Mario Cassi, who is currently reprising the role of Giorgio Germont in the late Elijah Moshinsky’s production of La Traviata, is such an artist.
Cassi is a baritone with a ten-year career who has performed at incredible venues all around the world, including: La Scala Theatre in Milan, the Opéra Garnier in Paris and the Vienna State Opera.
He has worked with talented, passionate directors, such as Riccardo Muti, Daniel Harding, Michele Mariotti, Daniel Oren, Adam Fisher and Daniele Abbado.
Building such an impressive career in an incredibly competitive environment requires fortitude, gumption, dedication, and above all, a love for singing – especially in the face of a two-year hiatus mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic was a hard blow,” Cassi said.
“I thought our sector would never recover from that event, but I was pleasantly surprised when we returned to live shows.
“I underestimated the public’s desire for socialising and engaging with cultural events.
“People were hungry to return to theatres.
“It’s our responsibility to give them the best experiences we can, just as I think it’s the government’s responsibility to support the arts.
“It’s evident that art and music have regenerative, therapeutic and inspirational effects on audiences; art and music can feed people’s souls.”
Over the course of the pandemic, Cassi took the time to work on himself.
“I studied more, researched self-improvement and worked on aspects of myself that have deepened my connection to my theatrical performances,” he said.
Cassi’s hard work paid off: after the long periods of lockdown, he was selected by Opera Australia to star in productions across Sydney and Melbourne.
“I’m so grateful to Lyndon Terracini, the artistic director of Opera Australia, who chose me to star in The Marrige of Figaro and La Traviata,” Cassi said.
“These are enormous productions with very high profiles, so I’m feeling the pressure.
“Both orchestras, in Sydney and Melbourne, compete to see who can be better than the other, but they’re both so incredibly skilled and professional.
“Even though I’m working across both cities, everything has been organised so meticulously – there’s not a single gear out of place; it’s a well-oiled machine.
“The care and attention paid to every aspect of these productions is second to none.
“I’m convinced, thanks to Opera Australia, that these performances are world-class.
“When Terracini offered me the role of Giorgio Germont, I couldn’t have turned it down.
“I adore Verdi and La Traviata, and I am such a fan of maestro Renato Palumbo’s work, who is directing this production.”
It is not the first time Cassi has taken on the role of Giorgio Germont – the baritone first played the role many years ago.
“I was directed by Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera, the director of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna and the Opéra Royal de Wallonie in Belgium,” Cassi said.
“He was the greatest mentor I ever had, but he died prematurely.
“Both he and Terracini have impressed me the most with their abilities to manage theatres, manoeuvre artistic direction and bring every aspect together to create the perfect staging of various operas.”
Cassi’s voice, artistic sensitivity and ability to convey emotion deeply affect his audiences, and these skills have contributed to the success he is currently enjoying.
Though the baritone has worked all over the world, such success did not stop him from returning to his hometown, Arezzo, for a charity event entitled Mario Cassi and Friends.
Cassi was accompanied by world-famous artists for the opera gala and the proceeds went to those in Arezzo who had been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The theatre has always been a kind of church for me,” Cassi said.
“It’s a sacred place where I connect with my spirituality.
“As Saint Augustine said: ‘Those who sing, pray twice’.”
