Licia Albanese
Licia Albanese (Soprano), born on July 22, 1913 in Bari, Italy, is one of the most famous opera singers in the world.
In 1934 she debuted in Milan's Teatro alla Scala in Giacomo Puccini's "Madame Butterfly." Already before she went to America, she
had great successes in Italy, France, and England. In 1937 she sang the role of "Liu" in Puccini's "Turandot" in the legendary production
in London's Covent Garden with Eva Turner as "Turandot" and Giovanni Martinelli as "Calaf."
From 1940 to 1966 Licia sang in the ensemble of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and therein sang in over 400 performances of
16 different operas. During the same time she also sang 120 performances from 1941 to 1961 at the San Francisco Opera in 22 different
operas.
Licia is simply unforgetable in her interpretation of "Cho-Cho-San" in Puccini's "Madame Butterfly."
She gained massive celebrity through her recordings with Beniamino Gigli and Arturo Toscanini.
She has countless acclaimed performances with the biggest singers of the "Golden Age of Singing" such as Jussi Björling, Ramòn Vinay,
Tito Schipa, Giuseppe di Stefano, Mario del Monaco, and many others who were a part of her life onstage.
In the Hollywood Film "Serenade," Madame Albanese stood before the camera together with Mario Lanza, whereby a deep friendship between
the two was formed.
In 1945 she became an American citizen.
In 1975, Albanese founded the "Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation," through which countless young artists and singers were promoted.
Along with her many other honors, Licia Albanese received the "National Medal of Honor for the Arts" from President Bill Clinton in 1995, as well as
the "Handel Medallion," the highest award given by the City of New York, from Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in 2000.
Michael Vaccaro considers himself especially fortunate to have met and studied with this world-famous singer. In 1977, he was a
scholarship recipient of the "Lucia Albanese Puccini Foundation". Since then he has cultivated
a friendship that has lasted for more than 35 years. To this day, Michael continues to visit Madame Albanese regularly.
Also, through her exemplary collegial behavior evidenced by her boundless popularity among such peers as Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi and Mario Lanza,
Licia Albanese became a great role model for Michael Vaccaro, who adopted Albanese's attitude as the "basic law" for Opera Classica Europa. Not only that, but this close
relationship with Madame Albanese has inspired Mr. Vaccaro to, through the vehicle of Opera Classica Europa, work preserve the traditions of the past and
help reawaken the passion for opera as it was meant to be.
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