Lebendige Vergangenheit - Cesare Siepi

Geboren 1923 in Mailand war er weitgehend Autodidakt und debütierte als Sparafucile in „Rigoletto“ 1941 in Schio bei Venedig. Als Gegner des Faschismus flüchtete er 1943 in die Schweiz, wo seine Stimme gefördert wurde. 1946 trat er erstmals an der Mailänder Scala als Ramfis in „Aida“ auf und feierte dort bis zu seinem Wechsel an die Metropolitan Opera im Jahr 1950 (bis 1979 kehrte er regelmäßig an die Scala zurück) große Erfolge. Siepis MET Debut als König Philip wurde ein umwerfender Erfolg. Er blieb dort bis 1974 praktisch ohne Unterbrechung für 23 Spielzeiten. Große Erfolge feierte er auch bei den Salzburger Festspielen, an der Covent Garden Opera (1962-73) und an so gut wie allen großen Opernhäusern der Welt. Auch als Konzertsänger hatte er international großen Erfolg. Später sang er auch in Musicals, wie z.B. in „South Pacific“. Noch 1994 (!) trat er in Wien in einer konzertanten Aufführung von Bellinis „Norma“ auf. Cesare Siepi lebt heute in den Vereinigten Staaten. Born in Milan in 1923 he himself repeatedly stated he was largely self taught. In 1941 he gave his stage debut as Sparafucile in „Rigoletto“ in Schio near Venice. As an opponent to the fascist regime he escaped to Switzerland in 1943, where his talent was encouraged. In 1946 he gave his first appearance at the Scala of Milan as Ramfis in “Aida”. He enjoyed many a success there until he left for the Metropolitan Opera in 1950 (until 1979 he regularly returned for guest appearances at La Scala). His Met debut as King Philip became an overwhelming success and he stayed with the MET for 23 seasons until 1974. He was fêted at the Salzburg Festival, at the Covent Garden Opera (1962-73) and at all major international opera houses. He also was an internationally acclaimed concert singer. In later years he also turned his attention to American Musical. Still in 1994 he appeared in a concert performance of Bellini´s “Norma” in Vienna. Cesare Siepi today lives in the United States. Born in Milan in 1923 he himself repeatedly stated he was largely self taught. In 1941 he gave his stage debut as Sparafucile in „Rigoletto“ in Schio near Venice. As an opponent to the fascist regime he escaped to Switzerland in 1943, where his talent was encouraged. In 1946 he gave his first appearance at the Scala of Milan as Ramfis in “Aida”. He enjoyed many a success there until he left for the Metropolitan Opera in 1950 (until 1979 he regularly returned for guest appearances at La Scala). His Met debut as King Philip became an overwhelming success and he stayed with the MET for 23 seasons until 1974. He was fêted at the Salzburg Festival, at the Covent Garden Opera (1962-73) and at all major international opera houses. He also was an internationally acclaimed concert singer. In later years he also turned his attention to American Musical. Still in 1994 he appeared in a concert performance of Bellini´s “Norma” in Vienna. Cesare Siepi today lives in the United States.