CLAUDIA MARCHI (Conservatorio di Musica Arrigo Boito di Parma, Italy)
25 April 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00 in D-511
Mezzo-soprano Claudia Marchi became a vocal teacher at Parma’s Arrigo Boito Conservatory in 2022.
Ms. Marchi, a distinguished graduate with honors, studied under soprano Elvina Ramella and pursued specialization at the Rossini Academy in Pesaro under the guidance of the renowned Rossini expert Maestro Alberto Zedda. Following her studies, she launched her professional career with international competitions, debuting in the leading role of Rossini’s “Sigismondo”, conducted by Richard Bonynge.
Recent seasons have showcased Ms. Marchi’s talents, such as her portrayal of La Marquise de Berkenfield in Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment” at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna and Teatro Verdi in Salerno. Critics have praised her “large and beautiful voice from top to bottom, both authoritative and imposing in stage presence.” Known for her exceptional Rossini interpretations, she has performed as Rosina in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” at the Opera Royale de Wallonie in Liege, Belgium; Lucilla in “La Scala di Seta” at the Pesaro Festival under Alberto Zedda’s baton and directed by Luca de Filippo; Isabella in J.P. Ponnelle’s “L’Italiana in Algieri” at the Teatro Carlo Felica in Genoa; and a Rossini duet recital at Teatro alla Scala with Cecilia Gasdia.
Ms. Marchi embarked on her Verdi journey alongside Luciano Pavarotti, touring Australia with Verdi’s Requiem. She continued with performances as Amneris in “Aida” in France, Korea, and Italy portraying both Meg Page and Mistress Quickly in “Falstaff”, Azucena in “Il Trovatore”, Maddalena in “Rigoletto”, Fenena in “Nabucco”, and Preziosilla in “La Forza del Destino”. Her portrayal of Ulrica in “Un Ballo in Maschera” was noted for its “disturbing deep, resonant low notes and a rage that effortlessly soared to the top.”
In her signature role as Carmen, Ms. Marchi has been described as “an intense, outrageous character, seductive in temperament and charisma, but with a voice of velvet.” Notable roles also include Santuzza in “Cavalleria Rusticana” and the Princess of Bouillon in “Adriana Lecouvreur”.
Ms. Marchi is equally at home in oratorio and sacred music as she is in opera. She has performed as a mezzo-soprano soloist with the Festival de la Porta Ferrada in Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde”, Bach’s St. John’s Passion, Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater”, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and numerous others.
Her discography includes the title role in a live recording at Barcelona’s Gran Teatro Liceo in “La Fattucchiera” by V. Cujas on the Columna Musica label. She has also recorded “Gianni Schicchi” for Naxos Records, and “Il Socrate Immaginario” and “Il Divertimento dei Numi” by Paisiello, as well as Donizetti’s “La Romanziera” for Bongiovanni Records. Live recordings featuring Ms. Marchi are available from Teatro La Fenice as Nikkona in Giordano’s “Siberia” and Verdi’s “La Traviata”.
In 2017, Ms. Marchi released her first book on vocal pedagogy, translated into Italian, English, and Chinese, titled “The Singer and His Instrument.” In 2018, she presented a one-woman show based on the diaries of Giuseppina Strepponi, entitled “Magic Women and Excellent Witches.”