Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. His lungs, kidneys and his heart were failing. After his death, his wife Eva Franchi formed The Sergio Franchi Music Foundation to award scholarships to young talented singers. (August 1, 1964). On being poor and being rich: The feeling of being poor is terrible You think the whole world is against youI went on no matter what!Now that I am rich, I enjoy the fact that I can walk into any restaurant anywhere and not think how much the bill is going to be. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Resend Activation Email. "Sergio Franchi: From Italy to Las Vegas. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Learn more about merges. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Oops, something didn't work. While on a performing tour of South Africa, Beniamino Gigli had heard Franchi sing and had encouraged him and his family in this regard. English: Sergio Franchi (born Sergio Franci Galli; April 6, 1926 May 1, 1990) was an Italian-born tenor and actor who enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame as a multimedia star and recording artist after being discovered on British television in 1962. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. After gaining success, Franchi was a benefactor and philanthropist, donating his time and talent to many causes. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1964 was a significant year for Franchi for professional and personal reasons. (October 12, 1980). His piano tuner was my best friends father. "Art for those who know what they like: Celebrity. I told him it was me playing. "Entertainment/Best Bets." Try again. [15] Franchi performed in New Orleans for a Boys' Towns Benefit with Dana Valery in 1974. ", Dewar, Cameron. His first civics lesson? [158][159][160] More boys Benefit Performances occurred in New Orleans in November 1977, occurred. Franchi appeared in Las Vegas and many well-known places, and opened for or was opened by many famous celebritites. Franchi died at his home in the historic and picturesque shoreline community of Stonington, Conn., on the Rhode Island border, where he had lived for a number of years with his wife, Eva. (March 20, 1965). [156] In 1975 he held a benefit concert at the Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee for the Boys' Towns of Italy. [154], As part of the 1970 celebrations of the Silver Jubilee of Boys' Towns of Italy, Franchi performed in benefits at New York's Philharmonic Hall,[155] and at New Orleans' Municipal Auditorium. "[19] An album of Italian songs and several EPs and singles in Italy, London, and Canada followed (these recordings were eventually released for American audiences.) (April 3, 1964). Leonard, Will. Ed Sullivan was in the audience that night and immediately booked Franchi for future appearances, including a second TV appearance on his show the following week on October 28, 1962, where he performed Funiculi-Funicula. Within a week of these initial debut performances, the feedback on sales of Franchis first album Romantic Italian Songs were incredibly successful and by the end of that year the album peaked on the Billboard 200 at No. He was believed to be 57. He sang with jazz groups in Italy, but immigrated to South Africa in 1947, after he completed his compulsory military service. Speaking little English at the time, he learned the role phonetically. Franchi's Live! (Franchi's sister Dana Valery played one of the children.) Sergio Franchi death quick facts: When did Sergio Franchi die? Mirella passed away 38 days after Franchi. Pig runs next to highway after being freed from pen by a bear. Sergio Franchi death quick facts: When did Sergio Franchi die? ", Chase, Sam. WebSergio Franchi (April 6, 1926 May 1, 1990), born Sergio Franci Galli, was an Italian-American tenor and actor who enjoyed success in the United States and internationally after gaining notice in Britain in the early 1960s. In 1972, he became an American citizen. Sergio Franchi. "Entertainment in Las Vegas.' Singing the full length of the concert without a microphone, a New York reviewer commented on Franchi's "big, healthy voice", his penchant for ad-libbing, and his ability to establish instant rapport with his audience. The queen has called Philip simply my strength and stay all these years. The article mentions studies that have shown spouses can suffer overall poorer physical health after the death of their spouse. What was the cause of death? Born in Cogorno, Liguria to a Neapolitan father and a Genoese mother, Franchi made his singing debut at age 10 as a hunchback in a school play. We have set your language to "Presley Top Entertainer. [63][64][65], In 1965, RCA Victor allowed Franchi to appear on the Columbia Records cast album of Do I Hear a Waltz?. Hazlett, Terry. "Smarrimento" (Loss of Self) "Splende il sole" (The sun is shining). He later starred for two years in the musical 'Nine,' for which he received the Tony Award. He replaced Raul Julia as the leading man in the musical ''Nine'' in 1983. A generous benefactor and philanthropist, Sergio Franchi was honored by The Greater New Orleans Cultural Society on March 12, 1982 where they presented him with the "16th Annual Italian American of the Not Hollywood, not L.A., not the country, At 19, he won a local school board seat. "Benefit concert is given for Cultural Aid to Israel." Ed Sullivan presented Franchi by saying Now ladies and gentlemen, introducing to American TV a young Italian tenor star, whos giving a concert next Sunday at Carnegie Hall. When in 1988 he was asked about his upcoming performance at Ninigret Park to benefit the Rhode Island chapter of the MDA, Franchi stated: "When you've been as fortunate as I have, you have to do something for other people." ", "TV Stars at Chicagoland Music Festival." WebSergio Franchi (April 6, 1926 May 1, 1990), born Sergio Franci Galli, was an Italian-American tenor and actor who enjoyed success in the United States and internationally after gaining notice in Britain in the early 1960s. WebSTONINGTON, Conn. (AP) _ Singer-songwriter Sergio Franchi died Tuesday at his estate here after a prolonged battle with cancer, his family said. From Sanremo Music Festival in 1960. He also continued to have television appearances and in general, his popularity was very high. Beginning on May 9, 1983, he starred in the Tony Award-winning musical Nine and devoted 18 months to it, to generally favorable reviews. Viewing his performance that night was Norman Luboff, who alerted RCA Victor about him. In Italy, England and later in the United States, he encountered difficulty getting parts. Franchi Family Estate Grounds. On October 10, 1977, Franchi served as Grand Marshall of the world's largest Italian-American celebration - New York City's Columbus Day Parade. You can always change this later in your Account settings. In 1972, he became an American citizen. : Sergio Franchi. 1 May 1990 (aged 64) Stonington, New London County, Connecticut, USA. There is a problem with your email/password. "Britain/Record Business.". You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. [15][16], Sometime after the 1956 London production of Grab Me a Gondola premiered, Franchi performed in a Johannesburg stage production of the musical, and made his very first recording with the cast. "Rodgers Seen Surviving Dull Musical. WebSergio passed away on May 1, 1990 at the age of 64 in Stonington, CT, USA. The Italian-born tenor died Tuesday at his estate. ", Bacon, James. [3][81][82], After his Broadway role in Waltz, Franchi continued to be considered for new roles on stage; but he did not return to Broadway for more than a decade. "Famous Artists Series attractions announced". Also in 1988, he visited the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy. He recorded The Songs of Richard Rodgers; and his evergreen Christmas album The Heart of Christmas (Cuor' Di Natale). "Franchi Shows Cancelled." Franchi married his second wife, Eva E. Simon, in New York City on June 14, 1982. "Cultural societies say. He also is survived by a daughter, a son, two grandchildren and two sisters. [20] In early 1960, Franchi played the role of Janni in the short-lived London production of The Golden Touch. Sergio Franchi, 57, An Opera Aspirant Who Won Pop Fame, https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/03/arts/sergio-franchi-57-an-opera-aspirant-who-won-pop-fame.html. "Stage: Franchi Ill; Carlin well, and foul", Warga, Wayne. Shepperson Series in History Humanities (Ed. For his longtime support of Boys' and Girls' Towns of Italy, he was posthumously awarded the title of cavaliere in the Order of Merit (Stella al merito del lavoro) by the Italian Government. Pop History", Week of January 8, 1968; retrieved June 7, 2012. "Entertainment in Las Vegas." Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. (May 31, 1985). [157] In Pittsburgh, Franchi performed benefits in 1975 and 1977 at Heinz Hall in support of Boys' Towns. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. (September 1, 1978). [7], Franchi then looked for work in Italy while his wife and children remained in South Africa. Instead he signed with United Artists Records, with whom he had worked with briefly before. Mr. Franchi appeared on Broadway in 1965, co-starring with Elizabeth Allen in the Arthur Laurents-Stephen Sondheim musical ''Do I Hear a Waltz.'' Bellamy, Ralph. From Sanremo Music Festival in 1960. "Franchi Ill; Carlin well, but foul". You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. Four other previously recorded albums from Europe were also released in 1965, as well two new singles. Anyone can read what you share. May 2, 1990 STONINGTON, Conn. (AP) _ Sergio Franchi, a singer with operatic ambitions who had a hit with O Sole Mio and crooned in TV commercials for the Plymouth Volare in the 1970s, has died of cancer. (September 27, 1964). the Thriller to the Comedy. On September 15, 1983, Sergio Franchi gave a Command Performance for President Ronald Reagan in honor of the Portugese State Visit. "Exciting Tenor, Comely Comedienne Brighten Cafes". [8] They divorced on December 31, 1981 in Clark County, Nevada. [2] At age ten, he sang a comic role as a hunchback in a school play. "Nightclubs: Present Incumbent." 7 ], Franchi was a benefactor and philanthropist, donating his time and talent many! Later in the short-lived London production of the children. by many famous celebritites he held Benefit., England and later in your Account settings When did Sergio Franchi die Heinz... Article mentions studies that have shown spouses can suffer overall poorer physical health after the death their. 156 ] in 1975 and 1977 at Heinz Hall in support of Boys Towns! 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