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photo by courtesy of the Giulio Gari Foundation
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Giulio Gari
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Tenor Giulio Gari (1909-1994), born in Mediasch, Austria-Hungary, which is now Medias, Rumania, sang with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and many other American and European companies, and his vast repertory encompassed everything from very lyrical bel canto and Verdi roles, such as Count Almaviva in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” the Duke of Mantua in “Rigoletto,” and Alfredo in “La Traviata;” to lyric Puccini, like Rodolfo in “La Bohème” and Pinkerton in “Madama Butterfly;” to roles in 20th century operas “Amelia al Ballo” (“Amelia Goes to the Ball”), by Menotti, at its world premiere in Philadelphia; Berg’s “Wozzeck;” Stravinsky’s “Oedipus Rex” and “The Rake’s Progress;” Pizzetti’s “Assassino nella Cattedrale” (“Murder in the Cathedral);” and Janácek’s “Katya Kabanova;” to spinto roles, such as Verdi’s “Don Carlo,” Don José in Bizet’s “Carmen,” Cavaradossi in Puccini’s “Tosca,” the Steersman and Erik in Wagner’s “Der Fliegende Holländer” and Walther von Stolzing in his “Meistersinger,” Narraboth in Strauss’ “Salome,” and Dmitri in Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov;” and dramatic roles like Calaf in Puccini’s “Turandot” and Radames in Verdi’s “Aida.” He sang Turiddu in “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Canio in “I Pagliacci” on the same night long before Plácido Domingo and Roberto Alagna did.
Gari’s survivors and colleagues began a charitable organization in his name, the Giulio Gari Foundation (www.giuliogari.org), in 2001, and its exciting annual gala and dinner will take place on September 18 at 5 p.m. at the New York Athletic Club at 180 Central Park South. Tickets are priced at $250, and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and business attire is requested.
Soprano Renata Scotto will be honored that evening, sopranos Elinor Ross and Elaine Malbin will be given Lifetime Achievement Awards, and soprano Licia Albanese, who sang Cio Cio San to Gari’s Pinkerton at his Met debut in 1953, eight years after his City Opera debut, is expected to attend as well. Opera News Features Editor Brian Kellow will be the host.
Recent Giulio Gari International Vocal Competition winner Yonghoon Lee, who met his Met debut this past season as Don Carlo, alternating with Alagna, will appear at the gala, as will 2011 winners Brandon Cedel, bass-baritone, the first prize winner; Zachary Nelson, baritone, the second place winner; David Pershall, baritone, who placed third; Margaret W. Mezzacappa, mezzo-soprano, fourth prize winner; and Grazia Doronzio, soprano, who placed fifth.
Sopranos Elizabeth Baldwin, Deanna Breiwick, Megan Hart, and Suzanne Vinnik; tenors Zach Borachevsky, Nelson J. Ebo, and Jonathan Winell; and baritone Takaoki Onishi are singers to whom the Foundation has given grants, and they will sing at the concert. The Gari Foundation is also presenting special awards to bass Grigory Soloviov and to mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann, whom this publication has lauded in performances by the Manhattan School of Music Opera Theatre, Opera Orchestra of New York, and Collegiate Chorale, and these singers will be heard in the gala as well.
All of these young singers will be given their awards during the gala concert and cocktails and dinner will follow.
For information on tickets to Giulio Gari Foundation Gala, email gala2011@giuliogari.org or telephone 212/874-3934.
