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The Birth of Opera and it's Diva
Source With an origin dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, opera is a revered institution; particularly in Europe. Mirella Fregni, an infamous opera diva, was fortunate enough to be born and raised surrounded by the beauty of the classical music world. Born on February 27, 1935, Freni is an Italain opera singer, whose repetoire includes, but is not limited to: Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. Also, her aunt was the talented opera soprano, Valentina Bartolomasi. -
Radio Competition
SourceFreni, being born into the opera world, was a musically gifted child. When 10 years old, she entered a radio competition and sang, " Un bel di vedremo"; however, the tenor Beniamino Gigli warned her of the risk of ruining her voice and how that could affect her singing in the future. Freni decided to heed his warning, and waited until she was older to sing such repetoire. It wasn't until she was 17 years old that she resumed singing altogether. -
Debut as Micaela in Carmen
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In 1955, Freni made her first stage debut, an unforgettable event, as Micaela in Bizet's "Carmen". This was Freni's most effective, and favorite, role. "Carmen" is an opera in four acts, that is one of the most popular and frequently performed. This role allowed Freni to gain popularity and repetoire, furthering her career. -
Wins Viotti Competition
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In 1958, Freni won the prestigious Viotti competition in Vermincelli, Italy; something that would change her life forever. The coveted prize for the competition was the role of Mimi in Puccini's "La Boheme", a role which later allowed her to make her Metroploitan Opera, La Scala, Chicago, and San Francisco Opera Houses debuts. -
Freni Spreads Her Wings
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In 1975, Freni starred opposite opera star Placido Domingo, in the film version of the Puccini's "Madama Butterfly". This well received, operatic film was conducted by the very talented Von Karajan and directed by Jean-Pierre Ponelle, the French film maker. This piece was a turning point in Freni's career, she made her on-screen debut. -
Marriage of Freni
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In 1978, Freni married the love of her life, Nicolai Ghiaurov, a leading operatic bass of the post-war period. The two opera singers establihed the Centro Universale del Bel Canto in Vignola, where they held master classes pertaining to the certain style of healthy 'Bel Canto' singing. Ghiaurov died in 2004, leaving Freni to continue to preserve their work of trainging singers in the bel canto tradition. -
Freni on the cover of Opera News
SourceMirella Freni, a big believer and teacher of the bel canto teaching method and style, never pushed herself vocally and, to the public's delight, was very open about it. She told Opera News in 1987, " I am generous in many ways, but not when I think it will destroy my voice. Some singers think they are gods who can do everything. But I have always been honest with myself and my possibilities." She performed numerous roles, some of which she only recorded, never singing them on-stage. -
Contribution to Culture
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Mirella Freni is truly one of the greatest opera divas, not only of her time, but of all time. In 2002, the University of Pisa awarded Freni with an honorary degree for her "great contribution to European culture". For her many roles, cds, publications, interviews, and awards, this particular one speaks for itself in relation to the impact Freni had on Europe and her audience. -
Met Gala
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In 2005, the Metropolitan Opera celebrated Mirella Freni's 40th anniversary of her Met debut and her 50th anniversary on-stage debut, with a special gala concert conducted by the one and only, James Levine. Freni is one of the select few opera singers who can say they were honored in this way by the prestigious Metropolitan Opera. -
Opera News Review
SourceFreni, although not current in her performances, is still talked and referred to today. In an article in April 2013 Opera News, Freni's approach to roles are discussed as more dramatic: "Freni was a judicious singer; she never tried to give more than she had vocally, and she consistently limited her exposure to roles that she knew would be too testing." The approaches of Freni's can be related to her bel canto singing style , something that is universally taught to singers.
