Renée Radina-Figner (Soprano) (Nikolaev, Russia 1872 - Vienna, Austria 1944)

In 1893 she studied singing in Nikolaev under the pedagogue Roccigani, started to appear with success in concerts, sang together with the tenor Mikhail Medvedev. She received her education at the Moscow Conservatory under Elizaveta Lavrovskaya. Then she went to Vienna and perfected her vocal technique at the Vienna Konservatorium under Eger-Vildchik and Shtol. Probably she made her debut in 1896 at the Moscow Private Russian Opera of S. Mamontov in N. Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera ‘’ The Maid of Pskov’’. Since 1898 she appeared with success in concerts not only inVienna, but also in different german cities and then made her debut at the Opera in Cologne. Her repertoire included Santuzza in ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’, Leonora in ‘’Il Trovatore’’, Aida, Valentina in ‘’Gli Ugonotti’’, Euridice in ‘’Orfeo ed Euridice’’ and Elsa in ‘’Lohengrin’’. In 1899 she returned toRussia and was engaged by the Opera in Kharkov. As a member of this opera house she made guest appearances in St. Petersburg (Panaevsky Theatre 1900), Odessa and Ekaterinburg. Later she sang in Tbilisi (1900-1904), St. Petersburg (New Summer Theatre, Russian Opera 1903, National House 1903), Kazan (1903-1904), Nizhny Novgorod (1904, 1905), Baku, Riga, Rostov-on-Don (1907), Samara (1909). Married to the great russian tenor Nikolai Figner. She retired from the stage in 1905. Since 1929 she lived in Vienna, Austria. 

Chronology of some appearances

1896 Moscow Private Russian Opera
1899 Cologne Opera
1899 Kharkov Opera

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Zonophone Moscow? 1907

The Oprichnik (Tchaikovsky): I seemed to hear voices X-2-63027

The Queen of Spades (Tchaikovsky): Whence these tears? X-2-63035 6429L

Zonophone St. Petersburg 25-11-09
Au printemps (Gounod) X-63896 6979r

Linda Micucci-Betti (Soprano) (Rome, Italy 1877 - ? 1933)

She received her education in her hometown Rome, where first she studied cello under the professor Forino at the Liceo Musicale. Then she studied singing privately with the pedagogues Attilio Ugolini and Senatore Sparapani in Rome and there she made her debut in 1897 at the Teatro Nazionale in Rome as Santuzza in P. Mascagni’s ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’. In 1899 she appeared at the Teatro Verdi in Pisa (under the name Teodolinda Micucci) in ‘’Aida’’ and ‘’Faust’’. In 1903 she made her debut at the Teatro alla Scala in ‘’Asrael’’, ‘’Ballo in maschera’’ and ‘’Luisa Miller’’. In 1908 she once more made guest appearance at the Teatro alla Scala, now as Vestale in ‘’La Vestale’’ of G. Spontini and as Maddalena in ‘’Andrea Chénier’’ of U. Giordano. In ‘’La Vestale’’ she also appeared in a guest performance of the Teatro alla Scala in Paris (Grand Opéra, 1909). During her career she also appeared in Ferarra (Teatro Comunale), Rome (Teatro Costanzi), Lucca (Teatro Giglio), Parma (Teatro Regio), Venice (Teatro Fenice), Naples (Teatro San Carlo), Milan (Teatro Dal Verme), Madrid (Teatro Real), Odessa (Teatro Municipale), Buenos Aires (Politeama Argentino) and Montevideo (Politeama).Her husband was the tenor Luigi Betti (? – ? 1903), who was active in Central and South America.

Chronology of some appearances

1897 Rome Teatro Nazionale

1899 Pisa Teatro Verdi

1903 Milan Teatro alla Scala

1908 Milan Teatro alla Scala

1909 Paris Grand Opéra

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Favorite, Verona? 1911?

Trovatore (Verdi): Mira d'acerbe lagrime with Isidoro Barettin 1-39100 

Trovatore (Verdi): Vivrà contende il giubilo with Isidoro Barettin 1-39105

Lia Migliardi (Soprano) (Livorno, Italy 1878 - ?)

She made her debut in 1897 at the Teatro Alfieri of Asti as Micaela in G. Bizet’s ‘’Carmen’’. Probably she retired from the stage in 1919.

Chronology of some appearances

1897 Asti Teatro Alfieri Carmen (Micaela)

1899 Saluzzo Teatro Sociale  Faust (Margherita)

1900 Brà Politeama Boglione Rigoletto (Gilda)

1902 Asti Teatro Alfieri Fedora (Olga)

1903 Venezia  Teatro Rossini Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1904 Trento Teatro Sociale Manon Lescaut (Manon)

1905 Modena  Teatro Municipale Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1906 Genova Politeama Genovese Boheme (Mimì)

1907 Città del Messico Circo Orrin Manon Lescaut (Manon)

1909 Prato Teatro Metastasio Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1910 Empoli Teatro Salvini Adriana Lecouvreur (Adriana)

1911 San Paolo Teatro San Josè Boheme (Mimì)

1912 Pinerolo  Teatro Sociale Werther (Carlotta)

1914 Rimini Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1915 Bergamo Teatro Donizetti Figlia del reggimento (Marchesa)

1916 Prato Teatro Metastasio Fedora (Fedora)

1919 Torino Liceo Verdi Concerto

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Milano

Aida (Verdi): O terra, addio with Mario Matroiani C2043 10940

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Finale, act 3, pt 1 with Ercole Omodei, Luigi Rossato and Edgardo Gherlinzoni D9239 10916

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Finale, act 3, pt 2 with Ercole Omodei, Luigi Rossato and Edgardo Gherlinzoni D9239 10917

Ugo Canetti (Bass) (Venezia, Italy ? 1877 - ?)

Probably he made his debut in 1903 at the Teatro Alfieri in Asti as Don Basilio in ‘’Barbiere di Siviglia’’. In 1906 he made successful guest appearances in USA. He was the husband of the mezzo-soprano Elvira Lucca Canetti. He retired from the stage in Italy (1932).

Chronology of some appearances

1903 Asti Teatro Alfieri Barbiere di Siviglia (Don Basilio)

1906 Bergamo Teatro Sociale Lucia di Lammermoor (Raimondo)

1908 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volkslijt Salome' (Armato)

1910 Novara Teatro Coccia Gioconda (Alvise)

1913 Como Teatro Sociale Gioconda (Alvise)

1915 Verona Teatro Nuovo Andrea Chenier (Roucher)

1918 Milano Teatro Lirico Fedora (Cirillo)

1920 Parma Teatro Regio Loreley (Margravio)

1922 Como Teatro Sociale  Rigoletto (Sparafucile)

1924 Fiume Teatro Verdi I Quattro Rusteghi (Maurizio)

1927 Genova  Teatro Carlo Felice I Quattro Rusteghi (Maurizio)

1929 Venezia  Teatro La Fenice I Quattro Rusteghi (Maurizio)

1932 Napoli Teatro San Carlo I Quattro Rusteghi (Maurizio)

RECORDING FOR SALE

Gramophone, Milano 1911-07-28

Poliuto (Donizetti): La sacrilega parola with Rinalda Pavoni, Averando Gilberti, Vittorio de Goetzen and chorus 054326 351aj

Enrico Moreo (Baritone) (Milan, Italy 1870 - ?)

He studied singing at the Conservatory of Milan under the pedagogue Lauretta Romano and made his debut in 1894 at the Teatro Sociale of Bozzolo in ‘’Ernani’’ and ‘’Ballo in Maschera’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1894 Bozzolo Teatro Sociale  Ernani (Carlo)

1895 Parma Politeama Reinach Traviata (Germont)

1896 Pinerolo Teatro Sociale Forza del destino (Carlo)

1897 Tortona  Teatro Sociale  Aida (Amonasro)

1898 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Aida (Amonasro)

1899 Venezia  Teatro Rossini Boheme (Schaunard)

1900 Roma Teatro Costanzi Boheme (Schaunard)

1901 Cuneo Teatro Toselli Andrea Chenier (Gerard)

1902 Oporto Teatro Prince Real Boheme (Marcello)

1903 Oporto Teatro S. Joao Manon Lescaut (Lescaut)

1904 Brescia Teatro Grande Adriana Lecouvreur (Michonnet)

1905 Gorizia Teatro Sociale Tosca (Scarpia)

1906 Messina  Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Traviata (Germont)

1907 Palermo Teatro Massimo Traviata (Germont)

1908 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Boheme (Marcello)

1909 Verona Teatro Ristori Sansone e Dalida (Sacerdote)

1910 Milano Teatro La Scala  Sansone e Dalida (Sacerdote)

1911 Bologna Teatro Del Corso Lohengrin (Tetralmondo)

1912 Como Teatro Sociale Aida (Amonasro)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Berliner, Milano 1899-07

Trovatore (Verdi): Per me ora fatale 52554 2690

Gioconda (Ponchielli): O monumento 52600 2928

Teresina Ferraris (Mezzo-Soprano) (Vercelli, Italy 1882 - ?)

She was educated at the Convitto Rose Stampa in Vercelli, where her voice excited sensation. Then she was a pupil of the famous Teresina Brambilla-Ponchielli in Pesaro. In 1899 she made her debut at the Teatro Sociale in Stradella as Mercedes in ‘’Carmen’’. The next year she went to Rio de Janeiro and appeared at the Teatro Lirico in ‘’Mignon’’, ‘’Gioconda’’ and ‘’Faust’’. In 1901, under the direction of Arturo Toscanini, she made her debut at La Scala in ‘’Elisir d'amore’’ opposite Enrico Caruso and Regina Pinkert. In 1902 she sang there in ‘’Hansel e Gretel’’. Here together with Mario Sammarco, Enrico Caruso, Adele Ponzano and Amelia Pinto,  she appeared in the world premiere of A. Franchetti’s ‘’Germania’’. At La Scala she also sang in the 1905-1906 season. In 1906 she made guest appearances at the Teatro Arbeu in Mexico City in ‘’Aida’’, ‘’Ugonotti’’, ‘’Tannhäuser’’ and ‘’Gioconda’’. Probably she retired from the stage in 1908, for the last time appearing at the Teatro Politeama Verdi in Sassari as Principessa in ‘’Adriana Lecouvreur’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1899 Stradella Teatro Sociale

1900 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Lirico

1901 Milano La Scala

1902 Milano La Scala

1905-1906 Milano La Scala

1906 Mexico City Teatro Arbeu

1908 Sassari Teatro Politeama Verdi

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Fonotipia, Milano 1906-01-12

Nozze di Figaro (Mozart): Che soave zeffiretto with Esperanza Clasenti 39453  XPh1567

Linda di Chamounix (Donizetti): Ah, bel destin with Esperanza Clasenti 39452 XPh1565

Nozze di Figaro (Mozart): Voi che sapete 39559 XPh1563 

Fonotipia, Milano 1906-03-14

Faust (Gounod): Le parlate d'amor 39556 XPh1706

William Dickie (Baritone) ( Belfast, Northern Ireland 1914 - ? 1984)

He was the elder brother of the great character tenor Murray Dickie (1924-1995). He spent most of his career at the Vienna State Opera, where he was succeeded by his son John (1953-2010), also a tenor. He began his singing career with Glasgow Grand in the mid-thirties, when, under Erik Chisholm's inspired direction, the company was achieving a reputation of national importance, giving British premieres of ‘’Idomeneo’’, ‘’Les Troyens’’ and ‘’Béatrice et Bénédict’’. His war service took him to Italy, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was also able to study with Titta Ruffo, Giuseppe de Luca and Gino Bechi. He joined Jay Pomeroy's New London Opera at the Cambridge Theatre (along with his brother Murray and the bass Ian Wallace) in 1947. His roles then included Schaunard, Rossini's Figaro and Marullo in ‘’Rigoletto’’. Having sung in Italy at the end of the war, he returned there occasionally. In 1956 he made his successful debut at the Vienna State Opera as Posa, singing in German. At his peak in the fifties he sang at Covent Garden. His roles at the Royal Opera House included Escamillo in a 1957 run of ‘’Carmen’’ opposite Jon Vickers as Don José, Regina Resnik as Carmen and Joan Sutherland as Micaëla. The conductor was Rafael Kubelik. A guest appearance with the Edinburgh Opera Company saw him sing the title role in ‘’Nabucco’’, with David Ward as Zaccaria, conducted by Alexander Gibson. A few weeks later he appeared as Amonasro in a concert performance of Aïda with the Liverpool Philharmonic and John Pritchard. He spent much of the following season with Welsh National, as Falke (‘’Fledermaus’’), Tonio (‘’Pagliacci’’) and Nabucco. From 1973 William Dickie was Business Manager of the Intimate Opera Company. Founded in 1930, it toured productions of small-scale chamber opera for many years, and commissioned a number of new pieces. Its repertoire included baroque and classical pieces by Purcell, Bach, Handel, Pergolesi, Duni, Arne, Dibdin, Carey, Storace and Mozart. The company also performed some later pieces by Offenbach, Chabrier, Wolf-Ferrari and Menotti. New works were specially composed by Antony Hopkins (‘’Three's Company’’, ‘’Hands across the Sky’’, ‘’Ten o'clock Call’’), Geoffrey Bush (‘’If the Cap Fits’’), Joseph Horovitz (‘’Gentlemen's Island’’, ‘’The Dumb Wife’’), and others.

Chronology of some appearances

1956 Vienna State Opera

1957 London Covent Garden

RECORDING FOR SALE

Parlophone 1947-11-07

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Largo al factotum E11463 CXE 12424

Leonid Savransky (Baritone) (Ukraine, Cherkasy Oblast 1876 - Moscow, Russia 1966)

From 1900 to 1903 he studied singing at the Academy of Music in Kiev under the pedagogue K. Zotova. In 1902 he made his debut at the Opera in  Kiev in ''Eugene Onegin'' and ''Halka''. In the 1903-1908 seasons he appeared at the opera houses of Belostok, Irkutsk, Zhytomyr, Kishinev, Kiev, Odessa (1906, Italian Opera), St. Petersburg (1907, together with Mattia Battistini, Titta Ruffo and Lina Cavalieri), Kharkov, Kazan (1909), Rostov-on-Don, Ekaterinoslav, Riga, Helsinki. In 1907 he made his debut as Demon at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. From 1908 to 1912 he was a soloist of the National House in St. Petersburg. From 1912 to 1946 he appeared at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Here he made his debut as Valentin in ‘’Faust’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1907 St. Ptersburg Mariinsky Theatre

1908-1912 St. Petersburg National House

1912-1946 Moscow Bolshoi Theatre

RECORDING FOR SALE

G&T, St Petersburg 1907
Eugen Onegin (Tchaikovsky): In your house with Ekaterina Orel, Nikolai Bolshakov and Antonina Panina 24499 6465L

Mikhail Sokolsky (Baritone) (Rostov-on-Don, Russia 1878 - Moscow, Russia 1915)

His real surname was Plaksin. He studied singing at the College of Music in Rostov under the famous tenor Eugene Ryadnov (1853-1925). In 1900 he made his debut as Eletsky in ''The Queen of Spades'' at the Theatre Arkadia in St. Petersburg.  Then he appeared in Rostov-on-Don (1901), Ekaterinoslav, Kishinev (1901-1902), Irkutsk, Kazan, Moscow (Summer Opera 1907, The Zimin Opera 1909), St. Petersburg (New Summer Theatre 1905,  Russian Opera 1907), Kiev (1908), Tbilisi (1910), Baku, Odessa and Ekaterinburg (1912-1913).

Chronology of some appearances

1900 St. Petersburg Theatre Arkadia

1901  Rostov-on-Don Opera

1901-1902 Kishinev Opera

1905 St. Petersburg New Summer Theatre

1907 Moscow Summer Opera

1907 St. Petersburg Russian Opera

1908 Kiev Opera

1909 Moscow The Zimin Opera

1910 Tbilisi Opera

1912-1913 Ekaterinburg Opera

RECORDING FOR SALE

G&T St. Petersburg 1907

Eugene Onegin (Tchaikovsky): Mazurka and Quarrel scene - You do not dance with Alexander Davidov 24478 6280L