Mezzo-soprano italiana cecilia bartoli biography

Cecilia Bartoli, an Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano opera singer and recitalist, has enthralled audiences worldwide with her unparalleled vocal prowess and captivating performances. Renowned for her interpretations of the music of Bellini, Handel, Mozart, Rossini, and Vivaldi, Bartoli has also earned acclaim for her dedication to unearthing and reviving lesser-known compositions from the Baroque and Classical periods.

Born in Rome in 1966, Bartoli's passion for music was nurtured from a young age, influenced by her parents, who were both professional singers. Her formal training at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia honed her natural talent, preparing her for a career that would soon soar to extraordinary heights. 

Bartoli's voice, characterized by its remarkable agility, richness, and expressive depth, allows her to effortlessly navigate the demanding coloratura passages that define much of the repertoire she performs. This vocal versatility enables her to sing both soprano and mezzo roles, showcasing her wide range and technical skills.

A defining aspect of Bartoli's career has been her commitment to bringing forgotten or neglected works to contemporary audiences. Her curiosity and scholarly approach to music have led her to explore and record rare gems, providing a fresh perspective on the Baroque and Classical periods. Albums such as "Sacrificium," which features arias written for castrato singers, and "Mission," dedicated to the music of Agostino Steffani, have been met with critical acclaim and have expanded the horizons of the classical music repertoire.

Bartoli's interpretations of well-known composers like Mozart and Rossini are equally celebrated. Her portrayals of characters such as Rosina in "The Barber of Seville" and Despina in "Così fan tutte" are lauded for their vivacity, charm, and technical precision. Her collaborations with leading orchestras and co

Italian opera singer

Cecilia BartoliOMRI (Italian:[tʃeˈtʃiːljaˈbartoli]; born 4 June 1966) is an Italian mezzo-soprano widely known in the music of Bellini, Handel, Mozart, Rossini and Vivaldi and for lesser-known music of the Baroque and Classical periods. She has also sung soprano and alto repertory.

Bartoli is considered a singer with an unusual timbre. According to Nicholas Wroe in 2001, her voice was known for its "fully developed sumptuousness of the lower register, the vibrancy of the middle range...the top was limpid and powerful", and she was one of the most popular opera singers of recent years.

Early life

Bartoli was born in Rome. Her parents, Silvana Bazzoni and Pietro Angelo Bartoli, were professional singers and gave her her first music lessons. She first performed publicly at age nine as the shepherd boy in Tosca. Bartoli later studied at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome. At the age of 19, she made her singing debut on the Italian television show Fantastico. She did not win the competition but was asked to sing with Paris Opera for an homage concert for Maria Callas.

Performing career

Bartoli made her professional opera debut in 1987 at the Arena di Verona. The following year she undertook the role of Rosina in Rossini's The Barber of Seville at the Cologne Opera, the Schwetzingen Festival and the Zurich Opera earning rave reviews. Working with conductors Daniel Barenboim and Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Bartoli focused on Mozart roles, such as Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Dorabella in Così fan tutte, and from then on her career developed internationally.

In 1990, she made her debut at the Opéra Bastille as Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and her debut at the Hamburg State Opera as Idamantes in Mozart's Idomeneo, followed by her La Scala debut as Isolier in Le comte Ory