Piero de Palma was an Italian operatic tenor, best known for his formidable work within the repertoire of Italian opera. Born on 3 December 1916, he emerged as one of the most remarkable character tenors of the mid-20th century, with his career spanning from the late 1940s to the 1980s. De Palma specialized in supporting roles, which allowed him to share the stage with some of the era's most illustrious voices. His voice was distinguished by its bright timbre and agility, which served him well in the roles of both secondary characters and primary ones when called upon.

Throughout his career, Piero de Palma's expertise bore particular fruit in the operas of Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi, two titans of Italian opera. He was a regular feature in major opera houses, not just in Italy but also internationally. His discography includes pivotal contributions to renowned recordings of Puccini's "Tosca," "La Fanciulla del West," and "Il Tabarro." Audiences and critics acclaimed his interpretative skill in roles that required an outstanding combination of vocal precision and dramatic insight. His recorded live performances, such as Tchaikovsky's "Mazeppa" sung in Italian (1954), Zandonai's "Francesca da Rimini," and Rossini's "L'Assedio Di Corinto," underscore his versatility and command of the operatic stage. Also noteworthy are his renditions of Verdi's classics like "Aida," "Nabucco," and "Macbeth," which remain significant entries in the archives of opera recordings. Piero de Palma's contribution to the world of opera was one of both consistency and flair, making him a respected and unforgettable figure in the annals of operatic performance.

Genres

Classical Tenor

Italian Tenor

Opera

Related Artists

Luciano Pavarotti

Giuseppe Di Stefano

Andrea Bocelli

Carlo Bergonzi

Renata Tebaldi

Giuseppe Verdi

Giacomo Puccini

Franco Corelli

Plácido Domingo

Riccardo Muti

Maria Callas

José Carreras

Latest Release

Tchaikovsky: Mazeppa (Sung in Italian) [Recorded Live 1954]

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky•

Ettore Bastianini•

Piero de Palma•

Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino•

Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Album - 34 Tracks - Released February 1, 2015