Ernesto Palacio
Encyclopedia
Ernesto Palacio is a Peruvian tenor
, particularly associated with Rossini and Mozart roles.
Palacio first studied theology before turning to music. He began his vocal studies in Milan, and after winning first prize in the "Voci Nuovi Rossiniane" competition organized by RAI
in 1972, he made his debut on radio as Lindoro in L'italiana in Algeri
.
He quickly sang all over Italy, including at La Scala
in Milan and the San Carlo
in Naples. He also appeared at the Royal Opera House
in London, the Aix-en-Provence Festival
, at the Liceo in Barcelona, etc.
He also enjoyed a successful career in North and South America, appearing at the Metropolitan Opera
in New York, Houston and Dallas, the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and Caracas.
One of the finest contemporary tenore di grazia
, he possesses a
small but well projected voice of considerable range and agility, used
with fine musicianship, excelling in the Rossini-Donizetti-Bellini
repertory, but also in Mozart and Cimarosa.
He can be heard on a number of recordings, notably in L'italiana in Algeri
, opposite Marilyn Horne
, and in Maometto II
, opposite June Anderson
and Samuel Ramey
, both under Claudio Scimone
.
He has been lately active as a vocal coach and artist manager, notably of Juan Diego Florez
.
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
, particularly associated with Rossini and Mozart roles.
Palacio first studied theology before turning to music. He began his vocal studies in Milan, and after winning first prize in the "Voci Nuovi Rossiniane" competition organized by RAI
RAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
in 1972, he made his debut on radio as Lindoro in L'italiana in Algeri
L'italiana in Algeri
L'italiana in Algeri is an operatic dramma giocoso in two acts by Gioachino Rossini to an Italian libretto by Angelo Anelli, based on his earlier text set by Luigi Mosca...
.
He quickly sang all over Italy, including at La Scala
La Scala
La Scala , is a world renowned opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala...
in Milan and the San Carlo
San Carlo
San Carlo is the Italian for Saint Charles, and may refer to:* Charles Borromeo, also known as San Carlo Borromeo* San Carlo all'Arena, a neighbourhood in Naples where the Bourbon Hospice for the Poor is located...
in Naples. He also appeared at the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
in London, the Aix-en-Provence Festival
Aix-en-Provence Festival
The festival international d'art lyrique is an annual international music festival which takes place each summer in Aix-en-Provence, principally in the month of July. Devoted mainly to opera, it also includes concerts of orchestral, chamber, vocal and solo instrumental music.-Establishment:The...
, at the Liceo in Barcelona, etc.
He also enjoyed a successful career in North and South America, appearing at the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
in New York, Houston and Dallas, the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and Caracas.
One of the finest contemporary tenore di grazia
Tenore di grazia
Leggiero Tenor, also called tenor leggiero or tenore di grazia, is a lightweight, flexible tenor type of voice. The tenor roles written in the early 19th century Italian operas are invariably leggiero tenor roles, especially those by Rossini such as Lindoro in L'italiana in Algeri, Don Ramiro in La...
, he possesses a
small but well projected voice of considerable range and agility, used
with fine musicianship, excelling in the Rossini-Donizetti-Bellini
Vincenzo Bellini
Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini was an Italian opera composer. His greatest works are I Capuleti ed i Montecchi , La sonnambula , Norma , Beatrice di Tenda , and I puritani...
repertory, but also in Mozart and Cimarosa.
He can be heard on a number of recordings, notably in L'italiana in Algeri
L'italiana in Algeri
L'italiana in Algeri is an operatic dramma giocoso in two acts by Gioachino Rossini to an Italian libretto by Angelo Anelli, based on his earlier text set by Luigi Mosca...
, opposite Marilyn Horne
Marilyn Horne
Marilyn Horne is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer. She specialized in roles requiring a large sound, beauty of tone, excellent breath support, and the ability to execute difficult coloratura passages....
, and in Maometto II
Maometto II
Maometto II is an opera in two acts by Gioachino Rossini, to an Italian libretto by Cesare della Valle, set in the 1470s during the time of the war between the Turks and Venetians. Della Valle based his libretto on his earlier play Anna Erizo...
, opposite June Anderson
June Anderson
June Anderson is a Grammy Award-winning American coloratura soprano. Originally known for bel canto performances of Rossini, Donizetti, and Vincenzo Bellini, she was the first non-Italian ever to win the prestigious Bellini d'Oro prize...
and Samuel Ramey
Samuel Ramey
Samuel Edward Ramey is an American operatic bass with a long, distinguished career.During his best years, he was greatly admired for his range and versatility, having possessed a sufficiently accomplished bel canto technique to enable him to sing the music of Handel, Mozart, Rossini, yet power...
, both under Claudio Scimone
Claudio Scimone
Claudio Scimone is an Italian conductor.He was born in Padua, Italy and studied conducting with Dmitri Mitropoulos and Franco Ferrara. He has established an international reputation as a conductor, as well as a composer. He has revived many baroque and renaissance works...
.
He has been lately active as a vocal coach and artist manager, notably of Juan Diego Florez
Juan Diego Flórez
Juan Diego Flórez is a Peruvian operatic tenor, particularly known for his roles in bel canto operas. On June 4, 2007, he received his country's highest decoration, the Gran Cruz de la Orden del Sol del Perú....
.
Sources
- The Complete Dictionary of Opera & Operetta, James Anderson, (Wings Books, 1993). ISBN 0-517-09156-9