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Giuseppe Patanè

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Giuseppe Patanè was an Italian opera conductor. He was born on 1 January 1932 in Naples, the son of the conductor Franco Patanè, and studied in his native city. He made his debut there in 1951. In 1961 and 1962 he was principal conductor of the opera in Linz. From 1985 to 1989 he was chief conductor of the Münchner Rundfunkorchester.

Music and breakthrough

His name appears on many opera recordings. These include I Capuleti e i Montecchi (1976), Madama Butterfly (1985), Carmen and Gianni Schicchi (1988), Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci and Suor Angelica (1988), and Il barbiere di Siviglia (1989). That repertoire runs from Rossini and Bellini to Puccini, Bizet and Mascagni. He accompanied many well-known singers, and the recordings let you hear how a conductor carries their voices.

Influence

Patanè died of a heart attack on 29 May 1989 while conducting Il barbiere di Siviglia at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. He was taken to hospital, where he died. He left two daughters. His work shows how important the conductor is to the sound of a recording history that is known mainly for its singers.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a recording of Madama Butterfly conducted by Patanè and notice how the orchestra follows the singers in the soft and the loud passages. Hear how the conductor lets the tempo breathe.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists