William Ford | 26 JUL 2021
Marianne Cornetti is internationally recognized as one of the leading Verdi mezzo-sopranos of her generation. She has appeared as Amneris in Aida, Azucena in Il trovatore, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, and Princess Eboli in Don Carlos at prestigious opera houses across the world, garnering rave reviews and winning the hearts of audiences globally.
She credits The Atlanta Opera, under its former artistic director, William Fred Scott, for giving her the chance to perform her first leading role in 1996. That opportunity proved to be the first step in her journey to becoming a leading Verdiana. Ms. Cornetti is currently artistic director of the Pittsburgh Festival Opera. ■
Hear her story in this video for EarRelevant by William Ford:
William Ford is an avid classical music fan and a clinical psychologist based in Atlanta. His reviews and interviews can most frequently be found online at Bachtrack and www.atlantamusiccritic.com
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- The Atlanta Opera’s 1996 production of Verdi’s Il trovatore played for two nights at the Fox Theatre.
- Thirtenn years later, for The Atlanta Opera’s 2009 production of Il trovatore, Cornetti stepped in to take over the role of Azucena from an ailing Ewa Podleś.
Related web links
- Website of mezzo-soprano Marianne Cornetti: mariannecornetti.com
- Website of Pittsburgh Festival Opera, for which Ms. Cornetti is artistic director: pittsburghfestivalopera.org
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