Operawire has announced the death of Metropolitan Opera mezzo Nedda Casei.
First picked by Leopold Stokowski to sing a Stravinsky role, she appeared at the Met for 21 years as Carmen, Rosina, Amneris and Adalgisa, and made recordings with Leonard Bernstein.
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This was announced by Operawire, not OPERA NEWS. Please give them the proper credit for their reporting. Thanks.
yeah but are we sure operawire knows? They don’t even have a date of death, just a rumour. so i hope mme Casei is actually still alive and well
and moreover operawire never ever gives credit to other sites when copying and pasting info either….
That is very true. They lift items dauly from Slipped Disc.
Perhaps offer some small condolence on this site as well asking for a correction, F…Paul? On the occasion of someone’s death, it’s best not to make it all about yourself. Otherwise, silence is preferable.
In addition to hundreds of performances in comprimario roles, Casei sang a total of one “Carmen” at the Met (plus one at a student matinee), filling in at the last minute for an indisposed Elena Obrazstova in November 1978. The previous season she had what was described as a “disaster” subbing for Shirley Verrett in “La favorita.”
Reports state that she was booed after Carmen’s first scene, but a review by Jack Hiemenz in the News World says, “She was simply splendid. It’s been a long time since the Met gave us a sexually exciting Carmen, one who repels you and arouses you at the same time, one who makes you desire her even as she infuriates you.”
Her other few performances in lead roles (i.e. two Rosinas, one Isabella in “L’italiana in Algeri,” one Adalgisa) were all given when the Met toured to places like Memphis and Wolf Trap Farm Park. (There is nothing in the Met Archives indicating she ever sang Amneris with the company.)
But in her 20 seasons at the Met she could always be counted on for a good Suzuki or Preziosilla.
Thank you