Giuseppe di Stefano

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The Italian tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano (born 24 July 1921 - died March 3rd 2008) was a famous opera singer whose career spanned from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. He was best known for his long association with Maria Callas, with whom he performed and recorded many times and with whom he was briefly romantically involved. Di Stefano was born in Motta Santa Anastasia, a village near Catania, Sicily. He was the only son of a carabiniere turned cobbler and his dressmaker wife. Di Stefano was educated at a Jesuit seminary and briefly contemplated entering the priesthood. Di Stefano made his operatic debut in 1946 in Reggio Emilia as Des Grieux in Massenet's Manon, the role with which he made his La Scala debut the following year. He made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera in 1948 as the Duke in Rigoletto, and he went to perform regularly in New York for many years. In 1957, Di Stefano made his British debut at the Edinburgh Festival as Nemorino in L'Elisir d'Amore and his Royal Opera House, Covent Garden debut in 1961 as Cavaradossi in Tosca. As a singer, Di Stefano was admired for his excellent diction, unique timbre, and passionate delivery, and particularly for his sweet silky soft tones. In his Metropolitan radio debut in Faust, he attacked the high C forte and then softened to a pianissimo. Rudolf Bing said this was the most beautiful sound he ever heard come out of a human throat. But the heavier roles that he began to take on were not really suited for a lyric te

top songs

albums

Giuseppe di Stefano: Italy

Mamma

My First Puccini

Great Tenors Of The 20th Century

Giuseppe Di Stefano

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E lucevan le stelle

The Best Of - Vintage Recordings 1952-1960

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Platinum Collection

My First Verdi

Giuseppe Di Stefano - Early Treasures

Singers of the Century: Giuseppe di Stefano "Parlami d'amore Mariù" - An Italian Song Recital (Remastered 2015)

L'incredibile Giuseppe Di Stefano

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