Galliano Masini (Tenor) (Livorno, Italy February 7, 1896 † Livorno, Italy February 15, 1986)

He was trained by maestro Laura in Milan and made his debut in 1923 at the Teatro in Livorno as Cavaradossi in ‘’Tosca’’. He appeared at the leading Italian opera theaters and in 1930 made his debut at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma as Pinkerton in ‘’Madama Butterfly’’. From 1930 to 1940 he often sang at this opera house. Since 1932 he also appeared at La Scala, among other things in 1934 as Paco in the première of M. de Falla’s ‘’La vida breve’’, in 1932 in the premiere of G. Marinuzzi’s ‘’Palla De'Mozzi’’. In 1930, 1932, 1940 and 1947 he was to be heard as a guest at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, in 1933 at the Opera of Rio de Janeiro. He made guest appearances at the Arena di Verona (1935-1936, 1946) and Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. In 1940 at La Scala, during the annual celebration of Pietro Mascagni’s opera ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’, he was chosen by the composer to sing the part of Turiddu. In the 1937-1938 season he appeared at the Chicago Opera, in the 1938-1939 season at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he made his debut as Edgardo in ‘’Lucia di Lammermoor’’and further sang there as Cavaradossi in ‘’Tosca’’ and Radames in ‘’Aida’’. The part of Radames he also sang after the Second World War in July, 1945, during the first festival at the Thermes de Caracalla, Roma. Masini appeared as a guest also at the Grand Opéra in Paris. He was known also as film singer. His brother Cesare Masini-Sperti (1904-76) had a career of comprimario at Italian operatic theaters.

 

Chronology of some appearances

1923 Livorno Teatro Tosca (Cavaradossi)
1930 Roma Teatro dell'Opera Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)
1934 Milano La Scala La vida breve (Paco)
1940 Milano La Scala Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Milano 1929
Tosca (Puccini): E lucean le stelle D5980 WB2380
Tosca (Puccini): Recondita armonia D5980 WB2381
Turandot (Puccini): Non piangere, Liù LB43 WB2382
Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Addio fiorito asil LB43 WB2383

Columbia, Milano 1932?
Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Fra poco a me ricovero 17159-D WB4651
Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Donna non vidi mai 17159-D WB4652
Arlesiana (Cilea): E la solita storia 9151-M WBX1207
Lodoletta (Mascagni): Se Franz dicesse il vero 9151-M WBX1212

Cetra, 1941?
Aida (Verdi): Celeste Aida BB25039 2-70612
Gioconda (Ponchielli): Cielo e mar BB25039 2-70614

Cetra
Adriana Lecouvreur (Cilea): La dolcissima effige AT0106 51026
Adriana Lecouvreur (Cilea): L'anima ho stanca AT0106 51027

Cetra, 1947-10-21
Fedora (Giordano): Mia madre, la mia vecchia madre! 2-71123

Cetra, 1947-10-23
Fedora (Giordano): La fante mi svela 2-71126