The New York Times
By The Associated Press
April 15, 2004

MILAN (AP), April 14 — Argeo Quadri, an Italian conductor who led performances in many of the world's leading opera houses, died on Wednesday in Milan, his family said. He was 93.

Born in Como, Mr. Quadri studied music at the Milan Conservatory, graduating in 1933. He conducted throughout Italy before going to Covent Garden in London in 1956.

His strongest ties were with the Vienna State Opera, where he conducted 211 performances over more than 20 years.

He worked at La Scala in Milan in the 1950's, said his niece Marilu Gregotti, who added that he also conducted at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, as well as performances in Tokyo and across Italy.

He also worked with many major opera singers, among them Maria Callas. "He lived for music, above all for opera. He particularly liked Verdi and Puccini," Gregotti said. "He loved above all his wife and his work."

Mr. Quadri is survived by his wife. He had no children.

The New York Times > Arts > Argeo Quadri, 93, a Conductor of Opera, Dies
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Gabriella Ferri, Italian Singer, Dies at 62

The New York Times
By The Associated Press
April 6, 2004

An Italian singer popular in Rome and Latin America, died after a
fall from the third floor balcony of her home Saturday, April 3, her
family said. She was 62.

Family members, speaking on Italian state TV, denied reports the 62-year-old singer had committed suicide in the fall Saturday. In comments to Italian media, they said she could have been ill, possibly from anti-depression medication she was taking, and tumbled over the balcony of the apartment in suburban Rome.

They said that only a day earlier she told them she was enthusiasticabout a recent invitation to appear soon on a television show.

Her career began at a Milan nightclub in 1963, and two years later Ferri successfully broke into the Rome singing scene with a performancebased around popular Roman songs.

In the 1970s she starred on several popular TV shows.One of her biggest hits was "Sempre" (Always).Ferri had largely left the spotlight in Italy in the 1990s, but in 2000, she appeared on Italian TV again.Although she concentrated on Roman songs, she also performed Neapolitan and Latin American tunes.

One of her biggest hits was "Sempre" ("Always").

Ferri had largely left the spotlight in Italy in the 1990s, but in  2000 she reappeared on Italian TV.

After news of her death, some politicians urged Rome to name a piazza, or square, after Ferri.

Gabriella Ferri, Italian Singer, Dies at 62
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