Alfred von Bary (Tenor) (Valletta, Malta 1873 - München 1926)

                                                                Lohengrin
                                               

                                                                 Samson

First he studied medicine at the universities of Leipzig and Munichwhich he finished in 1898 in Munich. His voice was discovered by Arthur Nikisch and he studied singing under Richard Müller. He made his debut at the Dresden Court Opera in 1903 as Lohengrin in Wagner’s ‘’Lohengrin’’. In 1906 he appeared in Dresden in the premiere of the opera ‘’Moloch’’ of Max von Schillings. Already in summer, 1904 he performed at the festival of Bayreuth singing in ‘’Parsifal’’, and till 1914 he sang in this festival. Here he appeared in all big tenor parts of the Wagner's repertoire and counted as one of the biggest Wagner's tenors of his generation. Till 1912 he remained in Dresdenand then was engaged from 1912-18 by the Munich Court Opera. He appeared as a guest at the Berlin Court Opera (1906, 1907), at the theaters of Stuttgart and Mannheim, at the Hamburg Municipal Theatre (1901-11), at the opera houses of Frankfurt a. M. and Cologne, at the Bremen and Nuremberg Municipal Theaters, at the Viennese Volksoper (1906, 1908), at the Basel and Bern Municipal Theaters and at the German theater in Prague (1906-10). An eye complaint which led almost to the loss of sight made him give up his singer's career. He was medically active afterwards again. He was married to the sculptor Jennie von Bary-Doussint.

Chronology of some appearances

1903 Dresden Court Opera Lohengrin (Lohengrin)

1906 Dresden Koniglich-Sachsisches Hoftheater Moloch premiere

COMPLETE RECORDINGS FOR SALE

G&T, Bayreuth 1904

Walkure (Wagner): Wintersturme (Liebeslied) 2-42925 BAY1136e

Walkure (Wagner): Siegmund heiss' ich 2-42926 BAY1137e

Albert Vaguet (Tenor) (Elbeuf 1865 – Pau 1943)

                                                                  Radames

He studied at the Paris Conservatoire under Barbot, Obin and Ponchard. In 1890 he debuted at the Grand Opéra in Parisas Faust in Gounod’s ‘’Faust’’. During his whole career he remained a member of this opera house. Here he sang in 1897 the role of David in the première of Wagner’s ‘’Meistersingers’’, in 1894 Cassio in Verdi’s ‘’Otello’’, in 1899 Hylas in the première of the opera ‘’Briseïs’’ of Chabrier, in 1901 Marcomir in ‘’Les barbares’’ of  Saint-Saëns, in 1899 sang the title role in ‘’Joseph’’ of Méhul. In 1893 he appeared (as well as his wife) in the premiere of the opera ‘’Deïdamie’’ of Henri Maréchal. In 1895 he sang at the Grand Opéra in ‘’Tannhäuser’’ after the debacle of the première in 1861. In 1900 he sang in the premiere of the opera ‘’Lancelot’’ of F. L. R. Joncières. The artist who was married to the soprano Alba Chrétien-Vaguet, lost by an accident in 1903 a leg by which his career was finished as an opera singer suddenly. Then he performed as a concert and records singer and later worked as pedagogue in Pau.

Chronology of some appearances

1890 Paris  Grand Opora  Faust (Faust)

1894 Paris  Grand Opora  Otello (Cassio)

1897 Paris  Grand Opora  Meistersingers (David)

1899 Paris  Grand Opora  Briseis (Hylas)

1901 Les barbares (Marcomir)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Pathé, cylinders & discs, Paris 1902/1903

Lohengrin (Wagner): Rècit du Graal 3392

Sigurd (Reyer): Esprits gardiens 3529

Jocelyn (Godard): Berceuse 3531

Nuits Persanes (Saint-Saens): Air du cimetière 3534

Les prunes (Clérice) (pf Clérice) 3692

Vous êtes jolie (Delmet) 3733

Haydée (Auber): Ah, que la nuit est belle 3743
Pensée d'automne, pt 1 (Massenet) 3746

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Plus blanche que la blanche hermine 3844

Mignon (Thomas): Adieu, Mignon, courage 3750

Robert le diable (Meyerbeer): Ah, l'honnête homme with Paul Aumonier 3852

Enchantement (Massenet) 3756

Faust (Gounod): Entrée de Méphisto, pt 1 with Andre Gresse 3758

Faust (Gounod): Entrée de Méphisto pt 2 with Andre Gresse 3759

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Des rayons de l'aurore 3859

Pathé, Paris 1906 - 1908

Damnation de Faust (Berlioz): Air de Faust 4520

Noël d'amour (Luigini) 4524

Joseph (Mehul): A peine au sortir de l'enfance 4534

Damnation de Faust (Berlioz):  Invocation 4537

Haydée (Auber): Ah, que la nuit est belle 4538
Hérodiade (Massenet): Air de Jean 4540

Mignon (Thomas):  Elle ne croyait pas 4542

Mignon (Thomas): Adieu, Mignon 4543

Roméo et Juliette (Gounod): Ah, lève-toi, soleil 4546

Joseph (Mehul): Vainement, Pharaon 4548

Africaine (Meyerbeer): Air de Vasco de Gama 4553

L'étoile d'amour (Delmet) 4928

Fils de l'Arétin (Laurent):  Sérénade 4960

L'âme des fleurs (Massenet) 4973

Pathé, Paris 1909 - 1912

Mireille (Gounod): Chant provencal 3650

Manon (Massenet): Duo de la lettre with Aline Vallandri 0227
Manon (Massenet): La rencontre with Aline Vallandri 0230

Quand l'oiseau chante (Tagliafico) 0282

Le temps de cerises (Renard) 0284

Arioso (Messager) Pathe 0299

Faust (Gounod): Laisse-moi contempler with Aline Vallandri 0550

Muette de Portici (Auber): Amour sacré de la patrie with Henri Albers 0561
Manon (Massenet): Le rêve 0137

La fileuse (Botrel) 0642

Don Giovanni (Mozart): Sérénade 0899

Anna Meitschik (Mezzo-Soprano) (Minsk 1875 – New York 1934)

Daughter of a lawyer; she studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under Carolina Ferni-Giraldoni and made her debut after the turn of the century in Tbilisi. From1907-10 she appeared at different Italian stages; she guested at the beginning of her career also in Spainand sang at the Teatro San Carlo in Lisbon. In the 1909-10 season she was a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York (beginning role: Cieca in ‘’' Gioconda’’ under Toscanini). In 1910 she sang there the role of the old countess in the première of Tchaikovsky’s  ‘’The Queen of Spades’’.  She came back afterwards again to Europe, nevertheless, went in 1915 finally to North America. In 1922 she gave a very successful concert in New York, however, been active, for the rest, as a pedagogue. Married the composer Salomon Rosowsky.

Chronology of some appearances

1909 New York  Teatro Metropolitan Rigoletto (Maddalena)

1909 New York  Teatro Metropolitan Gioconda (Cieca)

1909 New York  Teatro Metropolitan Trovatore (Azucena)

1909 Boston  Opera House Gioconda (Cieca)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Fonotipia, Milano 22-10-1908

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Stride la vampa 92469 Xph 3552

Roghneda: Ballata (Viking song) (in Russian) Unpubl.  xPh 3567

Trovatore (Verdi): Stride la vampa! 92470 Xph 3553

Margherita Salvi (Soprano) (Madrid 1897 - ? 1981 )

with Tito Schipa

She studied under Avelina Carrera in Barcelona, then in Milanwith Torati. She made her debut in 1925 at the Teatro della pergola in Florence as Gilda in ‘’Rigoletto’’. In 1926  had a great success at the Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires, in the 1926-27 season she appeared at the Italian opera house in Holland. In 1927 she undertook a big Germanytour with guest performances in leading stages. In 1928 she appeared again in Holland. From 1929-32 she was a member of the Chicago Opera, where she debuted as Rosina in ‘’Il Barbiere di Siviglia’’. In 1929 she performed at the opera house of Monte Carlo. In 1931 she made guest appearance at the opera of Budapest, in 1934 at the Theatre de la Monnaie of Brussels. In 1933 she sang again at the Italian opera house in Holland. At that time she lived in Paris, since 1936, nevertheless, in New York. In 1937 she appeared again at Chicago Opera in the title role of ‘’La Traviata’’ them lived later in South America. Married to conductor and composer Federico Longas.

Chronology of some appearances

1925 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Coliseo Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1925 Buenos Ayres Teatro Coliseo Rigoletto (Gilda)

1925 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1925 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Rigoletto (Gilda)

1925 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Lirico Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1925  Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Municipal Rigoletto (Gilda)

1925 San Paolo  Teatro Municipal Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1925  Venezia  Teatro Malibran Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1926 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1926  Cagliari  Teatro Civico Don Pasquale (Norina)

1926  Genova  Teatro Paganini Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1926 Venezia  Teatro La Fenice Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1926  Cagliari  Teatro Civico Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1926 Trieste  Politeama Rossetti Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1926 'S-Gravenhage  Koninklijke Schouwburg Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1927  Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1927  Venezia  Teatro La Fenice Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1927 Basilea Stadt Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1927  Berna  Stadt Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1927 Milano  Teatro Dal Verme Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1928 Den Haag  Van Kuust Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1928 Rotterdam  Groote Schouwburg Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1928 'S-Gravenhage  Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1928  Chicago  Civic Opera House Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1928  Montecarlo  Teatro del Casinâ Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1929 Montecarlo  Teatro del Casinâ Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1929 Milano  Teatro Lirico Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1929 Chicago  Civic Opera House Don Pasquale (Norina)

1930  Chicago  Civic Opera House Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1930  Chicago  Civic Opera House Don Pasquale (Norina)

1930 Santiago del Cile  Teatro Municipale Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1931  Chicago  Civic Opera House Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

HMV, Milano 1925-06-09

Traviata (Verdi):  Un di, felice with Aristodemo Giorgini  R5211 7-254170

Traviata (Verdi): Parigi, o cara with Aristodemo Giorgini R5211 7-254171

Fany Toresella (Fanny Torresella) (Soprano) (Tiflis, Georgia 1856 - Rome, Italy 1914)

She was the daughter of the Italian choir conductor Antonio Torresella. She studied singing under her father and already in 1870 appeared at the opera house of Triesteas Fenena in Verdi’s ‘’Nabucco’’. More than 20 years she appeared in Italian province, Russia and South America. She also guested in Austria, Spain, Egypt and Portugal and gave a guest performance in London. She created in 1896 at the Teatro de la Opera of Buenos Aires the role of Musetta in the première there of Puccini’s ‘’La Bohème’’. In 1884 she appeared at La Scala as Marguerite de Valois in ‘’Les Huguenots’’ of  Meyerbeer. In 1894 and 1904 she guested again at La Scala, in 1887 she sang at the Teatro San Carlo of Naples in 1889, 1897 and 1900 in Buenos Aires; also in Spain. On 17. 1. 1901 she sang at the Teatro Regio of Turinin Mascagni’s opera ‘’Le Maschere’’. In 1904 she appeared there as Gilda in ‘’Rigoletto’’ opposite Titta Ruffo. She gave only till 1909 occasional guest performances and concerts in Italy and South America. Last she lived in Rome. 

Chronology of some appearances

1878 Fano  Teatro Della Fortuna Rigoletto (Gilda)

1884 Barcellona  Teatro Liceo Rigoletto (Gilda)

1885 Barcellona  Teatro Liceo Rigoletto (Gilda)

1886  Rovigo  Teatro Sociale Rigoletto (Gilda)

1887  Londra  Drury Lane Theater Rigoletto (Gilda)

1889  Buenos Ayres  Opera Rigoletto (Gilda)

1889  Montevideo  Teatro Solis Rigoletto (Gilda)

1889  Reggio Emilia  Teatro Municipale Rigoletto (Gilda)

1890  Palermo  Politeama Rigoletto (Gilda)

1891 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Carmen (Micaela)

1891  Torino  Teatro Regio Rigoletto (Gilda)

1894 Brisighella  Teatro Sociale Rigoletto (Gilda)

1896 Odessa  Teatro Municipale Rigoletto (Gilda)

1897 Buenos Ayres  Opera Rigoletto (Gilda)

1897 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Rigoletto (Gilda)

1897 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Rigoletto (Gilda)

1897  Il Cairo  Teatro Khediviale Rigoletto (Gilda)

1899  Genova  Politeama Genovese Rigoletto (Gilda)

1899  Roma  Teatro Nazionale Rigoletto (Gilda)

1899  Torino  Teatro Carignano Rigoletto (Gilda)

1899 Torino  Teatro Carignano Rigoletto (Gilda)

1900 Genova  Politaema Genovese Rigoletto (Gilda)

1901  Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Rigoletto (Gilda)

1901 Soresina  Teatro Sociale Rigoletto (Gilda)

1902  Genova  Politeama Genovese Rigoletto (Gilda)

1902 Roma Teatro Costanzi Rigoletto (Gilda)

1902 Trieste  Politeama Rossetti Rigoletto (Gilda)

1903 Napoli  Teatro Verdi Carmen (Micaela)

1904  Milano  Teatro La Scala Rigoletto (Gilda)

1905 Catania  Teatro Bellini Rigoletto (Gilda)

1906  Milano  Teatro Dal Verme Rigoletto (Gilda)

1906  Firenze  Politeama Fiorentino Rigoletto (Gilda)

1907 Roma  Teatro Adriano Rigoletto (Gilda)

1908 Ancona  Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Rigoletto (Gilda)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Disco Zonofono Milano, 1902
Puritani (Bellini): Son vergine vezzosa X-481

Romanza (Beroit) X-483

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Quando rapita in estasi X-485

Luisa Bertana (Mezzo-Soprano) (Quilmes, Buenos Aires 1888 –Buenos Aires 1933)

She began her education under Rinaldi in Buenos Aires and made her debut in 1921 at the Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires as Preziosilla in ‘’La forza deldestino’’. Then she came to Italyand was engaged by Arturo Toscanini to appear at La Scala; here she debuted in 1922 as Maddalena in ‘’Rigoletto’’. Since then she had at La Scala a glittering career. She appeared there also on 1. 5. 1924 in the premiere of Boito’s of posthumous opera ‘’Nerone’’ under the direction of Toscanini in the role of Rubria. In 1926 she sang at the same opera house in the Italian premiere of Mussorgsky’s ‘’Khovantchina’’ as Marfa. Up to her death she appeared many times at La Scala and at the Teatro Costanzi of Rome (among other things in 1928 in the premiere of Boito’s ‘’Nerone’’ and in the premiere of the opera ‘’Dafni’’ of Giuseppe Mule), at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples and in other Italian stages. Year after year, in addition, she sang at the Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires. Here she was involved in several opera premi¨res (‘’La vida breve’’ of M. de Falla (1923) and ‘’Debora e Jaele’’ of  Pizzetti, ‘’Nerone’’ of Boito (1926), in 1929 ‘’Khovantchina’’ of Mussorgsky and ‘’La campana sommersa’’ of  O. Respighi). At  the Teatro Colon she also sang in the premiere of the Argentine opera ‘’Ollantay’’ of Constantino Gaito (23. 7. 1926). On 6. 6. 1933 she sang at the Teatro Colon the role of Adalgisa in ‘’Norma’’', fallen ill she died after some weeks from Pneumonie. She was married to the Italian conductor Angelo Questa.

Chronology of some appearances

1923 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Trovatore (Azucena)
1923 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Municipal Trovatore (Azucena)
1923 San Paolo  Teatro Municipal Trovatore (Azucena)
1926   Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Trovatore (Azucena)
1927 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Trovatore (Azucena)
1928 San Paolo  Teatro Municipal Norma (Adalgisa)
1928Roma  Teatro dell'Opera Norma (Adalgisa)
1928 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Trovatore (Azucena)
1929 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Norma (Adalgisa)
1930  Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Norma (Adalgisa)
1931   Firenze  Teatro Della Pergola Norma (Adalgisa)
1932 Genova  Teatro Carlo Felice Norma (Adalgisa)
1932  Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Norma (Adalgisa)
1933 Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon Norma (Adalgisa)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

HMV, Milano 1924-05-15

Nerone (Mascagni): La confessione Or tutto e confessato with Carlo Galeffi DB732 2-054142

Nerone (Mascagni): Laggiu tra i giunch with Carlo Galeffi DB732 2-054143

Fonotipia, Milano 1925-05-05

Trovatore: Ai nostri mondi with Aureliano Pertile 74944 xxPh 5586

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-02

Ballo in maschera (Verdi): La rivedro with Antonio Righetti, Ines Maria Ferraris, Cesare Baromeo and Aureliano Pertile 74973 xxPh 5680

Ballo in maschera (Verdi): E scherzo with Antonio Righetti, Ines Maria Ferraris, Cesare Baromeo and Aureliano Pertile 74974 xxPh 5666

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-14
Mi ranchito viejo! (Canción argentina) (trad) 152038 Pho5720

Odeon/Fonotipia, Milano 1931-01-16

Amico Fritz (Mascagni): O pallida, che un giorno mi guardasti 168778 Mo3404

Ida Mannarini (Mezzo-Soprano) (Bologna 1885 – Milan 1972)

She studied at the Liceo Rossini in Pesaro under Busi. She debuted in Italy around 1907 and sang already in 1915 at the Teatro Colón of Buenos Aires. From 1924-31 she sang at La Scala under Arturo Toscanini who knew how to estimate her reliability and her talent. At La Scala she appeared on 29. 12. 1927 in the premiere of the opera ‘’Sly’’ of E. Wolf-Ferrari. In 1923 and 1933 she appeared in the festival at the arena of Verona. She appeared also at the big opera houses of Italy. Approximately in 1938 she picked up her stage career.

Chronology of some appearances

1907  Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

1909 Alessandria Teatro Verdi Amica (Margherita)

1909 Alessandria  Teatro Verdi Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

1910  Bologna  Teatro Verdi Manon Lescaut (Musico)

1911 Revere  Teatro Sociale Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

1912  Savona Teatro Wanda Gioconda (Cieca)

1913  San Paulo Teatro San Jos¨ Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

1913 San Paolo Teatro San Jos¨ Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

1914 Schio  Teatro Civico Manon Lescaut (Musico)

1914 Ravenna  Teatro Alighieri Manon Lescaut (Musico)

1915 Porto Alegre  Teatro San Pedro Boheme (Musetta)

1917 Milano  Teatro Carcano Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

1917 Reggio Emilia Teatro Municipale Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

1917 Brescia  Teatro Sociale Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

1917  Torino  Politeama Chiarella Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

1918 Genova  Teatro Paganini Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

1919 Milano Teatro Lirico Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

1919 Milano Teatro Lirico Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

1919 Bagnacavallo  Teatro Comunale Manon Lescaut (Musico)

1922  Milano  Teatro Verdi Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

1925  Varese  Teatro Sociale Manon Lescaut (Musico)

1929   Como  Teatro Sociale Manon Lescaut (Musico)

1931 Genova Politeama Genovese Boheme (Musetta)

1931 Genova Politeama Genovese Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

1931 Bergamo  Teatro delle Novit  Boheme (Musetta)

1931 Bergamo  Teatro delle Novit  Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Fonotipia, Milano 1927-10-18

Carmen (Bizet): Nous avons en tete P.I°  with A. Apolloni, C.Supervia and A. Baracchi, G. Nessi 168110 Pho6059

Carmen (Bizet): Nous avons en tete P.II°  with A. Apolloni, C.Supervia and A. Baracchi, G. Nessi 168111  Pho6060

Ernani (Verdi):   Qual rumore with Vittorio Fullin, Nessi, Fregosi, Baracchi, Righetti and Poli-Randaccio  120071  XXPh6061

Ernani (Verdi): O sommo Carlo with Vittorio Fullin, Nessi, Fregosi, Baracchi, Righetti and Poli-Randaccio 120071 XXPh6062

Fonotipia, Milano 1927-10-19

Traviata (Verdi): Scena della borsa pt 1, pt 2  with Ciniselli, Baracchi, Bardone, Nessi, Menni and Fregosi  120076, XXPh6067

Traviata (Verdi): Scena della borsa pt 2  with Ciniselli, Baracchi, Bardone, Nessi, Menni and Fregosi  120076, XXPh6068

Columbia, Milano 1927-04-14

Sonnambula (Bellini): D’un pensiero with Gina Pedroni, Dino Borgioli and  Maria Gentile  M 7129 WBX 105

Columbia, Milano 1927-04-15

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Chi mi frena with G. Vanelli, D. Borgioli, M. Gentile, S. Baccaloni and G. Nessi   D 18016  BX 104

Columbia, Milano  09-10-1929 

Mose in Egitto (Rossini): Dal tuo stella with Emilio Venturini,  Nazzareno De Angelis and Elena Cheni  GQX10207  WBX668

Columbia, Milano 1927/1930

Mefistofele (Boito): Cavaliere illustre e saggio with Paolo Civil, Gina Cigna and Tancredi Pasero D6064 B2681

Columbia, Milano 1931
Complete Mefistofele (Boito) with Emilio Venturini,  Antonio Melandri,  Nazzareno de Angelis and Mafalda  Favero 

Antonina Nezhdanova (Soprano) (Krivaya Balka, near Odessa 1873 – Moscow 1950)

                                                  with Titta Ruffo in ''Rigoletto''

She was a Russian lyric coloratura soprano. An outstanding opera singer, she represented the Russian vocal school at its best.

Nezhdanova was born in Kryva Balka, near Odessa, Ukraine, then in Russian Empire. In 1899, she entered the Moscow Conservatory. Upon her graduation three years later she joined the Bolshoi Theatre, rapidly becoming its leading soprano. She sang often, too, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg and also in Kievand Odessa. Paris heard her in 1912, when she appeared opposite the great tenor Enrico Caruso and Caruso's baritone equivalent, Titta Ruffo.

Nezhdanova was the dedicatee of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, and she was the first performer of the arrangement for soprano and orchestra, with the composer conducting. She created a number of operatic roles. After the 1917 Russian Revolution she stayed on at the Bolshoi, unlike some of her fellow opera singers, who left their native country for the West. In 1936, she began to teach singing in Moscow and was appointed a professor at the city's conservatory in 1943.

She was married to the conductor Nikolai Golovanov and died in Moscow in 1950.

Nezhdanova made a number of recordings that display the beauty and flexibility of her voice and the excellence of her technique. She is considered by opera historians and critics to have been one of the finest sopranos of the 20th century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonina_Nezhdanova

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Gramophone -6-06, Moscow(P. Umberto Masetti)

Faust (Gounod): Ah! je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir 2-23092 1197r

Pecheurs de Perles (Bizet): Comme autrefois 2-23074 1183r

Dobrynja Nikitich (Grechaninov): Zabava's aria 2-23076 1185r

Romeo et Juliette (Gounod): Je veux vivre dans ce reve 2-23078 1195r

Gramophone, Moscow  -07 (flute S G Petrov)

Perle du Bresil (David): Charmant oiseau flute 2-23129 2708r

Ruslan and Ljudmila (Glinka): Ah, thou my fate 2-23131 2710r

Harold (Napravnik): Hush thee, dear one, slumber well 2-23130 2709r

Serenade ("Sing, smile, slumber") (Gounod) 2-23132 2711r

Gramophone, Moscow  -07 (P. Umberto Masetti)

Sadko (Rimsky- Korsakov): Sleep went along the river (Cradle song) 2-23138 2717r

Life for the Tsar (Glinka):  It is not for that that I grieve 2-23140 2718r

Pecheurs de Perles (Bizet): Brahma, grand Dieu 2-23141 2719r

Bolero (Cui) ("O my dear, charming one") 2-23142 2720r

Gramophone, Moscow  -08 (o I P Arkadev)

The Snow Maiden (Rimsky-Korsakov): With friends to gather berries (Rimsky- Korsakov) 2-23315 7216L

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Aria 2-23317 7219L

Mireille (Gounod): O legere hirondelle 2-23322 7224L

Gramophone, Moscow  27-1-10

Fra Diavolo (Auber): Quel bonheur! 023054 1928c

Gramophone, Moscow  28-1-10

The Golden Cockerel (Rimsky-Korsakov): Hail to thee, Sun! 2-23483 14171b

Gramophone, Moscow  17-4-12

The Tsar's Bride: Look there, above your head 2-23667 16402b

Gramophone, Moscow  24-4-12

Traviata: Ah, fors' e lui . . .Follie, follie . . .Sempre libera 2-23668 16458b

Gramophone, Moscow  19-4-13

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Una voce poco fa 023125 2795½c

Serenata (Tosti) 023125 2795½c

Gramophone, Moscow 14-4-14

Vespri Siciliani (Verdi): Merce, dilette 023157 323½af

How fair this spot (Rimsky-Korsakov), op 21 n° 7 (Rachmaninov) and The rose and the nightingale, op 2 n° 2 023159 325af

Nerina Lollini (Mezzo-Soprano) (Bologna 1882 - ?)

She began career around the turn of the century and appeared first in smaller Italian stages (among other things in 1908 at the Teatro Sociale in Trevisoas Maddalena in ‘’Rigoletto’’). In 1908 she made her debut at La Scala appearing as Genovieff in ‘’Pelleas et Melisande’’. Till 1919 she often appeared at La Scala. Guest performances followed at the famous Italian opera houses (among other things in 1912 she performed at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, in 1922 at La Fenice of Venezia), but also sang abroad with success. In 1910 she made guest appearance in Prague and at the opera house of Monte Carlo, where she sang among other things the role Pierotto in ‘’Linda di Chamounix’’ of Donizetti. In 1917 she appeared at the Grand Opéra in Parissinging the role of Maddalena in ‘’Rigoletto’’. She retired from the stage in 1934.

Chronology of some appearances

1906 Citt  del Messico Teatro Arbeu Stagione

1908 Ancona Teatro delle Muse Ugonotti (Urbano)

1910 Ancona   Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Trovatore (Azucena)

1912 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Nabucco (Fenena)

1914 Venezia   Teatro La Fenice Falstaff (Meg)

1917 Parigi Opera Rigoletto (Maddalena)

1919 Montecarlo Teatro delCasinâ     Falstaff (Quickly)                               

1921 Trieste Teatro Verdi Rigoletto (Maddalena)

1923 Torino Teatro Regio Louise (Madre)

1934 Cremona Teatro Ponchielli Mignon (Federico)

RECORDING FOR SALE

Disco Italia
Trovatore (Verdi): Ai nostri monti with Luigi Siroli 9028

Mr. Cheyrat (tenor)

In 1900 at Paris Grand Opera he made his debut in ‘’Romeo et Juliette’’. Probably he appeared mostly as Comprimario.

Chronology of some appearances

Paris Grand Opera Joseph (Lévi, 1900)

Paris Grand Opera Les Huguenots (Soldat, 1908)

Paris Grand Opera Thaïs (Cénobite, 1908)

Paris Grand Opera Salammbo (Pontife, 1908)

Paris Grand Opera Henry VIII (Seigneur, 1917)

Paris Grand Opera Castor et Pollux (Spartiate, 1918)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

G&T, Paris 1901

Juive (Halevy): Rachel, quand du Seigneur  32984 3673G 
Africaine (Meyerbeer): O pays merveilleux 32966 3674G 

Franz Xaver Battisti (Tenor) (Bolzano, Italy 1865 - ?)

He was the son of a well known businessman. He studied at first at the technical college of Graz chemistry. Then, from 1889-93 he studied singing under Viktor von Rokitansky in Vienna, additionally he studied also in Graz. He made his debut in 1893 at the Municipal Theatre of Trier as Lyonel in Flotow’s ‘’Martha’’. In 1894 he sang at the Municipal Theatre of Zurich, in the 1895-96 season in Dusseldorf, from 1896-97 at the Municipal Theatre of Bremen (debuted again as Lyonel and as Radames in ‘’Aida’’). Then he was engaged by the Berlin West theatre (1897-98). Then Battisti went to Milanand completed his study under maestro Alberto Selva. In 1900 he took up his career at the Court theatre of Hannover, here he remained till 1914. Guest performances led him to the Berlin Court opera, to the Court theatres of Kassel and Brunswick, to the operahouses of Frankfurt a. M., Leipzig and Cologne. His repertoire included the principal roles in ‘’Il Trovatore’’, ‘’Cavalleria rusticana’’, ‘’Pagliacci’’, ‘’Roméo et Juliette’’, ‘’Mignon’’ ‘’Magic flute’’, ‘’Les Huguenots’’, ‘’Flying Dutchman’’, ‘’Lohengrin’’, ‘’Meistersingers’’, ‘’Carmen’’ ‘’Aida’’, in addition he was also as a gifted concert singer. He continued activity at the concert hall still after his stage retirement in 1914 and was active at the same time as a pedagogue in Hannover (till in 1925). In 1909 at Hannover he made 9 records for Gramophone.

Chronology of some appearances

1893  Trier Municipal Theatre
1894 Zurich Municipal Theatre
1895-1896 Dusseldorf Opera House
1896-1897 Bremen Municipal Theatre

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Gramophone, Hannover 1909-06

Contes d'Hoffmann (Offenbach): Die Liebe fürs Leben ist nur ein Wahn 4-42248 6405r

Contes d'Hoffmann (Offenbach):  Ha, wie in meiner Seele 4-42249 6406r

Carmen (Bizet): Blumenarie 4-42259 6407r

Tiefland (d'Albert): Mit ihm, den ich liebe with Marga Burchardt 044113 374s
Tiefland (d'Albert): Finale-Duett with Marga Burchardt 044114 375s

Fliegende Hollander (Wagner): Auf hohem Felsen with Marga Burchardt 044116 377s

Albertina Cassani (Soprano) (Bologna 1887 - ? 1965)

At the age of 18 she she made her debut at the municipal theatre of Portogruaro. From 1905-31 she appeared at different Italian theatres. In 1917 she had at the Teatro Regio of Parma a special success as Gilda in ‘’Rigoletto’’ of Verdi. She was appreciated in Spainwhere she guested in Madrid and Barcelona, above all, however, in Holland. Since 1911 she appeared many times as prima donna at the Italian opera house in Holland. Later she was active as a pedagogue in Bologna.

Chronology of some appearances

1905 Portogruaro Teatro Sociale Carmen (Micaela)

1907 Modena  Teatro Municipale Werther (Sofia)

1909 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Pagliacci (Nedda)

1910 CremonaPoliteama Verdi Don Pasquale (Norina)

1912 AmsterdamPaleis Voor Volksvlijt Carmen (Micaela)

1914 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucia)

1916 Bologna  Teatro Verdi Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucia)

1918 Malta Teatro Reale Mignon (Filina)

1920 Humacao Teatro Victoria Stagione Compagnia Bracale

1922 ComoTeatro Sociale Rigoletto (Gilda)

1923 Livorno Teatro Rossini    Pescatori di Perle (Leila)

1925 Livorno Teatro Avvalorati Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucia)

1927 PisaTeatro Verdi Traviata (Violetta)

1929 Palermo  Politeama Garibaldi Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1931 Ferrara Teatro Comunale Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucia)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Phonodisc, Milano 1908/1909?

Carmen (Bizet): Io dico no, non son paurosa 13

Don Pasquale (Donizetti): So anch'io la virté magica 20

Lyrophon, Milano? 1911/1912?

Rigoletto (Verdi): Bella figlia dell'amore  with Oggero, Garroni and Omodei J 544

Edison, Italy 1912?

Don Pasquale (Donizetti): La morale in tutto questo Unpubl. 44770

Beka
Faust (Gounod): Dammi ancor with Pietro Bersellini 42088

Columbia, Milano 1913?
Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Regnava nel silenzio D4556 42201
Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Quando rapita in estasi D4556 42205