Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Famed Tenor di Stefano Dead

Brilliant but erratic tenor succumbed to injuries from 2004 attack

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2008 9:53 AM CST

(Newser) – Giuseppe di Stefano, the tenor whose short but brilliant career made him an operatic legend, died yesterday at his home near Milan. He was 86. His widow told reporters his death resulted from head injuries dating to 2004, when robbers in Kenya left him temporarily comatose. Di Stefano's superb voice earned comparisons to Enrico Caruso, but his temperament and personal conduct cut short his career, the LA Times reports.

"I wanted to enjoy life—not just the opera," di Stefano told an interviewer in 1999. But his penchant for smoking, gambling, and staying out late ruined his relationships with the world's opera houses and, said some, his voice as well. The tenor was closely associated with Maria Callas, with whom he had a 2-decade professional and 5-year personal partnership.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Italian tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano is seen in this 1985 file photo. Di Stefano, one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century and a celebrated singing partner of soprano Maria Callas, died at his home... (Associated Press)

Italian tenor Giuseppe di Stefano holds the hand of soprano Maria Callas on the stage of Carnegie Hall, in New York City, after both participated in the Metropolitan Opera's guild benefit concert, in... (Associated Press)

Italian tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano, is seen in Milan in this Dec. 17, 1989 file photo. Di Stefano, one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century and a celebrated singing partner of soprano Maria Callas,... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Guiseppe di Stefano, who died this week at 86, performing an aria from "Pagliacci." (chessoperaspirit (YouTube))

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Thousands Pay Respects to Pavarotti

Bono, Kofi Annan plan to attend tenor's funeral tomorrow

(NEWSER) - Thousands lined up today to pay respects to opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti at the cathedral in his hometown of Modena, Italy. Though the tenor's family wants a private funeral tomorrow, an international array of celebrities and fans–among them Bono, Andrea Bocelli, and Kofi Annan–are planning to attend, Reuters reports. The tenor died of cancer yesterday at age 71. More»

Tenor Luciano Pavarotti Dies

Succumbs to cancer surrounded by family in hometown Italian villa

(NEWSER) - Opera star Luciano Pavarotti, one of the greatest tenors of the last century, died early this morning of pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his wife, sister and four daughters, in his hometown villa in Modena, Italy. He was 71. "The Maestro fought a long, tough battle," said his manager. "Fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness." More»

Tenor Jerry Hadley Dies at 55

Jerry Hadley, 55, was known for his bright voice and brash energy

(NEWSER) - Lyric tenor Jerry Hadley, 55, died yesterday, eight days after shooting himself in the head in his home near Poughkeepsie, NY. Hadley, who suffered from depression, was known for his bright, warm voice, brash energy on stage and adventurous choice of repertory, the New York Times reports. More»

Pavarotti's New Album Could Be Finale

Tenor records sacred music while battling cancer

(NEWSER) - Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti is recording songs for what could be his last album as the 71-year-old tenor battles pancreatic cancer. His elder daughter reportedly told a magazine that he "knows he will die soon," but later insisted her words had been twisted. Doctors discovered the cancer last summer during a break in the singer's farewell tour. More»

Opera Star Beverly Sills Dead at 78

Soprano captured America's heart

(NEWSER) - Soprano Beverly Sills, whose ebullient personality and brilliant singing voice not only made her a star but helped demystify opera in America, died Monday night in her Manhattan home from inoperable lung cancer, the New York Times reports. She was 78. Sills spent much of her singing career with the New York City Opera, and later chaired Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Famed Tenor di Stefano Dead