Italian soprano dies of Covid, along with mother and husband
mainWe have been notified of the death of Lucia Naviglio, a splendid Italian soprano. Based in Bari and famously hospitable to guest artists, she went on to sing in Germany and France with such directors as Ken Russell and Luca Ronconi.
Lucia was 63. Local media report that her mother and husband were taken in the same week by the Coronavirus pandemic which still rages across Italy.
A protégée of the composer Nino Rota, she auditioned a Turandot aria from memory, still unable to read musical notes.
A friend writes: ‘She belonged to a family which was very humble but full of music and blessed by some incredible voices. She left two twin brothers who are opera singers, Pietro and Giuseppe Naviglio; her cousin Nicola Scardicchio is a composer.’
Our condolences to the family.
One of the most astonishingly beautiful voices I have heard. I was the luckiest young conductor, having my debut in Germany with Lucia singing Santuzza -with such an impressive voice, a dashing musicianship, a tremendous depth in her interpretation.
And I may add: her luminous smile, her preparedness in every rehearsal…she was one of those treasures who deserved to be heard in great houses. Fate was not fair with her magnificient instrument, and her marvelous personality.
But audiences will not forget her. Lucia Naviglio was one of those great voices of indelible beauty that will remain in our memories…
Ich bin so traurig! Ich habe mit Lucia in Bonn gesungen. Sie war so eine nette und kollegiale Sängerin. Ich denke immer an unsere schöne Zeit in Bonn und an ihre wunderbare Gastfreundschaft. Ihre Stimme war wunderbar. Ruhe in Frieden Lucia.
Deine Regina