Rafael Punza (Tenor) (Romania ? - ?)

                                                                         Radames

In 1904 he was engaged by Gregorio Gabrielesco to appear at the Opera House in Craiova. Probably he made guest appearances in Italy as Raffaele Punza.

Chronology of appearance

1904 Craiova Opera House 

Giuseppe Trenta (Baritone)

He made his debut around 1920 and mostly appeared at the provincial opera stages. He never made records.

Chronology of some appearances

1922 Treviglio Teatro Sociale Trovatore (Conte)

1922 Treviso  Politeama Garibaldi Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1923 Piove di Sacco  Politeama Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1923 Lonigo  Teatro Comunale Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1923 Pisa  Teatro Rossi Boheme (Marcello)

1924 Grosseto  Teatro Degli Industri  Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1924 Firenze  Teatro Della Pergola Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1924   Venezia  Teatro Malibran Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1924 Porto Maurizio Teatro Cavour Boheme (Marcello)

1925 Asti Teatro Alfieri Boheme (Marcello)

1925 Arezzo  Teatro Petrarca Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1927 Reggio Emilia Politeama Ariosto Tosca (Scarpia)

1927 Reggio Emilia Politeama Ariosto Traviata (Germont)

1927 Sanremo Teatro Principe Amedeo Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)

1927 Ancona Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Trovatore (Conte)

1928 Ancona Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Trovatore (Conte)

1928  Alessandria  Teatro Municipale Trovatore (Conte)

1930 Genova  Politeama Genovese Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)

1931 Bari  Teatro Petruzzelli Tosca (Scarpia)

1931  Bologna  Teatro Duse Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)

1931 Anversa Teatro Reale Pagliacci (Tonio)
1931 Torino Eiar Carmen (Escamillo)

Giovanni Goffi (Tenor) (Turin, Italy 1904 - ?)

At the age of six he appeared publicly as pianist. He studied singing in Turin and made his debut, which was very successful at  the Teatro Malibran in Venice as Rodolfo in G. Puccini’s ‘’La Bohème’’ (1924). He continued his career at the famous Italian opera stages in parts like Alfredo in ‘’La Traviata’’, Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’, Pinkerton in ‘’Madama Butterfly’’, Faust,  Almaviva in ‘’Barbiere di Siviglia’’, Elvino in V. Bellini’s ‘’La Sonnambula’’. In 1931 Giovanni Goffi appeared at the Teatro Carignano in Turin in the premiere of the opera ‘’L'Amoroso furfante’’ of  Giulio Gedda. Despite his success in 1920’s, he had a short career and probably never made records.

Chronology of some appearances

1924 Venice Teatro Malibran

1931 Turin Teatro Carignano 

Eric Audouin (Tenor) (? 1882 – Paris, France 1970)

                                                                         Don Jose

He received his education at the Conservatoire National de Paris and made his debut in 1906 at the Paris Opéra-Comique as José in ‘’Carmen’’ (See photo). During the following two years he appeared at this opera house and then made guest appearances at the famous opera theaters of the French province. In the 1911-1914 seasons he joined to the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, where he also sang after his participation as a soldier in the First World War, in the 1918-1921 seasons. Then he returned to France and from 1923 to 1927 seasons appeared at the Grand Opéra in Paris. His repertoire included Werther, Jean in ‘’Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame’’ by J. Massenet, Demetrius in ‘’Aphrodite’’ of Erlanger, Faust in ‘’La damnation de Faust’’ by H. Berlioz, Samson in ‘’Samson et Dalila’’ of C. Saint-Saëns, Jean in J. Massenet’s ‘’Hérodiade’’, Julien in ‘’Louise’’ of G. Charpentier, Monostatos in ‘’Zauberflöte’’ (Théâtre Gaîté-Lyrique Paris, 1912), Lohengrin (Marseille, 1925), Siegmund in 'Walküre, Tannhäuser, Walther von Stolzing in ‘’Meistersingern’’, Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’, Radames in ‘’Aida’’, Turiddu in ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’ and Gennaro in ‘’I gioielli della Madonna’’ by E.Wolf-Ferrari. After his retirement he taught singing  in Paris. It's a little strange for me, that such a fine tenor never made recordings.

Chronology of some appearances

1906 Paris Opéra-Comique

1911-1914 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie

1918-1921  Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie
1923-1927 Paris Grand Opéra

César Vercher (Tenor) (Valencia, Spain Mar. 9, 1884 - Valencia, Spain Dec. 25, 1966)

His full name is César Vercher Adán. He studied singing at the Conservatoire in Valencia and made his debut at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid in E. Arrieta's ''Marina'' (1907?). He appeared with success in Italy, Portugal and Spain. In Italy he appeared as Cesare Vercher. He made a few records for Gramophone. 

Chronology of some appearances

1909 Palmanova Teatro Gustavo Modena Rigoletto (Duca)

1910 Livorno  Politeama Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1910 Sampierdarena  Teatro Gustavo Modena Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1912 Lisbona  Coliseo Recrejos Boheme (Rodolfo)

1912 Lisbona  Coliseo Recrejos Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1912 Lisbona  Coliseo Recrejos Lohengrin (Lohengrin)

1912 Lisbona  Coliseo Recrejos Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

1912 Lisbona  Coliseo Recrejos Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1912 Lisbona  Coliseo Recrejos Traviata (Alfredo)

1913 Valencia  Teatro Principal Boheme (Rodolfo)

1913 Valencia  Teatro Principal Rigoletto (Duca)

1913 Barcellona Teatro Novedades Boheme (Rodolfo)

1914 Madrid Teatro Apollo Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1914 Oviedo Teatro Campoamor  Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)
1914 Oviedo Teatro Campoamor Rigoletto (Duca)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

HMV, Spain 29-11-11

Composer: Mazza, Work: El Maestro Campanone: Aria de Alberto, A3 Mazza, con coro 0262028 417 aj

Odeon, Spain 1922

Composer: Pablo Luna, Work: Los cadetes de la reina (Luna): Dúo de la carta Luna with Ernesto Hervas 68913

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Solange Delmas (Nîmes, France 1897 - Eze, France 1990)

Her real name was Jane Trosserin. she studied singing at the Conservatoire National in Paris. already in 1924 she appeared at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo as Boy Yniold in ’’Pelléas et Mélisande’’ and as Javotte in ‘’Manon’’ of J. Massenet. Later she sang there parts of Manon (1932) and Olympia in ‘’Les contes d'Hoffmann’’. In 1934 she made her debut at  the Grand Opéra in Paris as Gilda in ‘’Rigoletto’’ and then sang there the part of Queen of the night in ‘’Die Zauberflöte’’, Constance in ‘’Entführung aus dem Serail’’, Marguerite in ‘’Faust’’, the title role in 'Lakmé', Juliette in ‘’Roméo et Juliette’’ and had a special success in 1938 as Ophélie in ‘’Hamlet’’. In 1937 she made her debut at the Opéra-Comique in Paris as Rosina in ‘’Il Barbieri di Siviglia’’ and appeared there also as Micaela in ‘’Carmen’’,  Mireille and as Mimi in ‘’La Bohème’’. In 1953 she retired from the stage. Then she became a president of the Conservatoire in Nice.

Chronology of some appearances

1924 Opéra de Monte-Carlo Pelléas et Mélisande (Boy Yniold)

1934 Paris Grand Opéra Rigoletto (Gilda)

1937 Paris Opéra-Comique Il Barbieri di Siviglia (Rosina)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Odeon, Paris  1930-06-20
Manon (Massenet): J'ecris a mon pere with Charles Friant 123706 xxP 7090
Manon (Massenet): Vous aimer with Charles Friant 123706 xxP 7091

HMV, Paris 1934
Don Juan (Mozart): Viens, une voix with André Pernet Gramophone DA 4850

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Lina Aimaro (Soprano) (Torino 1914 - Desenzano del Garda 2000)

She studied at the  Accademia di Musica di Milano under Mario Pieraccini and then at the Conservatorio Verdi di Milano. She made her debut at the Teatro Puccini of Milano in Rossini’s ‘’Barbiere di Siviglia’’ (1935). In 1939 she already sang at La Scala in Bellini’s ‘’Sonnambula’’. Appeared there also as Angelica in ‘’ Il malato immaginario’’. In Milan togheter with Gacomo Lauri-Volpi and Gino Bechi she performed in ‘’Rigoletto’’, then in ‘’I trionfi’’ of Carlo Orff under the direction of Herbert Von Karajan. Her artistic career lasted from 1935 to 1951. She also sang at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She married lawyer Aldo Bailey (1893-1960). At the end of artistic career, and after her husband's death she settled Lago di Garda di Sirmione, built the Kursaal Theatre, where, in addition to teaching, he promoted concerts and opera singing Competitions.

Chronology of appearance

1935 Milano Teatro Puccini Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

RECORDING FOR SALE

Columbia, Milano 1936

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Una voce poco fa GQX10982 CBX1439

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Rudolf Gerlach-Rusnack (Tenor) (Duboutz, Ukraine 24. 7. 1895 † Munich, Germany 23. 1. 1960)

His real name was Orest Rusnak. He was of Ukrainian descent and took part in the First World War as an officer of the Austrian-Hungarian army. In 1917 he fell into Russian war. Here he excited sensation singing Ukrainian songs in camp evenings. After his dismissal he began in 1918 his education under Eugene Fuchs in Prague. He made his debut in 1923 at the Municipal Theater of Olmütz (Olomouc) as Rodolfo in ‘’La Bohème’’. In the 1924-1926 seasons he appeared at the Municipal Theater in Königsberg, from 1926 to 1927 at the Municipal Theater of Szczecin. After additional education with Jacques Stückgold in Berlin and with Lari in Milan he became a soloist of the Municipal Theater of Chemnitz (1928-1930). In the 1930-1931 season he was engaged by the Municipal Theater of Graz. Since 1931 he was a principal tenor of the Munich State Opera and started to appear under the name Rudolf Gerlach-Rusnak. He formed his artistic name Rudolf Gerlach-Rusnak from the name of his favorite hero, the Rudolf  in ‘’La Bohème’’ and the family name of his wife Elisabeth Gerlach. Till 1937 he remained a member of the Munich Opera, where he also performed in the premiere of the opera ‘’Lucedia’’ by Vittorio Giannini (1934). In 1938 he made guest appearance at the Vienna State Opera. In the 1941-1942 season he was engaged by the Municipal Theater in Bremen, in the 1942-1944 seasons he was a soloist of the  Municipal Theater in Innsbruck. In 1945 he joined again to the Munich Opera. After a cardiac infarction in 1946 he remained ill, however, undertook in the 1956-1957 season again a tour through Canada and the USA.

Chronology of some appearances

1923 Olmütz Municipal Theater

1924-1926 Königsberg Municipal Theater

1926-1927 Szczecin Municipal Theater

1928-1930 Chemnitz Municipal Theater

1930-1931 Graz Municipal Theater

1931-1945 Munich State Opera

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-06

Trovatore (Verdi): Dass nur für mich dein Herz erbebt EG2636 (60-2068)

Trovatore (Verdi): Lodern zum Himmel (w. chorus) EG2636 (60-2069)

Tosca (Puccini): Und es blitzen die Sterne EG2637 (60-2070)

Tosca (Puccini): Wie sich die Bilder gleichen EG2637 (60-2071)

HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-31

Postillon de Longjumeau (Adam): Freunde, vernehmet die Geschichte EH811 (62-1017)

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Ha, welch ein reizendes Bild (Plus blanche) EG2698 (60-2154)

Martha (Flotow): Ach so fromm EH811 (62-1017)

Africaine (Meyerbeer): Wunderbares Land EG2698 (60-2155)

HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-09-28

Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Du meiner Väter Hütte (Asile héréditaire) EG2886 (60-2412)

Fra Diavolo (Auber): Dorina, jene Kleine so jung und schön EG2887 (60-2414)

Alessandro Stradella (Flotow): Horch', Liebchen, horch' (Ständchen) EG2886 (60-2413)

Alessandro Stradella (Flotow): Tief in den Abruzzen EG2887 (60-2415)

HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-19

Zauberflöte (Mozart): Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön EG2910 (60-2448)

Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet): Ich höre wie im Traume EG2910 (60-2449)

HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-20

Favorite (Donizetti): Engel so rein EG2911

Aida (Verdi): Einne Heerschaft tapferer Männer...Holde Aida EH849 (62-1065)

Bohème (Puccini): Wie eiskalt ist dies Händchen EH849 (62-1064)

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Blanche Hamilton Fox (Mezzo-Soprano) (Boston, USA ? - ?)

Born Blanche Hamilton Fox. She was a leading mezzo-soprano of the Boston Opera. First she studied at the Academy of Notre Dame in Rosbury, then continued her education at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Probably she made her debut in 1906 at the Teatro Cressoni of Como in G. Donizetti’s ‘’Favorita’’. In Italy she appeared on the stages as Bianca Volpini and made only two recordings there for Odeon.

Chronology of some appearances

1906 Como Teatro Cressoni  Favorita (Leonora)

1907 Pisa Politeama Aida (Amneris)

1908 MantovaTeatro Sociale  Stagione
1909 New York Academy of Music Teatro Princess Cavalleria Rusticana (Lola)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1906-01-01
Il trovatore (Verdi): Stride la vampa! 37429 xM 791
Il trovatore (Verdi): Giorni poveri vivea 37444 xM 792

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Mathilde Saïman (Soprano) (Algiers 9 December 1891– Paris September 1940)

In 1914 she made her debut at the Paris Opéra-Comique in G. Charpentier's ‘’Louise’’ and remained at this opera house during the following seasons. In 1915 she appeared as Pierre in the première of the opera ‘’Les cadeaux de Noël’’ by X. Leroux. Two years later she performed there in the French premiere of A. Messager's ‘’Béatrice’’ (as Lélia, 1917). In 1923 she sang at the Théâtre Gaîté-Lyrique of Paris in ‘’Quo vadis?’’ by Jean Nouguès.

Chronology of some appearances

1914 Paris Opéra-Comique Louise (Grisette)

1915 Paris Opéra-Comique Les cadeaux de Noël (Pierre)

1917 Paris Opéra-Comique Béatrice (Lélia)

1923 Paris Théâtre Gaîté-Lyrique Quo vadis

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Pathé, Paris 1917?
Manon (Massenet): Adieu, notre petite table 0168 3083 
Fille du Régiment (Donizetti): Salut à la France 0168 3084

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Dolorès de Silvera (Contralto)

In 1920's she appeared at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. Probably she had a short career. She made a few records for Columbia.

Chronology of some appearances

1921 Théâtre du Châtelet Concerts Colonne
1924 Paris Opéra-Comique Werther (Charlotte)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Paris 1928-02-25
Werther (Massenet): Larmes D12043 L934
Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns): Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix D12043 L1190

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Marius Jørn-Nielsen (Tenor) (Denmark, Copenhagen 20. 5. 1881 - Denmark, Copenhagen 8. 11. 1934)

The Son of butter trader he studied singing under Poul Bang. He made his debut at the Royal Danish Opera House on 17. 01. 1909 as Turridu  in "Cavalleria Rusticana". Later he sang here the part of Don José in "Carmen", Canio in "Pagliacci" and Faust. In the 1912-1913 season he appeared at the ‘’Casino’’. From 1923 he worked at the Royal Danish Opera House as reserve prompter. During his career he also sang in operettas.

Chronology of some appearances

1909 Copenhagen Royal Danish Opera House

1912-1913 Copenhagen Casino

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Dansk Fonograf Magasin - Pathé cylinders & discs, København 1910?

Carmen (Bizet): Don José's romance 100893

Columbia
Bohème (Puccini): Saa kold den lille haand er D8036

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Manuel Romero Malpica (Baritone) (Puebla City, Mexico 10. 05.1874 - Mexico City, Mexico 1939)

First he studied with his father José Romero Malpica, who was the director of military bands and with his mother, actress and an opera singer. He continued his vocal training under Lion and Carnelli and on January 29, 1902 made his debut in G. Verdi’s ‘’Il Trovatore’’ at the Teatro María Guerrero of his hometown. He appeared in Mexico until 1905 and the next year went to USA. He became a member of several opera companies, included Boston Opera Company and San Carlo Opera Company. Later he appeared in Italy, France and Spain, made successful guest appearances in Central and South America. He returned to Mexico, where continued his career. In 1938 he sang the part of Rigoletto at the Palacio de Bellas Artes  in Mexico City. Shortly before his death he made his final appearance Teatro María Guerrero, where he and started his career. He was called ‘’Mexican Titta Ruffo’’. He could sing also parts of tenor, which he once done by replacing tenor Agnadi in USA. He made records for Columbia, Victor and Edison.

Chronology of some appearances

1902 Puebla Teatro María Guerrero Trovatore (Count di Luna)

1914 Mississippi Greenwood Theatre Faust (Valentine)

1914 Ashland Vining Theatre Faust (Valentine)

1938 Puebla Teatro María Guerrero Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Victor, 1907-07-22
No lo diré (A. Pacheco) 62277-B
Mi morenita mía (Cancion) 62348-A

Columbia, Mexico City 1908-9
Perjura (Lerdo de Tejada) C 300 5851 

Edison 4-min cylinders, Spain? 1910?
La Bruja (Chapí): Jota (w. Jiménez) 22019
El Puñao de Rosas (Chapí): Dúo (w. Herrera) 22033

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