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Ebe StignaniItalian opera singer, mezzo-soprano
Date of Birth: 10.07.1903
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Ebe Stignani: The Italian Mezzo-Soprano Extraordinaire
- Debut and Early Success
- Partnership with Toscanini and Milan
- Versatile Repertoire
- International Acclaim
- Retirement and Legacy
- Vocal Attributes
- Self-Awareness and Artistic Integrity
Ebe Stignani: The Italian Mezzo-Soprano Extraordinaire
Early Life and StudiesBorn in Naples on July 10, 1903 (some sources indicate 1904), Ebe Stignani began her musical training at the age of 17. She enrolled at the San Pietro a Majella Conservatory, where she studied singing, piano, and composition for five years.
Debut and Early Success
In 1925, shortly after graduating from the conservatory, Stignani made her operatic debut as Amneris in Verdi's "Aida" at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. She quickly established herself as a rising star, earning acclaim for her powerful voice and dramatic presence.
Partnership with Toscanini and Milan
In 1926, Arturo Toscanini invited Stignani to sing Princess Eboli in Verdi's "Don Carlo" at La Scala in Milan. This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership with the prestigious opera house, which remained her primary performance venue for the rest of her career.
Versatile Repertoire
Stignani possessed a versatile repertoire that encompassed the major Italian mezzo-soprano roles, as well as Wagnerian characters such as Ortrud in "Lohengrin" and Brangäne in "Tristan und Isolde." She also excelled in French operas, notably Carmen by Bizet and Dalila by Saint-Saëns.
International Acclaim
Stignani's career extended beyond Italy, with notable performances in San Francisco, London (where she sang at Covent Garden), and Buenos Aires (at the Teatro Colón). She also toured extensively in North and South America.
Retirement and Legacy
After a long and successful career, Stignani retired from the stage in 1958. She lived quietly in Imola, Bologna, until her death on October 5, 1974. Stignani left behind a vast discography, mostly recorded in the 1930s and 1940s.
Vocal Attributes
Stignani possessed a rich, expressive voice of great power and range. She developed remarkable flexibility, agility, and emotional depth, allowing her to perform roles such as Rossini's "L'italiana in Algeri" with aplomb. However, it was in her dramatic interpretations of noble heroines that she made the greatest impact.
Self-Awareness and Artistic Integrity
Despite her physical limitations, Stignani was acutely aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She never hesitated to decline roles that she felt were not suited to her voice, ensuring that she maintained its pristine quality throughout her long career.
