World-renowned soprano made Lyric debut in 1960
Renata Scotto, a soprano of uncommon intensity who became a successful director after her singing career, died Wednesday in her hometown of Savona, Italy. She was 89.
Ms. Scotto’s New York-based manager, Robert Lombardo, said he was called by her family and informed of her death.
“I had spoken to her several weeks ago and I didn’t get any indication that anything was going on,” he said.
Ms. Scotto maintained homes in Italy and Armonk, New York.
“Renata Scotto is a true artist and profound connoisseur of voice and repertoire, gifted with technique, musicality, a personality of a rare power, always at the service of the composer, and able to emotionally stir the public in all the world in every phase of her long career,’’ soprano Cecilia Gasdia, superintendent of the Fondazione Arena in Verono, said in a statement.
Ms. Scotto made her American stage debut in 1960 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Mimì in “La bohème.” Her final onstage performance at Lyric was as the title role in “Norma” in 1988. She subsequently returned to the company in 2007 as stage director for “La boheme,” and in 2016 as stage director for “Un ballo in maschera.”
Ms. Scotto made 314 appearances at the Metropolitan Opera from her debut there in Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” on Oct. 13, 1965, to her finale, also as Cio-Cio-San, on Jan. 18, 1987. She also directed during her final run, and that became her new profession.
“I like to live in the present,” she said in a 2007 interview with The Associated Press. ”Of course, I watch my DVDs. I enjoyed every second of my career. Now I live with the young singers. I love them so much.”
Born Feb. 24, 1934, in Sovona, Ms. Scotto debuted there in 1952 as Violetta in Verdi’s “La Traviata” and sang the role the next day at Milan’s Teatro Nuovo.
She debuted at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala on Dec. 7, 1957, the opening night of the season, in the title role of Catalani’s “La Wally” alongside Mario Del Monaco with Carlo Maria Giulini conducting.
When Ms. Scotto made her Met debut, The New York Times headlined her as a new star.
When Ms. Scotto sang the title role in Bellini’s “Norma” on the opening night of the Met’s 1981-82 season, she was booed by Maria Callas fans who were opposed to anyone else singing the role.