Mirella freni biography of barack

Born Mirella Fregni, February 27, 1935, in Modena, Italy; professionally known as Mirella Freni (surname pronounced "Fray-nee"); daughter of Ennio (a civil servant) and Gianna (a factory worker; maiden name, Arcelli) Fregni; married Leone Magiera (a choral instructor and conductor), 1955 (divorced 1982); married Nicolai Ghiaurov (an opera singer), 1982; children: (first marriage) Micaela (daughter).

Education: Studied with maestros Ettore Campogalliani and Leone Magiera. Religion: Roman Catholic. Addresses: Home--Modena, Italy. Management--Columbia Artists Management, Inc., Wilford Division, 165 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019.

Mirella Freni is not as instantly recognizable as opera stars Luciano Pavarotti or Maria Callas, but she is among the great sopranos of the twentieth century and holds a special appeal for opera lovers worldwide.

Her gentle, fresh-sounding voice coupled with a simple and direct performing style made her ideally suited for romantic leads, vaulting her