No famous singer of the post-war period has managed to evoke so many conflicting judgments in the general enthusiasm for great vocal abilities as Mario Del Monaco. The name of the last tenor, di forza, has become synonymous with Italian bel canto for millions of people.
In his work, Mario Del Monaco has reached astonishing heights. His unique vocals were distinguished by incredible strength.
The road to vocation
The biography of the future celebrity began in 1915. The child was born in Florence on July 27. In the family, he was the eldest son. A father who adored music dreamed of a singing career for at least one of the children. When Mario was 10, his parents moved to Pesaro.
After listening to the boy, the local teacher highly appreciated his talent, which strengthened the desire to learn to sing. At 13, the young performer made his debut in a small town next door at the opening of the Mondolfo Theater in Massenet's opera Narcissus.
Critics predicted a brilliant career on stage for him. Sixteen-year-old Mario knew many arias, but serious studies of opera singing began only at nineteen with maestro Melocchi at the Pesaro Conservatory.
The first success was a singing competition in Rome. After performing several arias, Del Monaco was among the top five contestants. He received a scholarship that gave him the right to attend school at the Italian capital's opera house.
Carier start
The new teacher chose an unsuccessful methodology, which became the reason for the deterioration of the student's voice and his creative crisis. Only the resumed six months later classes with Melokki allowed the young man to regain his vocal skills.
The singer was able to arrange his personal life in 1941. Rina Filippini, an opera singer, soprano, became his chosen one. The husband and wife have a baby, the son of Giancarlo. He chose the career of an opera director, and later became one of the recognized masters of his craft.
Soon Mario was drafted into the army. The military unit was headed by a real connoisseur of singing. He not only approved of the classes, but also provided the opportunity for a talented subordinate to perform.
The real start of his opera career was 1943, with a brilliant debut at La Scala in Puccini's La Boheme. The young tenor received recognition after the end of the Second World War. He splendidly performed the part of Radames in Aida at the Verona Festival.
Confession
In the fall of 1946, Mario began his first overseas tour with the Naples Theater San Carlo.
A few months later, Mario sang with Renata Tebaldi.
He himself called 1950 one of the most important dates in the artist's work, the main role in Verdi's Othello. The singer himself called this part his favorite. He performed it, as is commonly believed, over 400 times.
The audience called the performer a top-class singer.
New Achievements
In the 50s and 60s, he toured America and Europe. Performances with his participation often opened new seasons. Connoisseurs were especially eager to attend such performances.
In the summer of 1959, the famous singer came to Moscow. He brilliantly performed in the Bolshoi part of Jose in Carmen and Canio in Pagliacci. Reviewers wrote that Mario's reserves of vocal technique have no boundaries.
There is not a single ill-conceived detail in the performance. There are no external effects and emotional exaggerations in his parts that are not in favor of the music. Del Monaco gave a true insight into the classic Italian bel canto.
Completion
A brilliant musical career was interrupted in 1963 by a car accident. After the restoration, a year passed, and the performer again took the stage.
The artist left the stage in March 1975. The great master left his life in 1982. He died on October 16.
Maestro Mario Melani founded the Academia internazionale di canto "Citta di Pesaro-Mario del Monaco e Renata Tebaldi" in Pesaro. The Academy of Singing got its name in honor of Renata Tebaldi and Mario Del Monaco.
