Guiseppe di Stefano, 24 July 1921 – 3 March 2008

Today marks the 3^rd anniversary of the passing of renowned tenor Guiseppe di Stefano.  I was unfamiliar with the tragic circumstances surrounding his death until today, which compelled me to write this brief memorial.

In November, 2004, he and his wife were ambushed by unidentified assailants in their car as they prepared to leave their villa in the town of Diani in Kenya.  He survived the attack but was unconscious for months and it seems his health never fully recovered.  After slipping into a coma in December 2007, he passed away on the 3^rd March, 2008.

His legacy was a wealth of recordings for EMI opposite his most renowned singing partner, Maria Callas, along with others for the Decca and Phillips labels, but it will be his long partnership with Callas that will be forever remembered.

For a more in depth biography, head to wikipedia.