Renata Scotto, Soprano Of Uncommon Intensity, Dies At 89

Renata Scotto, an extraordinary soprano who became a famous director following her singing career, died Wednesday in her hometown of Savona, Italy. She was 89 years old.

Robert Lombardo, Scotto’s manager in New York, claimed he was called by her family and notified of her death. “I spoke with her several weeks ago and got no indication that anything was going on,” he explained.

Scotto has houses in both Italy and Armonk, New York.

“Renata Scotto is a true artist and profound connoisseur of voice and repertoire, gifted with technique, musicality, a personality of rare power, always at the service of the composer, and able to emotionally stir the public in every phase of her long career,” said soprano Cecilia Gasdia, superintendent of the Fondazione Arena in Verona.

From her debut in Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” on October 13, 1965, through her final performance, again as Cio-Cio-San, on January 18, 1987, Scotto made 314 appearances at the Metropolitan Opera. During her final run, she also directed, which became her new profession.

“I like to live in the present,” she told The Associated Press in 2007. “Of course, I watch films on DVD.” I loved every minute of my job. I’m now living with the young vocalists. I adore them so much.′′

Renata Scotto, an extraordinary soprano who became a famous director following her singing career, died Wednesday.

Scotto, born on February 24, 1934, in Sovona, debuted there in 1952 as Violetta in Verdi’s “La Traviata” and reprised the part the next day at Milan’s Teatro Nuovo.

On December 7, 1957, the opening night of the season, she made her debut at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala in the title role of Catalani’s “La Wally” alongside Mario Del Monaco, with Carlo Maria Giulini conducting.

The New York Times dubbed Scotto a “new star” when she made her Met debut.

Raymond Ericson described her as “short, plump, and with a round face that is remarkably expressive.” “She is a lyric coloratura with a small voice that carries in a large auditorium due to its concentrated tone.” And she is a complete actress, both vocally and physically.”

When Scotto performed the title role in Bellini’s “Norma” on the first night of the Met’s 1981-82 season, she was booed by Maria Callas fans as opposed to anyone else performing the role.

In 1977, she co-starred with Luciano Pavarotti in the first “Live from the Met” webcast of Puccini’s La “Bohème.” As her singing career came to an end, she turned to directing.

Renata Scotto, an extraordinary soprano who became a famous director following her singing career, died Wednesday.

“I adore it. “Of course, it’s completely different,” she told the Associated Press. “There’s more responsibility — you’re in charge of everything — the stage, the scenery.” It’s a different point of view. You have a different perspective on the show.′′

Scotto directed Deborah Voigt in Puccini’s “Tosca” role for the first time at the Florida Grand Opera in 2001.

′′What was impressive was that she didn’t try to put her imprint on it,′′ Voigt said. ′′She guided me through it and assisted me in finding my way through the role and my Tosca, distinct from Renata Scotto’s.”

Scotto’s daughter Laura Anselmi Miller, son Filippo Anselmi, and two grandkids survive him. Funeral arrangements, according to Lombardo, had not yet been finalized. Lorenzo, her spouse, died in 2021.

SOURCE – (AP)