Death of Soprano Leyla Gencer

Posted by Sarah Canice Funke May 16, 2008

Leyla Gencer was a frequent performer at the prestigious La Scala Opera House, appearing in over 70 productions. But the singer and teacher will no longer grace the Milanese stage: the 79-year-old Gencer passed away on May 10, 2008 after experiencing respiratory problems and heart failure.

Gencer was born in October, 1928 in Istanbul, Turkey and began studies at the Istanbul conservatory, only to switch to private lessons from the Italian opera singer Giannina Arangi Lombardi in Ankara.

Her career spanned over 30 years and included roles ranging from The First Woman of Canterbury in the world premier of Pizzeti's "L'Assasinio nella Cattedralle" (Murder in the Cathedral) to Elisabetta in "Don Giovanni."

Both the Turkish and the Italian miss this singer: La Scala Opera House and the Turkish Prime Minister expressed admiration for Gencer and regret over the loss of such a moving soprano.

Gencer retired over 20 years ago in 1985, in order to search out new talent and train young singers. She died in her home in Milan and her funeral was held in that city on May 12. Her will called for her body to be cremated and the ashes scattered over the Bosporus in her native Turkey.

For more information, please see the article in the Turkish Daily News.