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RINA DE TATA
The soprano Rina De Tata lived, studied and trained in this artistic context.
A strong-willed and tenacious woman who in the early 1940s had the courage to break down the chastised culture of women, setting out to study singing with sacrifices and passion, despite coming from a non-wealthy class.
From an early age she was chosen for plays and school shows, but the first to sense her talent was her father, Pasquale De Tata, Marshal of the Carabinieri, killed in service by a mad criminal.
Dad Pasquale was in love with opera and also with his daughter Rina's voice, so he took her to study privately with illustrious masters of Naples and then at the Conservatory.
Before seven children, Rina tried not to burden the family expenses, so to go to the Conservatory she jumped on horse-drawn carts that transported hay from one town to another and even sewed her own clothes, inspired by Rossella's ideas O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind"; in fact Rina, when her mother changed the curtains, took advantage of it to get new clothes and live up to the environment of the Conservatory.
In fact, he said that in those times the Masters of the Conservatory created a lot of anxiety and suggestion, they were dressed in dark, elegant suits and with bow ties and they gave everyone the lei, even young boys.
He made his debut in the Frattamaggiore theater at the age of only 13 with "Cinderella", the playful drama by Gioachino Rossini and even then he showed great mastery of the stage.
After obtaining the Master's Degree, she attended the San Pietro a Majella Conservatory in Naples, where she perfected her voice, becoming increasingly known in Frattamaggiore and throughout the Neapolitan hinterland, until she gradually became a sought-after light soprano.
In 1945 she married Francesco Marchese, secretary general of the Province of Naples, who became her first supporter, not only supporting her in her career, but also acting as her real manager. From this happy marriage three children were born, Mario, Genni and Milena, for whom he gave up leaving Italy in the 1960s to pursue a career in the world.
Francesco Marchese, her husband, in the early 90s dedicated a book to her entitled "Goodbye Chicago", which tells all the events related to Rina's artistic career and, above all, the vicissitudes relating to a contract with the impresario Ermenegildo Ziccardi N.O.B. Founder President Infant Christ Association of Chicago America, he was very impressed by the quality and technique of Rina's voice, as well as by her stage presence, so much so that he stipulated a contract that would have seen her for long months in America in the early 50s.
All documents were sent by plane which unfortunately crashed, destroying Chicago and all the opportunities it offered.
The tragic event did not mark Rina, who as a good Neapolitan thought it was a sign of destiny that shouldn't be forced; in reality Rina, deep down in her heart, while dreaming of America, did not want to leave her land or her family.
After the war, a career full of successes began for Rina.
He sang a vast operatic repertoire, but his acclaimed masterpiece was G. Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor", which he also mentioned shortly before he passed away.
Until 1970 he played solo roles of primary importance, treading the stages of many important theaters in Italy including the San Carlo in Naples, the Verdi in Salerno, the Petruzzelli in Bari, the Eliseo in Rome, the Massimo in Palermo, the Teatro Nuovo (La Scala) in Milan.
He has worked with renowned colleagues including Maestro Patanè (conductor), Beniamino Gigli (tenor), Cesare Valletti (tenor), Franco Corelli (tenor), Nunzio Todisco (tenor), Toti Dal Monte (soprano), Benvenuto Franci (baritone), Ugo Savarese (baritone), Maestro Pasquarello (conductor).
From 1970 to 1985 he continued his concert career, dedicating himself, above all, to teaching bel canto.
She was an appreciated singing improvement teacher, successfully initiating young singers from the Campania region into the artistic life and love of opera.
Rina De Tata is also remembered for having been a very generous and sensitive woman to the problems of poor people, the sick and needy children. He also financially supported cloistered nuns and young people who wanted to become priests.
He did a lot of charity, but he said he didn't divulge this thing because "... good is done, but it is not flaunted ...".
He has only had three great loves in his life: music, family and God.
She loved and was loved by ordinary people, by the students of both the schools where she taught and the Conservatory and also by those who still visit important theaters today and continue to remember her with recognition and infinite love.
Rina De Tata was a serious and good artist, a faithful and attentive wife, a loving and generous mother, a tender and irreplaceable grandmother and great-grandmother.
