Cesare Siepi
Bass
Born 1923 in Milan, Italy (103 years old)
Opera
Cesare Siepi was an Italian operatic bass, generally considered to have been one of the finest basses of the post-war period. His voice was characterised by a deep, warm timbre, a full, resonant, wide-ranging lower register with relaxed vibrato, and a ringing, vibrant upper register. Although renowned as a Verdian bass, his tall, striking presence and the elegance of phrasing made him a natural for the role of Don Giovanni. He can be seen in that role on Paul Czinner's 1954 film of the opera made during an edition of the Salzburg Festival under the baton of Wilhelm Furtwängler.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
4 Signature Roles3 Principal Houses
Spotlight
Career Trajectory
Cesare Siepi rose from the Italian operatic tradition to become the defining bass of the post-war era, his warm, resonant voice and commanding stage presence making him the natural interpreter of Mozart's Don Giovanni and the great Verdi bass roles. Over five decades, he graced the world's premier opera houses—the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, and the Salzburg Festival—with performances marked by vocal generosity and dramatic intelligence. His legacy stands as that of a complete artist who elevated the bass voice from foundational support to dramatic and emotional centerpiece.
Career Highlight
Established himself as the definitive Don Giovanni of the post-war era, performing the role at the Metropolitan Opera and leading international venues throughout his career (1940s–1970s)
At a Glance
- Voice
- Bass
- Nationality
- Italian
- Born
- 1923 · Milan, Italy
Principal Houses
Engagements
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