Carlo Dani (Tenor) (Firenze 1873 - ?)

He made his debut in 1894 in Firenze as Duke in ‘’Rigoletto. In 1898 he again appeared as Duke and Edgardo, but this time at the Teatro Alfieri in Livorno, where he sang together with Titta Ruffo. Then, at the Teatro Politeama in Pisa, he sang the role of Manrico in ‘’Il trovatore’’. In the 1902-03 season he appeared in New York Metropolitan opera; here he sang  in  ’’Rigoletto’’, ‘’Pagliacci’’, ‘’ Traviata’’,  ‘’La Bohème’’ and ‘’Don Pasquale’’ together with Marcella Sembrich and Antonio Scotti. At the Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires he guested in 1907 as Elvino in ‘’La Sonnambula’’, as Alfredo in ‘’La Traviata’’ (with Luisa Tetrazzini in the title role), as Almaviva in ‘’Il barbiere di Siviglia’’ and as Nemorino in ‘’Elisir d'amore’’. In 1907 he was also sang  at  the Teatro Politeama of  São Paulo. In 1910 he was to be found at the German Theatre in Prague as Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’. In 1911 he sang again at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in ‘’Rigoletto’’ and ‘’La Boheme’’. In 1913 he appeared in his native Firenze, Teatro Della Pergola as De Grieux in ‘’Manon’’. Maybe he has gone later to Australia and has worked there as a pedagogue.

Dani made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’, on December 5, 1902, opposite Marcella Sembrich as Gilda, Louise Homer as Maddalena, Antonio Scotti in the title role, and Marcel Journet as Sparafucile. His contract required him to be available for a four-month season. He received $4,104, having sung fourteen times in opera, five Sunday-night concerts, and two outside engagements (which were controlled by his Met contract). In addition to the Duke, his roles were Alfredo, Canio, Rodolfo, and Ernesto in ‘’Don Pasquale’’. Dani sang at the Met only during 1902-03. The next season, his roles, except Ernesto, were assumed by Enrico Caruso.

Chronology of some appearances

1894 Firenze Teatro Pagliano Rigoletto (Duca)
1898 Firenze Politeama Fiorentino Sonnambula (Elvino)
1899 Pistoia Teatro Manzoni Elisir d'amore (Nemorino)
1900 Pistoia Teatro Manzoni Amico Fritz (Fritz)
1901 Milano Teatro Lirico Pescatori di Perle (Nadir)
1902 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Traviata (Alfredo)
1903 New York Teatro Metropolitan Pagliacci (Canio)
1904 Oporto Teatro San Joao Lohengrin (Lohengrin)
1905 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Thais (Nicia)
1906 Cagliari Teatro Civico Pescatori di Perle (Nadir)
1907 Nice Teatro del Casinт Rigoletto (Duca)
1908 Washington Teatro Belasco Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)
1909 Nice Teatro del Casino Rigoletto (Duca)
1910 Livorno Teatro Rossini Manon (De Grieux)
1911 Napoli Politeama Giacosa Rigoletto (Duca)
1912 Salerno Teatro Verdi Manon (De Grieux)
1913 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Rigoletto (Duca)
1922 New York Teatro Metropolitan Concerto

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-10

Rigoletto (Verdi): Giovanna ho dei rimorsi with Aida Gonzaga 62020 XPh2284

Rigoletto (Verdi): E' il sol dell'anima with Aida Gonzaga 62021 XPh2285

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-11

Rigoletto (Verdi): Questa o quella 39958 XPh2290

Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna è mobile 39957 XPh2291

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-12

Elisir d'amore (Donizetti): Una furtiva lagrima 39963 Xph2299

Favorita (Donzietti): Spirto gentil  39969 Xph2300

Manon (Massenet): Ah! dispar, vision 39968 XPh2301

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-14

Faust (Gounod): Salve dimora 74030 XXPh2309

Manon (Massenet): Il sogno  39967 Xph2311

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-15

Don Pasquale (Donizetti): Cercherò lontana terra 39965 XPh2320

Don Pasquale (Donizetti): Com'è gentil 39966 XPh2321

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-16

Mefistofele (Boito): Giunto sul passo estremo 39961 Xph2329

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-17

Tosca (Puccini): Recondita armonia  39960 Xph2335

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Fra poco a me ricovero 39971 XPh2336

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali 39972 XPh2337

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Donna non vidi mai 39959 XPh2338

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-01-19

Pescatori di perle (Bizet): Mi par d'udir ancora 39964 Xph2347

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-12-12

Sonnambula (Bellini): Prendi l'anel ti dono 92979  XPh4883

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-12-20

Ugonotti (Meyerbeer): Ah! qual soave vision…Bianca al par 92981 XPh4887

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-12-20
Faust (Gounod): Salve, dimora casta e pura  69069 XPh4884
Faust (Gounod): O bei lochi! 69070 XPh4885