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Corradina Caporello
A native of Rome, Caporello holds three degrees from Columbia University, including a Ph.D. in medieval Italian literature. She has coached Italian opera at the Bel Canto Institute, Banff Center, and Walton Foundation (in Italy) and has taught Italian language and literature at several colleges and universities. A Juilliard faculty member since 1984, she also teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music.
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| Corradina Caporello (Photo by Maurice Szykman) |
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When did you first know you wanted to be a musician and how did you come to know it? Music has surrounded me since childhood, and I wanted to have it forever in my life. My parents were great opera lovers, and there was a lot of singing and operatic music in my home. Having my profession in this field was a dream.Who was the teacher or mentor who most inspired you when you were growing up?My mother was my greatest inspiration as I was growing up. She was a woman of indomitable character who taught me the value of giving generously of oneself, of developing a strong feeling of social responsibility, of standing up for one's ideals. Later on, Renato Capecchi, one of the most extraordinary singers/actors and a superb interpreter of Italian opera, became my mentor, my teacher, and my friend. He taught me (among many precious lessons) that in singing there is no contradiction between intensity of expression and beauty of sound, and that valuing one at the expense of the other is a betrayal of the composer's intentions.What was the first recording that you remember hearing?I heard Rigoletto for the first time on a radio broadcast, when I was 4 or 5 years old. I was spellbound by such an incredible sound and, at my insistence, was allowed to stay up late that night until the end of the performance. To this day, I have not stopped listening. What are your non-music related interests or hobbies? What would people be surprised to know about you?I am a voracious reader and I love to sit with a book in my worn-out armchair. Right now, I am reading Sardines by Nuruddin Farah, the second book of a trilogy about life in Somalia during the time of dictatorship. I also love to cook feasts for my friends; they tell me I am a good cook. It might surprise people to know that, when I was younger, in Italy, I trained in the Montessori method of early childhood education and worked extensively with newborns.What recent performance has had a big impact on you?The play Master Class, by Terrence McNally. I was very fortunate to know professionally, and see on the stage, the three actresses who brought the play to Broadway: Zoe Caldwell, Patti LuPone, and Dixie Carter. They all gave an extraordinary portrayal of Maria Callas as she recalled the most tragic times in her life. I was deeply moved by each of them, and by their different understanding of such an extraordinary personality.What is your favorite thing about New York City?What amazed me when I first arrived in New York (and still fascinates me) is the stunning architecture, the variety of people, the bustle. Still, I am happy to retire to the quiet of my home in the evenings.What is your proudest accomplishment in life?Having been able to fulfill my aspirations as a professional woman and, at the same time, provide stability and joy in the lives of my two children and my husband.How did you make the decision to become a teacher?The decision was made for me. I was just out of college when I was asked to teach a course at Columbia University. After a short time in the classroom with students barely older than me, I knew I belonged.If you weren't teaching, what would you be doing?Since it may be too late to train as an astronaut, I would be a physician. Initially, I did come to this country to study medicine.If you could have your students visit any place in the world, where would it be, and why?I would take my students to a place where they could forget about their singing and their blessed vocal chords—a country like Kenya, where one can feel in total communion with nature and its creatures. Being in the Masai Mara, where the only sounds heard are those of the birds and wildlife, was a rare experience for me, and one that I would like to share.What "words of wisdom" can you offer young people entering the field today?Yours is an arduous road. Proceed with care and cherish the voyage; the rewards are awesome.
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