Ezio Flagello American opera singer, bass Date of Birth: 28.01.1931 Country: USA

1. Biography of Ezio Flagello
2. Early Career
3. Metropolitan Opera and International Success
4. Recording Career and Film Appearance
5. Personal Life and Legacy

Biography of Ezio Flagello

Ezio Flagello was an American opera singer and bass. He was born in New York City in 1931 to Italian immigrants Genoveffa and Dionisio Flagello. Flagello studied at the renowned Manhattan School of Music, where he was mentored by famous bass-baritone Friedrich Schorr and the equally renowned Austrian baritone John Brownlee. He later became a student at the prestigious Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy.

Early Career

Flagello made his debut in 1955 at the Empire State Festival in Ellenville, New York, where he showcased his beautiful, deep, and resonant bass voice. His first appearance on the renowned American stage at the Metropolitan Opera occurred on November 9, 1957, in a production of Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca." Just four days later, Flagello unexpectedly replaced the ailing Fernando Corena as Leporello in Mozart's "Don Giovanni." His comedic roles quickly endeared him to the audience, and he went on to portray several brilliant characters such as Bartolo in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville."

Metropolitan Opera and International Success

Flagello's repertoire at the Metropolitan Opera included performances in operas such as "Manon Lescaut," "Rigoletto," "Aida," "Die Zauberflöte," and the lead roles in "Gianni Schicchi" and "Falstaff." He also originated the role of Enobarbus in Samuel Barber's "Antony and Cleopatra," which premiered at the Lincoln Centre in September 1966. However, he is best remembered at the Metropolitan Opera for his portrayal of Bartolo in "The Barber of Seville." In total, he performed in 528 productions at the Met.

Flagello also achieved international success and performed on various opera stages in Vienna, Milan, Berlin, and London. His rich voice with its remarkable upper register, coupled with his exceptional acting skills, garnered warm praise from both audiences and opera critics.

Recording Career and Film Appearance

Flagello left behind an extensive discography, which showcased the richness of his beautiful bass voice. In addition to his opera career, Flagello was also an amateur violinist, trumpeter, and flugelhorn player. He recorded over twenty albums, often collaborating with renowned artists such as Montserrat Caballé and Carlo Bergonzi.

Flagello also made a memorable appearance on the silver screen, playing a small but memorable role in the famous 1974 film "The Godfather Part II."

Personal Life and Legacy

Flagello was married to American-Italian writer Anna Mione, with whom he had a daughter. They later divorced, and he married Myra Bianco, with whom he had three more children. Flagello was also the brother of composer Nicolas Flagello.

Flagello continued performing on stage until 1987. He passed away on March 19, 2009, in Palm Bay, Florida, at the age of 78.