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Salvatore Licitra
Salvatore Licitra
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Salvatore Licitra Obituary
Catania's Garibaldi Hospital, announcing the death, said Licitra never regained consciousness after suffering severe head and chest injuries in the Aug. 27 accident. Doctors had said Licitra crashed his scooter into a wall near the town of Ragusa, apparently after suffering an interruption of blood to the brain while driving.
The hospital said Licitra's family agreed to make his organs available for transplant.
"So very sad to say goodbye to Salvatore Licitra. I will miss you," soprano Deborah Voigt, a frequent onstage partner, wrote on her Facebook page.
"His passing in the fullness of his career hurts," the La Scala opera house wrote in its own announcement of the tenor's death.
La Scala noted that Licitra debuted in the famed Milan venue in the 1998-1999 season, with maestro Riccardo Muti conducting him in Verdi's "La Forza del Destino."
But it was on the stage of Metropolitan Opera in New York, that Licitra, the Swiss-born son of Sicilian parents, grabbed the world's attention. He subbed for mega-tenor Luciano Pavarotti in a gala performance in 2002 of Puccini's "Tosca," wowing the audience and winning long ovations for his two big arias. The audience's response brought tears to his eyes.
Peter Gelb, the Metropolitan Opera's general manager, hailed Licitra as "one of the greatest natural tenor talents of his generation. His premature death is tragic for his family, friends and loved ones, and his legions of admirers around the world, which include his many fans at the Met."
La Scala praised Licitra as a "dramatic tenor, with strength."
"Licitra represented the school and tradition of Italian song, in his natural relationships to words," the Milan opera house said. "A decade of his personal history was interwoven with our theater."
The tenor made his debut in Parma, Italy, in 1998.
He had traveled to the Ragusa area in late summer ahead of a ceremony to receive a local music prize.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
71 Entries
james trosko
April 10, 2020
WHILE IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 9 YEARS SINCE sALVADORE DIED, I FELT A NEED TO COMMUNICATE THE ENORMOUS JOY HE BROUGHT MY LATE SON, PHILIP RANDALL TROSKO (who died on March 13, 2018). ON APRIL 13, 2020, ( MY SON'S BIRTH DATE) , WE PLAN TO PLAY THIS SONG AGAIN FOR HIS RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. MY SON WAS A MUSICIAN , COMPUTER SCIENTIST, & POET. HE LOVED HIS VOICE, BUT HE WAS AWARE THAT HIS LIFE WAS CUT SHORT BEFORE HE COULD REACH HIS POTENTIAL....IN THE SAME WAY MY SON KNEW HIS LIFE WAS CUT SHORT BY A DISEASE THAT UNDERMINED HIS POTENTIAL. AT MY SON'S MEMORIAL SERVICE WE PLAYED THAT BEAUTIFIC PIECE THAT HE & MARCELLO ALVAREZ SANG IN ROME ( II VOLO). IT BROUGHT TEARS TO THE EYES OF THE 125 PERSONS WHO ATTENDED THE SERVICE, MOST OF WHOM NEVER HEARD SALVADORE SING. iT WILL BE A LASTING TRIBUTE TO A GREAT ARTIST.
JAMES E. TROSKO, PHILIP'S FATHER[ [email protected]]
January 25, 2012
For some reason I feel you are still with us even if not so loudly. I new way of getting to know you, your kindness and endurance; giving us the consciousness of a better life, the right direction in a world full of aberration. so glad you cared about all of us who could do very little to love you back.
Tiziana Pittau
January 25, 2012
For some reason I feel you are still with us even if not so loudly. I new way of getting to know you, your kindness and endurance; giving us the consciousness of a better life, the right direction in a world full of aberration. so glad you cared about all of us who could do very little to love you back.
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John Schiavone
September 24, 2011
I had the joy and pleasure of seeing and hearing Salvatore Licitra in Don Carlo, Tosca & Il Tabarro in Los Angeles, and in Fanciulla del West in San Francisco. It was an honor to meet him after the Don Carlo performance. He seemed to be a very kind and friendly young man. His untimely death leaves a large gap in the world of opera. I offer my condolences to those who loved him, family and friends. Rest in peace, Salvatore. Sing with the angels and saints forever.
Father John Schiavone (Long Beach CA)
fredderic crawford
September 12, 2011
i truly loved you and that heavenly voice of yours.i worshiped your very shrine.i shall pray for your loving soul forever. please remember me to god.and drop my tears at his feet. (fredderic crawford ) sanfrancisco calif.
Jose Valadez
September 11, 2011
Mis condolencias para la familia. Tuve el honor de conocerle en NY el 25 de marzo/2011 en "Tosca". Un maravilloso ser humano, sencillo. Descanse en Paz. José Valadez, Monterrey, México.
Gladys Smith
September 10, 2011
We have lost a voice of true beauty on this earth.Rest in peace.
September 10, 2011
My condolences to family and loved ones. May the God of all comfort be with you.
Rodolfo Campagnolo
September 10, 2011
Being from Acate where his family originated, makes me very sad to have lost such a worderful opera singer, we will miss you Salvatore and may God Bless You!!
Johannes Bos-Beijer
September 10, 2011
May you find the calm you sought in life my friend and know you are sadly missed but will be remembered lovingly. Your smile is forever etched in my mind. Condolences and peace for Fabio and the entire family...with love, Johan
frederick nieeme
September 9, 2011
aalvatore and i used to go clamming in the spring off of knoblers point. hed bring lungsausage sandwiches and id bring cooking sherry and wed make a day of it. then play wiffle ball in his backyard. he will be missed.
September 9, 2011
To the family of Salvatore Licitra, you have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved one. Our heavenly Father is with you, and He will revive your spirit and crush heart-Isaiah 57:15. (Erma L. Davis, Park Forest, IL.)
September 8, 2011
We were stunned and saddened by the death of Salvatore Licitra because we had just seen his performance in "Tosca" on July 30.
Sincere condolences to the Licitra family and a sincere thank you for your generous gift of life to others.
Bonnie --- Illinois
J R
September 8, 2011
God must have wanted another voice for His celestial chorus..sing on , Salvatore...and thank you for the years you blessed us with songs...
Rosa Maria Orozco
September 8, 2011
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998
September 8, 2011
WHAT A TRAGEDY. MR. LICITRA WAS MAGNIFICENT ! NOW GOD CAN REALLY ENJOY HIS TALENTS ! MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE. MM MARINO
September 8, 2011
What a tragic loss to the music world and to those of us who enjoyed seeing Mr. Licitra performing at the Met. May God rest his soul and comfort his family and all his loved ones. Rest peacefully, dear Salvatore.MH Yarmouth Port, MA
September 8, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Denisha
September 7, 2011
Mi dispiace per la perdita che la tua famiglia deve sentirsi veramente al momento. Noi tutti vogliamo vedere un tempo in cui saremo una famiglia unita anche se fuori il mondo. La parola di Dio la Bibbia ci assicura che in Matteo 6:9,10 Regno di Dio porterà pace duratura
T. P.
September 7, 2011
Sono così molto spiacente per la sua perdita.
Giovanni 5:28 -- Non vi meravigliate di questo, perché l’ora viene in cui tutti quelli che sono nelle tombe commemorative udranno la sua voce 29e ne verranno fuori, quelli che hanno fatto cose buone a una risurrezione di vita, quelli che hanno praticato cose vili a una risurrezione di giudizio.
donato defonte
September 7, 2011
condoglianze con tutto il cuore alla famiglia Licitra!
KEN&MARY O'DANIEL
September 7, 2011
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,&CONDOLENCES TO THE LICITRA FAMILY,FRIENDS,FANS,&ALL WHO KNEW SALVATORE.
Nancy
September 7, 2011
Sentite condoglianze alla famiglia Licitra.
Beth
September 7, 2011
My condolences to the Licitra family. May the words found at Job14:13-15 bring you comfort.
K. Henderson
September 7, 2011
Mr. Licitra will be missed by family, friends and fans alike. May our Heavenly God give you peace.
September 7, 2011
May it comfort you to know that God, as well as others, care about your feelings at this time.
sls - MI
September 7, 2011
May you find peace and calm in the difficult days ahead. My sincere condolences on a life gone so soon.
September 7, 2011
So young.May the God of all comfort be with Salvatore family.May his music live on in your hearts.John5:28,29 gives hope and comfort.
Roxana Johnson
September 6, 2011
God Bless him and God Bless his family for donating his organs. It was a very unselfish choice of his family. I am sure the opera world will miss him and his family will miss him but he gave the greatest gift at all in his passing-life to others. Thank you.
steven stancia
September 6, 2011
R.I.P.
September 6, 2011
Il Dono dal Dio.
"Creativity is a gift from God... expression its only value." We have the memories to celebrate excellence in September: Salvatore and Luciano.
Joe Maggio
September 6, 2011
I just want to say that the best opera I have ever seen was at the Met with Mr. Licitra staring in Turandot. What I liked about it was that he had an ingenious twist to Nessun Dorma. It was stunning. Besides that I have never heard such a powerful voice that resonated so well. I cried through the whole first act. Simply beautiful. JOE Maggio
salvatrice scharpenberg
September 6, 2011
I was so shocked to learn that we Licitra's had a famous person in the family but so saddened to learn that we lost him. My deepest condolences. Ragusa is where my father was born (John)
Salvatrice Licitra (Scharpenberg)
Niles Il
Dee
September 6, 2011
My thoughts are with the family and friends of Salvatore - he will be missed by all who knew his beautiful voice. Sing with the Angels now Salvatore!!
Wolfgang Stoeckl
September 6, 2011
My condolences to Salvatore Licitra's family. This is a tragic loss of a great person and great tenor. Salvatore will be missed by many around the World.
J R
September 6, 2011
may he sing in heaven before the throne of God...
S & F Galletta
September 6, 2011
So sorry for the loss. A great voice in GODS Choir!
BARBARA HAYES
September 6, 2011
THE BEAUTIFUL VOICE OF SALVATORE LUCITRA HAS BEEN STILLED, BUT HIS MEMORY WILL FOREVER LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS! THANK YOU, GOD, FOR THE MAGNIFICIENT GIFT OF SALVATORE LUCITRA AND BLESS HIS FAMILY AND LOVED ONES WITH YOUR COMFORT AND PEACE.
Gail Siegel
September 6, 2011
So sad that he passed at such a young age. My father also died at 43. The good die young.
My heartfelt condolences to his family. May all your memories of him always bring a smile to your faces & your hearts.
Rest In Peace, Salvatore Licitra. Sing with the angels in God's Choir.
Lisa Lee Harp Waugh
September 6, 2011
Yes dear God for my heart is now burdened heavy and all my solemn prayers go out to all his family friends and fans.
September 6, 2011
I HAVE TEARS, CAN NOT IMAGINE THAT HE IS GONE............HE WILL BE MISSED......
MAGGY
DOROTHY
September 6, 2011
DEAR FAMILY& FRIENDS.
WAS DEEPLY SADDEN TO READ OF HIS PASSING. MAY YOU HOLD HIS LOVE AND MEMORIES CLOSE.ON A GOOD NOTE. GOD NEEDED A ANGEL IN HEAVEN
September 6, 2011
He sings in Heaven.
Nancy
September 6, 2011
Sing with the angels Salvatore. We will miss you. Nancy (Utah)
T B
September 6, 2011
I am not an aficianado (sic) of the Opera folk, BUT I am a giant fan of Mr. Licitra and Mr. Pavaratti's (again , please forgive my mis-spelling) . I am truly saddened by his death and will hold his beautiful voice close to my heart always.
Ann
September 6, 2011
A terrible loss for his family and friends and the world of music.
james willner
September 6, 2011
May the eternal light shine upon him....
Michaels G.
September 6, 2011
To Mr. Licitra's family, I am sorry to hear about his death. I am praying for you and hope that God provides his blessings upon you. God is always there to listen, so talk to Him in prayer and He will help you.
Pamela Rogers
September 6, 2011
Salvatore I'm sure you and Luciano are making beautiful music in the heavens now. God Bless the Licitra family during this difficult time. RIP.
Henryk Zaleski
September 6, 2011
The mere mortals have to let you go to the delight of the Almighty God who will now enjoy your dulcet voice.
Shirley Griffin
September 6, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss, may the God of all comfort be with you in your time of grief.
Rick Eisenberg
September 6, 2011
I can't believe you're gone. It seemed like only yesterday when I was sitting with four thousand fans in the Plaza outside the Metropolitan Opera, watching the huge screen waiting to see Pavarotti sing his final Tosca. And when Joe Volpe came out to announce that Pavorotti had cancelled, all four thousand of us (and another four thousand inside the Met)moaned. But within a minute of seeing your wonderfully cheerful face and smiling eyes, we began to like you. And when you finished your first aria -- Recondita armonia -- so beautifully, and looked up, briefly, to heaven, as if giving thanks that you had been able to come through such a tough moment, we began to love you! I saw you many times at the Met after that; my favorite was your performance as Luigi in Il Tabarro. You sang so rivettingly and passionately, I almost wanted to rise to my feet in the middle of the scene and shout "You are the greatest singer in the world!"
Well...such are the thrills that great opera singers can provide.
But today, sadly, is a reminder of how fragile we all are.
I'm almost mad at God for taking you away from us, so young.
But it will be forever true that you gave great greet pleasure to many millions of listeners, including many people of all ages who knew little or nothing about opera. Your voice was beautiful and powerful and full of passionate honesty..what else can anyone ask of a tenor? And, from what I have been reading, despite all your fame, you remained, always, a kind, gentle and generous soul..what else can one expect of a human being?
God Rest your Soul, dear Salvatore, and take care of you, Always. I know you're up there somewhere, singing still.
Pete Ulicny
September 6, 2011
Mr. Licitra being compared to Pavarotti shows great talent. May he rest in peace. God blesss his family and friends.
Sharon Ware
September 6, 2011
It will be sad not to hear his beautiful voice again. RIP
JMC
September 5, 2011
So sad...such a loss of a beautiful and amazing voice...May he rest in peace..and a beautiful gift to someone in need...God bless his family...JMC
MISSY MCEACHERN
September 5, 2011
R.I.P.
Sheila Smith
September 5, 2011
Sad that such a great voice has left us. Go in peace Salvatore. God bless the family.
fran smith
September 5, 2011
I am so sorry. I have to agree....so sad that he was "taken" at the height of his career which no doubt would have lasted much, much longer. ...and to the family. My prayers are with you.
fran
arizona
usa
Rebecca Collins
September 5, 2011
A golden talent which, for a few years, touched the souls of all who heard his vocal expertise. His legacy will continue on in those who will be recipients of his organs. I sure that Jesus will be delighted to welcome him into the Heavenly Choir.
Laurie Dunn-Ribble
September 5, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of this terrible tragic loss to number one, his family and friends, number two his fans that love him. It is so sad not to hear him sing here on Earth but only among the angels. Prayers to all who knew and loved Salvatore Licitra.
Jorge Martinez
September 5, 2011
I admired him, one voice of quality is difficult to find. It a sad day for the bel canto.
September 5, 2011
This is such a tragedy for those that knew and loved Salvatore as well as a huge tragedy for the world of opera. We were so blessed to experience his talent and joy for a short while. He was such a kind person and a great colleague. May the angels lead him to Paradise. He will forever be missed.
Mark and Sadie Rucker
September 5, 2011
Rest In Peace and sing among the angels now.
September 5, 2011
rest in peace
September 5, 2011
Heaven will be filled with a beautiful voice. Thank you to the family for keeping him alive by giving life to others. May God comfort you in your sorrow.
Mary USA
P. Lucero
September 5, 2011
che tristezza! the good are not supposed to die young.
M. Jones
September 5, 2011
May Jehovah comfort you all during this very sad time in your lives. Please accepts my sincere condolences.
R Golay
September 5, 2011
To the the family of Salvatore Licitra - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
September 5, 2011
What a gift his family gave to others by donating his organs.. Opera lost a voice, but others gained a life. R.I.P. L.R. U.S.A.
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