WILMA VERNOCCHI

upon the encouragement of the soprano Lina Pagliughi, studied Voice at the “G. Rossini” Conservatory of Music in Pesaro and the “G. B. Martini” Conservatory in Bologna (1962). Chosen by the Centro Perfezionamento Artisti Lirici at the Scala, Milan, she studied operatic repertoire under the tutorship of authoritative teachers and conductors (1966). From 1964 to 1970, simultaneous with her studies, she took part in numerous national and international competitions, winning 12 First Prizes. The critiques were those of praise; Eugenio Gara concluded his article with: “... the young Wilma Vernocchi was indeed born for the theatre, we will hear of her again.” She represented Italy at the 2nd World Wide Madama Butterfly Competition in Tokyo. She was the youngest competitor and she won the First Prize for the best performance and interpretation of Butterfly (1970). She has often sung in Japan and a garden has been dedicated to her in the historic Grover Park in Nagasaki, where a monument to Madame Butterfly has been erected. The prestigious success in Japan led her to debut officially at La Scala, Milan, in the opera L’Elisir d’amore (as Adina), with Luciano Pavarotti (1972). The following year, she played Mimi at the Teatro Regio in Parma with her contemporaries Jose Carreras and Katia Ricciarelli. She has sung lead roles at La Scala, Milan for fifteen consecutive years, and has also performed with opera companies and in various theatres in Italy and abroad. She has a wide repertoire ranging from Monteverdi to Italian Opera Buffa, to the 19th century opera classics. Likewise interested in modern repertoire, she has interpreted works by contemporary composers such as Hindemith and Maderna, and has been requested by Franco Mannino e Nino Rota for their operas. She has been conducted by maestros such as Abbado, Arena, De Fabbrittiis, Gavazzeni, Molinari, Pradelli, Patanè, Sonzogno and Botto and worked with directors like Wallman, Strehler, Bolognini, De Simone, Maestrini, Sbragia and Villar. In the theatre, she has worked side by side artists such as Bergonzi, Bumbry, Corelli, Caballé, Cossotto, Cappuccilli, Domingo, Di Stefano, Bruscantini, Labò and Panerai. In 1973, she toured the East with Maria Callas and Giuseppe di Stefano. She was the first Italian artist to hold recitals and perform in operas at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (Manila, Philippines), where a production of Butterfly was especially mounted for her (1973 - 1984). She has given concerts all over the world, performed in the national television and international radio stations. She has held masterclasses on Bel Canto vocal technique, and interpretation and stage acting of Italian opera all around the world. In recognition of her outstanding artistry in the course of her career, and for her continuing teaching activities, she has been awarded with several honors including the honour of Grand Officer of the Order “for the Merit of the Republic of Italy.” Wilma Vernocchi currently teaches and performs in concerts in Italy and abroad.