La Scala mourns Karajan’s best trumpet

The legendary Giuseppe Bodanza has died. He was principal trumpet of the La Scala orchestra from 1963 to 2000.

La Scala has posted this message from two of his colleagues:
Danilo Stagni, first horn:
When Karajan was asked in 1967 what he would like to take away from Italy, he replied: a Ferrari, and Bodanza. This says all you need to know about Pipo. I personally played alongside him for almost 30 years, actually, I should say I grew up by his side because I was 17 years old. He taught me about style, technique, the sense of belonging to the institution of La Scala always with affection and sympathy, without the hierarchical sense that was then very strong in the orchestra. He was the only retiree who kept up a subscription to our concerts, he always followed the orchestra. For me, he will never stop being part of it.
Francesco Tamiati, first trumpet:
I think today of him as a man who lived through music and his role in our theatre as a monk lives faith, with rigour and dedication. I was privileged as well as fortunate to work alongside him, to learn and listen to the purity and beauty of his sound, the construction of phrases: it didn’t just sound great, in his sound there was the whole tradition of Opera.
How much and what experience.
Appreciated and respected by all the great conductors for his qualities.
Appreciated and respected by all my colleagues for his nobility.
Thank you Pippo
Francesco Tamiati, first trumpet