Valletti - Dichterliebe

Cesare Valletti, born in Rome in 1922, was a distinguished Italian operatic tenor renowned for his role as one of the leading tenore di grazia of the postwar era. Valletti's career began with private music studies under the legendary Tito Schipa, culminating in his debut as Alfredo in Verdi's 'La traviata' at the Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari in 1947. His refined and expressive performances quickly gained him prominence, leading to engagements at prestigious venues such as La Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Valletti's repertoire spanned the works of Mozart and the bel canto masters Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini, as well as the operas of Cimarosa and Fioravanti. His collaborations with notable artists like Maria Callas further cemented his status as a leading figure in the opera world. Valletti's career, marked by his stylish and sober stage presence, left a lasting impact on the operatic landscape before he retired from the stage in 1968 to manage a family business.