Cesare Siepi

about

Cesare Siepi (born Milan, February 10, 1923) is an Italian opera singer, generally considered to be one of the finest basses of the post-war period. His voice was characterised by a deep, warm timbre, and a ringing, vibrant upper register. On stage, his tall, striking presence and his great elegance of phrasing made him a natural Don Giovanni, among his many other roles. Born in Milan, he began singing as a member of a madrigal group. He often claimed to be largely self-taught, having attended the music conservatory in his home city for just a short time. His operatic career was interrupted by World War II. After his debut in 1941 (in Schio, near Venice, as Sparafucile in Rigoletto), Siepi, an opponent of the fascist regime, fled to Switzerland. "Deh Vieni alla finestra" (1956) After the end of the war his career immediately took off. Success as Zaccaria in Nabucco at La Fenice in Venice was followed by the first of many engagements at La Scala, Milan. His early engagements there were in the Verdi bass roles, the title role in Boito's Mefistofele under Arturo Toscanini, as Colline in La bohème, and in La Gioconda, La favorita, and I puritani. His international reputation was established in 1950, when Sir Rudolf Bing brought him to the Metropolitan Opera in New York to open the 1950 season as King Philip II in Don Carlos. He was to remain principal bass at the Met until 1974, adding roles such as Boris Godunov (in English) and Gurnemanz in Parsifal (in German), and singing

top songs

albums

Prima Voce

Lebendige Vergangenheit - Cesare Siepi

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Lebendige Vergangenheit - Cesare Siepi (Vol.2)

Recital

Sings Cole Porter & Italian Songs

Easy To Love - Songs Of Cole Porter

Don Giovanni

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Recital (1951-1957)

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Mozart: Le Nozze Di Figaro

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Il mito dell'opera: Cesare Siepi (Live)

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Schumann & Brahms: Lieder - Ravel: Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, M. 84 (Live)

Mozart: Don Giovanni

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