Mirella Freni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mirella Freni
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Freni in 1970
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Mirella Fregni
27 February 1935 Modena, Kingdom of Italy
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| Died | 9 February 2020 (aged 84) Modena, Italy
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| Occupation | Operatic soprano |
| Years active | 1955–2005 |
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Mirella Freni was an amazing Italian soprano singer. She performed in operas for 50 years! She sang in many famous opera houses around the world.
Mirella Freni became well-known at the Glyndebourne Festival. There, she sang as Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni. She also performed as Adina in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore. People especially loved her as Mimi in Puccini's La bohème. She sang this role from 1957 to 1999. She performed it at La Scala in Milan and the Vienna State Opera. She even sang Mimi for her first show at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Mirella Freni was married to another famous singer, Nicolai Ghiaurov. Many people called her a "matchless Italian prima donna." This means she was an incredibly talented and leading opera singer.
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Mirella Freni's Early Life and Career
Mirella Freni was born in Modena, Italy, on February 27, 1935. Interestingly, she had the same wet-nurse as Luciano Pavarotti. They grew up together and later became frequent singing partners on stage.
How Mirella Freni Started Singing
Mirella first learned to sing from her uncle, Dante Arcelli. Then she studied with Luigi Bertazzoni and Ettore Campogalliani. She later changed her last name from Fregni to Freni. She thought it would be easier for people to say.
Her first opera performance was on March 3, 1955. She sang as Micaëla in Bizet's Carmen. This happened in her hometown at the Teatro Municipale. She later married her teacher, Leone Magiera, and they had a daughter.
Becoming a Star Singer
Mirella Freni started her career again in 1958. She sang as Mimì in Puccini's La bohème in Turin. She also performed in the Netherlands in 1959–60.
Her big break came at the Glyndebourne Festival in England. In 1960, she sang as Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni. She performed alongside the famous singer Joan Sutherland. In 1962, she also sang as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. She was Adina in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore.
Performing on Famous Stages
In 1961, Mirella Freni sang at the Royal Opera House in London. She performed as Nannetta in Verdi's Falstaff. She also sang as Mimi at La Scala in Milan in 1963. This show was directed by Franco Zeffirelli. The conductor, Herbert von Karajan, loved her voice. She became one of his favorite singers.
She performed in many operas at the Vienna State Opera. These included the main role in Puccini's Manon Lescaut. She also sang as Amelia in Verdi's Simon Boccanegra.
On September 29, 1965, she sang at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Again, she performed as Mimi. She sang with Gianni Raimondi, who was also making his first appearance there. She later sang many other roles at the Met. These included Adina, Liù, Marguerite, Juliette, Susanna, Micaela, and Manon Lescaut.
Choosing Roles Carefully
Mirella Freni was very careful about the roles she chose. She once said, "I am generous in many ways, but not when I think it will destroy my voice." She always wanted to protect her voice. She turned down some roles that famous conductors offered her. She recorded some roles, like Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly, but never sang them on stage.
Teaching and Later Life
In 1978, Mirella Freni married Nicolai Ghiaurov. He was also a very famous opera singer. Together, they started a special school called the Centro Universale del Bel Canto. They taught young singers how to sing in the traditional "bel canto" style. After Ghiaurov passed away in 2004, Freni continued teaching. She helped many young singers from all over the world.
In the 1990s, Freni started singing in more dramatic Italian operas. She performed in Adriana Lecouvreur and Fedora. She also sang in Russian operas, like Tatiana in Eugene Onegin. Mirella Freni finished her long career on stage in 2005. She was 70 years old when she performed in The Maid of Orleans.
Mirella Freni passed away on February 9, 2020, in her home in Modena. Her funeral was held at the Modena Cathedral.
Mirella Freni's Awards and Recognition
Mirella Freni received many important awards during her life.
- In 1990, she was given the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. This is a very high honor in Italy.
- In 1993, she received the French Legion of Honour.
- In 1995, she was made a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
- The University of Pisa gave her an honorary degree in 2002. This was for her "great contribution to European culture."
- In 2009, she was promoted to a higher rank in the Legion of Honour.
In 1997, the Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, gave her the Key to the City. This was a special honor during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera.
In 2005, the Metropolitan Opera celebrated Mirella Freni's amazing career. They held a special concert to mark her 40th anniversary there. It also celebrated her 50 years of singing on stage.
Videography
- The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala (1983), Deutsche Grammophon DVD, 00440-073-4538, 2009
- The Metropolitan Opera Gala 1991, Deutsche Grammophon DVD, 00440-073-4582, 2010
See also
In Spanish: Mirella Freni para niños
