Italian Soprano Elena Mauti Nunziata has Died, Age 77

Nunziata sang at the Metropolitan Opera in 26 performances in the 1970s

Born in Palma Campania in 1946, Elena Mauti Nunziata made her debut in 1965 playing the role of “Liù” in Turandot. She would later sing the title role in the same opera. She passed away in Monte-Carlo, where she has been living since the late 1970s. 

Known for her powerful voice and ease in the lyrical-spinto repertoire, Nunziata performed on major international stages and sang some of the greatest title opera roles such as La Traviata, which earned her critical acclaim in Madrid in 1977. 

Her other roles included those in Faust, The Pearl Fishers, I Pagliacci, Rigoletto, Il Bohemia, Mefistofele, Il Trovatore, Otello, La Forza del Destino, Manon, Tosca, and Francesca da Rimini.

Nunziata also performed in Milan’s La Scala, London’s Covent Garden, Hamburg, Dallas, the Liceu, Verona Arena, plus sang at the Metropolitan Opera in 26 performances between 1977 and 1979, including productions of La Bohème and Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci.

In 1978, she stepped in for Teresa Zylis–Gara at the Paris Opera singing in Madama Butterfly. In the 1990s, she performed at Teatro Regio di Torino again in Francesca da Rimini. 

In 1994, she retired from the opera scene while still in good vocal health with a farewell concert in Brescia.

Our condolences to Ms. Nunziata’s family, friends, and colleagues.