghirlino, Pagliacci (Silvio), L'Amico Fritz (Fritz Kobus), Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio), Werther (Albert), La Bohème (Marcello), La Fanciulla del West (Sonora), Madama Butterfly (Sharpless), Manon Lescaut (Lescaut), Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro), Mignon (Laerte), Rigoletto (Rigoletto), and La Traviata (Giorgio Germont). After retraining his voice, he made his debut as a tenor in 1951 in André Chénier. The same y

top songs

albums

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Italian Opera Classics

Early Recordings 1951-1960

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Carlo Bergonzi - The Sublime Voice

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Opera Arias - Nessun Dorma - Casta Diva - O Mio Babbino Caro

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Carlo Bergonzi - Italian Songs

Arie e Canzoni del Barroco Italiano

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Opera Obsession! Act III Opera's Greatest Hits

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The Great Carlo Bergonzi

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Carlo Bergonzi Recital

Operatic Recital

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Opera d'Oro

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Puccini: Madam Butterfly

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