Virgilio Carbonari (1925–1988) - Fiori estivi

Important 20th-century Italian painting by

Virgilio Carbonari (Seriate, December 18, 1925 – Seriate, November 21, 1988)

Summer Flowers

Oil on canvas / authentic work from 1986

Measurements: 97 x 87 cm in a contemporary frame.
Fabric: 80 x 70 cm

Virgilio Carbonari was born in Seriate on December 18, 1925. Raised in a poor and large family, he started working very early, finding employment as an apprentice shoemaker.
At twelve years old, he enrolled in the art school 'Andrea Fantoni' in Bergamo, which he attended during his free hours from work, with dedication and success, for five consecutive years. In October 1942, he exhibited at the Missionary Exhibition in Seriate and was noticed by Betty Ambiveri, who, after appreciating his drawings on display, wrote a letter of introduction for his admission to the painting school at the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo; he studied with the painter Contardo Barbieri and later with Achille Funi. Ambiveri supported the young Carbonari during his activity by providing him free use of a room on the ground floor of her villa to practice and study. His work includes frescoes, watercolors, landscapes (especially Seriate views), flowers, and still lifes. In Seriate, there are four small chapels dedicated to the Madonna; the Municipality has dedicated the Exhibition Room in the town hall to him. He has demonstrated his artistic talent through numerous solo exhibitions held in various Italian cities.
Alongside his activity as a painter, Carbonari also dedicated himself to highlighting another aspect of his personality: endowed with a beautiful baritone voice, he cultivated it by enrolling in and attending the Milan Scala Music School.
He studied singing with tenor Alessandro Dolci, then with maestro Giuseppe Cesati to perfect his craft, and later at the Gaetano Donizetti Musical Institute in Bergamo under the guidance of Teso Armani. He was an outstanding performer in the role of ' comprimario'. He remained memorable in the role of the Sacristan in Giacomo Puccini's opera Tosca, performed in Vienna under the direction of Herbert von Karajan. Other significant roles and performances by Carbonari included: La sonnambula (Alessio) and I puritani (Gualtiero) by Vincenzo Bellini, Andrea Chénier (Sanculotto) by Umberto Giordano, Turandot (The Mandarin), Madama Butterfly (The Consul) by Giacomo Puccini, La traviata (Gastone), La forza del destino (Frà Melitone), Ernani (Jago), Un ballo in maschera (Silvano) by Giuseppe Verdi, Carmen (Dancairo) by Georges Bizet, La Gioconda (Zuane) by Amilcare Ponchielli, L'elisir d'amore (Dulcamara) by Gaetano Donizetti, with which he achieved great success at the Liceu Theatre in Barcelona in 1982.
From 1960 to 1971, he performed at the Arena di Verona in 13 different operas. He was present at the Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo from 1950 to 1984. For thirteen seasons, he performed at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa and for eleven at La Fenice Theatre in Venice. He collaborated for 18 years with La Scala in Milan, and a year before his death, he played the role of the Notary in Giacomo Puccini's Gianni Schicchi at the Milanese theater, conducted by Maestro Gianandrea Gavazzeni. He also sang in the most prestigious international theaters. Carbonari's vocal art is also evidenced by a record made in 1987 by the Circolo Simone Mayr of Bergamo, as well as by about twenty complete operas.


Insured shipment

Certificate of authenticity in accordance with the law

* In good condition

The frame shown in the photos is provided free of charge so that the artwork can be displayed as soon as it arrives. It is included as a courtesy and is not considered an integral part of the artwork. Therefore, any potential damage to the frame that does not affect the artwork itself will not be a valid reason to open a claim or request order cancellation.