Maria Luigia Borsi (born 1973) is an Italian opera singer.[1] A lyric soprano, she is especially known for interpreting operas by Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi. Among the qualities noted by the critical press are her breath control, phrasing, rich tone, and acting ability.[2]

Maria Luigia Borsi soprano

Education and vocal training

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Maria Luigia Borsi was born in Sora (Frosinone), Italy.[3] Her father is Tuscan (coming from the region of Tuscany), while her mother comes from the Italian region known as the Ciociaria, just south of Rome. Borsi began her vocal studies at a very young age while singing in a choir for children, La Corale "Domenico Savio", created by Don Lelio Bausani and received a degree in vocal performance from the Istituto Musicale Pietro Mascagni in Livorno, Italy.[4] Her main voice teachers have included Lucia Stanescu, Antonietta Stella, Renata Scotto and Claudio Desderi.[5]

She is married to American violinist Brad Repp.[6]

Career

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In 2002, Maria Luigia Borsi was the winner of the International Voice Competition of San Remo, earning the title "Best opera singer of 2002" (The president of the jury was tenor Andrea Bocelli).[7][8] In 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2008 Borsi participated in tours of Asia, Australia, the United States and Europe together with tenor Andrea Bocelli.[9][10][11][12][13]

In 2004, Borsi began her professional opera career at La Scala of Milan interpreting the role of Liù in Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot, conductor Carlo Rizzi.[14] Also in 2004, Borsi performed the title role in La traviata (Violetta) for the re-opening of the Venetian opera house La Fenice, conductor Lorin Maazel.[15][16]

In 2006, Borsi once again performed the title role in La traviata (Violetta) at the Opernhaus Zürich together with baritone Renato Bruson, tenor Giuseppe Sabbatini, tenor José Cura and baritone Giorgio Zancanaro.[17]

In 2007 Borsi was a guest Artist at the Special Olympics World Summer Games closing ceremony in Shanghai, together with José Carreras.[18]

In 2008, Borsi performed the lead female role (Desdemona) in the Salzburg Festival production of Giuseppe Verdi's Otello, conductor Riccardo Muti.[19]

Maria Luigia Borsi is also known as a recitalist and has given solo recitals at venues like Wigmore Hall.[20] She has been a recital companion for singers like José Carreras and Leo Nucci.[21][22]

Recordings

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Awards and honors

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References

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  1. ^ a b "(82463) Mluigiaborsi = 2000 KK14 = 2001 OV16". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  2. ^ Law, Joe. "Otello, Cincinnati Opera - review". Opera News (7 July 2010)
  3. ^ Schiavina, Maria Antonietta. "Maria Luigia Borsi" Il Tirreno (15 February 2010)
  4. ^ Pellegrini, Annamaria. "A Londra canterò Mascagni e Puccini". Il Tirreno (8 January 2010)
  5. ^ Maria Luigia Borsi (personal web-site)
  6. ^ Doane, Kathleen. "Maria Luigia Borsi: A voice whose time is now" Archived 2010-12-11 at the Wayback Machine. Cincinnati Opera (2010).
  7. ^ "Sanremo: un concerto in memoria di Franco Alfano". SanremoNews. 10 September 2004. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  8. ^ "Festival internazionale della lirica Vince il soprano Maria Luigia Borsi". Corriere della Sera (10 February 2002).
  9. ^ "Andrea Bocelli - USA Tour 2002". Bocelli.de. 10 November 2002. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  10. ^ "Andrea Bocelli in concert (Aarhus, Denmark)". Midtown.net. 22 June 2002. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  11. ^ "Andrea Bocelli in concert (Siena, Italy)". Andreabocelli.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  12. ^ "Andrea Bocelli - Asia Tour 2004". Bocelli.de. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  13. ^ "Andrea Bocelli - Asia Tour 2008". Bocelli.de. 7 April 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  14. ^ Poster of the performance on InstantEncore.
  15. ^ Milne, Don. "A soap opera in itself - La Fenice back from the dead". The New Zealand Herald. (9 November 2004)
  16. ^ "La Traviata". Teatro La Fenice di Venezia. Archivio storico. 13 November 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Archiv: Spielplan 2005/2006". Opernhaus Zürich. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  18. ^ MARIA LUIGIA BORSI - 2007 Special Olympics Closing Concert. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  19. ^ Loomis, George. "Salzburg Festival strikes both high notes and low". New York Times (27 August 2008)
  20. ^ Briggs, Bob. "Maria Luigia Borsi - Songs of Tuscany’s Masters". Seen and Heard International (January 2010)
  21. ^ "2007 Carreras Tour Gallery". Carrerasgallery.homestead.com. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  22. ^ "Libertà On Line: Lirica 2007". Pcagenda.liberta.it. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  23. ^ "Beethoven Symphony No. 9 - Lorin Maazel". Kultur.com. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  24. ^ "Dischi Fenice: SCHEDA". Dischifenice.it. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  25. ^ Levine, Robert. "WINTER: Maometto" - review. ClassicsToday.com (January 2004)
  26. ^ Amazon Website
  27. ^ Amazon Website
  28. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
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