Francesco Daddi (Tenor) (Naples 1864 – Chicago 1945)

He trained as a singer and pianist at the Naples Conservatory and made his stage début at Milan in 1891. The following year at the Dal Verme he sang Beppe in the première of ‘’Pagliacci’’, and this was also his role in his single season at Covent Garden in 1900. He sang in the Rome première of Pietro Mascagni's ‘’Le maschere’’ in 1901. Having become one of Italy's leading comprimario tenors, he emigrated to the USA in 1907, singing with the Manhattan Company usually in small parts but also as Corentin in ‘’Dinorah’’ with Tetrazzini . From 1911to1920 he appeared regularly in Chicago, where he enjoyed considerable success in comic bass roles such as Dr Bartolo in ‘’Il barbiere di Siviglia’’. His recordings, made as a tenor, include Beppe's Serenade in ‘’Pagliacci’’ and many Neapolitan songs graced by an agreeable lyric voice and an idiomatic sense of style.

Chronology of some appearances

1891 Messina  Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Faust (Faust)
1894 Genova Politeama Genovese  Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)
1897 Odessa Teatro Municipale Roberto il Diavolo (Rambaldo)
1901 Roma Teatro Costanzi Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)
1905 Milano Teatro Lirico Le Maschere (Arlecchino)
1909 Philadelphia Academy of Music Salome' (Giudeo)
1912 Philadelphia Metropolitan I Gioielli Della Madonna (Biaso)
1914 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Boheme
1938 Chicago Civic Opera Louise (Bricolage)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Milano 1904?

'A retirata (-)10163

Era di maggio (Costa) 10165

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): O Colombina 10173
Ideale (Tosti) 10172
Mignon (Thomas) Ah! Non credevi tu 10183

G&T, London 1906-02-08

Santa Lucia (Cottrau) 2-52492 3525e

G&T, London 1906-02-09

'O core D' 'E Femmene 2-52494 3528 e

G&T, London 1906-02-16

Funiculi funicula (Canzone Napoletana) 2-52498 3569 e

G&T, London 1906-02-21
Musica proibita (Gastaldon) V* 92170 3610e

Zonophone, London 1906-09-13

Rosa rusella (di Chiara) X-92161 8957b

Zonophone, London 1906-09-15

Margarita (Fassone) X-92148 8972b

'Ndringhete 'ndra (de Gregorio) (w. chorus) X-92156 8673 b

Zonophone, London 1906-09-16

Carcioffolа (di Capua) (w. chorus) X-92162 8978b

Zonophone, London 1906-09-20

Mattinata (Leoncavallo)  X-92155 9016 b

Columbia, New York 1908-03/04

Dui core (de Curtis) E142 3805

Victor, New York 1908-03-05
Che buò fa (Valente) 3809 B6009

Columbia, New York 1908-03-10?

Serenata a Maria (Gambardella) 3789 E152

Victor, Camden NJ 1908-03-26

Torna a Surriento (de Curtis) 62427 B6050

Pesca d'ammore (Barthelemy) 62427 B6051

Viene a vucа' (Gambardella) 62428 B6052

'A serenata d' 'e trose (di Capua) 62429 B6055

Serenata napulitana (Costa) 62429 B6054

Columbia, New York 1908-03-27?

Napulitana! (Falvo) 3794 E148

'A Mergellina (Segre) E140 3795

Tarantella Ciociara (Gambardella) 3796 E156

'O Silencio a Buordo (Capolongo) E1351 3798

'O surdato scuntento (Cannio) E149 3799

Si Signore...'I voglio (di Capua) 3800, E153

Edison 4-min cylinders, Milano 1909?
Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): All'idea with Vincenzo Reschiglian BA 22406
Forza del destino (Verdi): Solenne in quest'ora with Vincenzo Reschiglian BA 22408
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Tu qui Santuzza with Maria Avezza BA 22414
Trovatore (Verdi): Ai nostri monti with Maria Avezza BA 22415

'A ricciullala (Falvo) BA 22425

Columbia, New York 1910

Ammore e femmena (Mario) with Teresa de Matienzo C2118 4846

Columbia, New York 1910-05-03

Suonno e fantasia (Capolongo) E575 4459

Na Cammarella (Falvo) E571 4460

Columbia, New York 1910-05-08

Luce mia (Fonzo) E1353 4465

'O Popolo 'e Napule (Chiarolanza) C2015 4466

Columbia, New York 1910-09

Serenata Scumbinata (Valente) C2020 4908

'O Farenella (di Capua) C2014 4911

Tarantella 'ntusecosa (Valente) C2013 4913

Manella mia (Valente) C2017 4914

Columbia, New York 1910-10

'A Serenata d' 'o marenare (Gambardella) C2013 4934

'E femmene azzecose C2015 4937

So Turnato (Falvo) C2017 4936

Columbia, New York 1910-10-21

Calandrella, Calandre (de Crescenzo) with Teresa de Matienzo (date?) C988 4984

Columbia, New York 1911-04-27

A vita 'e nu suonno (Gambardella) E929 19317

Rosa 'e Maggio C2118 19320

'A Surrentina unpubl? 19321

Serenata a Surriento E928 9318

Columbia, New York 1911-08-21

'A Pacchiana 'e Sarno with Teresa de Matienzo E928 19543

Tarantella Surrentina with Teresa de Matienzo unpubl? 19541

Victor, New York 1916-08-28

Capemonte (Giannelli) with Teresa de Matienzo 69157 B18273

Restamm' accussi (Montagna) with Teresa de Matienzo  69157 B18275

Victor, New York 1916-08-31

'A vigna 'e Catarina (Valente) with Teresa de Matienzo 69204 B18276

Sturnellata napulitana (Capolongo) with Teresa de Matienzo 69204 B18289