About
Cesare Siepi (Italian: Cesare Siepi; 1923–2010) was an Italian singer (bass), who is considered one of the leading Italian singers of the mid-20th century.
He studied at the Milan Conservatory for some time, but remained largely self-taught. He made his debut in a group of madrigalists, and in 1941 he made his first appearance on a small opera stage as Sparafucile (Rigoletto), but then emigrated to Switzerland for political reasons and remained there until the end of World War II. Already in 1945 he resumed his stage activity, and in 1946 he debuted at La Scala. In 1948 he performed the part of Mephistopheles in Boito's opera of the same name at a performance dedicated to Boito's memory (conducted by A. Toscanini). From 1950 to 1974, having debuted as Philip II (Verdi's Don Carlo), he was a member of the Metropolitan Opera troupe. One of the singer's best roles is considered to be Don Giovanni, in which role he repeatedly appeared on stage at the Salzburg Festival (1953-1956) in collaboration with Wilhelm Furtwängler and other conductors. He performed at Covent Garden in 1950 and 1962-1973. In 1959 and 1980, he performed at the Arena di Verona festival, performing the roles of Mephistopheles and Ramfis (Aida). He last appeared on the La Scala stage in 1978 in the role of Fiesco (Verdi's Simon Boccanegra). In 1962, Siepi married Luellen Sibley, a Met dancer, with whom he had two children. He died at the age of 87 due to a stroke in Atlanta. He is buried in the Nicholas Cemetery.