Luigi Rossi-Morelli (Baritone) (Sarsina 1887 - Imola 1940)

He studied in Rome with Antonio Cotogni. In 1913 he made his debut at the Teatro Grande in Brescia as Wotan in '' Die Walkure''. In 1914 he had his first big success as Klingsor in the premiere of the  opera ''Parsifal'' at   the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. In 1915 Rossi-Morelli appeared at  the Teatro Regio, Turin in the Italian premiere of Giordano’s ‘’Madame Sans-Gene’’, in 1918 at the Teatro Liceo in Barcelona as guest. In 1921 he sang at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome in ''Tristan and Isotte'', ''Carmen'’, ''La Fanciulla del West'' and ''Aida''. In 1923 he  performed at the Teatro Massimo, Palermo, in 1924 at the Teatro Dal Verme. In 1926 Rossi-Morelli appeared at the Teatro Costanzi as Wotan in ‘’Die Walkure’’. In 1928 he sang the same part at La Scala with Frida Leider, in 1928 as Pizarro in ''Fidelio.'' Since then he counted as the most significant Wagner's baritone in Italy. He appeared at La Scala over and over again. He sang  at La Scala in the premiere of Wolf-Ferrari's ''Sly'' as well as at the premieres of Renzo Bianchi’s ''Proserpina'' (23.3.1938) and ''La Sagredo'' of Franco Vittadini (27.4.1930). In 1935 and 1937 he was staying in the Italian opera in Holland. In 1937 he sang in Rome again as Amfortas in ‘’Parsifal’’. In 1940 he sang last time in his life the part of Pizarro in ''Fidelio'' at the Teatro Massimo, Palermo. He had big success also in South America, where he appeared at the Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires,  Rio de Janeiro and also São Paulo.

Chronology of some appearances

1913 Brescia Teatro Grande Walkiria (Wotan)

1914 Palermo Teatro Massimo Parsifal (Klingsor)

1915 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Madame Sans-Gene (Fouchè)

1916 Reggio Emilia Teatro Municipale Aida (Amonasro)

1917 Venezia Teatro Rossini Isabeau (Re Raimondo)

1918 Madrid Teatro Reale Cavalleria rusticana (Alfio)

1921 Rome Teatro Costanzi Tristano e Isotta (Kurvenaldo)

1923 Palermo Teatro Massimo Tosca (Scarpia)

1924 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Aida (Amonasro)

1925 Imola Teatro Modernissimo Tosca (Scarpia)

1930 Milan La Scala La Sagredo (Alvise)

1938 Milan La Scala Proserpina (Polifemo)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia 1928

Die Walküre (Wagner): Addio sublime prole d'eroi D 5823 WB 1877

Tannhäuser (Wagner): O tu bell’astro D 5799 B1822
Carmen (Bizet) Con voi ber (Votre toast) DQ259 WB 1825

Aida (Verdi) Quest'assisa ch'io vesto vi dica DQ259  WB 1808
Tosca (Puccini) Elle vera D11564 WB 1840
Die Walküre (Wagner): Questi occhi fulgidi ognor D 5823 WB 1878

Otello (Verdi): Credo DQ 260 WB1829