Kurt Sommer (Tenor) (Altengottern, Thüringen 1868 – Berlin 1921)

                                                                 Manrico

His complete name was Kurt Christoph Gottfried Sommer. He studied singing at the conservatoire of Dresden under Gustav Scharfe. His stage debut occurred in 1889 at the Municipal Theatre of Königsberg. In the 1890-92 seasons he sang at the Opera House in Cologne, then in the 1892-93 season again at Königsberg. In 1893 he became a member of the Berlin Court Opera, where he remained up to his death. In the 1904-06 seasons  he appeared at the Court Theatre in Wiesbaden(sang there on 15. 11. 1905 in the premiere of the opera ‘’Die Barbarina’’ of Otto Neitzel), then he returned again to Berlin. In 1902 he sang at the Berlin Court Opera in the premiere of the opera ‘’Der Improvisator’’ of E. d'Albert. In 1898 he made guest appearances at the Imperial Court Opera in St. Petersburg and sang in the premières there of ‘’Meistersinger’’ and ‘’Fliegenden Holländers’’ in the parts of Walther von Stolzing and Erik. He also appeared in Dresden (since 1896), Karlsruhe(1905), Weimar (1904), Frankfurt a. M. (1900, 1904), Hamburg (1900, 1909), Bern (1907), Riga(1901), Stockholm (1901), Holland and Belgium. Besides roles in Wagner’s operas, he also performed as Masaniello in ‘’La Muette de Portici’’ of Auber, Arnoldo in Rossini’s ‘’Wilhelm Tell’’, Faust in Gounod’s ‘’Faust’’, Chapelou in ‘’Postillon de Lonjumeau’’ of Adam, Manrico in ‘’Trovatore’’, Canio in ‘’Pagliacci’’, Almaviva in ‘’Barbierei di Siviglia’’, Alfred in "Die Fledermaus".

Chronology of some appearances

1889 Königsberg Municipal Theatre

1890 Cologne Opera House

1892 Königsberg Municipal Theatre

1893 Berlin Court Opera

1904 Wiesbaden Theatre

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Berlin 1906?

Postillon de Longjumeau (Adam): Postillonlied 40821

Gramophone, Berlin 1910-09-17

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner): Selig wie die Sonne with Denera, Arndt-Ober, Jörn & Zador 044169 499s

Gramophone, Berlin 1912-08-31

Rheingold (Wagner): Ihrem Ende eilen sie zu with von Skilondz, Arndt-Ober, von Scheele-Müller & Körfer 044216 141al

Rheingold (Wagner): Schwüles Gedünst schwebt in der Luft with Körfer 044217 142al

Gramophone, Berlin 1912-11-06

Lohengrin (Wagner): Du kündest nun dein wahr' Gericht (Königsgebet, pt 2) with van Endert, Arndt-Ober, Knüpfer, Habich & chorus 044230 299al

Thomas (Tom) Burke (Tenor) (Leigh, Lancashire 1890 – Leigh 1969)

He sang as a boy in the church choir of his home town, then studied singing under Amy Sherwin inLondon and under Ernesto Colli and Fernando de Lucia in Italy. In 1917 he debuted at the Teatro Lirico in Milan as Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’. During the First World War he appeared in Italian opera houses, especially in Naples and Palermo. In 1919 he was engaged by the Covent Garden inLondon, where he sang the lyrical Italian repertoire and appeared in 1920 in the English première of Puccini’s ‘’Il Tabarro’’ and ‘’Gianni Schicchi’’. In 1919 he sang there in an important performance of Borodin’s ‘’Prince Igor’’. In 1925 he made guest appearance during a North American tour at the Chicago Opera. Till 1928 he appeared at the Covent Garden, however, sang also with several smaller English opera troops. In 1928 he performed at the Opera House of Monte Carlo as Rodolfo in ‘’Bohème’’ and at the Opéra-Comique in Paris (under the name Tom Burke) as Cavaradossi in ‘’Tosca’’. After his retirement he lived in his hometown Leigh.

Chronology of some appearances

1917 Milan Teatro Lirico Rigoletto

1919 London Covent Garden Prince Igor

1920 London Covent Garden Il Tabarro

1920 London Covent Garden Gianni Schicchi

1928 Monte Carlo Opera House

1928 Paris Opéra-Comique

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia 1920/1921 
Rigoletto (Verdi): Questa o quella 7346 76406
Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna e mobile 7346 76405
Aida (Verdi): Celeste Aida 7347 76547
Boheme (Puccini): Che gelida manina 7347 76599
Tosca (Puccini): Recondita armonia 7200 76366
Manon (Massenet): Le reve 7204 76402

Columbia 1920's
Kathleen Mavourneen  (Crouch) 33007 140913
Killamey (Balfe) 33007 140914
The snowy-breasted pearl (Robinson) 536D 141250
The Irish emigrant (Barker) 5361 141251

Columbia 1927
Tosca (Puccini): E lucevan le stelle D15930 
Turandot (Puccini): Nessun dorma D15930 A6145
The minstrel boy (Trad,) D1594 A5659
Esmerelda (Goring-Thomas): O vision entrancing  L1951 AX2881
My dreams (Tosti) L1951 WAX 2865

Dominion 1929
Serse (Handel): Ombra mai fu C345 1627

Imperial 1930's
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vesti la giubba Z125 TI176
Stormalong (Shanty) 3219
Serenata (Toselli) Z120 160A
Dorothy (Cellier): Queen of my heart Z121 173
Excelsior (Balfe): Duo with Foster Richardson Z144 T210
O sole mio (Du Capua) Z144 TI209

Nikolai Sereda (Tenor) (Ukraine 1890 - Leningrad 1948)

                                                                 Lensky

In 1925, he finished the Moscow conservatoire in the class of G. Gandolfi. Sereda perfected his singing in Italy and Germania. During 1925-35, he sang at diverse theatres in Russia and duing 1935 -1948 sang at the Mariinski. Among his best roles were: Lenski, Levko, Berendei, Vladimir Dubrovski, Duca, Alfred, and Almaviva. 

Chronology of some appearances

1926-1933 Kharkov Opera House

1933-1935 Sverdlovsk Opera House

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Demon (Rubinstein): Sinodal's scene

The Tsar's Bride (Rimsky-Korsakov): Aria of Lykov

Mark Dubrovin (Tenor)

                                                                Hermann

In 1893 he appeared at the St. Petersburg Private Opera. From 1905 to 1908 and in the 1911-1912 season he performed at the S. Zimin's Opera House in Moscow. In 1909 he sang at the Sergievsky National House. In 1912 and 1913 he made guest appearances at Kharkov (also 1915-1917), Ekaterinoslav, Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov (1915). In the 1913-1914 season he sang at the National House in St. Petersburg.  Probably he retired from the stage in 1920.

Chronology of some appearances

1893 St. Petersburg Private Opera

1909 Moscow Sergievsky National House

1905-1908, 1911-1912 Moscow S. Zimin's Opera House

1913-1914 St. Petersburg National House

RECORDING FOR SALE

Gramophone Moscow  1908

Ernani (Verdi): O sommo Carlo with Vladimir Pikok, Lidya Milova and Oskar Kamionsky 022108 335m

Sergei Levik (Baritone) (White church, Kiev 1883 - St. Ptersburg 1967)

                                                             Amonasro

In 1907 he studied singing under the tenor Michail Medvdiev and in 1908 appeared in cocncert opposite italian opera singers. In the 1909-1912 season he sang at the National House of St. Petersburg, where he made his debut as Demon. From 1912 to 1916 he performed at the Theatre of Musical Drama at St. Ptersburg. He made guest appearances at Kharkov (1910), Kiev, Minsk, Moscow etc. He retired from the stage in 1923..

Chronology of some appearances

1909-1912 St. Petersburg National House

1912-1916 St. Ptersburg Theatre of Musical Drama

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Gramophone, St Petersburg 27-10-10

Grand Requiem after the Battle of Borodino (It is not hailing, it is not raining) (words Kruglov) 4-22228 1815ae

Oh thou, quiet Father Don, Cossack song, 1812 (arr. Harteveld) 4-22224 1819ae 27-10-10

Pathé, St Petersburg 1910?

Demon (Rubinstein): Do not weep, oh child   2515

Demon (Rubinstein): Accursed world  2516

Lyrophon?

Aida (Verdi): Suo padre 

Rosetta Pampanini (Soprano) (Milano 1896 - Corbola 1973)

                                                               Cio-Cio-San

She was born in Milan into a musical family. She initiallly trained to become a teacher but eventually decided to study voice. She was taught by the couple Emma and Lorenzo Molajoli and made her debut in 1920 at the Teatro Nazionale in Rome as Micaela. Subsequently she appeared at numerous Italian opera houses. In the first years of her career she built up her repertory under Tullio Serafin’s guidance. Of great importance was her association with Pietro Mascagni who often conducted her in his opera Iris. Pampanini’s success in the role re-established the piece from 1898 in the contemporary repertoire. Another significant mentor was Arturo Toscanini. He conducted the revival of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly at La Scala in 1925, with Rosetta Pampanini in the title role. The 12 performances turned out to be a complete triumph - not least because of the heroine whose artistry ensured that Madame Butterfly soon became one of the most popular operas. Not only did Pampanini help to establish Madame Butterfly, the role of Cio-Cio-San also made her to one of the most splendid Italian artists of the time. She remained at La Scala as long as Toscanini stayed there (until 1930), appearing in a number of world premieres of then contemporary operas as well as in her Puccini repertoire. She also toured with the Scala ensemble. Toscanini invited her to Berlin to sing Manon Lescaut and Madame Butterfly (1929). Covent Garden saw her in her Puccini parts. From 1926 she was a regular guest at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. In the season 1931/32 she was engaged as Butterfly, Nedda and Mimì at the Chicago Opera, but was not reinvited later. Further performances at the opera houses of Vienna (1930-1932), Oslo (1933) and Prague (1935) followed. A special occasion was her performance of Mimì in a performance of La Bohème, conducted by Pietro Mascagni in Puccini’s home town Torre del Lago. From 1937 she turned to more dramatic roles such as Leonora in La Forza del destino, Aida and Maddalena. Rosetta Pampanini bade farewell to the stage in 1946. After her retirement she worked as a singing coach.

Chronology of some appearances

1920 Rome Teatro Nazionale Carmen  (Micaela)

1925 Milan La Scala Madame Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)

1926 Buenos Aires Teatro Colón  (-)

1931 Chicago Chicago Opera (-)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-08

Wally (Catalani): Ebben? Ne andrò lontana 152034 Pho5694

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): In quelle trine morbide 152035 Pho5695

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Un bel dì, vedremo 74975 XXPh5696

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-09

Bohème (Puccini): Sì, mi chiamano Mimì 74976 XXPh5701

Otello (Verdi): Canzone del salce 74985 XXPh5705

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-10

Iris (Mascagni): Un dì 74986 XXPh5708

Otello (Verdi): Ave Maria unpubl. Pho5709

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-12

Carmen (Bizet): Io dico, no, non son paurosa 74989 XXPh5710

Tosca (Puccini): Vissi d'arte unpubl. Pho5711

Andrea Chénier (Giordano): La mamma morta 74990 XXPh5712

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-10-20

Bohème (Puccini): O soave fanciulla with Aureliano Pertile 120001 XXPh5775

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-10-26

Turandot (Puccini): Signore, ascolta 168014 Pho5789

Turandot (Puccini): Tanto amore segreto... Tu che di gel sei cinta 168015 Pho5790

Otello (Verdi): Ave Maria 168038 Pho5792

Fonotipia, Milano 1927-01-20

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Stridono lassù 168038 Pho5854

Faust (Gounod): C'era un re, un re di Thulé 120039 XXPh5855

Fonotipia, Milano 1927-01-24 

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Un bel dì, vedremo 120043 XXPh5873

Wally (Catalani): Ebben? Ne andrò lontana 120043 XXPh5874

Fonotipia, Milano 1928-01-11

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): In quelle trine morbide 168191 Pho6096

Andrea Chénier (Giordano): La mamma morta 120165 XXPh6098

Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-19

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Bimba non piangere with Ferdinando  Ciniselli 120148  XXPh6239 

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Quest'obi pomposa with Ferdinando Cinizelli 120148 XXPh6240

Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-21

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Adesso voi with Ferdinando  Ciniselli 120149 XXPh6247

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Via dall'anima in pena with Ferdinando  Ciniselli 120149 XXPh6248

Francisca Solari (Soprano) (Genova 1881 – Civitanova Marche 1969)

She was a sister of the soprano Sarah Fidelia Solari. She made her debut in 1905 at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome in the title role of P. Mascagni’s opera ‘’Amica’’. In 1913 she appeared there in G. Puccini’s ‘’Tosca’’. The same year she also sang at the Teatro Goldoni in Livorno in P. Mascagni's ''Isabeau''. In 1914 she sang at the Teatro Alla Scala in Milano in E. Wolf-Ferrari’s ‘’Le donne curiose’’. In 1916 she sang at the Teatro Politeama in Genova in P. Mascagni's ''Parisina''. She retired from the stage in 1920's.

Chronology of some appearances

1905 Rome Teatro Costanzi Amica (Amica)

1913 Rome Teatro Costanzi Tosca (Tosca)

1913 Livorno Teatro Goldoni Isabeau (Isabeau)

1914 Milano Teatro Alla Scala Le donne curiose (-)

1916 Genova Teatro Politeama Parisina (Parisina)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-12-12

Isabeau (Mascagni): Dormivi? Sognavo? with Carlo Ballin 92970 Xph4866

Isabeau (Mascagni): Gia per terre e castella with Antonio Armentano  Anticorona 92959  xph4875   

Fonotipia, Milano 1914-04-18

Parisina  (Mascagni): Vittoria! vittoria! with Alessandro Dolci 69137 xph5045           

Parisina  (Mascagni): Or voi composto m'avereste nella bara with Alessandro Dolci 69138

Parisina  (Mascagni): Se pietа ho di voi with Alessandro Dolci 69140 xph5046

Parisina  (Mascagni): Le grida e il clamore with Alessandro Dolci 6941 xph5047       

Fonotipia, Milano 1914-04-21

Parisina (Mascagni): Stanno in mucchio tra i lauri with Alessandro Dolci 69142 XPh5048

Parisina  (Mascagni):  Ah, serra ancora with Alessandro Dolci 74182 Xph5049         

Fonotipia, Milano 1914-04-22

Parisina  (Mascagni): Merce, Maria! Merce with Alessandro Dolci 74181 xxph5052

Fonotipia, Milano 1914-04-24

Parisina (Mascagni): E disse in cuore Isotta 69144 XPh5055

Parisina (Mascagni): Commessa fu la mia colpa 69143 XPh5056

Parisina  (Mascagni): Hai tu veduto a dentro with Alessandro Dolci 69147 xPh 5058 

Parisina  (Mascagni): Ah com'è bella with Alessandro Dolci 69148 xPh 5057

Fonotipia, Milano 1914-04-26

Parisina  (Mascagni): Ecco la rete dei miei capelli 69135 xPh 5062     

Parisina  (Mascagni): Vogliate qui sedere with Alessandro Dolci 69139 xph5063          

Fonotipia, Milano 1914-04-27

Parisina  (Mascagni): Ave Maria, gratia plena with Laura Del Lungo and Ida Rappini 69136 xph5064

Augustin Nuibo (Tenor) (Marsiglia 1874 - Nizza 1948)

He studied at the conservatoire of Marseille under Boudouresque, then in Parisunder the famous tenor Victor Capoul. He made his debut at the Grand Opéra of Paris in 1900 as Fischer in G. Rossini’s ‘’Wilhelm Tell’’. Till 1908 he appeared at the Grand Opéra, where in 1907 sang in the premiere of the opera ‘’La Catalane’’ of  Fernand Le Borne. In the 1904-05 season he was a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York(beginning role: Turiddu in ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’), afterwards North America tour. By request of the manager of the Metropolitan opera he changed his name and performed as Francisco Nuibo. He performed at the Metropolitan Opera with success also in Sunday Night Concerts. In 1908 he joined to the Opéra-Comique of  Paris and sang later at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris. In 1913 he appeared at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées of Parisin the opera ‘’Les trois masques’’ of Isidore de Lara. He made guest appearances at the Covent Garden in London, Lisbon, MexicoCity, San Francisco and Havana. He also had a significant career at the famous French provincial theatres. In 1923 he founded a conservatoire in the Paris Montmartre.

Chronology of some appearances

1900-1908 Paris Grand Opéra 

1904-1905 New York Metropolitan Opera

1908 Paris Opéra-Comique

1913 Paris Théâtre des Champs-Elysées

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Pathé cylinders & discs, Paris 1903?
Le crédo d'amour (Luigini) 0371

Columbia cylinders, New York 1905
Carmen (Bizet): Romance de la fleur 32716

Columbia, New York 1905
Martha (Flotow): Air des larmes 3127
Carmen (Bizet): Romance de la fleur 3128
Roméo et Juliette (Gounod): Ah! lève-toi soleil 3129

Pathé, Paris 1906/1907
Manon (Massenet): Le rêve 4578

Antonio Sabellico (Bass) (Campo Morto/Nettuno (oggi Campo Verde/Aprilia) 1858 - Roma 1934)

                                                Contratto Teatro di Torino 1915

He studied singing under the pedagogue Parisotto and made his debut around 1880 in ‘’Forza del Destino’’ at Rome.

Chronology of some appearances

1887    Roma   Teatro Argentina Dannazione di Faust (Brander)

1890    MessinaTeatro Vittorio Emanuele Ugonotti (Saint-Bris)                                

1893    Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Lohengrin (Re Enrico)

1896    CagliariTeatro Civico Roberto il Diavolo (Bertramo)

1900    PiacenzaTeatro Municipale  Lohengrin (Re Enrico)

1903    Bucarest Teatro Nazionale Puritani (Giorgio)

1906    PiacenzaTeatro Municipale  Mefistofele (Mefistofele)

1908    CairoTeatro Abbas Aida (Ramfis)

1913    Firenze Politeama Nazionale Ernani (Silva)

1915    Casale Monferrato Politeama  Favorita (Baldassarre)

1918    Siena Teatro Dei Rinnovati  Barbiere di Siviglia (Don Basilio)

1922    Savona Teatro Chiabrera Barbiere di Siviglia (Don Basilio)

1924    AstiTeatro Alfieri Boheme (Colline)

1926    TrapaniTeatro Garibaldi Gioconda (Alvise)
1927    BolognaTeatro Del Corso Tosca (Angelotti)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Pathé - AICC cylinders & discs, Milano 1903?

Faust (Gounod): Dio dell'or 84083, 10204

Favorita (Donizetti): Splendon più belle (w. chorus) 84084

Sonnambula (Bellini): Vi ravviso (w. chorus) 84089

Mosè (Rossini): Dal tuo stellato soglio 84090

Zonophone, Milano 1904-12

Favorita (Donizetti): Splendon più belle (w. chorus) X-92018

Bohème (Puccini): Vecchia zimarra 92039

Adele Ponzano (Mezzo-Soprano)

She studied in Turin under Annetta Casaloni, the first interpreter of Maddalena in ''Rigoletto''. She made her debut in 1902 at the Teatro Politeama of Saluzzo in ''Frà Diavolo''.

Chronology of some appearances

1898 Saluzzo Politeama  Fra' Diavolo (Pamela)

1903 Alessandria d'Egitto Teatro Zizinia Carmen (Mercedes)            

1907 Milano Teatro La Scala  Wally (Afra)

1910 Ravenna  Teatro Alighieri Walkiria (Fricka)

1913 Venezia   Teatro La Fenice Otello (Emilia)

1913 Venezia   Teatro La Fenice Otello (Emilia)

1916 Milano  Teatro Dal Verme Forza del Destino (Preziosilla)

1919 Cremona  Politeama Verdi  Trovatore (Azucena)

1923 Cesena Teatro Comunale Gioconda (Laura)

1927 Palermo  Teatro Biondo Gioconda (Laura)

1928 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice  Matrimonio Segreto (Fidalma)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Odeon Fonotipia, Milano
Barbieri di Siviglia (Rossini): Il vecchietto cerca moglie 37494

Edison, Milano

L’amico Fritz (Mascagni): Lacere miseri Unpubl. 44595