Umberto giordano biography

Born on August 28 1867 in Foggia, Umberto Giordano would go on to become one of the most renowned Italian composers of the verismo era.

He wrote his first opera “Marina” for a competition that would mark the beginning of the Verismo era.

In Foggia, several statues represent his best known works, a square is named after him, and the city's most important theatre is dedicated to him.

A selection of articles about Umberto Giordano

Spotlight. Ringing Intensity - 'Madama Butterfly' from San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

DVD Spotlight. A Successful Production - Sixty Leitmotives for 'Tosca', by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble.

Superb from the word 'go' - Donizetti's last Tudor Queen returns to Rome, and Carmela Remigio enchants Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble.

Sex and Murder - Giordano's 'La cena delle beffe', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. The Belcanto Concerts - Giuseppe Pennisi sends his last report from this year's Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro

Ensemble. "Fedora" became highly popular and remained in the repertoire of Italian theaters for many years.

Later Career and Legacy

Despite his early successes, Giordano struggled to create works as significant as "Andrea Chénier" and "Fedora." However, he continued to compose and his operas, including "Siberia" and "Madame Sans-Gêne," were staged with varying degrees of success.

It played successfully at Vienna, Prague and Berlin.

Giordano tried a more romantic approach with his next opera, Regina Diaz with libretto writing by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci (1894), but this was also a failure, taken off the stage after just two performances.

Giordano then moved to Milan, and returned to verismo with his best-known work, Andrea Chénier (1896), based on the life of the French poet, André Chénier.

He came to the notice of Casa Sonzogno when he gained sixth place in the Italian music publisher's competition for a one act opera.

His best known opera is Andrea Chénier of 1896, still performed widely. Visually Stunning - Giordano's 'Andrea Chénier', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Musical Prowess - Robert Anderson's 'Opera Nights and Nightmares', read by Gerald Fenech

Ensemble.

In his hometown of Foggia, a theater and a square were named after him, with sculptures depicting characters from his works. A square in Foggia is also dedicated to him, with many statues representing his most famous works.

Opera works

• Marina (1888)
• Mala Vita (21 February 1892, Teatro Argentina, Rome)
• Regina Diaz (5 March 1894, Teatro Mercadante, Naples)
• Andrea Chénier (28 March 1896, Teatro alla Scala, Milan)
• Fedora (17 November 1898, Teatro Lirico, Milan)
• Il Voto Rev.

  of Mala Vita (6 September 1902, Teatro Bellini, Naples)

• Siberia (19 December 1903, Teatro alla Scala, Milan, rev. Daily Puccini - Malcolm Miller enjoys an opera lollipop recital in the city of the composer's birth
  
  Ensemble. Giordano's talent for verismo opera, a style characterized by its realistic portrayal of everyday life, earned him recognition as one of the most prominent Italian composers of his time.

  He would follow it up with “Fedora.”

  From there he would continue writing operas, though none would ever attain the status of “Chénier” or “Fedora.” That said, some operas, such as “Siberia,” “Madama Sans-Gêne,” and “La Cena Delle Beffe” have been given some attention in recent years.

  He died on Nov. 12, 1948 in Milan. This caused something of a scandal when performed at the Teatro Argentina, Rome, in February 1892.

  In addition to his operas, Giordano also composed songs.

  Later Years and Legacy

  Umberto Giordano passed away in Milan on November 12, 1948. For years the composer experimented with differing works, including “Mala Vita” and “Regina Diaz,” though he found little success.

  It eventually came in 1896 with “Andrea Chénier,” the opera for which he is known today.

  full of emotional warmth and heartfelt fidelity.'
  
  Ensemble.