Luciano di Pasquale

Death: March 20, 2021

Born in Teramo, Italy, Di Pasquale went on to study with mezzo-soprano Marina Gentile and received a diploma with the highest marks at the Conservatory of Rodi Garganico. He later studied with Elio Battaglia and Regina Resnik and won a scholarship to the International Competition “Vinas” in Barcelona and won the International Competition “Toti Dal Monte” in Treviso. In 1995 he was selected to play the role of Don Alfonso in “Così Fan Tutte” for the Foundation “W. Walton” and in 1998 he won the VII International Competition “S. and G. Giacomantonio” of Cosenza, with the role of Don Alfonso in “Così fan tutte.” Di Pasquale went on to become known for his interpretations in the Buffo Baritone repertoire particularly in the roles of Mozart and Rossini as well as rarely performed composers such as Paisello and Spontini. He performed at some of the greatest Italian theaters including Teatro dell’Opera of Roma, Teatro Verdi in Trieste, Teatro Massimo of Palermo, Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, and the Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, among others. He also built an international career performing in France in Toulouse, Avignon, Lyon, Bordeaux, Rouen, Massy, Nice, Toulon, Opera Garnier in Paris, in Spain at the Liceu in Barcelona, at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in England, La Monnaie in Belgium, Israeli Opera, and at the Oper Graz in Austria. Among his most acclaimed roles included Don Pasquale, Dulcamara in “L’Elisir d’Amore,” Don Magnifico in “La Cenerentola,” Bartolo in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” and the Sacristan in “Tosca,” among others. In 2008, Di Pasquale became the Artistic Director of the Festival ArteinCanto, City of Basciano. Throughout his career, the bass-baritone worked with some of the most prominent conductors including Zubin Mehta, Roberto Abbado, Maurizio Benini, Donato Renzetti, Bruno Campanella, and Alberto Zedda, among others. Di Pasquale left a number of recordings including DVDs of “La Cenerentola” and “L’Elisir d’Amore” from Glyndebourne, and “Il Matrimonio Segreto. He also recorded “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” by Paisiello for Dynamic and “L’Eroismo Ridicolo” by Spontini for Arcadia. Bass-baritone Luciano Di Pasquale has died at the age of 57.