Anselmo Colzani
Anselmo Colzani | |
---|---|
Bologna, Italy | |
Died | March 19, 2006 Milan | (aged 87)
Genres | Opera |
Anselmo Colzani (March 28, 1918 – March 19, 2006) was an Italian operatic baritone who had an international opera career from the late 1940s through 1980. He particularly excelled in the Italian repertory and was most associated with the works of Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini. He began his career in Italy in 1947 where he quickly became a regular presence at that country's best opera houses, including La Scala. In the mid-1950s he began appearing at major opera houses throughout Europe and the United States. In 1960 he joined the roster at the Metropolitan Opera where he spent most of his time through 1978. Opera News commented that while his voice may have "lacked the sheer beauty [of other baritones], his performances had an Italianate urgency and forthright thrust that were unique, which established himself as a powerful, striking presence."[1]
Early life and education
Leandro was born in
Early career and rise to international fame
Colzani made his stage debut in 1947 at the
Outside Italy, he appeared at many houses throughout Europe and in the United States. In 1955 he made his first appearance at the
The Metropolitan Opera years
In March 1960 Colzani was approached by
Colzani's most frequent role at the Met was Scarpia; portraying the role more than forty times. Opera News stated that, "Undoubtedly Colzani's highest-profile assignment at the Met was Falstaff in the first performances of
Later life
After leaving the Met in 1978, Colzani continued performing for two more years, making his last appearance on the opera stage as Scarpia in 1980. He retired to Milan where he died after a long illness in 2006. During his later years he enjoyed time with his family. He had two daughters, Bianca and Miriam, from his first marriage which ended when his first wife died at a very young age. He was married to his second wife, Ada, for more than 50 years.[2]
In 2002 Colzani's home city, Budrio, established an annual international opera competition named in his honor.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f F. Paul Driscoll (June 2006). "Obituary: Anselmo Colzani". Opera News. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Anne Midgette (March 24, 2006). "Anselmo Colzani, 87, Baritone Who Was a Fixture at the Met, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Biography of Anselmo Colzani on Operissimo.com (in German). Accessed 11 May 2009". Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
- ^ San Francisco Opera Archives
- ^ a b Metropolitan Opera archives