Mirella Freni, an Italian soprano whose uncommon elegance and intensity combined with a sumptuous voice and intelligence to enthrall audiences for a half-century, has died at age 84. Beautiful to look at, and actress of simple naturalness and overwhelming intelligence, she used voice and gesture to create a Mimi of ravishing femininity and grace. [6] She never sang Cio-Cio-San on stage, but recorded it twice, not including the 1975 film Madama Butterfly, alongside Plácido Domingo, with Karajan conducting and Jean-Pierre Ponnelle directing. He died in 2004. She left the opera stage to give birth to daughter, Micaela. Always a passionate soccer fan, Freni … Mirella Freni, an Italian soprano whose uncommon elegance and intensity combined with a sumptuous voice and intelligence to enthrall audiences for a half-century, has died at age 84. “They never want to leave.” She offered guidance and encouragement, but also warnings to be careful. Many opera lovers acknowledged Ms. Freni’s special claim on this tradition, which valued bel canto principles of producing rich, unforced sound; of shaping even, lyrical lines across the range of a voice; and of sensitively matching sound to words. You must wait.”. 2018. But I have always been honest with myself and my possibilities. Before going on stage in Act 2, Teresa asked me to look after her vocal score. When she was 12, her uncle had her enter a national competition. [4] She became one of the conductor 's favourite singers in operas and concerts. Un’idea di Valentina Escobar e Micaela Magiera. Mirella Freni, an Italian soprano whose uncommon elegance and intensity combined with a sumptuous voice and intelligence to enthrall audiences for a half-century, has died at age 84. Discovered by von Karajan. Freni … After Ghiaurov's death in 2004, Freni continued their work of preserving the bel canto tradition, teaching young singers from around the world. [4][6] She later married her teacher, the pianist and director Leone Magiera;[6] the couple had a daughter. In 2005, at 70, Ms. Freni sang in a production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Maid of Orleans” with the Washington National Opera. Still, Ms. Freni considered herself a judicious soprano. They don’t give the right accent to the words.” She said that she told her students over and over, “Pazienza! Mirella Freni flew over to sing Micaela at the first performance to support her friend Berganza. Sources. Edizione Artestampa. I want something deeper. Mirella Freni, OMRI (Italian: [miˈrɛlːa ˈfreːni], born Mirella Fregni, 27 February 1935 – 9 February 2020)[1] was an Italian operatic soprano who had a career of 50 years and appeared at major international opera houses. From the early 1970s into the 1980s, Freni sang heavier Verdi roles,[6] including Elisabetta in John Dexter's production of Don Carlos, Desdemona in Otello (alongside Jon Vickers), Amelia in Simon Boccanegra, Elvira in the Luca Ronconi staging of Ernani, Leonora in La forza del destino, and the title role of Aida performed in the Houston Grand Opera in 1987. Freni ended her professional career on stage, performing teenager Ioanna at the age of 70 at the Washington National Opera on 11 April 2005. [4], Freni extended her repertoire and style during the 1990s with Italian Verismo,[6] taking on the title roles of Francesco Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur in Milan, Paris, Barcelona and New York, and Umberto Giordano's Fedora in London, Milan, New York, Torino, Barcelona and Zürich. She later married her teacher, the pianist and director Leone Magiera; the cou… They never want to leave. ” she added her. ” was promoted to the Italian conductor and married. 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