Mario Del Monaco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mario Del Monaco
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| Born | 27 July 1915 Florence, Italy
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| Died | 16 October 1982 (aged 67) Mestre, Italy
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| Occupation | Opera singer (tenor) |
| Years active | 1940 – 1975 |
Mario Del Monaco (born July 27, 1915 – died October 16, 1982) was a famous Italian opera singer. He was a tenor, which means he had a high male singing voice. Mario Del Monaco became known for his powerful voice and exciting stage presence. He was one of the greatest opera singers of his time.
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Early Life and Training
Mario Del Monaco was born in Florence, Italy. His family loved music. His father was from Naples, and his mother was from Sicily. When he was a young boy, Mario learned to play the violin. But he loved to sing even more!
He studied music at the Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro. There, he met another famous singer, Renata Tebaldi. They often sang together later in their careers. Mario's teachers, like Arturo Melocchi, helped him develop his amazing talent.
Starting His Opera Career
Mario Del Monaco's professional singing career began on December 31, 1940. He sang the role of Pinkerton in the opera Madama Butterfly in Milan. Before that, he had a small role in another opera, Cavalleria rusticana, in Pesaro.
During World War II, he continued to sing in Italy. In 1941, he married Rina Filipini. After the war, in 1946, he performed for the first time in London. He sang at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Soon, he became famous all over the world. People loved his strong voice and heroic acting.
Becoming a Star Tenor
From 1951 to 1959, Mario Del Monaco sang at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He was especially good in dramatic roles by the composer Giuseppe Verdi. One of his most famous roles was Radamès in the opera Aida.
He became one of the top four Italian tenors of the 1950s and 1960s. The other famous tenors were Giuseppe Di Stefano, Carlo Bergonzi, and Franco Corelli. Mario Del Monaco's most well-known roles were Andrea Chénier in Giordano's opera and Otello in Verdi's Otello.
Mario Del Monaco first sang Otello in 1950. He kept improving his performance of this role throughout his life. Some say he sang Otello over 400 times, but a book about him lists 218 performances. Even though Otello was his best role, he sang many other parts with great success. These included Canio in Pagliacci, Don Jose in Carmen, and Samson in Samson and Delilah.
He also sang with the legendary soprano Maria Callas. They performed together in Milan in 1955 and at the Met in 1956.
Recordings and Nickname
Mario Del Monaco made his first recordings in 1948. Later, he recorded many operas with Renata Tebaldi for Decca. They recorded operas by Verdi and Puccini.
Because of his powerful voice and strong stage presence, people called him the "Brass Bull of Milan." This nickname showed how strong and impressive his singing was.
Later Life and Legacy
Mario Del Monaco retired from the stage in 1975. He passed away in Mestre, Italy, in 1982. He was buried in his Otello costume, showing how much that role meant to him.
His son, Giancarlo Del Monaco, became an opera director. His niece, Donella Del Monaco, is also a soprano singer. Mario Del Monaco's legacy continues through his recordings and the impact he had on the world of opera.
Images for kids
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Portrait of Mario Del Monaco, tenor (1915-1982). Photo by Sedge Le Blang, before 1982.
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See also
In Spanish: Mario del Monaco para niños
