Enrico Di Giuseppe facts for kids
Enrico Di Giuseppe (born October 14, 1932 – died December 31, 2005) was a famous American opera singer. He was a tenor, which means he sang with a high male voice. He performed from the late 1950s through the 1990s. Enrico spent most of his career singing in New York City. He worked for both the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera at the same time during the 1970s and 1980s. Later in his career, he also sang with the New York Grand Opera.
Enrico Di Giuseppe had a clear, high singing voice. He was very good at singing Italian operas. He was especially known for his "bel canto" roles. This style of singing focuses on beautiful, smooth melodies. He often sang with famous singers like Beverly Sills, Dame Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne, and Renata Scotto. He performed in operas like Anna Bolena, Maria Stuarda, Roberto Devereux, and I puritani.
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Early Life and Learning Music
Enrico Di Giuseppe was born in Philadelphia in 1932. His first musical instrument was the clarinet, which he played in school. When he was young, he loved singing with friends on street corners. One day, a man heard him sing and asked him to perform at his wedding. Enrico agreed.
At the wedding, Enrico was supposed to sing "Because." He had never sung it with a band before. When he started, he realized he was singing much too high! He stopped and walked off the stage. The groom told him to relax and try again. Enrico did, and the second time was perfect. That day, he knew he was meant to be a singer.
Di Giuseppe later went to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. There, he studied with Richard Bonelli. After serving in the United States Army band, he studied at The Juilliard School in New York City. His teacher there was Hans Heinz.
Starting His Singing Career
Enrico Di Giuseppe had his first big performance in 1959. He sang the role of Chevalier des Grieux in Manon. This was with The Experimental Opera Theatre of America in New Orleans. In 1960, he sang as Rodolfo in La bohème with the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company. He sang many times with this company. Some of his roles included Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly (1963) and Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia (1963).
In 1962, Di Giuseppe sang with the San Francisco Opera. He played Mario Cavaradossi in Puccini's Tosca. He returned there later to sing Rodolfo. Enrico also toured with Boris Goldovsky's New England Opera Theater. He even worked with the Metropolitan Opera National Company. In 1965, he performed in La Cenerentola with his wife, soprano Lorna Ceniceros. She played Clorinda, and he played Ramiro.
Singing in New York City
Enrico Di Giuseppe was special because he sang for a long time at two major opera companies in New York City. These were the New York City Opera (NYCO) and the Metropolitan Opera. He first sang at the NYCO in 1965. His biggest success there was in 1967. He sang a very challenging high tenor role as the Astrologue in The Golden Cockerel. He performed with Norman Treigle and Beverly Sills in this show.
Over 16 years, he sang 26 different roles at the New York City Opera. These included parts in The Barber of Seville, The Magic Flute, Tosca, La bohème, and Lucia di Lammermoor.
Less than five years after his NYCO debut, he sang for the Metropolitan Opera. His first performance on the actual stage of the Metropolitan Opera House was on January 1, 1970. He sang with Martina Arroyo in Madama Butterfly. He performed at the Met until 1986. Some of his roles there included parts in Cavalleria rusticana, Rigoletto, La fille du régiment (with Joan Sutherland), and L'elisir d'amore. He also stepped in for Franco Corelli in Werther.
Enrico Di Giuseppe's last performance at the Met was in 1986. After that, he often sang with the New York Grand Opera.
Guest Performances
Even though he mostly worked in New York City, Di Giuseppe also sang with other opera companies. He performed in many cities across the United States. These included Baltimore Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Dallas Opera, and Houston Grand Opera. In 1973, he sang as Tonio in La fille du régiment with Beverly Sills in Philadelphia.
He also sang in the very first season of the Opera Philadelphia in 1976. He played Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. Outside the US, he performed in Canada and Mexico. He also sang in Ireland in 1984 and in Asia from 1983 to 1985.
Later Life
After he stopped performing, Enrico Di Giuseppe taught music. He taught at Florida State University and The Juilliard School. He lived in Deptford Township, New Jersey. Enrico passed away from cancer on December 31, 2005, in Voorhees Township. His wife, Lorna Ceniceros, his son, and his brother survived him.
Recordings
You can hear Enrico Di Giuseppe on recordings. He sang as Pollione in Bellini's Norma (1973). This recording also features Beverly Sills and Shirley Verrett. It was conducted by James Levine. In 2009, this recording was released on CD.
