Greatest Opera Singers

Greatest Opera Singers

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Marguerite Bériza (Soprano) (1880 - 1970)


                                                                              Penelope


She studied in Marseille and Paris and made her debut  in 1900 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. In 1906 she sang there in the Paris première of G. Puccini’s ‘’Madama Butterfly’’ as Kate Pinkerton, in later performances she appeared as Suzuki.  Since 1912 she started to perform  at the Opéra-Comique in principal roles: as Tosca, Mignon, Santuzza in ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’, Anita in ‘’La Navarraise’’, Traviata, Musetta in ‘’Le Bohème’’ and as Mallika in ‘’Lakmé’’. In 1910 she appeared there in the premiere of ‘’Le Mariage de Télémaque’’ of Claude Terrasse. She made guest appearances at the opera houses of Lyon, Geneva, Nice and Marseille and Monte Carlo, where in 1909 she sang the part of Wellgunde in Nibeklungenring and Stéphano in ‘’Roméo et Juliette’’. In 1923 she appeared at the Théâtre Fiametta in Paris in modern works. During the 1920’s she founded a private society. In 1927 at the Théâtre Fémina in Paris she appeared with them in the premiere of ‘’Angélique’’ of Jacques Ibert. She was married the famous French tenor Lucien Muratore (1878-1954), but later separated. 

Chronology of some appearances

1900 Paris Opéra-Comique
1906 Paris Opéra-Comique
1909 Opéra Monte-Carlo
1912 Paris Opéra-Comique
1923 Paris Théâtre Fiametta 

RECORDINGS FOR SALE









Edison 2-min cylinders, Paris 1904
Faust (Gounod): Ne me permettez-vous pas with L. Muratore  17350
Faust (Gounod): Il se fait tard with L. Muratore 17395
Pathé, Paris 1910?
Rigoletto (Verdi): Quatuor with Vaguet, Marignan & Albers 0791 


Naldina Angelelli Tantillo (Mezzo-Soprano)


First she appeared in different operetta companies and also went on a tour in South America.

Chronology of some appearances

1913 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Coliseo Operetta
1922 Lodi Teatro Gaffurio Aida (Amneris)
1922 Genova  Politeana Genovese  Lohengrin (Ortruda)
1922 Roma Teatro Adriano Gioconda (Laura)
1922 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Isabeau (Giglietta)
1923 Venezia Teatro Fenice Louise (Madre)
1923 Roma Teatro Adriano Norma (Adalgisa)
1923 Bologna  Teatro Duse Aida (Amneris)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE










Pathé, Milano 1907?
Cloches de Corneville (Planquette): Couplets di Germana, act 2 84322
Cloches de Corneville (Planquette): Canzone delle campane, act 1 84323

Gramophone, Milano 1910-05-04
Donna Juanita (Suppé): Rondò di Renato 253002  229ah


Paul Payan (Bass) (Toulon, France 1. 1. 1878 - Juan-les-Pins, France 1. 11. 1959)


                                                                            Mefistofele


He studied singing at the Conservatoire National in Paris under Isnardon. In 1906 he was engaged by Albert Carré for appearances at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. Here he made his debut  in the same year as comprimario in G. Charpentier’s ‘’Louise’’. He appeared with great success many years at the Opéra-Comique as principal bass. Payan participated also in several opera premieres: ‘’La Habanéra’’ of Raoul Laparra (26. 2. 1908), ‘’Macbeth’’ of Ernest Bloch (30. 11. 1910), ‘’La Lépreuse’’of  Sylvio Lazzari (7. 2. 1912), ‘’La Danseuse de Pompéi’’ of Jean Nouguès (29. 10. 1912) and  ‘’Marouf’’ of Henri Rabaud (15. 5. 1914). Later he joined to the Paris Grand Opéra and became known in the French province by numerous guest performances.  In  the 1921-1922 season he became a member of the Chicago Opera, where he had a huge success in ‘’Le jongleur de Notre Dame’’, ‘’Manon’’, ‘’Roméo et Juliette’’ and in ‘’Samson et Dalila’’. In 1924 he was engaged by the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. In 1928 he sang at Covent Garden the following parts: Zuniga in ‘’Carmen’’, an old Hebrew in ‘’Samson et Dalila’’ and in ‘’Louise’’. Nevertheless, center of his artistic work remained Paris, where he was active later also as pedagogue. He may not be mistaken with French baritone Paul Payen (1900-1982).

Chronology of some appearances

1906 Paris Opéra-Comique
1921-1922 Chicago Opera
1924 Buenos Aires Teatro Colón
1928 London Covent Garden

RECORDIGNS FOR SALE









Gramophone, Paris 1910-11-25
Bohème (Puccini): O défrôque si chère 4-32095 16152u
Les Saisons (Massé): Chanson du blé 4-32096 16153u

Gramophone, Paris 1910-11-29
Faust (Gounod): Jusqu'aux premiers feux du matin (w. chorus) 032175 01755v

Gramophone, Paris 1910-12-09
Les deux Reines (Mompou): Adieu, mon beau navire (w. chorus) 032177 01775v

Gramophone, Paris 1910-12-14
Caïd (Thomas): Couplets de la Diane 4-32237 16181u

Gramophone, Paris 1910-12-23
Favorite (Donizetti): Frères, creusons l'asile (w. chorus) 4-32099 16194u

Gramophone, Paris 1911-01-10
Faust (Gounod): Le jour va luire with Heilbronner & Beyle 034092 01818v

Gramophone, Paris 1911-01-27
Hérodiade (Massenet): J'ai souvent contemplé ton astre with Brohly 034094 01857v

Gramophone, Paris 1911-04-28
Faust (Gounod): Il était temps 4-32235 16442u

Gramophone, Paris 1911-07-05
Zauberflöte (Mozart): Isis, c'est l'heure (w. chorus) 4-32243 16522u

Gramophone, Pa ris 1911-07-10
Louise (Charpentier): Berceuse, 4 acte 032203 01975v

Gramophone, Paris 1911-11-04
Haydée (Auber): A la voix séduisante 032224 02177v
Caïd (Thomas): Le Tambour-Major 032218 02178v

Gramophone, Paris 1912-09-05
Faust (Gounod): Divine pureté with César & Campagnola 034153 02506v

Odeon, Paris 1913/1915
Fauvette du Temple (Messager): A travers le desert with R. Heilbronner 97774
Cendrillon (Massenet): Viens, nous quitterons cette ville with R. Heilbronner 111585
Juive (Halevy): L'ai-je bien entendu? with C. Vezzani 111879
Louise (Charpentier): Ah! quelle jonrnee with M. Charbonnel 111566  xP 6044
Louise (Charpentier): Le bonheur, vois-tu with M. Charbonnel 111537 xP 6045
Tosca (Puccini):  O de beautés égales with C.Vezzani 111557

Gramophone, Paris 1914-01-07
Le Crucifix (Faure) with Campagnola 034201 02877v

Gramophone, Paris 1914-04-04
Jongleur de Nôtre-Dame (Massenet): Il pleure, un peu de foi 4-32378 18758u

Aérophone, Paris
Le cor (Flégier) 834
Chanson pour Jean 835
Juive (Halévy): Cavatine 836
Robert le diable (Meyerbeer): Invocation des nonnes 837

Pathé, Paris
Le Chalet (Adam): Chanson Bachique 1127
Le Caid (Thomas): Air du Tambour-Major 1126

Star
La Charite (Faure)  15542-B
Entre Nous Deux 15535-B

József Járay (Tenor) (Nagygencs, Romania 7. 9. 1913 – Budapest, Romania 1. 10. 1970)


                                                                           Cavaradossi


He studied singing  at the Budapest National Conservatory under Ferenc Székelyhidy. In the 1941-1942 season he was engaged by the National Opera and made his debut as Tannhäuser. On October 8, 1949 he appeared at the Wien Staatsoper in  ‘’Rigoletto’’ opposite Emmy Loose (Gilda). In 1950 he made guest appearance at the Berlin Städtische Oper as Rodolfo in ‘’La Boheme’’. At the Wien Staatsoper on March 1 he sang in ‘’Rigolettó’’ as a partner of Rita Streich as Gilda. On 8 March in Dresden he again performed in  ‘’Rigolettó’’. On 12 March 1950 at the Staatsoper in Berlin he sang the part of Cavaradossi in ‘’Tosca’’. The following year, at Stuttgart, on January 8, he participated in ‘’Tosca’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1941-1942 Budapest National Opera
1947 Budapest National Opera
1949 Wien Staatsoper
1950 Berlin Städtische Oper
1950 Dresden Opera
1951 Stuttgart Opera

RECORDIGNS FOR SALE









Odeon
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Siciliana 198 237
Tosca (Puccini): E lucevan le stelle  198 233
Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna e mobile 198 237
Tosca (Puccini): Recondita armonia 198 233

Mr. Melgaty (Baritone)


He made his debut at Opéra-Comique on  September 06, 1907. His repertoire included ''le Barbier de Séville'' (Pédrille), ''Carmen'' (Moralès), ''la Basoche'' (Veilleur de nuit, Ecuyer du Roy), ''les Dragons de Villars'' (le Pasteur), ''Mireille'' (Ambroise, le Passeur), ''la Habanéra'' (3e compère, 1er aveugle), ''Madame Butterfly'' (Commissaire impérial) et ''la Traviata'' (le Baron).

1907 Paris  Opéra-Comique

RECORDINGS FOR SALE 

 








Idéal-Aspir, Paris 1912?
Ma Normandie (Bérat) 5384

Pathé Saphir
La chanson des blés d'or 10163 


Elie Imbert (Baritone) (Montpellier, France 06. 01. 1884 – ?)


He made his debut at Opéra-Comique on November 16, 1900 in ‘’ La Basoche’’. His repertoire included ''Carmen'' (Moralès), ''Cavalleria Rusticana'' (Alfio), ''Fidelio'' (un Prisonnier), ''Grisélidis'' (Gondebaud), ''la Habanéra'' (un Madrilène), ''Iphigénie'' (un Scythe, Oreste), ''Lakmé'' (le Kouravar), ''Lépreuse'' (un Paysan), ''Louise'' (1er Philosophe, le Peintre), ''Manon'' (le Portier, un Soldat), ''Mignon'' (Jarno), ''les Noces de Jeannette'' (Jean), ''les Rendez-vous bourgeois'' (Jasmin), ''la Reine Fiammette'' (Lucagnolo), ''le Roi d'Ys'' (Saint Corentin), ''la Vivandière'' (un Paysan), ''le Hulla'' (un Mendiant), ''la Traviata'' (le Marquis), ''Paillasse'' (un Paysan). He participated in the following opera premieres: ‘’Jongleur de Notre-Dame’’ (un Loustic/10 may, 1904) and ‘’Chérubin’’ (un Officier/(23 may, 1905) both by J. Massenet.

Chronology of some appearances

Debut
1900 Paris Opéra-Comique La Basoche

Opera Premieres
1904 Paris Opéra-Comique Jongleur de Notre-Dame
1905 Paris Opéra-Comique Chérubin

RECORDINGS FOR SALE









Aérophone, Paris 1908
L’Africaine (Meyerbeer): Fille des rois 814
Aben Hamet (Dubois): Reine, toi qu’Hamet 815

William Samuell (Baritone) (Swansea 1885 – 1916)




He studied singing under Frederick King and made his debut in 1911 as Dapertutto in ‘’Contes d'Hoffmann’’ (Offenbach). 
William Samuel! (1885-1916), a Swansea baritone with a fine technique, won favourable notice in all three operas. A suspicion of overacting disappeared when he assumed the title-role in Rigoletto, a part he had essayed in Australia after joining Quinlan in 1911. In 1914 Henry Russell, director of the Boston Opera Company, gave him a contract; but war saw the demise of both company and singer, Samuell dying suddenly from typhoid in early 1916. His London Rigoletto was as warmly received as that in Australia. World's critic thought the inclusion of this opera a bold experiment, since it was usually thought dependent 'on a strong star cast' (11 May 1915). But star opera, foregrounding singer rather than character, was in abeyance during the war, and the result was largely gain. Samuell shaded raw vitality with tenderness, catching the softer side of the character as well as 'the stress and agony of his tortured soul'. In projecting the tragedy of an abused father he excited comparison with the celebrated Battistini by his vibrant singing and 'rare command of tone-colour'.'' But there was no question of imitation. Frederic King, who had taught Samuel! at the Royal Academy of Music, and had the advantage over him of having seen 'the greatest Italian exponents of the part', found the 'old Italian tricks and traditions ... swept aside' in favour of a brilliant display of singing acting.
British Theatre in the Great War: A Revaluation: Gordon Williams 

RECORDING FOR SALE 









HMV, London 1915-09-10
Hérodiade (Massenet): Divine volupté... Vision fugitive 2-032019 Ho1036ac

Theodore Ritch (Odessa, Ukraine 1894 – Auschwitz, Poland 1943)




He made his debut in Russia in 1917. In 1927 he was a member of the Russian Opera in Paris created by Maria  Kusnetsova. In 1928 he appeared at Grand Opera as Damitri in ‘’Boris Godunov’’. In 1929 he made his debut at the Buenos Aires Teatro Colon and then went to London to perform  at  Lyceum Theater in ‘’Sadko’’. In Chicago in 1929-30 he sang Leopold in ‘’La Juive’’ with Rosa Raisa, Charles Marshall, and Alexander Kipnis. He also sang the King of the Fools in ‘’Louise’’ with Mary Garden, Rene Maison, Maria Claessens, and Vanni Marcoux. The following season (1930–31) he sang Ramon in ‘’La Navarraise’’, Gaston in ‘’Camille’’ by Hamilton Forrest with Garden and Charles Hackett, and also Cassio in ‘’Otello’’ with Marshall, Claudia Muzio, and Vanni-Marcoux. In 1932 he sang at Roma Opera the part of Vladimir in ‘’Prince Igor’’. He retired in Paris, where he appears to have evaded the rafle du Vél' d'hiv in July 1942, but was arrested in 1943 and sent to Drancy. He died on a train headed for a concentration camp, presumably Auschwitz, in Poland.

Chronology of some appearances

1927 Paris Russian Opera
1928 Paris Grand Opera
1929 Buenos Aires Teatro Colon
1929 London Lyceum Theater
1929 Chicago Opera
1930 Chicago Opera
1931 Chicago Opera
1932 Roma Opera

RECORDINGS FOR SALE
 









Columbia
Tosca (Puccini): E lucevan le stelle D1590 A5508
Manon (Massenet): Instant charmant...En ferment les yeux D1590 A5523


Karl Renner (Baritone) ( 24.12.1884 or 1886 Peuerbach/OÖ, † 24.6.1929 Wien)


                                                                                 Figaro


He began his career in the 1909-1910 season at the Theater in Olmütz (Olomouc) and then sang in the 1910-1911 season at the Graz Theater. At the Opernhaus in Cologne, where he appeared from 1911 to 1923, he had a huge success. Here he sang on 19. 11. 1920 in the premiere of the  opera "Die tote Stadt" as Frank. In 1923 he was engaged by the Wiener Staatsoper, where he performed with tremendous success. In the 1925-1926 season he sang at the Salzburg festival in "Figaros Hochzeit" as well as in "Ariadne auf Naxos" by R. Strauss. In 1926 he belonged to the ensemble of the Viennese première of G. Puccini’s opera ‘’Turandot’’. His repertoire included Escamillo in ‘’Carmen’’, Wolfram in ‘’Tannhäuser’’, Gunther in "Götterdämmerung", Rigoletto, Tonio in ‘’Pagliacci’’ etc. 

Chronology of some appearances

1909-1910 Olmütz Theater
1910-1911 Graz Theater
1911-1923 Cologne Opernhaus
1923  Wiener Staatsoper
1925-1926 Salzburg festival

RECORDINGS FOR SALE









Vox, Berlin 1922-01?
Martha (Flotow): Porter-lied 207B
Rigoletto (Verdi): Feile Sklaven *03048 144A
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Prolog *03048 141A
Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Ich bin das Faktotum *03043 143A
Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Ja, du warst's *03043 142A

Vox, Berlin 1922-02?
Forza del destino (Verdi): In dieser feierlichen Stunde with Krauss  289A*04014
Bohème (Puccini): Ach, Geliebte with Krauss *04015 293A
Gioconda (Ponchielli): Enzo Grimaldo with Krauss *04015 294A
Belisar (Donizetti): Was seh ich (w. Krauss) *04014 290A
Zauberflöte (Mozart): Gute Nacht, du falsche Welt 3115 489B
Zauberflöte (Mozart): Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja 3115 490B
Tannhäuser (Wagner): Lied an den Abendstern *03096 303A
Tannhäuser (Wagner): Blick ich umher *03096 304A
Zar und Zimmermann (Lortzing): Sonst spielt' ich mit Szepter *03117 305A





















Hans Bahling (Baritone) (14. April 1878 Frankfurt/Main, † 12. Januar 1938 Auerbach/Bergstraße)




He made his debut in 1903 at the Stadttheater in Plauen (Sachsen) and in the 1904-05 season sang at the Stadttheater in Aachen. In the 1905-1908 seasons he was active at the Stadttheater in Barmen, then he was engaged by the Nationaltheater in Mannheim, where he appeared more than twenty years. In 1906 he guested at the Hofopern in München. In 1909 he sang at the Hofopern of München and Stuttgart. In 1910 he performed at the Opernhaus of Leipzig. In Mannheim he appeared in the premieres of the following operas: ‘’Kjartan und Gudrun’’ by Paul von Klenau (1918), ‘’Sharazade’’ of Bernhard Sekles (1917), ‘’Das Rosengärtlein’’ of Julius Bittner (1923) and ‘’Alkestis’’ of  Egon Wellesz (20. 3. 1924 as Herakles). In 1925 he sang in Mannheim in the German première of Borodin’s opera ‘’Prince Igor’’ in the title part. In 1928 he participated there in the premiere of a revised version of ‘’Princess Girnara’’ by Egon Wellesz. He counted as an excellent interpreter of part in Richard Wagner’s operas, such as Hans Sachs, Wotan, also he had a huge success as the Rigoletto, Pizarro in ‘’Fidelio’’, Sebastiano in ‘’Tiefland’’, Borromeo in ‘’Palestrina’’, Nelusco in ‘’L'Africaine’’ and Amonasro in ‘’Aida’’. The artist, who appeared successfully also as a concert singer, was married the soprano Sofie Berg.

Chronology of some appearances

1903 Plauen Stadttheater
1904-1905 Aachen Stadttheater
1905-1908 Barmen Stadttheater
1906 München Hofopern
1909 München Hofopern
1909 Stuttgart Hofopern
1909-1920's Mannheim Nationaltheater
1910 Leipzig Opernhaus

RECORDINGS FOR SALE 









Vox, Berlin 1922-01?
Undine (Lortzing): Nun ist's vollbracht! 3077 287½B
Africaine (Meyerbeer): Dir, o Königin *03076 146½A
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Prolog *03076 147A 
Die beiden Grenadiere  1509AA *03621

Vox, Berlin 1923-03?
Faust (Gounod): Valentins Gebet 03330 1117A
Carmen (Bizet): Torerolied 03330 1119A

 Vox, Berlin 1927-02?
Tom der Reimer (Loewe) 03621 1508AA
Walküre (Wagner): Wotans Abschied 490A *3137
Walküre (Wagner): Wotans Abschied  von Brunhild 491A *3137
Trovatore (Verdi): Il balen 286B 3077





















Anna Bahr-Mildenburg (Soprano) (Wien 29.11.1872 - Wien 27.1.1947)


                                                                        Queen of Saba


Her voice was discovered by the author Julius Rosen in 1891 at Görz. She studied singing under Rose Papier-Paumgartner at Vienna. Already during her education the manager of the Hamburg Opera Bernhard Pollini became attentive and engaged her for appearances in his theater, where she made her debut in 1895 as Brünnhilde in Richard Wagner’s ‘’Walküre’’ under Gustav Mahler. She followed the composer to the Wiener Hofoper (1898). In 1909 she married the author Hermann Bahr (1863-1934). Till 1916 she remained a famed member of the Wiener Hofoper, where she appeared again in the 1919-1920 season and guested there till 1930. Her repertoire included Donna Anna in ‘’Don Giovanni’’, Leonore in ‘’Fidelio’’, Rezia in ‘’Oberon’’ of Weber, Senta in ‘’Fliegenden Holländer’’, Venus in ‘’Tannhäuser’’, Norma, Aida and Salome of R. Strauss. In 1901 she sang in Munich in the premiere of ‘’Das klagende Lied’’ by Gustav Mahler. In 1921 she became a professor of the Academy of the music in Munich. In  the 1921-1926 seasons she was a stage manager of the Municipal Theater of Augsburg, where she often directed. In 1931 she sang for the last time part of Klytämnestra at the Opera Festival in Augsburg. In 1923 and 1925 she sang at the festival of Salzburg as an actress in Calderón’s ‘’Welttheater’’. She was one of the greatest dramatic interpreters of the parts in Richard Wagner’s operas. As an internationally highly respected pedagogue she trained such a significant singers like Elisabeth Schärtel, Maria Nezadal, Eugenia Zareska, Ruth Michaelis, Ira Malaniuk, Adolf Vogel, Josef Greindl and famous tenor Lauritz Melchior.

Chronology of some appearances


1895 Hamburg Oper Walküre (Brunhilde)
1897 Bayreuth Festival Parsifal (Kundry)
1898-1930 Wiener Hofoper
1904 Wien Hofoper Iphigenie in Aulis
1904 Prag Deutsche Theater
1906 London Covent Garden Tannhäuser (Elisabeth)
1908 Wien Hofoper Ein Wintermärchen
1909 Bayreuth Festival Lohengrin (Ortrud)
1919 Prag Deutsche Theater
1910 München Hofoper
1910 Mannheim Hoftheater
1910 London Covent Garden Elektra (Klytämnestra) (Premiere)
1911-1914 Bayreuth Festival Parsifal (Kundry)
1911 Prag Deutsche Theater
1913 London Covent Garden Elektra (Klytämnestra)
1914 Brüssel Théâtre de la Monnaie
1917 Zürich Stadttheater
1919 München Hofoper
1927 Hamburg  Stadttheater Elektra (Klytämnestra)
1927 München Hofoper
1927 Berlin Städtische Oper Elektra (Klytämnestra)
1930 Wien Hofoper
1931 Augsburg Opera Festival

RECORDING FOR SALE









G&T, Wien 1904
Oberon (Weber): Ozean, du Ungeheuer! (Rezitativ) 43630 805e

Jacques Bilk (Baritone) (1882 - 1927)




First he appeared at the Stadttheater in Metz (1906-1909), then sang at the Stadttheater in Freiburg (1909-1912). In 1912 he was engaged by the Städtische Oper in Berlin (1912). Here his career reached his climax. His repertoire included Masetto in ’’Don Giovanni’’, Scherasmin in ‘’Oberon’’ by Weber, count Eberbach in ‘’Wildschütz’’ of Lortzing, Kothner in ‘’Meistersingern’’, father in ‘’Hansel und Gretel’’ by Humperdinck, Storch in ‘’Intermezzo’’ of R. Strauss, Rigoletto, Valentin in ‘’Faust’’ of Gounod, Nevers in Meyerbeer’s ‘’Huguenots’’ and Homonay in ‘’Zigeunerbaron’’ of Johann Strauss. In the 1923-1924 season he worked as director of the Landestheater in Neustrelitz. In the 1924-1927 seasons he had the same occupation at the Stadttheater in Kiel. He appeared as a guest at the Hofoper of Munich and Dresden and at the Opernhaus of Leipzig. He made a few records for Vox, Artiphon, Edison and Gramophone.

Chronology of some appearances

1906-1909 Metz Stadttheater
1919-1912 Freiburg Stadttheater
1912 Berlin Städtische Oper

RECORDINGS FOR SALE









Artiphon, Berlin 1919-09-26
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Schaut her, ich bin's! (Prolog) 632
Rigoletto (Verdi): Feile Sklaven 633
Tannhäuser (Wagner): O du mein holder Abendstern 634

Vox, Berlin 1921-10/12 
Goldene Kreuz (Brüll): Bom bom bom tra ra ra 3007 135B 
Goldene Kreuz (Brüll): Wie anders war es 3007 136B

Vox, Berlin 1922-03?
Rigoletto (Verdi): Gleich sind wir beide! 03127  387A
Rigoletto (Verdi): Feile Sklaven 03127 
388A

Rhea Toniolo (Mezzo-Soprano) (Perugia, Italia 1892 - Milano, Italia 1974)


                                                                               Carmen


She began her career by the end of the First World War and had her first success at leading Italian operatic stages. She made her debut in 1918 at the Teatro Politeama of Monza in G. Donizetti’s ‘’Favorita’’. Later she taught singing in Milan.

Chronology of some appearances

1918 Monza  Politeama Favorita (Leonora)
1919 Firenze Teatro Verdi Aida (Amneris)
1920 Palermo Teatro Massimo Aida (Amneris)
1921 San Josè  Teatro Nacional Carmen (Carmen)
1924 Treviso Politeama Garibaldi  Carmen (Carmen)
1926 Dallas  Fair Park Auditorium Trovatore (Azucena)
1927 Philadelphia  Metropolitan Amleto (Regina)
1932 Livorno  Politeama Norma (Adalgisa)
1934 Parma  Teatro Regio Lohengrin (Ortruda)
1936 Novara  Teatro Coccia Adriana Lecouvreur (Principessa)
1941 Fiume Teatro Verdi Aida (Amneris)

RECORDIGNS FOR SALE









Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-10
Gioconda (ponchielli): Vedrem fra poco tramontar with Antonio Cortis  P1605 2-6488

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-13
Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns): S'apre per te with Antonio Cortis P1606  2-6505

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Adamo Gregoretti (Baritone)


                                                                              Athanaël



Chronology of some appearances

1893 Roma Teatro Costanzi Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio)
1895 Roma Teatro Costanzi Traviata (Germont)
1897 Roma Teatro Costanzi Gioconda (Barnaba)
1897 Lucca Del Giglio Aida (Amonasro)
1897 Baku Nazionale Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1898 Il Cairo Khediviale Boheme (Marcello)
1898 Baku Nazionale Andrea Chenier (Gerard) 
1898 Baku Nazionale Aida (Amonasro)
1898 Baku Nazionale Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1898 Batum Nazionale Andrea Chenier (Gerard) 
1898 Roma Adriano Aida (Amonasro)
1898 Kotais Nazionale Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1899 Alessandria d'Egitto Boheme (Marcello)
1900 Odessa  Municipale Aida (Amonasro)
1900 Odessa  Municipale Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1900 Piacenza  Municipale  Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1900 Orvieto  Civico Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1901 Firenze Pagliano Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1901 Pisa Verdi Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1901 Buenos Ayres Politeama Argentino Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1901 Montevideo  Solis Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1901 Rosario di Santa Fè  Olimpo Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1901 Buenos Ayres  Politeama Argentino  Boheme (Marcello)
1901 Montevideo Politeama  Boheme (Marcello)     
1903 Bari  Petruzzelli Aida (Amonasro)
1903 Bari  Petruzzelli Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1903 San Francisco  Tivoli Opera House Aida (Amonasro)
1903 San Francisco  Tivoli Opera House Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1903 San Francisco  Tivoli Opera House Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1904 Palermo Biondo Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1903 Torino Carignano Aida (Amonasro)
1905 Oporto S. Joao Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)  
1906 Bucarest  Nazionale Aida (Amonasro)
1906 Bucarest  Nazionale Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1906 Bucarest Nazionale Boheme (Marcello)
1906 Milano Dal Verme Andrea Chenier (Gerard)

Adamo Gregoretti never made records



Martin Kremer (Tenor) (March 23, 1898 - Geisenheim am Rhein, Germany - February 19, 1971 - Prien am Chiemsee, Germany)





He was trained by W. Fuhr in Wiesbaden and continued his education with legendary tenor Giuseppe Borgatti in Milan. He made his debut in 1924 at the Staatstheater in Kassel, where he appeared till 1927. In the 1927-1929 seasons he sang at the Staatstheater in Wiesbaden and in 1929 joined to the Staatsoper in Dresden. Here he performed in several opera premieres of Richard Strauss: ‘’Arabella’’ (1. 7. 1933, as Matteo), "Die schweigsame Frau" (24. 6. 1935, as Henry), ‘’Daphne’’ (15.10.1938, as Leukippos). He was engaged by the Dresden Opera from 1929 to 1940 and then sang in the 1940-1943 seasons at the Theater des Volkes in Berlin. At the same time he was a member of the Deutschen Theater in Oslo (1941-1944). In the 1948-1956 seasons he appeared at the Staatstheater in Wiesbaden. Here for the last time he appeared in 1956 as Manrico in ‘’Il Trovatore’’, but still guested till 1960 at smaller German theaters. His repertoire included Tamino, Don Ottavio in ‘’Don Giovanni’’, Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’, Radames in ‘’Aida’’, Hoffmann in ''Les Contes d'Hoffmann'', King's son in Humperdinck’s "Königskindern", Sally in "Romeo und Julia auf dem Dorfe" by  H. Sutermeister, Tambourmajor in "Wozzeck", composer in "Jonny spielt auf" of Ernst Krenek and other parts. The many-sided gifted singer had a huge success in his operetta parts.

Chronology of some appearances

1924-1927 Kassel Staatstheater
1926 Kassel Opera "Orpheus und Eurydike" (Orpheus) (Premiere) by Ernst Krenek
1927-1929 Wiesbaden Staatstheater
1928 Wiesbaden Staatstheater "Madonna Imperia" by F. Alfano (Premiere)
1930 Dresden Opera "Lord Spleen" by Mark Lothar (Premiere)
1931 Amsterdam Opera "Meistersingern" (David)
1932 Dresden Opera "Mr. Wu" by E. d'Albert
1933 Berlin Staatsoper
1933 Dresen Opera "Münchhausen" by Mark Lothar (Premiere)
1934 London Covent Garden ‘’Arabella’’ (English Premiere)
1935 Zoppot festival "Meistersingern" (David)
1935 Barcelona Teatro Liceo
1935 Dresden Opera "Der Günstling" by R.Wagner-Régeny
1936 Dresden Opera "Der verlorene Sohn" by R. Heger (Premiere)
1937 Wien Staatsoper
1938 Dresden Opera "Die Wirtin von Pinsk" by Richard Mohaupt (Premiere)
1938 Bayreuth festival "Meistersingern" (David)
1939 Bayreuth festival "Rheingold" (Froh)
1939 Wien Staatsoper
1939 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie
1929-1940 Dresden Staatsoper
1940-1943 Berlin Theater des Volkes
1943 Berlin Theater des Volkes "Der liebe Augustin" by Josef Rixner
1941-1944 Oslo Deutschen Theater
1942 Wien Volksoper
1948-1956 Wiesbaden Staatstheater

RECORDINGS FOR SALE










Electrola
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner): Ihr tanzt? Was werden die Meister sagen? DB4678 2RA3070
Wenn die kleinen Veilchen blühen: Melodienfolge (Stolz) Teil 1 EH807 62-1008 
Wenn die kleinen Veilchen blühen: Melodienfolge (Stolz) Teil 2 EH807 62-1009?

Orchestrola
Martha (Flotow): Ach so fromm 2015 1069