The career of Italian mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto launched with her 1957 debut as Sister Matilde at La Scala in Milan during the world premiere of Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites. Born in 1935 in Crescentino, she emerged as a fixture of 19th-century Italian opera, maintaining a decades-long association with major international houses including the Metropolitan Opera.
Early Training and Breakthrough
Cossotto attended the Turin Academy of Music, where she received instruction from Mercedes Llopart. Her transition to the international stage followed quickly, starting with her 1958 appearance at the Wexford Festival as Giovanna Seymour in Donizetti's Anna Bolena. By 1959, she secured a position at Covent Garden, performing as Neris in Cherubini's Médée alongside Maria Callas.
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Between the 1967-68 and 1988-89 seasons, Cossotto completed 148 performances at the Metropolitan Opera. Her work there was exclusively focused on leading roles, cementing her reputation as an expert in mezzo and contralto repertoire. Her roles at the venue included Amneris in Aida, Eboli in Don Carlos, and the title character in La favorita. She also expanded her portfolio in 1985 to include the role of Mistress Quickly, appearing opposite Giuseppe Taddei in Falstaff.
Vocal Range and Repertoire
Cossotto was recognized for her versatility, performing both traditional mezzo and alto parts within the Italian operatic repertoire. Beyond these categories, she tackled soprano roles often associated with mezzos, most notably Adalgisa in Bellini's Norma. She performed Adalgisa alongside several prominent sopranos, including Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballé, Leyla Gencer, Elinor Ross, and Maria Callas. Her broader repertory encompassed works such as Carmen, Mozart's Cherubino, and Marfa in Khovanshchina.
Later Years and Legacy
Her professional life maintained momentum into the 21st century; in 2005, she marked her 70th birthday with a performance of Suor Angelica in Liège, Belgium. During her career, she was married to the Italian bass Ivo Vinco for over four decades, with whom she had one son. Her contributions to the arts were recognized through her appointment as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Fast facts
- Born: 22 April 1935, Crescentino, Italy
- Primary Occupation: Opera singer
- Voice Type: Mezzo-soprano
- Metropolitan Opera performances: 148
- Notable Award: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Former spouse: Ivo Vinco
Questions readers ask
Which roles did Cossotto perform at the Metropolitan Opera?
Her repertoire included Amneris, Eboli, Adalgisa, Santuzza, Azucena, Dalila, Carmen, Principessa di Bouillon, and Mistress Quickly.
With which notable singers did she perform as Adalgisa?
She performed the role of Adalgisa alongside Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballé, Leyla Gencer, and Elinor Ross.
Achievements
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Instruments: voice
- Genres: opera