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Leone GiraldoniItalian operatic baritone
Country:
 Italy |
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Biography of Leone Giraldoni
Leone Giraldoni, an Italian opera baritone, was born in Paris in 1824. He studied music in Florence under the guidance of Luigi Ronzi. In 1847, Giraldoni made his debut performance in Lodi, showcasing his brilliant and richly resonant baritone voice.
Giraldoni's career soared to new heights when he made his debut at the renowned La Scala in Milan in 1850, performing the role of Count di Luna in Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Il trovatore" ("The Troubadour"). He went on to successfully portray this character in numerous theaters across Europe. Giraldoni was hailed as an exceptional interpreter of Verdi's works, and Verdi specifically composed the operas "Simon Boccanegra" (1857) and "Un ballo in maschera" (1859) for him, assigning him the roles of Fiesco and Renato, respectively. Additionally, Gaetano Donizetti created the baritone role of "Il duca d'Alba" in 1882 specifically for Giraldoni.
Giraldoni's voice was characterized by warmth and smoothness, and he was also a remarkable actor with a clear diction and brilliant phrasing. His exceptional talent earned him recognition from both audiences and music critics. During his time at La Scala, Giraldoni spent 11 seasons, performing in many famous opera roles, including the historical production of "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" as Figaro.
In 1891, Giraldoni settled in Moscow, where he worked as a voice professor at the Moscow Conservatory. His teaching career was as successful as his performing career. He developed a complex mixed breathing technique that allowed singers to maintain inhalation while regulating phonation through the diaphragm and abdominal muscles. This breathing method gave singers a clear and powerful intonation and the ability to dynamically adapt. Giraldoni authored two works on singing: "Guida teorico-pratica ad uso dell'artista-cantante" and "Compendium, Metodo analitico, filosofico e fisiologico per la educazione della voce."
Giraldoni was married to the popular opera soprano and violinist Carolina Ferni. Their son, Eugenio Giraldoni, followed in his father's footsteps and became an opera singer, specializing in the baritone repertoire. In 1900, Eugenio created an unforgettable portrayal of Baron Scarpia in Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca" in Rome.
