Leone Paci (Baritone) (Panicale/Perugia 1887 - Milano 1981)

He debuted in 1910 at the Teatro Civico of Acquapendente (province Viterbo) in ‘’La Favorita’’ of Donizetti, after he had received his education in Rome. During the First World War he sang at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome, among other things in 1917 in the premiere of  P. Mascagni’s ‘’Lodoletta’’, then in the 1918-19 season at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, where among other things he sang the role of  Lescaut in Massenet ‘’Manon’’. In 1922 he sang there the title role in ‘’Gianni Schicchi’’ of Puccini. In the 1920-21 season he had in Rome big success in ‘’Madama Butterfly’’, ‘’Aida’’, ‘’La Boheme’’. Beside his big serious parts he also sang Buffo roles. In 1914 he appeared for the first time at La Scala where he debuted as Donner in ‘’Oro Del Reno’’, since then he appeared there many years. On 24. 3. 1934 he sang at La Scala in the premiere of the opera ‘’Il Dibuk’’ of Lodovico Rocca; he performed there also in the première of Franco Alfano’s ‘’Madonna Imperia’’. On 18. 5. 1929 he appeared at the Teatro San Carlo, Neapel in the premiere of Felice Lattuada's opera ‘’Don Giovanni’’, on 19. 4. 1930 at the same theater in Franco Alfano’s ‘’L'ultimo lord’’. Beyond Italy he has appeared barely. He spent the last years at the "Casa di Riposo G. Verdi" in Milan. Paci made 3 records and 2 complete operas – ‘’Andrea Chenier’’ and ‘’Pagliacci’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1910 Acquapendente   Teatro Boni I Lombardi Alla Prima Crociata (Pagano)

1914 Gorizia Teatro Sociale Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1917 Roma Teatro Costanzi Fanciulla Del West (Rance)

1919 Genova   Politeama Genovese Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1921 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Le Donne Curiose di E.Wolf Ferrari

1924 Torino Politeama Chiarella Il Piccolo Marat (Carpentiere)

1927 Milano Teatro La Scala Crepuscolo Degli Dei (Alberico)

1931 Bologna Teatro Duse Isabeau (Raimondo)

1935 Torino Teatro Regio Il Dibuk di L.Rocca (Reb Sender)

1939 Ravenna Teatro Alighieri Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1944 Parma Teatro Regio Barbiere di Siviglia (Don Bartolo)

1948 Reggio Emilia Teatro Municipale Boheme (Benoit/Alcindoro)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Milano 1926?

Aida (Verdi): Finale A.II° with Ferdinando Ciniselli, Erminia Rubadi, Bruno Carmassi and Eva Turner D5311 WB1022

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Gia ti veggo with with Ferdinando Ciniselli, Erminia Rubadi, Bruno Carmassi and Eva Turner D14659 WBX28

Traviata (Verdi): Alfredo, in questo core with Ferdinando Ciniselli, Ines Alfani-Tellini & chorus B1020 D1580