Irma Capece Minutolo, an iconic Neapolitan beauty queen and opera singer, passed away on June 7 at her residence in Rome at the age of 87. Her niece, Irma Capece Minutolo, confirmed the sad news. Known for her fascinating relationship with the exiled Egyptian king, Farouk I, and their extravagant lifestyle, Minutolo captured the attention of gossip columnists across the globe.
In the early 1950s, a young Minutolo encountered Farouk, who sought refuge in Italy after a military coup forced him to flee Egypt on his royal yacht. Farouk was notorious for his extravagant indulgences and lack of concern for his public image, earning him a reputation as a hedonistic playboy. These extravagant tendencies followed him to Italy, where he became famous as a wolf, a glutton, and a carefree gambler.
Accounts differ regarding how Minutolo and Farouk met, often colored by the gossip of the era. According to journalist Michael Stern’s sensational 1965 book, “Farouk: Uncensored,” Farouk became captivated by Minutolo at a beauty pageant and proclaimed her a fraud when she didn’t place. However, Minutolo’s niece refuted these claims, stating that at 16, Minutolo was selected to welcome Farouk with flowers when he arrived in Naples. They got to know each other at Naples’ exclusive Circolo Canottieri, where Minutolo’s father was a member.
Minutolo’s social status also became a subject of debate. Although often referred to as a princess or marchioness in the media, she was listed as a descendant of Neapolitan princes in “The Yearbook of the Italian Nobility.” In 1954, amidst rumors of an impending wedding, Minutolo sued two Italian journalists who claimed her parents were a chauffeur and a janitor’s daughter. The outcome of the trial remains uncertain.
According to her niece, Minutolo’s father was Prince Augusto, the owner of a luxury car dealership. The question of marriage remained murky. At the time of the lawsuit, Minutolo stated that she preferred not to marry, expressing that while Farouk was kind and tender, marriage signaled the end of love. However, she later claimed they married in an Islamic ceremony in 1958. Despite attending Farouk’s funeral alongside his first wife, Queen Farida, Minutolo was not mentioned in the former monarch’s will and was typically described as his companion in the media.
During the early years of their relationship, Minutolo’s story bore resemblances to George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmalion” or “My Fair Lady,” with tales of Farouk sending her to school, transforming her appearance, and funding her singing lessons. The culmination of these lessons came in the early 1960s when Minutolo made her debut performance at a black-tie recital in Naples, singing arias. However, her performance was met with mishaps as the lights went out and a candle set the pianist’s sheet music on fire. The incident further solidified her reputation as the girlfriend of a king regarded as profligate and greed-driven by his compatriots.
Despite facing ridicule, Minutolo pursued her dreams. After Farouk’s death, she resided in a modest apartment and resumed her singing lessons. By the end of the decade, her career flourished, receiving praise for performances in works like Verdi’s “Il trovatore” in Rome and Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” in Florence, directed by acclaimed Italian baritone Tito Gobbi. Additionally, she appeared in several films, such as Franco Zeffirelli’s “The Young Toscanini” (1988), alongside Elizabeth Taylor. Later, Minutolo founded and operated a singing school in Rome.
Survived by no immediate family, one of Minutolo’s most redemptive moments occurred during a performance at a renowned opera house in Parma in the late 1960s. Despite the audience’s initial skepticism fueled by her association with Farouk, Minutolo amazed them. A fan even shouted from the gallery, praising both her extraordinary singing and her beauty.
In conclusion, Irma Capece Minutolo’s life intertwined with the glitz and glamour of royalty and fame. Despite enduring criticism and hardships, her passion for opera persevered, and she left a lasting legacy in the world of music.
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