Anna Gramegna (Mezzo-Soprano) (Naples 1880 – Rome 1965)

She came with her family to Russia, where her voice was trained. In 1902 she debuted as an opera singer in Politeama Umberto I° in Bari. In 1904 she appeared in Bergamo at the Teatro Donizetti as Preziosilla in Verdi’s ‘’La forza del destino’’. In 1908 she sang at the Teatro Ciscutti of Pola in ‘’Nozze Istriane’’ of Antonio Smareglia. In 1919 she sang at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome in Italian (like European) première of Puccini’s ‘’Gianni Schicchi’’ as  Zita. In 1920 she appeared at the Teatro Dell'Opera in Rome as Brangäne in ‘’Tristan e Isotta’’. In 1921 at the same theatre she sang in the premiere of the opera ‘’Anima allegra’’ of  Franco Vittadini. In the 1922-23 success Gramegna appeared at La Scala under Toscanini. Here she helped in the premiere of the opera ‘’Belfagor’’ of Ottorino Respighi (23. 4. 1923). She appeared during her career over and over again in Rome. In 1917 she guested in the Municipal Theatre of Zurich, in the 1919-20 season and from 1924 to 1926 at  the opera of Rio de Janeiro (among other things as Amneris and Azucena), in 1919 at the Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires. In 1931 she appeared in the festival at the arena of Verona. Later she worked as a vocal pedagogue in Rome.

Chronology of some appearances

1902 Politeama Umberto I Bari Trovatore (Azucena)
1904 Teatro Donizetti Bergamo Forza del Destino (Preziosilla)
1908 Teatro Ciscutti Pola Le Nozze Istriane di A. Smareglia (Luze)
1919 Teatro Costanzi RomeAida (Amneris)
1920 Teatro Dell'Opera Rome Tabarro (Frugola)
1922-23 La Scala Milan Belfagor di O. Respighi (Olimpia)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

HMV, Milano 1922-05-20

Aida (Verdi): Di lei non piu with Bernardo De Muro 2-054126 DB551

HMV, Milano 1922-05-22

Aida (Verdi): Sì, fuggiam with Bernardo De Muro, Irma Vigano & Aristide Baracchi 2-054128 DB558

Pathe, Milano 1923?

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Voce di donna 10370 86868

Trovatore (Verdi): Condotta ell'era in ceppi 10379 86934

Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Re dell'abisso 10370 86869

Fonografia Nazionale, Milano 192? (ac)

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Fior di giaggiolo with Bergamaschi & Manna 2060