He trained as a singer and pianist at the Naples Conservatory and made his stage début at Milan in 1891. The following year at the Dal Verme he sang Beppe in the première of ‘’Pagliacci’’, and this was also his role in his single season at Covent Garden in 1900. He sang in the Rome première of Pietro Mascagni's ‘’Le maschere’’ in 1901. Having become one of Italy's leading comprimario tenors, he emigrated to the USA in 1907, singing with the Manhattan Company usually in small parts but also as Corentin in ‘’Dinorah’’ with Tetrazzini . From 1911to1920 he appeared regularly in Chicago, where he enjoyed considerable success in comic bass roles such as Dr Bartolo in ‘’Il barbiere di Siviglia’’. His recordings, made as a tenor, include Beppe's Serenade in ‘’Pagliacci’’ and many Neapolitan songs graced by an agreeable lyric voice and an idiomatic sense of style.
Chronology of some appearances
1891 Messina Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Faust (Faust)
1894 Genova Politeama Genovese Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)
1897 Odessa Teatro Municipale Roberto il Diavolo (Rambaldo)
1901 Roma Teatro Costanzi Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)
1905 Milano Teatro Lirico Le Maschere (Arlecchino)
1909 Philadelphia Academy of Music Salome' (Giudeo)
1912 Philadelphia Metropolitan I Gioielli Della Madonna (Biaso)
1914 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Boheme
1938 Chicago Civic Opera Louise (Bricolage)
RECORDINGS FOR SALE
'A retirata (-)10163
Era di maggio (Costa) 10165
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): O Colombina 10173
Ideale (Tosti) 10172
Ideale (Tosti) 10172
G&T, London 1906-02-08
Santa Lucia (Cottrau) 2-52492 3525e
G&T, London 1906-02-09
'O core D' 'E Femmene 2-52494 3528 e
G&T, London 1906-02-16
Funiculi funicula (Canzone Napoletana) 2-52498 3569 e
G&T, London 1906-02-21
Musica proibita (Gastaldon) V* 92170 3610e
Zonophone, London 1906-09-13
Zonophone, London 1906-09-15
Margarita (Fassone) X-92148 8972b
'Ndringhete 'ndra (de Gregorio) (w. chorus) X-92156 8673 b
Zonophone, London 1906-09-16
Carcioffolа (di Capua) (w. chorus) X-92162 8978b
Zonophone, London 1906-09-20
Mattinata (Leoncavallo) X-92155 9016 b
Dui core (de Curtis) E142 3805
Victor, New York 1908-03-05
Che buò fa (Valente) 3809 B6009
Serenata a Maria (Gambardella) 3789 E152
Victor, Camden NJ 1908-03-26
Torna a Surriento (de Curtis) 62427 B6050
Pesca d'ammore (Barthelemy) 62427 B6051
Viene a vucа' (Gambardella) 62428 B6052
'A serenata d' 'e trose (di Capua) 62429 B6055
Serenata napulitana (Costa) 62429 B6054
Napulitana! (Falvo) 3794 E148
'A Mergellina (Segre) E140 3795
Tarantella Ciociara (Gambardella) 3796 E156
'O Silencio a Buordo (Capolongo) E1351 3798
'O surdato scuntento (Cannio) E149 3799
Si Signore...'I voglio (di Capua) 3800, E153
Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): All'idea with Vincenzo Reschiglian BA 22406
Forza del destino (Verdi): Solenne in quest'ora with Vincenzo Reschiglian BA 22408
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Tu qui Santuzza with Maria Avezza BA 22414
Trovatore (Verdi): Ai nostri monti with Maria Avezza BA 22415
'A ricciullala (Falvo) BA 22425
Ammore e femmena (Mario) with Teresa de Matienzo C2118 4846
Suonno e fantasia (Capolongo) E575 4459
Na Cammarella (Falvo) E571 4460
Luce mia (Fonzo) E1353 4465
'O Popolo 'e Napule (Chiarolanza) C2015 4466
Serenata Scumbinata (Valente) C2020 4908
'O Farenella (di Capua) C2014 4911
Tarantella 'ntusecosa (Valente) C2013 4913
Manella mia (Valente) C2017 4914
'A Serenata d' 'o marenare (Gambardella) C2013 4934
'E femmene azzecose C2015 4937
So Turnato (Falvo) C2017 4936
Calandrella, Calandre (de Crescenzo) with Teresa de Matienzo (date?) C988 4984
A vita 'e nu suonno (Gambardella) E929 19317
'A Surrentina unpubl? 19321
Serenata a Surriento E928 9318
'A Pacchiana 'e Sarno with Teresa de Matienzo E928 19543
Tarantella Surrentina with Teresa de Matienzo unpubl? 19541
Capemonte (Giannelli) with Teresa de Matienzo 69157 B18273
Restamm' accussi (Montagna) with Teresa de Matienzo 69157 B18275
'A vigna 'e Catarina (Valente) with Teresa de Matienzo 69204 B18276
Sturnellata napulitana (Capolongo) with Teresa de Matienzo 69204 B18289
MOLTO BELLO!!! Thank you my Friend for sharing this Valuable Biographical information.
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