Licia Albanese (July 22, 1909 – August 15, 2014) was an Italian-born American operatic soprano. Noted especially for her portrayals of the lyric heroines of Verdi and Puccini, Albanese was a leading artist with the Metropolitan Opera from 1940 to 1966. She also made many recordings and was chairwoman of The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, which is dedicated to assisting young artists and singers.
August 15, 2014, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States
Place Of Birth
Bari, Apulia, Italy
Height
5' 3" (1.6 m)
Profession
Actress, Soundtrack
Spouse
Joseph A. Gimma (m. 1945)
Awards
Grammy Hall of Fame Award
Albums
Carmen
Star Sign
Leo
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Quote
1
Only God makes a diva. No, just call me a plain singer with lots of expression. [in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in 2004]
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Fact
1
Her big break came in her native Italy in 1934, when she took over for the indisposed star of "Madama Butterfly" at Milan's Teatro Lirico. She turned that heroine into a signature role, with reportedly more than 300 performances during her career. She made over 400 appearances at the Met, holding the record for the most "La Traviatas" (87).
2
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6671 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
3
She was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1995 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.
4
She was perhaps the most famous Mimi (in "La Boheme") of the 1940s. She not only sang the role on legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini's 1946 radio broadcast, but also with the Metropolitan Opera.
5
Opera singer.
6
Naturalized US citizen
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Little Shop of Erotica
2001
Restaurant Patron
Serenade
1956
Desdemona in 'Otello'
Otello
1948
TV Movie
Desdemona
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Serenade
1956
performer: "Dio Ti Giocondi" - uncredited
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Great Performances
1986
TV Series
Heidi Schiller
Toscanini: The Maestro
1985
Documentary
Herself
The Ed Sullivan Show
1955
TV Series
Herself
The Voice of Firestone
1951
TV Series
Herself
Known for movies
Serenade (1956) as Desdemona in 'Otello'
Little Shop of Erotica (2001) as Restaurant Patron
$1.6 Million
