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Francesco MerliItalian operatic spinto tenor
Date of Birth: 27.01.1881
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Francesco Merli: The Legendary Italian Tenor
- Debut and Rise to Fame
- International Career
- Debut in Major Opera Houses
- Signature Roles
- Later Years and Legacy
Francesco Merli: The Legendary Italian Tenor
Early Life and EducationFrancesco Merli was born in Milan, Italy. He studied music with Carlo Negrini and Adelaide Borghi. In 1914, he won second prize in a singing competition in Parma, surpassed only by the celebrated Beniamino Gigli.
Debut and Rise to Fame
In 1916, Merli made his debut at the renowned La Scala opera house in "Fernand Cortez" by Gaspare Spontini. He quickly became renowned for his powerful and expressive voice, which allowed him to sing a wide range of roles, from bel canto to verismo to heroic.
International Career
Over the next decade, Merli performed extensively in Italy and South America. In 1928, he became part of a prestigious La Scala tour that traveled to Australia. He also made regular appearances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London from 1926 to 1930. Notably, he was the first tenor to perform the role of Calaf in Puccini's "Turandot" for an English audience.
Debut in Major Opera Houses
In 1932, Merli made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, but his performance was unfortunately affected by illness. He returned to La Scala as his primary base of operations and continued to perform until the outbreak of World War II.
Signature Roles
Merli's most famous roles included Otello and Calaf in Puccini's "Turandot." His interpretations were characterized by vocal power, intensity, and clear diction. In 1938, he recorded a complete set of his greatest recordings with Gina Cigna and Magda Olivero, which was later released on CD, along with his "Turandot" performance.
Later Years and Legacy
Francesco Merli retired from singing in 1948 and passed away in Milan. He remains one of the most celebrated tenors of the interwar period, renowned for his vocal prowess and artistic versatility.
