Narciso Del Ry (Tenor) (Pisa 1879 - Roma 1939)

                                                     Rodolfo in ‘’Boheme’’

Already as a boy his musical talent appeared. Nevertheless, he He worked in a typography. The baritone coming from Pisa Lelio Casini exerted himself for his education and became his teacher. In 1901 he debuted at the Teatro Grande in Brescia as Riccardo in Verdi’s ‘’Un Ballo in Maschera’’. Appearances followed in leading Italian theaters in the province, thus in Savona, Vicenza and Lucca. In 1910 he appeared in many opera performances in Cairo with special success. He sang there as well as in Alexandria parts like Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’', Rodolfo in ‘’La Boheme’’, Hagenbach in ‘’La Wally’’ of  Catalani, Edgardo in ‘’Lucia di of Lammermoor’’, Wilhelm Meister in ‘’Mignon’’ of  A. Thomas, Almaviva in ‘’Il Barbiere di Siviglia’’, Faust in Boito’s ‘’Mefistofele’’ and Dimitri in ‘’Boris Godunov’’ of Mussorgsky. In 1912 he guested at the Teatro Apollo in Rome and in Reggio Emilia, in 1913 he appeared at the Teatro Politeama in Pisa. In 1915 he was to be heard at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice like at the Teatro Regio in Parma as Almaviva in Rossini’s ‘’Il Barbiere di Siviglia’’. In the 1916-17 season  he stayed in South America and was celebrated above all at the opera house by Sao Paulo where he sang 15 big parts from the Italian repertoire appearing also in ‘’Salvator Rosa’’ of  C. Gomes. In 1928 he undertook a big concert tour through India and Indonesia with which he appeared in 44 concerts. Till 1936 he continued his career in Italian stages; he lived later in Milan, last in Rome.

Chronology of some appearances

1901 Brescia Teatro Guillaume Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)
1902 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Faust (Faust)
1903 Savona Teatro Chiabrera Boheme (Rodolfo)
1904 Buenos Ayres Politeama Argentino Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgardo)
1905 Forli Teatro Comunale Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)
1906 Havana Teatro Albisu Sonnambula (Elvino)
1907 Marsiglia Casino de la Plague Puritani (Arturo)
1908 Alessandria d'Egitto Teatro Zizinia Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)
1909 Brescia Teatro Grande Faust (Faust)
1910 Cairo Teatro Kedivhiale Boheme (Rodolfo)
1911 Roma Teatro Apollo Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)
1912 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Gioconda (Enzo)
1913 Vicenza Teatro Verdi Wally (Hagenbach)
1914 Pisa Politeama Puritani (Arturo)
1915 Genova Politeama Genovese Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)
1916 Venezia Teatro Rossini Favorita (Fernando)
1917 San Paolo Teatro San Josи Rigoletto (Duca)
1919 Ravenna Teatro Mariani Werther (Werther)
1920 Roma Teatro Nazionale Boheme (Rodolfo)
1921 Lecce Politeama Greco Aida (Radames)
1922 Malta Teatro Reale Boheme (Rodolfo)
1923 Voghera Teatro Sociale Traviata (Alfredo)
1924 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Mefistofele (Faust)
1925 Milano Teatro Carcano Faust (Faust)
1926 Novara Teatro Coccia Il Piccolo Marat (Marat)
1927 Modena Teatro Storchi Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)
1928 Schio Teatro Civico Faust (Faust)
1929 Milano Teatro Lirico Faust (Faust)
1930 Savona Teatro Chiabrera Rigoletto (Duca)
1931 Brindisi Teatro Verdi Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgardo)
1932 Palermo Teatro Biondo Amico Fritz (Fritz)
1933 Ravenna Teatro Alighieri Amico Fritz (Fritz)
1934 Porto San Giorgio Teatro Margherita Norma (Pollione)
1935 Palermo Teatro Biondo Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-11-20

Gioconda (Gioconda): Cielo e mar 92372 xPh 3663

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-11-26

Puritani (Bellini): A te, o cara 39258 xPh 3678

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-11-28
Elisir d'amore (Donizetti): Una furtiva lagrima 92374 XPh3690

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-12-01

Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna e mobile 92373 xPh 3709

Columbia, Milano 1911?
Rigoletto (Verdi): Questa o quella C2342 11030
Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna è mobile C2342 11031
Manon (Massenet): Sogno 11032

Manon (Massenet): Ah! Dispar vision  11033
Ballo in Maschera (Verdi): Non sai tu with Celestina Boninsegna 74711 D16315

Ballo in Maschera (Verdi): O qual soave with Celestina Boninsegna 74712 D16315

Attilio De Crescenzo (Tenor) (Caserta 1889 - ?)

After appearing in italian opera theatres (Teatro Principe di Napoli, Catania, sang in ‘’Rigoletto’’ with Giorgio Schottler as Rigoletto), approximately in 1912 he moved to USA, where he appeared with great success at the Boston Opera company (1914).

MISS CARMELA PONZILLO  SAYS THAT CONCERT WILL BE RARE MUSICAL TREAT.

Miss Carmela Ponzillo writes from New York that the program to be given at the auditorium on May 14 is being rigidly rehearsed under the direction of signor Attilio De Crescenzo, the italian tenor who will assist Miss Ponzillo here, and she promises a rare treat to the subscribers who attend. Signor Attilio De Crescenzo who is to be heard here at the concert, is soon to assume the leading tenor roles of the Boston Opera company. It is certainly a rare chance to hear this noted singer as he will accert  no other engagements outside of New York before going to Boston.

MERIDEN MORNING RECORD, THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1914

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Rex, Philadelphia? 1913?

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Viva il vino spumeggiante 2014 A

Rigoletto (Verdi): Questa o quella F 2019

Boheme (Puccini): O Mimì tu più non torni with Millo Picco  F 3008

Emerson, 1913?

Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna e mobile 7154

Rishell, 1913?

Martha (Flotow): M'appari 3101 B

Boheme (Puccini): Che gelida manina 3107 B

 

Carmelo Maugeri (Baritone) (Catania 1889 - ? 1986)

                                              Don Ferrante in ‘’La Farsa Amorosa’’

He studied at the Conservatorio Tartzini in Trieste, then with Matteo Adernò in Catania. Debuted in 1911 at the Teatro Bellini in Catania as Alfio in ‘’Cavalleria rusticana’’. After guest performances in different italian stages and in Lisbon he became in the First World War for some time a soldier in the Italian army. From 1917 to 1919 he sang at  the Teatro Carcano in Milan and guested in the 1918-1919 season at the Teatro Lirico in Barcelona. In 1921 he sang at the Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, in 1923 at the Teatro Regio in Parma as Tebaldo in ‘’Giulietta e Romeo’’ of Zandonai. In 1921 he had significant success at the Teatro Massimo in  Palermo. He became especially as an interpreter of the baritone parts in the operas of Riccardo Zandonai, especially he was famous as Giancotto in ‘’Francesca da  Rimini’’ (this role he sang almost in all big Italian stages). On 14. 2. 1922 he sang at the Teatro dell'Opera in Rome in the premiere of Zandonai’s ‘’Giulietta e Romeo’’ under the management of the composer. In 1929 he sang at La Scala in ‘’Francesca da Rimini’’  of Zandonai. He appeared at the Teatro dell'Opera in Rome in the premiere of the opera ‘’Dafni’’ of Giuseppe Mulè (14. 3. 1928), ‘’La Farsa amorosa’’ of Zandonai (22. 2. 1933) and ‘’Cecilia’’ of Licinio Refice (15. 2. 1934). Later he moved himself to the Buffo field and was for long years one of the leading Italian representatives of this vocal type.

Chronology of some appearances

1911 Catania Teatro Bellini Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio)

1914 Pisa Teatro Verdi Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio)

1916 Madrid Teatro Zarzuela Pagliacci (Silvio)

1919 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Fra' Diavolo (Rockburg)

1922 Roma Teatro dell'Opera Giulietta e Romeo di R.Zandonai (Tebaldo)

1926 Venezia Teatro La Fenice Amore Dei Tre Re di I.Montemezzi (Manfredo)

1929 Piacenza Teatro Municipale Fanciulla Del West (Rance)

1932  Roma Teatro dell'Opera Fanciulla del West (Rance)

1934 Roma Teatro dell'Opera Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio)

1937 Roma Teatro dell'Oprea Dafni di G.Mulæ (Sileno)

1940 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice La Farsa Amorosa di R.Zandonai (Don Ferrante)

1945 Trieste Teatro Verdi Francesca da Rimini (Giovanni)

1950 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice L'osteria Portoghese di L.Cherubini

1956 Milano Eiar Zaide di W.A.Mozart (Osmino)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Columbia, Milano 1927

Favorita (Donizetti): Vieni Leonora D 5747 B 1611

Columbia, Milano 1928/1929

Don Pasquale (Donizetti): Bella siccome un angelo D5930 WB 2179

Fanciulla del West (Puccini): Minnie dalla mia casa D 5931 B 2186
Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Resta immobile D5931 WB2187

Fedora (Giordano): La donna russa DQ 275 B 2189

Carlo Dani (Tenor) (Firenze 1873 - ?)

He made his debut in 1894 in Firenze as Duke in ‘’Rigoletto. In 1898 he again appeared as Duke and Edgardo, but this time at the Teatro Alfieri in Livorno, where he sang together with Titta Ruffo. Then, at the Teatro Politeama in Pisa, he sang the role of Manrico in ‘’Il trovatore’’. In the 1902-03 season he appeared in New York Metropolitan opera; here he sang  in  ’’Rigoletto’’, ‘’Pagliacci’’, ‘’ Traviata’’,  ‘’La Bohème’’ and ‘’Don Pasquale’’ together with Marcella Sembrich and Antonio Scotti. At the Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires he guested in 1907 as Elvino in ‘’La Sonnambula’’, as Alfredo in ‘’La Traviata’’ (with Luisa Tetrazzini in the title role), as Almaviva in ‘’Il barbiere di Siviglia’’ and as Nemorino in ‘’Elisir d'amore’’. In 1907 he was also sang  at  the Teatro Politeama of  São Paulo. In 1910 he was to be found at the German Theatre in Prague as Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’. In 1911 he sang again at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in ‘’Rigoletto’’ and ‘’La Boheme’’. In 1913 he appeared in his native Firenze, Teatro Della Pergola as De Grieux in ‘’Manon’’. Maybe he has gone later to Australia and has worked there as a pedagogue.

Dani made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’, on December 5, 1902, opposite Marcella Sembrich as Gilda, Louise Homer as Maddalena, Antonio Scotti in the title role, and Marcel Journet as Sparafucile. His contract required him to be available for a four-month season. He received $4,104, having sung fourteen times in opera, five Sunday-night concerts, and two outside engagements (which were controlled by his Met contract). In addition to the Duke, his roles were Alfredo, Canio, Rodolfo, and Ernesto in ‘’Don Pasquale’’. Dani sang at the Met only during 1902-03. The next season, his roles, except Ernesto, were assumed by Enrico Caruso.

Chronology of some appearances

1894 Firenze Teatro Pagliano Rigoletto (Duca)
1898 Firenze Politeama Fiorentino Sonnambula (Elvino)
1899 Pistoia Teatro Manzoni Elisir d'amore (Nemorino)
1900 Pistoia Teatro Manzoni Amico Fritz (Fritz)
1901 Milano Teatro Lirico Pescatori di Perle (Nadir)
1902 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Traviata (Alfredo)
1903 New York Teatro Metropolitan Pagliacci (Canio)
1904 Oporto Teatro San Joao Lohengrin (Lohengrin)
1905 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Thais (Nicia)
1906 Cagliari Teatro Civico Pescatori di Perle (Nadir)
1907 Nice Teatro del Casinт Rigoletto (Duca)
1908 Washington Teatro Belasco Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)
1909 Nice Teatro del Casino Rigoletto (Duca)
1910 Livorno Teatro Rossini Manon (De Grieux)
1911 Napoli Politeama Giacosa Rigoletto (Duca)
1912 Salerno Teatro Verdi Manon (De Grieux)
1913 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Rigoletto (Duca)
1922 New York Teatro Metropolitan Concerto

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-10

Rigoletto (Verdi): Giovanna ho dei rimorsi with Aida Gonzaga 62020 XPh2284

Rigoletto (Verdi): E' il sol dell'anima with Aida Gonzaga 62021 XPh2285

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-11

Rigoletto (Verdi): Questa o quella 39958 XPh2290

Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna è mobile 39957 XPh2291

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-12

Elisir d'amore (Donizetti): Una furtiva lagrima 39963 Xph2299

Favorita (Donzietti): Spirto gentil  39969 Xph2300

Manon (Massenet): Ah! dispar, vision 39968 XPh2301

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-14

Faust (Gounod): Salve dimora 74030 XXPh2309

Manon (Massenet): Il sogno  39967 Xph2311

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-15

Don Pasquale (Donizetti): Cercherò lontana terra 39965 XPh2320

Don Pasquale (Donizetti): Com'è gentil 39966 XPh2321

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-16

Mefistofele (Boito): Giunto sul passo estremo 39961 Xph2329

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-17

Tosca (Puccini): Recondita armonia  39960 Xph2335
Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Fra poco a me ricovero 39971 XPh2336

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali 39972 XPh2337

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Donna non vidi mai 39959 XPh2338

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-19

Pescatori di perle (Bizet): Mi par d'udir ancora 39964 Xph2347

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-12-12

Sonnambula (Bellini): Prendi l'anel ti dono 92979  XPh4883

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-12-20

Ugonotti (Meyerbeer): Ah! qual soave vision…Bianca al par 92981 XPh4887

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-12-20

Faust (Gounod): Salve, dimora casta e pura  69069 XPh4884

Faust (Gounod): O bei lochi! 69070 XPh4885

Giovanni Davi (Tenor) (Trieste ? - ?)

He studied singing under the pedagogue Stecchi Bottardi and made his debut in 1900 at Sociale of Finalborgo in ‘’Lucia di Lammermoor’’. He contiuned the career as comrpimario.

Chronology of some appearances

1900 Finalborgo Teatro Sociale Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgardo)
1901 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Ernani (Ernani)
1902 Teatro Bellini Trovatore (Manrico)
1902 Teatro Bellini Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgardo)
1903  San Severo Teatro Comunale Forza del Destino (Alvaro)
1904 Milano Teatro Carcano Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgardo)
1905 Lugano Teatro Apollo Forza del Destino (Don Alvaro)
1906 Roma Teatro Quirino Norma (Pollione)
1906 Odessa Teatro Municipale Pagliacci (Canio)
1908 Budrio Teatro Comunale Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)
1909 Modena Teatro Storchi Virginia di G.Bonafini
1910 Legnago Politeama Salieri Ruy Blas (Ruy Blas)
1911 Ovada Teatro Torricelli Trovatore (Manrico)
1922 Pesaro Teatro Rossini Tosca (Spoletta)
1924 Trento Teatro Gustavo Modena  Trovatore (Ruiz)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Victor, USA 1909-04-27

Aida (Verdi):  Su del Nilo with Elena Ruszcowska, Maria Cappiello and Giuseppe  Quinzi-Tapergi 054260 1808c

Gramophone, Milano 1909-05-11

Ernani (Verdi): Tu se' Ernani with Giuseppe Maggi and Honoria Popovici 54443

Gramophone, Milano 1909-05-14

Ernani (Verdi):  O sommo Carlo with Honoria Popovici and Francesco Federici  054287 1851c

 

Bettino Cappelli (Tenor) (Firenze 1879 - ?)

                                                        Enzo in ‘’Gioconda’’

He studied with Vincenzo Vannini and made his debut in 1907 at Persio Flacco of Volterra in Verdi’s ‘’La Traviata’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1907 Volterra Teatro Persio Flacco  Traviata (Alfredo)
1910  Parma Teatro Regio Maria di Rohan (Riccardo)
1912 Bologna Teatro Del Corso Loreley (Walter)
1914 Cremona Teatro Ponchielli Lohengrin (Lohengrin)
1917 Melbourne Princess Trovatore (Manrico)
1924  Sidney His Majesty's Rigoletto (Duca)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Fonotipia, Milano 1910-11-30

Lohengrin (Wagner): Cigno fedel 92739 XPh4427

Lohengrin (Wagner): S'ei torna alfin 92740 XPh4428

Fonotipia, Milano 1910-12-01

Lohengrin (Wagner): Dai voi lontan 74166 XXPh4430

Fonotipia, Milano 1910-12-09

Lohengrin (Wagner): Cessaro i canti alfin with Linda Cannetti 74165 XXPh4444

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-12-ca 20
Fanciulla del West (Puccini): Son Ramerrez 92974 XPh4894 

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Addio alla madre 69067 XPh4895

Fanciulla del west (Puccini): Che'lla mi creda 92975 XPh4897

Lohengrin (Wagner): Merce cigno gentil 92976 XPh4899

Carlos Mejia (Tenor) (? 1892 - ?1968)

He studied at the Conservatory of Mexico City where he made his opera debut on April 4, 1915 at the Teatro Abreu in ’’Favorita’’. He appeared also in USA, where he recorded for Victor. He is considered one of the best mexican operatic tenors of all time.

Chronology of some appearances

1915 Citta del Messico  Teatro Arbeu Boheme (Rodolfo)
1915 Citta del Messico  Teatro Arbeu Rigoletto (Duca)
1916 Citta del Messico  Esperanza Iris- Teatro Arbeu Boheme (Rodolfo)
1917 Citta del Messico  Teatro Arbeu Rigoletto (Duca)
1920 Citta del Messico  Esperanza Iris Boheme (Rodolfo)
1920 Brigham  Liberty Theater Rigoletto (Duca)
1920 Citta del Messico  Teatro Esperanza Iris Rigoletto (Duca)
1924 Citta del Messico  Teatro dell'Opera Boheme (Rodolfo)
 

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Victor 7/31/1917

Elisir d’amore (Donizetti): Una furtiva lagrima 55090 C-20464

Victor 8/1/1917

Boheme (Puccini): Che gelida manina 55090 C-20475

Victor 8/2/1917

Mignon (Thomas): Addio, Mignon 45141 B-20485

Victor 1917

Favorita (Donizetti): Spirto gentil 45141 B-20487

Victor 9/23/1918

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Se il mio nome 45344 B-22249

Victor 5/14/1928

Serenata (Schubert) 81345-A 

Anna Gramegna (Mezzo-Soprano) (Naples 1880 – Rome 1965)

She came with her family to Russia, where her voice was trained. In 1902 she debuted as an opera singer in Politeama Umberto I° in Bari. In 1904 she appeared in Bergamo at the Teatro Donizetti as Preziosilla in Verdi’s ‘’La forza del destino’’. In 1908 she sang at the Teatro Ciscutti of Pola in ‘’Nozze Istriane’’ of Antonio Smareglia. In 1919 she sang at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome in Italian (like European) première of Puccini’s ‘’Gianni Schicchi’’ as  Zita. In 1920 she appeared at the Teatro Dell'Opera in Rome as Brangäne in ‘’Tristan e Isotta’’. In 1921 at the same theatre she sang in the premiere of the opera ‘’Anima allegra’’ of  Franco Vittadini. In the 1922-23 success Gramegna appeared at La Scala under Toscanini. Here she helped in the premiere of the opera ‘’Belfagor’’ of Ottorino Respighi (23. 4. 1923). She appeared during her career over and over again in Rome. In 1917 she guested in the Municipal Theatre of Zurich, in the 1919-20 season and from 1924 to 1926 at  the opera of Rio de Janeiro (among other things as Amneris and Azucena), in 1919 at the Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires. In 1931 she appeared in the festival at the arena of Verona. Later she worked as a vocal pedagogue in Rome.

Chronology of some appearances

1902 Politeama Umberto I Bari Trovatore (Azucena)
1904 Teatro Donizetti Bergamo Forza del Destino (Preziosilla)
1908 Teatro Ciscutti Pola Le Nozze Istriane di A. Smareglia (Luze)
1919 Teatro Costanzi RomeAida (Amneris)
1920 Teatro Dell'Opera Rome Tabarro (Frugola)
1922-23 La Scala Milan Belfagor di O. Respighi (Olimpia)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

HMV, Milano 1922-05-20

Aida (Verdi): Di lei non piu with Bernardo De Muro 2-054126 DB551

HMV, Milano 1922-05-22

Aida (Verdi): Sì, fuggiam with Bernardo De Muro, Irma Vigano & Aristide Baracchi 2-054128 DB558

Pathe, Milano 1923?

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Voce di donna 10370 86868

Trovatore (Verdi): Condotta ell'era in ceppi 10379 86934

Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Re dell'abisso 10370 86869

Fonografia Nazionale, Milano 192? (ac)

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Fior di giaggiolo with Bergamaschi & Manna 2060

Irma Vigano (Soprano) (Besana/ Brianza? - ?)

She studied with Angelo Bettinelli and made her debut around 1910.  In 1920 she appeared at the Teatro Sultaniale of Cairo. In the autumn of 1924 she sang in Berlin (under the direction of Mascagni). She was acclaimed in all major theaters of  Italy (Teatro alla Scala di Milano, Arena di Verona, Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Teatro Regio di Parma, Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Venice, Florence, Genoa, Trieste, Turin, Modena, Brescia, Bologna, Piacenza, Cremona, Cesena, Ravenna).  She worked with Mascagni, Toscanini, Serafin, Zandonai and De Sabata. In Cairo, Teatro Kediviale she sang at the 50 anniversary of the first performance of ‘’Aida’’. In 1920 she also appeared in USA, Chicago Opera.

 Chronology of some appearances

1912  Amsterdam  Paleis Voor Volksvlijt  Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1914  Faenza  Teatro Masini Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1916 Novara  Teatro Coccia Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1916 Torino  Politeama Chiarella Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1917 Torino  Politeama Chiarella Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1918 Genova  Teatro Paganini Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1919 Torino Politeama Chiarella Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1920 Genova  Teatro Paganini Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1920  Suzzara  Teatro Sociale Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1928 Bari  Teatro Piccinni Adriana Lecouvreur (Adriana)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Columbia, Milano

Wally (Catalani):  Ebben? ne andro  lontana D 12516 70673

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Voi lo sapete, o mamma D 12516

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Un bel di vedremo D12516 70692
Gioconda (Ponchielli): Suicidio D12515 70680
Tosca (Puccini): Vissi d'arte D12515 70672

Gramophone, Milano 1922-05-22

Aida (Verdi): Pur ti riveggo with Bernardo de Muro 7-54023 DA171

Aida (Verdi): Fuggiam gli ardori with Bernardo de Muro 2-054127 DB550

Gramophone, Milano 1922-05-24

Aida (Verdi): Si, fuggiam with Bernardo de Muro, Anna Gramegna and Aristide Baracchi 2-054128 DB550

Gramophone, Milano 1922-05-27

 Piccolo Marat (Mascagni): Va nella tua stanzetta with Bernardo de Muro 2-054129 DB558

Olga Poletti (Soprano) (? 1900 - ?)

 

The Grand Opera Season

Olga Poletti, who is declared by many critics to be one of the two greatest living interpreters of ‘’Traviata’’. Her voice is of the light lyric coloratura type. She made her debut as Gilda in ‘’Rigoletto’’ in Florence eight years ago.  

I wish to thank Giovanni Malevolti for this picture (Olga Poletti as Violetta)

The Sydney Mail, Wednesday, March 7, 1928

Cheap Opera

Yesterday I decided to test the cheap seats advertised for the opera, and was delighted to- find In the New Princess upper circle separate padded seats with movable backs, for' all who chose to boole seats at 2s. 5ld: ' Better than that, these seats, at least a'thousand of them, were filled by a musical .crowd; the real Intelligence who,.though poor In pence, were rich In appreciation of beautiful music. The opera was "Lucia di Lammermoor," and in Olga Poletti as Lucia and in Alessandro Rota as 'Edgar of Ravenswood, the company was indeed blessed. I have heard everyone worth while, from Melba onwards, even to Totl Dal Monte, do the mad scene from "Lucia," but only one woman, Olga Poletti gave me a lump In my throat. With only a fair production and the scenery a little crude, Slgnorla Poletti yet was able to give the perfect artistry and fullest meaning to Donizetti's music, while Rota, who made such a decided impression on the open- ing night with Manrico in "II Trova tore," was just the robust type of tenor which is required in the part. With John Brownlee be certainly stands out from the tenors o£ both companies for his virility and earnest artistic zeal. In the evening the Gonzalez people gave "Ernanl," which was interesting to stu- dents of music; and the WilHamson Melba Company repeated "Aida," which to Melbourne's fickle taste is at present the most popular opera.

The Mercury, Monday, June 4, 1928

I wish to thank  also Severyan Steve Tsagareyshvili for providing me information

Chronolgoy of some appearances

1922 Novara Teatro Coccia Boheme (Mimi)

1923 Catania Anfiteatro Gang Traviata (Violetta)

1924 MaltaTeatro Reale Carmen (Micaela)

1925 Catania Arena Verdi Faust (Valentina)

1926 Genova Politeama Genovese Traviata (Violetta)

1927 Palermo  Teatro Biondo Traviata (Violetta)

1928 Sidney Teatro St. James  Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1945 Livorno Teatro Goldoni Carmen (Filina)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Gramophone, Milano 1926-11-12 (el)
Traviata (Verdi): Addio del passato  R 5311 7-253154

Fonografia Nazionale, Milano
Bohème (Puccini): Quartetto with Bergamaschi, Tagliabue & Fumagalli-Riva 2138
Amico Fritz (Mascagni): Duetto delle ciliegie, pt 1 with Guido Volpi  5273
Amico Fritz (Mascagni): Duetto delle ciliegie, pt 2 with Guido Volpi 5274

Manon (Massenet): A Parigi noi andrem with Guido Volpi  5276

Traviata (Verdi): libiamo ne lieti calici with Guido Volpi 5285
Traviata (Verdi): Parigi, o cara with Guido Volpi  5286

Vincenzo Bettoni (Bass) (Melegnano 1881- Milan 1954)

He made the debut in 1902 at Sociale of Pinerolo in ‘’Ernani’’. From 1926 to 1940 he was a soloist of La Scala, Milano. In 1934 he performed at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera as Don Alfonso in ‘’Cosi fan tutte‘’ of Mozart. The next year Bettoni sang at the Covent Garden in London. Here he appeared in ‘’L'Italiana in Algeri’’, ‘’La Cenerentola’’, ‘’Boheme’’ and ‘’Ballo in Maschera’’. In 1929 he was in Pisa, where at the Teatro Verdi he appeared in ‘’ Barbiere di Siviglia’’, ‘’Lucia di Lammermoor’’ and ‘’Rigoletto’’. The same year he sang with great success at the Grand Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris as Mustafa in ‘’L'italiana in Algeri’’ opposite Conchita Supervia and Nino Ederle (Lindoro) directed by maestro Tullio Serafin, opera repeated the following year at the Opera Garnier in Paris. He appeared in the premiere of the Louis Rocca’s opera ‘’Il Dibuk’’ as Reb Ezriel. It happened at La Scala (1934). Other premieres: ‘’Los Bohemos’’ of Amadeo Vives and ‘’Conrado del Campo y Zabaleta’’ (Madrid, 1920), Franco Alfano's ‘’Madonna Imperia’’ (1927), ‘’Il malato immaginario’’ of  Jacopo Napoli (Madrid, 1936), ‘’La caverna di Salamanca’’ of  Felice Lattuada (1942). Bettoni retired from the stage approximately in 1950.

Chronology of some appearances

1902 Pinerolo Teatro Sociale Ernani (Silva)

1905 Venezia Teatro La Fenice Germania

1910 Cairo Teatro Khediviale Andrea Chenier (Roucher)

1913 Chieti Teatro Marruccino Mefistofele (Mefistofele)

1915 Bergamo Teatro Donizetti Gioconda (Alvise)

1917 Firenze Teatro Verdi Favorita (Baldassarre)

1919 Madrid Teatro Reale Gioconda (Alvise)

1921 Santiago del Cile Teatro Municipal Stagione

1925 Venezia Teatro La Fenice Mefistofele (Mefistofele)

1927  Torino Teatro di Torino Italiana in Algeri (Mustafa)

1929 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice Parsifal (Guernemaz)

1932 Pesaro Teatro Rossini Iris (Cieco)

1935 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice I Quattro Rusteghi

1937 Firenze Teatro Comunale Il Signor Bruschino

1939 Milano Teatro La Scala Fidelio (Rocco)

1941 Parma Teatro Regio Ghirlino di L.Ferrari Trecate (Cuordisasso)

1944 Como Teatro Sociale Don Pasquale (Don Pasquale)

1948 Genova Teatro Grattacielo Ghirlino di L.Ferrari Trecate (Cuordisasso)

1950 Milano Teatro La Scala I Quattro Rusteghi

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Columbia, Milano 1913/1914

Aida (Verdi): Su del Nilo with Gaetano Tommasini, Andreina Beinat, Lia Remondini and Luigi Baldassari D5560 41836
Aida: Nume, custode e vindice  with Gaetano Tommasini and Ester Toninello D 5562 41835
Aida (Verdi): Spirto del Numo Part I with Andreina Beinat E2096 41851

Aida (Verdi): Radames e deciso Part II with Andreina Beinat E2096 41852

Aida (Verdi): O tu che sei d'Osiride with Eugenia Lopez-Nunes E2025 41987
Faust (Gounod): Allor che lieve ebbrezza with  Eugenia Lopez Nuñes & Gaetano Tommasini D4517 42063

Victor, USA 1913-03-08

Lucia di Lammermoor: Maledizione with Franco De Gregorio, Malvina Pereira and Giuseppe Maggi     68454    610aj-1

Gramophone, Milano 1913-02-25

Norma (Bellini): Deh! Non volerli vittime  with Fausto Castellani and Elvira Barbieri 054416   575½aj

Gramophone, Milano 1913-02-27

Un Ballo in Maschera (Verdi): La rivedro nell'estasi with Fausto Castellani 2-52844 2677ah

Gramophone, Milano 1913-06-03

Un Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Ve’se di notte with Elvira Barbieri and Mattia Battistini 054449 2812½c

Ernani (Verdi): Uscite! ...Vedi come il buon vegliardo with Gaetano Tommasini, Mattia Battistini and Elvira Barbieri  054450 2813 ½c

Gramophone, Milano 1913-10-21

Messa da Requiem (Verdi): Canfutatis  052414 702aj

Gramophone, Milano 1913-11-11

Boheme (Puccini): Vecchia zimarra 252126 2887ah

Faust (Gounod): Dio dell'or 252140 2890ah

Gramophone, Milano 1914-03-31

Trovatore (Verdi):  E deggio e posso  with Roberto Janni, Bernardo De Muro and Maria Baldini 2-054057 746m

Gramophone, Milano 1916

Complete Rigoletto (Verdi) with Carlo Boccardi and Ayres Borghi-Zerni and Giuseppe Danise

Columbia, Milano 1916

Complete Rigoletto (Verdi) Giuseppe Taccani, Cesare Formichi and Ines Ferraris

Gramophone, Milano 1917-02-17

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): La calunnia 2-0252009 3125c

Gramophone, Milano 1917

Complete Boheme (Puccini) Remo Andreini, Gemma Bosini and Ernesto Badini

Columbia, Milano 1926/1930
Complete Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) with Dino Borgioli, Riccardo Stracciari, Mercedes Capsir and Salvatore Baccaloni

Fonotipia, Barcelona 1928-02-11

L'Italiana in Algeri (Rossini): Oh, Che Muso with Conchita Supervia 120200a  XXS4598

Fonotipia, Barcelona 1928-02-13

L'Italiana in Algeri (Rossini): Per Lui Che Adoro with Nino Ederle, Conchita Supervia and Carlo  Scattola 120200 XXS4617

Fonotipia, Milano 1929-02-08

Cenerentola (Rossini): Signore, una parola with Conchita Supervia N6664 xxPh6455
Mignon (Thomas): Leggiadre rondinelle  with Conchita Supervia N6664 xxPh6456