Roberto Benzi

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Roberto Benzi

Roberto Benzi (born 1937) is a French conductor and former child actor.

Early life

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Roberto Benzi was born on 12 December 1937 in Marseille, France.[1] His parents discovered his musicality when he was very young, and taught him solfège and piano. As a teenager he acted in two films.[2] When he was about ten years old he received instruction from André Cluytens.

Career

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In 1960, at age 22, he made his first recordings with the Lamoureux Orchestra of works by Liszt, Beethoven, Bizet, Rossini, Respighi, and many more, for the Philips label, all released in Hi-Fi stereo. He also made recordings with the Hague Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra. At age 27 he conducted La Boutique fantasque (Rossini/Respighi) for the Louis de Funès film The Sucker (1965). Benzi was the conductor of the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine from 1973 to 1987.[2] He was the conductor of the Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra [nl] in Arnhem, Netherlands, from the 1989/1990 season till 1998.[1][2] He later conducted orchestras in Russia and Japan.[2]

Personal life

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Benzi resides in Paris.[2] He was married to opera singer Jane Rhodes, who died in 2011.[3]

Filmography

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Year Title Director Role
1950 Prelude to Glory Georges Lacombe Roberto
1953 The Call of Destiny Georges Lacombe Roberto Benzi

References

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  1. ^ a b "Benzi, Roberto (1937–...)" BnF 13891374f
  2. ^ a b c d e Clairant, François (June 13, 2013). "Roberto Benzi, 25 ans après". Sud Ouest. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  3. ^ Machart, Renaud (May 10, 2011). "Jane Rhodes, cantatrice". Le Monde. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
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