Death of a La Scala star, 73
RIPRomanian media have reported the death on Friday of Marianna Nicolesco, a luminous soprano who enjoyed her greatest nights at La Scala, Milan.
Ranging from baroque to contemporary opera, she was a stunning Euridice in Rossi’s Orfeo and she played a leading role in the world premiere of Luciano Berio’s La vera storia, in 1982.
She sang at the Met in New Y
ork from 1978 to 1986.
I think she was a cover/understudy at the Met.
She only sang very little at the Met, for just 2 seasons (78/79 and 85/86), Nedda in Pagliacci and Gilda in Rigoletto.
RIP
Having heard fine singing on youtube, I easily dare say lesser singer have, and continue to, make bigger careers at the Met.
She sang Violetta at NY City Opera with good reviews
She made a wonderful recording of Meyerbeer’s utterly bonkers (and totally charming) scena for soprano, clarinet solo and orchestra, Gli Amori di Teolinda. Shamefully not currently available.
The vinyl LP of this “utterly bonkers” cantata is on my turntable now. Ms. Nicolesco’s singing is delightful.
I fondly remember attending some recitals at the Lied festivals she used to organise in Brasov for young Romanian singers.Romanian use the word lied also for Romanian classical songs
Friends and admirers paid homage to the great Romanian Mariana Nicolesco at the Romanian Athenaeum on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, after her unexpected departure to the Lord on the evening of the feast day of Pious Paraskeva, the saint much loved by the artist. After the solemn ceremony, Mariana Nicolescu – awarded with the order of the Star of Romania in the rank of Grand Cross – was greeted with all the honors due at the Ghencea Military Cemetery.
https://www.activenews.ro/stiri/Marea-romanca-Mariana-Nicolesco-a-fost-condusa-azi-pe-ultimul-drum.-%E2%80%9EA-plecat-mult-prea-repede…-FOTO-VIDEO-176806