Italian Singers Who Made U.S. Debuts at Lyric

This installment of "Legends of Lyric" highlights four Italian artists who began their association with Lyric in their American debuts: soprano Renata Scotto (1934 - ), who achieved huge renown internationally in a very wide repertoire during a stupendous four-decade stage career, and has forged new careers as a sought-after director and coach; Fiorenza Cossotto (1935 - ), for many years Lyric's mezzo-soprano of choice in dramatic Italian roles, as she was for all the other major houses internationally; Carlo Bergonzi (1924-2014), the immensely distinguished tenor who set new standards worldwide, especially in Verdi roles; and Sesto Bruscantini (1919 – 2003), a baritone of inexhaustible theatrical and musical resource who deeply impressed the Lyric public in both dramatic and comedic roles.

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Listen to Roger Pines's tribute

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Renata Scotto as Tosca, 1987/88.

Photo: Tony Romano

Renata Scotto's roles at Lyric

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Fiorenza Cossotto as Leonora in La Favorita, 1974.

Photo: David H. Fishman

Fiorenza Cossotto's roles at Lyric

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Carlo Bergonzi as Cavaradossi in Tosca, 1971.

Photo: David H. Fishman

Carlo Bergonzi's roles at Lyric

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Sesto Bruscantini as Zurga in The Pearl Fishers.

Sesto Bruscantini's roles at Lyric

Main photo: Fiorenza Cossotto as Ulrica in Un ballo in maschera. Photo by Tony Romano.
Audio photo: Giuliano Ciannella (Mario Cavaradossi) and Renata Scotto (Floria Tosca) in Tosca, 1987. Photo by Tony Romano.