In Memoriam: Salvatore Licitra

  

On Monday the 5th of September 2011, tenor Salvatore Licitra, hailed as a worthy successor to Luciano Pavarotti, passed away due to severe head and chest injuries arising from a motorcycle accident in Sicily.

Renowned for his dramatic tenor voice, he specialised in the Italian repertoire of Verdi, Puccini and the Verismo school and was particularly noted for his interpretations of Riccardo in Un Ballo In Maschera, Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca, Manrico from Il Trovatore and Andrea Chenier to name but a few.

His career cut tragically short at the age of 43, he will be greatly missed.  You can read more and pay respects by going to his website, where you can view photos, videos and the legacy of recorded performances and recital discs he leaves behind.

I leave you with his most famous role, that of Mario Cavaradossi, which shot him to international fame by standing in for an ailing Luciano Pavarotti at the Met back on the 12th of May 2002.  Rest in peace Salvatore Licitra, yet another star from the word of opera we have lost this year.