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Piero De PalmaItalian opera tenor
Country:
 Italy |
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Biography of Piero De Palma
Piero De Palma was an Italian opera tenor, perhaps best known as one of the world's most famous comprimarios, or supporting role performers. He was born in 1924 or 1925 in Molfetta, a city located on the eastern coast of Italy. De Palma began his opera career relatively late, making his debut in 1948 on the Italian radio, RAI, after previously performing in concerts and with choirs.
Early Career
In 1952, De Palma had his first major debut at the San Carlo Theater in Naples, where he regularly performed until 1980. That same year, he also made his debut at the Rome Opera and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, after which he began receiving engagements from theaters throughout Italy, including Genoa, Palermo, Catania, Trieste, and Bergamo. He also sang at the Baths of Caracalla, the well-preserved ruins of this ancient structure that transform into an open-air venue for the Rome Opera during the summer, and at the Verona Arena, an ancient amphitheater that was once built for gladiatorial battles and now serves as one of the world's most renowned concert venues.
International Success
In 1958, De Palma made his debut at Milan's La Scala. Throughout numerous seasons, he became a regular guest at the Dallas Opera and finally performed at the Metropolitan Opera in 1992, portraying the role of Dr. Cajus in "Falstaff." He also gained recognition in major international theaters, including Covent Garden and Liceu in Barcelona.
Accomplishments and Repertoire
De Palma focused on performing character roles and gained a reputation as the best and most famous comprimario of the post-war period. He possessed a beautiful voice and exceptional acting skills, and throughout his incredibly long career, he sang approximately 200 roles. De Palma's repertoire included Pong in "Turandot," Basilio in "Le nozze di Figaro," Normanno in "Lucia di Lammermoor," Malcolm in "Macbeth," Borsa in "Rigoletto," Gastone in "La traviata," Cassio in "Otello," Spoletta in "Tosca," Edmondo in "Manon Lescaut," Goro in "Madama Butterfly," Spalanzani in "Les contes d'Hoffmann," and many more. He left over 130 opera recordings from 1950 to 1980, including those where he performed multiple roles in one opera, such as Pong, Pang, and Emperor in "Turandot."
Legacy
Piero De Palma passed away on April 5, 2013, in Milan. Despite his supporting roles, he was greatly loved and highly esteemed by audiences, often receiving standing ovations for his performances.
