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Frank ValentinoAmerican opera singer-baritone
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Frank Valentino
- Early Career in Italy
- Success in Europe
- Metropolitan Opera Years
- Notable Roles and Collaborations
- Later Career and Retirement
- Legacy and Passing
Biography of Frank Valentino
Early LifeFrank Valentino was born in 1907 in New York. His real name was Francis Valentine Dinhaupt, and his paternal ancestors had immigrated to the United States from Germany. When Valentino was eleven years old, his family moved to Denver, Colorado, where he began his musical education.
Early Career in Italy
In 1926, Valentino traveled to Italy to further pursue his musical studies. The following year, he made his debut in Parma, performing the role of Germont in 'La traviata'. One of his Italian producers believed that Valentino's name was "too American" to attract an audience, so he renamed him Francesco Valentino. This stage name accompanied the artist throughout his entire career.
Success in Europe
From the late 1920s until the beginning of World War II, Valentino performed on the stages of Europe's most prestigious opera houses, including La Scala in Milan and Glyndebourne in England. He gained recognition and acclaim for his performances and became known for his collaboration with the legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini.
Metropolitan Opera Years
In 1940, Valentino returned to America, where he began his long-standing partnership with the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He debuted as Lord Ashton in 'Lucia di Lammermoor' and went on to perform in 26 roles over 21 seasons, totaling approximately 300 performances in New York and on tour. Notably, Valentino never canceled a scheduled performance, even when he was ill.
Notable Roles and Collaborations
Valentino's impressive repertoire included roles such as Figaro in 'Il barbiere di Siviglia', Count di Luna in 'Il trovatore', Marcello in 'La bohème', and the title role in 'Rigoletto'. He also performed with other major American opera companies, including the San Francisco Opera and the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company. Additionally, Valentino frequently participated in solo and joint concerts, with one of his most famous performances being the NBC broadcast of Puccini's 'La bohème' conducted by Toscanini, commemorating the opera's 50th anniversary.
Later Career and Retirement
Valentino concluded his performing career in 1962 and joined the faculty of the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland. He taught there for 15 years until his retirement in 1977. Valentino was married to Edith Taylor until her passing in 1975. After teaching at Peabody, he resided in Severna Park, Maryland, before relocating to Fairfax, Virginia.
Legacy and Passing
Frank Valentino passed away on June 14, 1991, at the age of 84, due to kidney failure. He left behind two daughters, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Valentino was a devout Catholic. His extensive discography, mainly recorded during his Metropolitan Opera career, includes complete recordings of operas such as 'Don Pasquale', 'L'elisir d'amore', 'Il trovatore', 'Pagliacci' in which Valentino performed the role of Silvio, 'Lucia di Lammermoor', 'La bohème', 'Macbeth', 'Madama Butterfly', 'Cavalleria rusticana', as well as excerpts from 'Rigoletto'.
