“Tenor Marcello Giordani, renowned for a voice of beauty and heft that made him a star at the world’s top opera houses, died Saturday. He was 56,” writes Ronald Blum in Saturday’s (10/5) Associated Press. “Giordani had a heart attack following lunch at his home in Monte Tauro, a suburb of Augusta in Sicily, and could not be revived … In the 1990s and 2000s, Giordani was sought after in lyric and later spinto roles…. Born in Sicily on Jan. 25, 1963, Giordani was the son of a prison guard who retired and then owned a gas station…. He made his professional debut as the Duke in Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’ at Spoleto, Italy, in 1986, and sang his first performance at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala as Rodolfo in Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’ in 1988…. Giordani became a regular at the Met, singing 241 performances through the 2015-16 season…. Giordani later ranged into some heavier roles, including Don Jose in Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ and Aeneas in Berlioz’s ‘Les Troyens.’ … He lessened his appearances on the major stages in recent seasons. He established the Marcello Giordani Foundation to support young singers…. Survivors include his wife, the former Wilma Ahrens, and sons Michele and Gerard Andre.”
Posted October 7, 2019
