I’ve just heard the sad news this morning that the Italian lyric tenor Carlo Bergonzi, who just turned 90 this past July 13th, passed away last night.
Bergonzi was best known for his interpretation of Verdi’s operas, and was responsible for reviving a number of his lesser-known works. He had an extraordinary attention to detail, and his smooth crooning legato, and warm delivery was admired the world over.
Since retiring, Bergonzi has left a legacy of many recordings including works by Cilèa, Verdi, Puccini, Ponchielli, Mascagni and Leoncavallo.
He will be missed.
In tribute, here is a video of Bergonzi performing an aria from Meyerbeer’s L’Africaine in 1969.
Michael Vincent