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Pedro Lavirgen facts for kids

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Pedro Lavirgen
Lavirgen Caballé Turandot.jpg
Lavirgen performing Puccini's Turandot with Montserrat Caballé (1980)
Born 31 July 1930 (1930-07-31)
Died 2 April 2023 (2023-04-03) (aged 92)
Madrid, Spain
Occupation Tenor

Pedro Lavirgen Gil (born July 31, 1930 – died April 2, 2023) was a famous Spanish opera singer. He was a tenor, which means he sang high male vocal parts. His amazing singing career lasted for more than 30 years!

Early Life and Musical Start

Pedro Lavirgen was born in Bujalance, a town in Spain. When he was young, during the Spanish Civil War, he had a serious leg injury. He spent three years in the hospital recovering.

While in the hospital, Pedro joined the hospital choir. He quickly showed his talent and became a solo singer. This was the start of his musical journey.

Becoming a Professional Singer

After leaving the hospital, Pedro Lavirgen studied music. He went to the Madrid Royal Conservatory and also to the Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático. These schools helped him learn how to sing and perform professionally.

He began his career singing in a chorus. First, he sang for Radio Nacional de España. Later, he joined the chorus at the Teatro de la Zarzuela, a famous theater.

First Big Performances

Pedro Lavirgen made his debut as a main tenor in 1959. This meant he was now singing the most important male roles. He quickly became known for his powerful voice.

In 1964, he performed for the first time at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. This is one of the most famous opera houses in the world!

Later, in 1975, he also debuted at La Scala in Italy and the Covent Garden Opera House in London. These are also very important places for opera.

Where He Performed

Pedro Lavirgen sang in many other famous places around the world. These included:

  • Teatro Colón in Argentina
  • Vienna State Opera in Austria
  • Palais Garnier in France
  • Verona Arena in Italy
  • National Theatre Munich in Germany

He was truly a global opera star.

Later Years and Legacy

Pedro Lavirgen retired from singing in 1993. After his long career, he decided to share his knowledge. He taught singing at the Madrid Royal Conservatory, where he once studied.

Pedro Lavirgen passed away on April 2, 2023, at the age of 92. He is remembered as one of Spain's greatest tenors.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pedro Lavirgen para niños

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