Giorgio Tozzi

Giorgio Tozzi, age 88, of Bloomington, died Monday afternoon at I.U. Health, Bloomington Hospital. He was born January 15, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois. Giorgio retired from the Jacobs School of Music as Distinguished Professor of Voice in 2006, after teaching here for 15 years.

During his tenure with the Metropolitan Opera (1954-1974), he sang 399 performances of 37 roles, including Boris in Boris Godunov, Ramfis in Aïda, Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro, Don Basilio in Barber of Seville, Phillip II in Don Carlo, and Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. He performed leading roles at La Scala in Milan, Teatro Reale in Rome, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, the National Theater in Munich and the San Francisco Opera. His portrayal of King Melchior can still be seen in the NBC television version of Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Giorgio appeared in concert as soloist with the orchestras of New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, San Francisco, London and numerous European ensembles. In musical theater Giorgio sang leading roles in Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba, Man of LaMancha, and The King and I, and appeared opposite Mary Martin and Florence Henderson in revivals of South Pacific. His performance in Most Happy Fella earned him a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. For his portrayal of Emile de Becque in South Pacific, he received the San Francisco Critics Award for Best Actor, and his recordings won four Grammy Awards. His artistic authority combined with good humor and sincere support for their talents helped launch many I.U. students into successful careers. His enormous personal warmth and perpetual engine of enthusiasm for life and music have made him beloved of colleagues and students alike. In an interview on WFIU last year, Giorgio told a charming story about a colleague at the Met who asked him why he was always smiling. He replied “It pleases my friends and annoys my enemies.” He was of the Christian faith.

He is survived by his wife, Monte (Amundsen) Tozzi of Bloomington; his son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Nina Tozzi, of Burbank, California; his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Dane Hauser, of Tampa, Florida and three grandchildren, Alyssa Tozzi, Psalm Hauser and Brady Hauser.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday at Day Funeral Home in Bloomington with Rev. Alan Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in Clear Creek Cemetery. Friends may visit the family on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.