Giuseppe di Stefano was a operatic star of the post-World War Two era known for his energetic delivery with clear diction in a highly textured voice that critics and audiences found thrilling. He won worldwide acclaim in partnership with iconic soprano Maria Callas and versions of their many recordings of works by Puccini, Rigoletto, Mascagni and Verdi have been released to great acclaim.
Born in a small Sicilian village, he grew up in Milan after his family moved there and after he joined a church choir he studied for the priesthood but changed his mind, opting for a career in music. An opera-loving doctor saved him from the Russian front during World War Two and in 1943 he escaped to Switzerland where he sang operatic pieces on the radio.
His debut as Des Gireux in a production of Massenet's 'Manon' in the northern Italian city of Reggio Emilia in 1946 sparked the attention of the top Italian opera companies and by 1948 he was at New York's Metropolitan Opera as the Duke in 'Rigoletto'. He received high praise for his performance in the title role of Charles Gounod's 'Faust' and critics raved about his diminuendo on the high C in 'Salut! Demeure'.
When he failed to appear for a 1952 Met production of 'La Bohème' claiming illness but performed instead at Milan's La Scala, he was banned from the New York opera house for three years. He continued to perform in America and he made his debut at London's Royal Opera House in 'Tosca' in 1961. By then his voice had begun to display signs of neglect and his career in operas faded. He continued to sing, however, and he toured frequently with Callas until his final performance in Rome in 1992. Di Stefano's death came after he had been attacked by unnamed assailants during a raid on his family's villa in Kenya. He underwent two operations in Mombasa to treat head injuries and he was taken back to Milan. He emerged from a coma but remained unwell and died a short time later.
