Mario del Monaco

Mario Del Monaco, born in 1915, was an Italian operatic tenor renowned for his powerful and dramatic voice, which captivated audiences worldwide during the 1950s and 1960s. Often hailed as a leading tenore di forza, Del Monaco's stentorian tenor was a defining feature of his performances, making him a principal dramatic tenor for Decca Record Company. He recorded numerous complete operas for the label, leaving behind a rich legacy of operatic recordings. Del Monaco's powerful stage presence and vocal prowess made him an international operatic star, performing in prestigious venues such as the Mariinsky Theatre and the Bolshoi Theatre. Despite some critics describing his style as unsubtle, his powerful and commanding performances left an indelible mark on the opera world. Del Monaco passed away in 1982, but his contributions to the operatic genre continue to inspire and influence.