Born to Sicilian parents in Clichy-sous-Bois on June 7, 1963, Roberto Alagna began his career as a cabaret singer in Paris, accompanying himself on the guitar. Once he discovered his true calling in opera, he quickly rose to fame as a world-renowned tenor celebrated for his powerful voice and passionate performances.

Roberto Alagna

After winning the Pavarotti International Voice Competition in Philadelphia in 1988 and receiving encouragement from Pavarotti himself, Alagna became a leading figure in opera, captivating audiences with roles in classics like La Bohème, Tosca, and Carmen.

With a voice that blends raw emotion and technical brilliance, Alagna has taken the most prestigious venues by storm, enchanting audiences worldwide with his heartfelt interpretations. To commemorate his birth, let’s feature some of his most iconic performances and recordings.

Roberto Alagna Performs Puccini: “E lucevan le stelle,” Tosca

Alagna’s “Nemorino”

Roberto Alagna has a natural affinity for the bel canto style, as showcased in his 1999 Decca recording of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. This early-career recording captures Alagna at the peak of his vocal freshness, featuring a warm and radiant tone of bright Italianate quality. His rendition of “Una furtiva lagrima” is often compared to legendary tenors like Enrico Caruso for its blend of tenderness and vocal beauty.

Alagna’s phrasing is fluid and natural, with a seamless legato that captures the aria’s melancholic longing. He employs subtle dynamic shifts, starting softly to convey vulnerability and gradually building to a heartfelt climax. Alagna infuses this aria with a sense of naïve sincerity, creating a deeply affecting interpretation.

Gaetano Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love) – Act II: Una furtiva lagrima (Roberto Alagna, tenor; Angela Gheorghiu, soprano; Lyon National Opera Orchestra; Evelino Pido, cond.)

Gaetano Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love) – Act II: Prendi: prendi per me sei libero (Roberto Alagna, tenor; Angela Gheorghiu, soprano; Lyon National Opera Orchestra; Evelino Pido, cond.)

Passion in La bohème

Roberto Alagna’s performances as “Rodolfo” in Puccini’s La bohème are among the most celebrated of his career, as they showcase his lyrical tenor voice, emotional depth, and natural stage charisma. His interpretations of this iconic role established him as a leading Puccinian tenor. Alagna has the ability to blend vocal beauty with dramatic authenticity, creating a portrayal that feels both poetically idealized and deeply human.

With his warm and agile voice ideally suited to this role, Alagna skilfully navigates Puccini’s dynamic demands and creates a vivid arc for Rodolfo’s emotional journey. His high C in “Che gelida manina” is delivered with confidence and brilliance, the note clear and soaring with just a touch of emotional vulnerability.

Roberto Alagna Performs Puccini: “Che gelida manina,” La bohème

A French Lyrical Legacy

Alagna’s background as a self-taught singer performing in Parisian cabarets has shaped his intuitive and expressive style. His recordings of French opera arias, particularly for labels like EMI, Decca, and Deutsche Grammophon, showcase his affinity for the nuanced phrasing and emotional intensity of French composers like Gounod, Massenet, Berlioz, and Bizet.

His 2000 album “French Opera Arias” is a standout, with critics praising his idiomatic French diction and his ability to balance lyricism with heroic heft. Alagna also released a recording of lesser-known works, reflecting his curiosity and versatility. These recordings, often lauded for their sensitivity and vocal warmth, cement Alagna’s reputation as a successor of French tenors like Georges Thill, capturing the romantic and dramatic essence of the French operatic tradition.

Georges Bizet: Les pecheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers), Act I: A cette voix quel trouble agitait tout mon etra? (Roberto Alagna, tenor; Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden; Bertrand de Billy, cond.)

Passionate Triumph

Roberto Alagna

Roberto Alagna’s portrayal of “Roméo” in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette is one of his defining roles, showcasing his lyrical tenor and natural affinity for the romantic fervour of French opera. His breakthrough came in 1994, when he performed the role in Toulouse, Montpellier, and at Covent Garden. His performances were broadcast on the radio and television, propelling him to global recognition.

Alagna’s warm, expressive voice and impeccable French diction brought a youthful ardour to the role, particularly in the aria “Ah! Lève-toi, soleil!” where his soaring high notes and tender phrasing captured the character’s passionate longing. His ability to convey both the impetuous lover and the tragic hero resonated deeply, making his Roméo a benchmark for modern interpreters of Gounod’s opera.

Rising from Parisian cabarets to international stardom, Roberto Alagna is celebrated for his lyrical voice and his passionate performances in French and Italian opera. Known for his warm timbre, impeccable diction, and emotional depth, his recordings and performances have made him a leading figure in modern opera. Alagna’s charismatic stage presence and vocal expressiveness continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

For more of the best in classical music, sign up for our E-Newsletter

Roberto Alagna Performs Gounod: “Ah, lève-toi soleil!” Roméo et Juliette