Not-So-Cherishable Youthful Memories

[dulcinea]

Angela Gheorghiu's youth was spent during the despotism of the Ceausescus. What are her memories of that dismal period?

[Lance]

Angela Gheorghiu's youth was spent during the despotism of the Ceausescus. What are her memories of that dismal period?

I haven't heard about Gheorghiu's youth. I have no idea what went on and the life she experienced. On the other hand, I understand it didn't take her long to become a prima donna! Volpe of the Met speaks of her not in the kindest way, about wearing a wig for a part, and she refused. Thus, he replaced her. Sounds like another Kathleen Battle-type story.

Can you elaborate on Gheorghiu's youth?

[Ralph]

From wikipedia. I doubt she had any close involvement in any of the events leading to the turmoil and overthrow of the dictator.

The daughter of a train driver, Gheorghiu was born as Angela Burlacu in Adjud. Along with her sister Elena, she sang opera music from a very early age. At age 13, Gheorghiu went to study singing at the Bucharest Music Academy, primarily under Mia Barbu. Her graduation in 1989 coincided with the overthrow of Nicolae Ceauşescu, enabling her to seek out an international career immediately. Her profesional debut took place at the Cluj Opera as Mimì (La bohème) in 1990.

[dulcinea]

I understand that in Ceausescu's time music and the other arts received very little encouragement, the Conducator being solely interested in building a Palace of the Republic that he wanted to be the hugest building in Europe.