Italian Mezzo-Soprano Cecilia Bartoli is a world renowned mezzo-soprano opera singer and recitalist. Educated in song by her parents, both singers, she made her opera debut in 1987 in Verona, Italy at the age of 21. She began her career at a young age, unusual for an opera singer. She is also known for the unique timber of her voice and being able to interpret both mezzo and soprano roles. 

Rolex Arts Testimonee Cecilia Bartoli (photo: ©Rolex/Emmanuel Fradin)

Bartoli shot to fame with performances of Mozart and Rossini, making her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1996 as Depina in Cosi fan tutte. Aside from her roles in the world's greatest opera houses, she is also known as a recital singer. She has achieved great success with her recordings of baroque music. In addition to her career as a singer, she also works as artistic director of the Salzburg Whitsun Festival.

In August of 2016, Bartoli will star as Maria in an opera version of West Side Story at the Salzburg Festival, sponsored by Rolex. All of the performances are sold out, a good sign for the new interpretation of the 1950s broadway musical. To check out the cast and read additional information on the production and festival, visit their official site.

Cecilia Bartoli has been a Rolex Testimonee since 1996. The video embedded below shows the opera phenom singing "Riedi al soglio" from Zelmira at Teatro Olimpico, Vicenza, Italy in June of 1998. For more information on Bartoli, visit ceciliabartolionline.com.

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