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Ezio PinzaItalian opera singer (bass)
Date of Birth: 18.05.1892
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Ezio Pinza
Early Life and EducationEzio Pinza, an Italian opera singer (bass), was born on May 18, 1892, into a modest, almost impoverished family in Rome, Italy. He grew up in the richly traditional city of Ravenna on the eastern coast of Italy. As the seventh child in his family and the first to survive, Pinza showed an early interest in vocal music. He studied vocal technique at the Giovanni Battista Martini Conservatory in Bologna and made his debut in 1914 at a theater in Cremona, performing the role of Oroveso in "Norma". However, Pinza's interests extended beyond the opera stage, as he was an avid cyclist.
Opera Career
During World War I, Pinza served in the army for four years and resumed his performances in 1919 in Rome. He was later invited to perform at the legendary La Scala in Milan, where he made his debut in February 1922. Under the guidance of the renowned conductor Arturo Toscanini, Pinza quickly gained popularity and acclaim. Known for his exceptional voice, impeccable technique, and outstanding acting abilities, Pinza captivated audiences in various roles. He made his debut in New York in November 1926 in "La Vestale". In the following years, he added iconic roles such as Don Giovanni, Figaro, and Zarastro to his repertoire. Pinza's repertoire included around 95 classical roles, encompassing Italian bass parts by composers like Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi. He also performed Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov" in Italian.
International Success
In addition to his performances at the Metropolitan Opera (MET), Pinza regularly appeared at Covent Garden from 1930 to 1939 and participated in the Salzburg Festival from 1934 to 1937 under the renowned German conductor Bruno Walter. Pinza reunited with Toscanini in 1935, as he sang as a soloist in a performance of Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis" with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Despite achieving great success, Pinza faced a significant setback in March 1942 when he was arrested and detained on Ellis Island for three months along with hundreds of other Italian-Americans suspected of supporting Germany and its allies during World War II. The charges lacked evidence, and many believe that a rival artist's malicious intent was behind the incident. Pinza never spoke about this incident publicly, but his wife believed that the extreme stress he experienced contributed to his early death.
Broadway and Television Career
After concluding his career at the MET in 1948, Pinza transitioned to Broadway musicals. In April 1949, he starred in the premiere of the renowned musical "South Pacific," originating the role of French planter Emile de Becque. His operatic background and emotionally charged performance of the hit song "Some Enchanted Evening" turned Pinza into a national celebrity. In 1950, he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, and a few years later, he began appearing in television shows, including his own comedy series "Bonino," where he played the role of a recently widowed opera singer raising six children. Pinza finished writing his memoirs shortly before his death, and they were published in 1958 by Rinehart & Company. The book included photographs from his long career and personal life, as he had three children with his wife.
Legacy
Ezio Pinza passed away on May 9, 1957, at the age of 64, in Stamford, Connecticut, due to a stroke. He left behind numerous recordings from the 1920s and 1930s, when his voice was in its prime. While there are later recordings, their vocal quality reflects the passage of time. It was said that due to a lack of formal musical education, Pinza couldn't read sheet music. However, after hearing a piano rendition of a piece, he had the ability to reproduce it accurately. Pinza's artistry and contributions to the world of opera and musical theater continue to be celebrated and admired.
