The “last prima donna” is dead: Renata Scotto died at the age of 89

The world-famous soprano died on Wednesday night, according to a statement from the city of Savona, where Scotto was born in 1934. The Italian is considered one of the most important sopranos and has achieved world fame. “A unique singer, great musician and artist and a great woman has died,” wrote Savona’s Mayor Marco Russo on Facebook.

Renata Scotto started her career at the age of 17. In 1952 she made her debut at the Chiabrera Theater in Savona and a little later at the Teatro Nuovo in Milan. Within a few years she became a star at the Milan Scala and has since performed at all the major opera houses in the world. Scotto was known for mastering an unusually wide repertoire, particularly in Italian and French operas, which included the works of 18 composers.

“Only surviving prima donna”

Her long career has taken the soprano to the most important theaters in the world. As an actress, Scotto also tried her hand at dramatic roles with great success. She also worked as an opera director. Her first directorial work was “Madame Butterfly” at the New York Metropolitan Opera, which was later performed in the Arena of Verona and in Genoa, among others.

Throughout her life, Scotto was compared to opera legend Maria Callas. After Callas’ death, Scotto was dubbed by some as the “only prima donna alive.” The newspaper “La Stampa” called her “one of the most important voices in Italy”. “We will miss her in everything. Savona will always be grateful to her,” said Russo.