1970
On 2 February 1970 Renata debuted in the role of Minnie in the long awaited La Fanciulla del West
Harold Schonberg wrote in the New York Times “.. . at the end of the opera the audience didn’t want to let her go”. New York had discovered a new Fanciulla del West to love. It was the most perfect, tender, innocent incarnation of Minnie the Met had ever had.
Renata a Vienna (1974)Museo Renata Tebaldi
After the success of La Fanciulla del West Renata began to reduce the number of her professional engagements.
From 27 November 1972, she dedicates herself to concerts only . The stages: from Washington to Busseto, from London to Seoul, from Vienna to Osaka, from Antwerp to Rimini.
The longest tour begins in September 1973 with Corelli, from London to Albert Hall, then Vienna, and from there flying towards the East: Philippines, Japan and Korea.
Renata alla Piccola Scala (1974)Museo Renata Tebaldi
1974
The event was her return to La Scala on 20 May preceded by a recital at the Piccola Scala on the 15th. 14 years had passed since the Tosca at La Scala in 1959. The repertoire was refined. From Scarlatti to Pergolesi, from Gluck to Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, Puccini. Six Encores were requested.
Renata Tebaldi e (1974-06-21)Museo Renata Tebaldi
Renata’s return to La Scala was wanted by Paolo Grassi, the General Manager of La Scala and he as well promoted the successive tourneè in Russia.
On 21 June, Renata held a concert in Reykjavik at the request of Vladimir Ashkenazy who appeared as conductor for the first time.
More recitals; Vienna, Paris, where she sang for Pierre Cardin at the Espace Cardin, Antwerp, Mannheim, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia.
Renata a Mosca (1975)Museo Renata Tebaldi
1975
Departure on the Russian tour organized by Paolo Grassi. First stop, Warsaw. The trip moved on to Kiev. The concert took place before an audience of 4,000 at the Palace of Culture. It is reported that among the babies born in those days in Kiev, there were many named Renato and Renata.
Then Moscow; a recital before an audience of 6,000 in the Congressional Palace. N. Ciubenko wrote in the “Sovietskkakya Kultura” “this concert will remain for a long time in the hearts of those who had the good fortune to be present”. Then Renata was invited by the artists of the Bolshoi to a reception where Atlantov, Nesterenko, Archipova, Milaschkina, Obraztsova were present. Last stop, Leningrad.
Renata al Carnagie Hall (1973)Museo Renata Tebaldi
1976
On 16 January Renata returned to America for a concert at Carnegie Hall. As she began to sing she realized that her voice did not respond. She had caught a cold. She announced that she could not go on. “Sing anything you want” begged the audience. She responded “I can’t sing tonight, forgive me. But I will come back”.
Abito ultimo concerto Teatro alla Scala (1974)Museo Renata Tebaldi
She returned to sing on 19 February. It was a magical recital. That evening Renata said farewell to her American audience.
Upon her return to Italy, on 23 May, Renata sang in recital at La Scala. She devolved her cachet to the earthquake victims in Friuli. She sang arias of Gluck, Mascagni, Tosti, Wolf Ferrari, Verdi, Rossini. Seven encores; the last one, “Non ti scordar di me”.
Renata passed away on 19 December 2004 and was buried in the cemetery in Metaleto, Langhirano (Parma).
