Page 8 - PGA Community News - November '21

Page 8, PGA C.A.N.! BW November 2021
November 2021

Community Spotlight: Virginia Zeani

Living a short distance from us is one of the experience and if you see her locally be sure to say, “Brava, virginiazeani.org for photographs and more information
finest lirico leggero sopranos, Virginia Zeani. una bellissima voce.” about Virginia Zeani. It was the source of much of the
She is celebrating her 96th birthday. Born (N.B. I encourage you to visit the website www. information for this Spotlight.)
in Romania as Virginia Zehan, she studied
at a young age with the famous coloratura
soprano, Lydia Lipkowska, who opened up
her for the future roles of Violetta, Oxbridge Academy on the Move
Virginia’s full vocal range and coached
Mimi, Marguerite and Massenet’s
Manon – for which Virginia became known in her early What does an acclaimed co-educational, independent newly appointed athletic director Stan Ross, also the
career. school – known for instilling values, building boys’ lacrosse coach. “Oxbridge paused the football
In March 1947 with an established range from low character, emphasizing diversity, and creating a program in 2018 with some safety concerns with some
G to top F, Virginia traveled to Milan, Italy to study curriculum suited for individual choice – do when of the games on the schedule and other reorganization
with the legendary tenor, Aureliano Pertile, and received it reaches its 10-year milestone? In the case of decisions.” Ross adds. “COVID-19 delayed our plans
lessons from Toscanini’s coaches at La Scala. In May
1948, an opportunity arose when soprano Margherita Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach it adds a a little, however we feel we are ready for the return of
Carosio became ill and the Teatro Duse in Bologna middle school for grades seven and eight and brings football as a junior varsity sport next fall and varsity
needed to replace her. At the age of 23 with no previous back one of its signature athletic programs, football competition in the years to come.”
stage experience, Virginia made her professional debut as along with a return of its cheerleading team. The
Violetta in La Traviata – which was to become her greatest Oxbridge Academy Middle School opened its doors The athletic program also includes baseball,
role. The conductor was stunned by her performance in August and football is set to return to campus in basketball, cross-country, equestrian, golf, lacrosse,
and offered Virginia a tour of 30 more performances. the fall of 2022. sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, track & field,
Throughout her career, Virginia sang the role of Violetta tennis, girls volleyball, and girls flag football. Over
more than 600 times around the world. In January 1950, “When we began planning for our 10-year anniversary the years, many Oxbridge student-athletes have
she was invited to star in a three-month season in Cairo and identified ways to build on our strong foundation, received scholarships to play at the next level in
and Alexandria, Egypt singing Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore a middle school and bringing back our football college.
opposite the great Italian tenor, Beniamino Gigli. Virginia program were a big part of the conversation,”
was 24, Beniamino was 60! Then on another fateful day
in 1952, conductor Tullio Serafin selected Virginia to explained Oxbridge Head of School Ralph Maurer. Academically, Oxbridge boasts an average class
replace the great Maria Callas as Elvira in I Puritani at The school’s 10-year milestone also coincided with size of 14, a 9:1 student/faculty ratio, and a faculty
Teatro Communale in Florence. several other important factors: more families moving of which 77% have advanced degrees, including
In 1953 in celebration of the coronation of Queen into the area and an increasing demand for private 13% with doctorates. Oxbridge is also proud of its
Elizabeth II of England, Virginia toured the British Isles school education. The timing is right, and so is the unique, signature programs: Artificial Intelligence
singing the roles of Violetta and Mimi. In 1956, she made mission. (AI), Aviation, Cambridge (England) Scholars, and
her debut at La Scala in Milan as Cleopatra in Handel’s Independent Research. The school’s Model U.N. and
Giulio Cesare. The cast included the famous bass, Nicola “Adding middle school grades means preparing debate teams and its theater students consistently
Rossi Lemeni. She had previously only seen him on stage students at a younger age to be world citizens receive statewide awards and recognition. The
dressed as an older man and not realized he was in his and future leaders who are caring, confident, number of extra-curricular options grows as students
30s. Within a week, Nicola asked Virginia to marry him compassionate, critical thinkers,” Maurer continues. are encouraged to bring new ideas for clubs. Oxbridge
and within three weeks she accepted the proposal. They “It gives younger students from all walks of life the also emphasizes community service, which includes
were married in Rome the following spring. A year later,
their son, Alessandro, was born. Because of an earlier than opportunity to benefit from a culture that nurtures tutoring students, clothing and toy drives, and beach
expected arrival, Virginia had to cancel her performance and instills values such as integrity, honesty, respect, clean ups.
with her husband at the world premiere of Assassino nella and gratitude. It will help them develop character and
Cattedrale by Pizzetti. They lived in Rome, and Virginia discover their passions at an earlier age and prepare It’s your turn to discover Oxbridge.
and Nicola appeared together in 13 more operas. them for a seamless transition to our high school.”
Virginia debuted in January 1960 at the Royal Opera For more information about Oxbridge Academy,
House Covent Garden in Great Britain again as an “Bringing back our football program adds another e-mail admission@oapb.org or call (561) 972-9826.
emergency replacement – this time for the famous Joan fantastic athletic program and enhances opportunities
Sutherland. The performance was broadcast world-wide for our student body and school spirit,” explains
and has been preserved on compact disc and posted on
YouTube in four parts. She appeared in operas throughout Paid Advertisement
the world and eventually in 1966 at the Metropolitan Opera
House as Violetta.
When Virginia was 40, the conductor, Zubin Mehta,
with whom she had sung Violetta many times, suggested
she was now ready to sing Aida and, with him conducting,
Virginia gave her first performance in Montreal opposite
Jon Vickers as Radames. Then in 1972 Virginia enjoyed
one of her greatest successes at the Spoleto Festival as
Magda in The Consul by Gian Carlo Menotti.
Virginia retired from the stage in 1982. In all she
sang 69 major roles in many hundreds of performances
and only canceled two performances. In 1980, Virginia
and Nicola began to teach singing at the music school in
Indiana University in Bloomington. They were both later
honored as distinguished professors. After Nicola died
in 1991, Virginia continued teaching until she moved to
Florida in 2002. The magazine, Classical Singer, named
Virginia the teacher of the year after having taught for
30 years.
Virginia has received praise from many notable figures
in the world of opera. One of the most unusual was
Giovanni Battista Meneghini, former husband of Maria
Callas, who has said in conversation with Virginia: “I have
to tell you, you are one of the few sopranos my wife is
frightened of.”
Virginia has been a judge in many prestigious vocal
competitions including at the Metropolitan Opera House.
She has received many awards including Commendatore
of the Italian Republic. In 2010 King Michael of Romania
awarded Virginia his highest honor “Nihil Sine Deo” and in
May 2011 she traveled to the Elisabeta Palace in Bucharest
where she was invested with the award. I encourage you
to listen to a recording of one of Virginia’s performances
or view a video on YouTube for an unforgettable operatic

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