Louis Cazette (Tenor) (Nantes 1887 – Paris 1922)

His real name was Victor Louis Camille Peault. After his study with Albert Salèza in Paris he made his debut in 1919 as Le Noctambule in Charpentier’s ‘’Louise’’. The first major role there was Pinkerton in Puccini’s ‘’Madama Butterfly’’. In 1922 he sang at the Opéra-Comique one of his successful roles, the Don Ottavio in Mozart’s ‘’Don Giovanni’’. Short time ago he fell victim to a deadly accident. At that time the version was spread, he has died of a tetanus infection after an accident. Nevertheless, in reality he was accidentally cut by a trident which was held by one of his colleagues, the baritone André Baugé. The tetanus infection set in and within a few days Cazette was dead.

Chronology of some appearances

1919 Paris Opéra-Comique Louise (Noctambule)

1922 Paris Opéra-Comique Don Giovanni (Don Ottavio)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Gramophone, Paris1920-10-28

Serenade (Toselli) 4-32438 s21758u

Gramophone, Paris1920-11-08

Le Tango du Reve (Malderen) 4-32439 s21760u

Pour un baiser (Tosti) 4-32481 s21761u

Gramophone, Paris1920-11-10

Dormez, amours (Rousseau) 4-32532 s21776u

Gramophone, Paris1921-05-31

Manon (Massenet): En fermant les yeux 032415 03458-2v

Manon (Massenet): Ah fuyez, douce image 032416 03459-2v

Gramophone, Paris1922-02-01

Griselidis (Massenet): Je suis l'oiseau 4-32506 BE215-1

Gramophone, Paris1922-03-02

Mignon (Thomas): Je suis heureuse Suzanne Brohly 34327 BE318-1

Gramophone, Paris1922-04-25

Fortunio (Messager): J'aimais la vieille maison grise 4-32507 BS280-2

Mignon (Thomas): Ah, que ton ame 4-32508 BS281-1

Charles Friant (Tenor) Montmartre, district of Paris 1890 – Paris 1947)

His real name was Auguste Charles Paul Friant. His father like his grandfather had been a dancer and he also began his study the École de Danse de l'Opéra in Paris. He was among other things a pupil of Sarah Bernhardt with whom he undertook in the 1908-09 season an European tour. Then he studied singing under Léon Melchissèdec at the Conservatoire de Paris. His real debut as an opera singer came only after the First World War, when he appeared as Spakos in the first French performance of Jules Massenet’s ''Cléopâtre'' at the Théâtre Lyrique du Vaudeville. Between 1918-1919 he sang at Grenoble's Grand Théâtre. In 1920 he was engaged by the Opéra-Comique in Paris, where he made his debut in ‘’Werther’’ of Massenet with great success. In this opera house Friant performed till 1939. Here he appeared other things on 22. 11. 1919 in the premiere of the Samuel-Rousseau’s opera ‘’Taras Bulba’’. In 1920 he sang at the Opéra-Comique in the premiere of the opera ‘’Le Roi Candaule’’ of A.Bruneau, the next year in ‘’Dans l'ombre de la Cathédrale’’ of  Georges Hüe. In 1923 he sang in ‘’Le Hulla’’ of Samuel-Rousseau, in 1927 in ‘’Le bon roi Dagobert’’ of the same composer, in 1928 in ‘’Riquet à la houppe’’ of Georges Hüe, in 1929 in ‘’Le Peau de Chagrin’’ of Charles Lavadé. Friant also made guest appearances in the operas of Brussels, Nice and Monte Carlo and in French provincial stages. In 1946 he retired from the stage.

Chronology of some appearances

1918-1919 Grenoble Grand Théâtre

1920 Paris Opéra-Comique Werther (Werther)

1920 Paris Opéra-Comique Le Roi Candaule

1920 Paris Opéra-Comique Le Hulla

1927 Paris Opéra-Comique Le bon roi Dagobert

1929 Paris Opéra-Comique Le Peau de Chagrin

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Gramophone, Paris 1920-12

Tarass Boulba (Rousseau): O ma reine P388 4-32446

Tarass Boulba (Rousseau): Ah, par pitie ne raillez pas  P388 4-32447

Gramophone, Paris 1922-02-08

Faust (Gounod) En vain j'interroge W467 032407

Faust (Gounod) Salut, ô mon dernier matin W467 032408

Gramophone, Paris 1922-11-07

La Nuit de Mai (Rimsky-Korsakov) Air P452 4-32524

Pathé, Paris 1923

Jongleur de Notre-Dame (Massenet): O liberte, ma mie 0360

Pathé, Paris 1924

Le Hulla (Samuel-Rousseau): Nos destins sont écrits 0415

Werther (Massenet): Lorsque l'enfant revient 0463

Odeon, Paris  1927

Werther (Massenet): Lorsque l'enfant revient d'un voyage  188.502 KI 1029-2

Werther (Massenet): J'aurais sur ma poitrine 188.502 KI 1030-2

Werther (Massenet): Pourquoi me reveiller 188.503 KI 1031
Werther (Massenet): Elle m'aime...Quelle priere de reconnaissance with Roger Bourdin 188.518 Ki1170

Lakme (Delibes): Fantaisie aux divins mensonges 171.012 XXP6443

Carmen (Bizet): Je suis Escamillo with Roger Bourdin 171.013 XXP6444

Odeon, Paris 1927-04-16

Carmen (Bizet): Duo Final 1ere partie with Nino Vallin 171.024 XXP6475

Carmen (Bizet): Duo Final 2eme partie with Nino Vallin 171.024 XXXP 6476

Odeon, Paris  1928

Werther (Massenet): Mort de Werther with Germaine Cernay 123.585 XXP6745

Faust (Gounod): Cavatine 171.027 XXP6477

L’enfant prodigue (Debussy): O temps а jamais efface171.028 XXP6642

Carmen (Bizet): La fleur que tu m’avais jetee 171.028 XXP6478

Werther (Massenet): Ah! mon courage m'abandonne!...Oui, c'est moi! with Germaine Cernay 188.607 Ki1834/1908
Werther (Massenet): Et ces armes...Pourquoi me reveiller...Ah! ce premier baiser with Germaine Cernay 123.572 xxp6717/6718
Werther (Massenet): Werther est de retour with Germaine Cernay and  Roger Bourdin 188.614 Ki1977

Odeon, Paris  1928-04-24

Le Prince Igor (Borodine): Lentement, baisse le jour 123.543  XXP6641

Le Prince Igor (Borodine): Part2 123.543  XXP6642

L’attaque du moulin (Bruneau): Les adieux а la foret 123.549 XXP6655

Odeon, Paris 1928-05-31

Werther (Massenet): Il faut nous separer with Germaine Cernay 123.556 XXP6691

Werther (Massenet): Nous avez dit vrai with Germaine Cernay 123.556 XXP6692

Werther (Massenet): Au bonheur dont mon ame est pleine with Roger Bourdin 123.557 XXP6693

Carmen (Bizet): Je vais danser with Germaine Cernay  188.593 Ki 1747

Odeon, Paris 1928-09-28
Werther (Massenet): Bonjour, grande soeur with Germaine Cernay and Henriette Lebard 123.568 xxp6714
Werther (Massenet): Va! Laisse couler mes larmes with Germaine Cernay and Henriette Lebard 123.568 xxp6715

Odeon, Paris 1928-11-24

Werther (Massenet): Werther, Werther with Germaine Cernay 123.586 XXP6993

Werther (Massenet): Et puis, il ne faut pas with Germaine Cernay 123.586 XXP6746
Werther (Massenet): Quartet P1 with Emma Luart, Roger Bourdin and Jean Vieuille  123581 xxP 6743
Werther (Massenet): Quartet P2 with Emma Luart, Roger Bourdin and Jean Vieuille  123581 xxP 6744

Odeon, Paris 1929-03-25
Werther (Massenet): Werther, Werther with Germaine Cernay 188.647 Ki2289/Ki2290

Odeon, Paris  1929-05-21

La peau de chagrin (evade): Duo du 4e acte avec Vera Peters 123.649  XXP6892

La peau de chagrin (evade): Duo du 4e acte Part2 avec Vera Peters 123.649  XXP6893

Odeon, Paris 1929-07-03

Marouf  (Rabaud): Dans le jardin fleuri  188.668 Ki 2454

Le bon Roi Dagobert (Samuel-Rousseau): Air du 2e acte 188.671

Odeon, Paris, 1929-07-05

Manon (Massenet): J'ai marque l'heure du depart 123.657 XXP6921

Manon (Massenet): Nous vivrons а Paristous les deux 123.657 XXP6922

Manon (Massenet): Ah! Des Grieux with Emma Luart 123.658 XXP6923
Manon (Massenet): Le ciel lui meme te pardonne with Emma Luart 123.658 XXP6924

Odeon, Paris, 1929-12-28

Werther (Massenet): Alors, c'est bien ici...Invocation аla nature  123.557 XXP6994

Odeon, Paris  1930-05-23

Werther (Massenet): Ai-je dit vrai? with Germaine Cernay 123.700  XXP7071
Werther (Massenet): Celui qu'il faut de moi with Germaine Cernay 123.700 XXP7072

Odeon, Paris  1930-06-20

Manon (Massenet): J'ecris a mon pere with Solange Delmas 123706 xxP 7090

Manon (Massenet): Vous aimer with Solange Delmas 123706 xxP 7091

Odeon, Paris  1932-01-29

Carmen (Bizet): Parle-moi de ma mere with Jane Rolland 123.807  XXP7322
Carmen (Bizet): Parle-moi de ma mere Part2 with Jane Rolland 123.807 XXP7323

Monsieur Delcroix (Tenor)

Probably he appeared at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels as principal tenor.

RECORDING FOR SALE

Zonophone, Bruxelles 1901?
Walküre (Wagner): Chant d'amour X-370
Cloches de Corneville (Planquette): J'ai fait trois fois 1157

Zonophone, Bruxelles 1902?
Jerusalem (Verdi):  Je veux encore entendre  X-2141

Odeon 1903-01-01
Si j'étais roi (Adam): La fleur boit la rosée 3306

Virginia Novelli (Soprano)

Probably she made her debut in 1895 at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turinas Micaela in G. Bizet’s ‘’Carmen’’. In 1900 she made successful guest appearances in Cairo (Teatro Esbekieh) and Alessandria (Teatro Alcazar) singing in ‘’Boheme’’, ‘’Pagliacci’’, ‘’Rigoletto’’, ‘’Manon Lescaut’’. In 1902 she was in Odessa, where at the Teatro Municipale performed in ‘’Rigoletto’’. She retired from the stage in USA, where sang from 1907 to 1910. In 1908 she made a few record for Zonophone.

Chronology of some appearances

1895 Torino Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Carmen (Micaela)

1897 Vercelli   Teatro Civico  Boheme (Musetta)

1899 Bari Teatro Piccinni Boheme (Musetta)

1900 Milano Salone Perosi Oratorio di L.Perosi

1902 Reggio Emilia Teatro Municipale Faust (Siebel)

1907 New York People Theater Rigoletto (Gilda)

RECORDING FOR SALE

Zonophone, USA 1908

A cerinara with Francesco Daddi 40141-A

Octave Dua (Tenor) (Ghent 1882 - Brussels 1952)

Dua had a successful career as comprimario. His real name was Leo van der Haegen. He made his debut in Brussels (Théâtre de la Monnaie) in 1907 as Jeník in B. Smetana’s ‘’The Bartered Bride’’. From 1915 to 1922 he had big success at the Chicago Opera House. From 1919-21 he belonged to the ensemble of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In 1921-22 he was engaged again by the Chicago Opera House (under the management of Mary Garden). Here he appeared on 30. 12. 1921 in the premiere of S. Prokofiev's ‘’L'amour trois oranges’’ singing the role of  Truffaldino. In 1920 in New York he carry out a nasal operation and lost an eye. He had his biggest success at Covent Garden in London, where he appeared from 1924 to 1931 and again from 1934 to 1939. Here he sang in 1919 in the première of M. Ravel’s ‘’L'Heure espagnole’’. In the 1931-1932 season Dua again was a member of the Chicago Opera House. Since 1926 he was active as a stage manager first in Brussels, then in Ghent.

Chronlogy of some appearances

1907 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie The Bartered Bride (Jenik)

1921 Chicago Opera House L'amour trois oranges (Truffaldino)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Disque Zonophone, Brussels  15- 3-10

Een vrouwken die gezwind te spinnen zat (G Antheunis) X-32438

Mijn land (Leo van der Haegen) X-32439

HMV, London 1926-06-17 (actual performance, Covent Garden)

Otello (Verdi): Questa è una ragna with Noto and Cilla DB955 2-054167

HMV, London 1929-06-19

Otello (Verdi): Inaffia l'ugola (Brindisi) with Giovanni Inghilleri, Luigi Cilla & chorus D1698 2-054312

Mario Guardabassi (Tenor) (Perugia 1867 - Palm Beach 1952)

Originally he was a painter. He studied singing in Italy. In 1903 he made his debut as baritone at the Metroplitan Opera of New York as Silvio in R. Leoncavallo’s ‘’Pagliacci’’ opposite Enrico Caruso, Marcella Sembrich and Antonio Scotti. In the 1903-1904 season Guardabassi appeared in different american opera houses (Chicago, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Boston) as comprimario baritone. He cut short his operatic career approximately five years and then started to appear as tenor singing principal tenor roles mostly at the Chicago Opera House and at the Metropolitan Opera of Philadelphia. His favorite roles was Don Jose in G. Bizet’s ‘’Carmen’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1903 New York Teatro Metropolitan Pagliacci (Silvio)

1910 Chicago  Civic Opera House Carmen (Don Josè)

1911 Chicago  Civic Opera House Romeo et Juliette (Romeo)
1912 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Carmen (Don Josè)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Lyrophon

Cavalleria Rusitacana (Mascagni): Siciliana J403

Mattinata (Leoncavallo) J 405

Maria Scarphy de Bernal-Resky (Soprano)

It's impossible to find information about a career of this soprano. We only know, that her husband was the baritone Gustavo de Bernal Resky. Probably she made appearances in Franceand Italy. Her Odeon records, that she made in France, are extremely rare.

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Odeon, Paris

Ideale (Tosti)  36167

Tosca (Puccini): Vissi d'arte  36515

Maria Wroblenska (Soprano)

                                                              Leonora

She studied singing with Edouard De Reszke, brother of the tenor Jean De Reszke.  First she started to appear in her native Warsaw. Here she appeared not only in recitals, but also in such a operas as ‘’Aida’’ and ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’. Later she went to Italy, where received her education from the pedagogue Caviani and made her debut in 1912 at the Teatro Civico of Schio in ‘’Trovatore’’.

Chronlogy of some appearances

1912 Schio Teatro Sociale Trovatore (Leonora)

1914 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1916 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Crepuscolo degli dei (Brunilde)

1918 Milano Teatro Lirico Gioconda (Gioconda)

1921 Roma Teatro Dell'Opera Fanciulla del West (Minnie)

1923 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Gioconda (Gioconda)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 
Attila (Verdi): Allor i forti 110379\
Attila (Verdi): Da te questo 110380

Africana (Meyerbeer): Di te più bella immagine with Gilmo Zampieri 82392

Africana (Meyerbeer): O mia Selika with Gilmo Zampieri 82393

Silvio Queirolo (Bass)

                                                           with Nerina Lollini

He was the brother of the baritone Amedeo Queirolo. He studied singing in Milanunder the pedagogue Nicola Lentini.

Chronology of some appearances

1901 Genova Politeama Genovese Gioconda (Alvise)

1903  LodiTeatro Gaffurio Ernani (Silva)

1906 Amsterdam Palais Voor Volksvlijt Gioconda (Alvise)

1907 Marsiglia Casinò de la Plague Puritani (Giorgio)

1909 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Gloria di F.Cilea (Aquilante)

1911 Modena  Teatro Municipale Iris (Cieco)

1914 Malta Teatro Reale Faust (Mefistofele)

1915 NovaraTeatro Coccia Gioconda (Alvise)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Favorite, 1907/1908

Mignon (Thomas): Fuggitivo e tremante 1-35178

Favorite, Verona1908-10

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Aria di Raimondo 1-35249

Bruno Carmassi (Bass) (?1894 - ?)

He was one of  the best italian comprimario singers of his time, who appeared not only at the secondary theatres, but also at La Scala in Milan. Already in 1921 he performed at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna as Marke in R. Wagner’s ‘’Tristano e Isotta’’and as Conte Rodolfo in V. Bellini’s ‘’Sonnambula’’. He sang there also in the premiere of the opera ‘’La Leggenda di Sakuntala’’ of Franco Alfano (10. 12. 1921). In 1924 he was to be found at Teatro Verdi in Pisa, two years later he again appeared in Bologna (as Ferrando in G. Verdi’s ‘’Trovatore’’).  In 1928 he made guest appearances in São Paulo and Brazil. In 1927 and 1929 he traveled to the Lima, Santiago de Chile and Valparaiso. At La Scala he sang as comprimario from 1930 to 1941. In 1936 he made guest appearances in Holland.  Already in 1931 he was in London, where at Covent Gardensang the role of Sparafucile in G. Verdi’s ‘’Rigoletto’’. The role of Sparafucile in ‘’Rigoletto’’ he performed also in Zurich(1947) and Lugano (1956). In 1947 he appeared at the Arena di Verona. In 1951 he sang at the Florence Maggio musicale, the next year made guest performance at the London Stoll Theatre. He retired from the stage in the 1950’s.

Chronology of some appearances

1921 Bologna Teatro Comunale Tristano e Isotta (Marke)

1921 Bologna Teatro Comunale Sonnambula (Conte Rodolfo)

1921 Bologna Teatro Comunale La Leggenda di Sakuntala (Kanva)

1926 Bologna Teatro Comunale Trovatore (Ferrando)

1931 London Covent GardenRigoletto (Sparafucile)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Milano 1926-05?

Mefistofele (Boito): Concertato, ferma ideal purissima with Lina Bruna Rasa and Ferdinando Ciniselli D5329 B1021

Aida (Verdi): Finale A.II°  with Erminia Rubadi, Leone Paci, Ferdinando Ciniselli and Eva Turner D5311 WB1022
Carmen (Bizet): All, udir del sistro il suon with Buades, Ticozzi & Mion DX8056 WBX1244

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

Angelo Roselli (Tenor)

Probably like Giuseppe Lenghi-Cellini he also appeared in London, but I'm not sure he performed in opera performances or participated only in concerts.

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Meloto Record
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vesti la giubba
Tosca (Puccini): E lucevan le stelle

Mattinata (Leoncavallo) L 138 1112

Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna e mobile  L 138 1212

Giulio Tincani (Tenor)

This forgotten tenor was active in Italy in turn of 1910/20s. Probably he made his debut in 1915. In 1916 Tincani sang in Catalani’s ‘’Loreley’’ at the Coliseo Recrejos in Lisbon opposite  Salomea Kruscelnicka. In the same year he was in Catania, where at the Politeama Pacini he sang the role of Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’. In 1920 he appeared in ‘’Tosca’’ and ‘’Fedora’’ at the Politeama Pacini in Catania. Probably he retired from the stage in 1930.

Chronology of some appearances

1916 Lisbon Coliseo Recrejos Loreley (Walter)

1916 Catania Politeama Pacini Rigoletto (Duke)

1920 Catania Politeama Pacini Tosca (Cavaradossi)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Fonografia Nazionale 
La campana di San Giusto C5327
Inno di Garibaldi C5328

Artiphon, Milano 1921?

Mattinata (Leoncavallo) 8129

Isabel Grassot (Soprano) (Barcelona 1855 - Buenos Aires ?)

She studied singing under the teacher Juan Goula and made her debut at the Teatro San Carlos of Lisbon, Portugal, singing the roles of Elisabetta and Venus in R. Wagner’s ‘’Tannhauser’’, which followed by appearances in ‘’Roberto il Diavolo’’ of G. Meyerbeer and ‘’La Resurrezione di Lazzaro’’of Lorenzo Perossi (1872). Then she sang at the Teatro Nuevo de Arriaga in Bilbao appearing in ‘’Lohengrin’’, ‘’Aida’’ and ‘’Boheme’’. She went to Barcelonaand performed at the Teatro Liceo in "Condesa de Foix" and "Los Pirineos" written by Felipe Pedrell. She made guest appearances also at the Teatro Lirico in  Palma de Mallorca perfomring in ‘’Lohengrin’’ and ‘’Boheme’’. She married the teacher Joan Goula and abandoned his brilliant career. She established in Buenos Aires definitely as Isabel de Goula.

Chronology of some appearances

Lisbon Teatro San Carlos Tannhauser (Elisabetta and Venus)

Lisbon Teatro San Carlos Roberto il Diavolo (-)

Lisbon Teatro San Carlos La Resurrezione di Lazzaro (-)

Bilbao Teatro Nuevo de Arriaga Lohengrin (Elsa)

Bilbao Teatro Nuevo de Arriaga Aida (Aida)

Barcelona Teatro Liceo Condesa de Foix

Barcelona Teatro Liceo Los Pirineos

Palma de Mallorca Teatro Lirico  Lohengrin (Elsa)

Palma de Mallorca Teatro Lirico Boheme (Mimi)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

G&T, Barcelona 1902-11?

Manon (Massenet): Gavotta 53277 7193F

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Duetto Valentina-Marcello, pt 1 with Andres Perello De Segurola 54030 7232F

Nelda Garrone (Mezzo-Soprano)

Probably she made her debut at the Teatro Lirico in Milan appearing in ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’ (1907). She finished her stage career in 1925.

Chronology of some appearances

1907 Milan Teatro Lirico Cavalleria Rusticana (Lola)

1909 Venezia   Teatro La Fenice Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

1911 Lucca Teatro DelGiglio Fanciulla del West (Wockle)

1915 Milano Teatro Carcano Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

1919 Vicenza   Teatro Eretenio Andrea Chenier (Contessa/Madelon)

1922 Cesena Teatro Comunale Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

1925 Crevalcore Teatro Sociale Cavalleria Rusticana (Lola)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Lyrophon, Milano 1911/1912?

Rigoletto (Verdi): Bella figlia dell'amore with Albertina Cassani, Lorenzo Oggero and Ercole Omodei J544

Gramophone, Milano 1916-03-29

Complete Rigoletto (Verdi) with Giuseppe Danise, Ayres Borghi-Zerni, Vincenzo Bettoni and Olga Simzis

Gramophone, Milano 1920

Complete Faust (Gounod): with Gemma Bosini, Giuliano Romagnoli, Fernando Autori  and Adolfo Pacini

Gramophone, Milano 1920-07-03
Andrea Chénier (Giordano): Signor Chénier with Venturini, Bartolomasi, Lupato, Festa & chorus