Forgotten Opera Singers

Forgotten Opera Singers

Mar 15, 2012

Francesco Conti (Tenor) (Palermo 1874-?)




He studied with Cantelli and made his debut in 1900 as baritone. Two years later he changed to a tenor before his debut at the Teatro Apollo in Lugano, where he appeared as Pollione in V. Bellini’s ‘’Norma’’. In 1903 Conti went to Malta and performed at the Teatro Reale in Malta as Otello in Verdi’s opera of the same name. The role of Otello Conti took part also in Belem (Teatro Paz), Savona (Teatro Chiabrera), Reggio Emilia (Teatro Municipale) and Rome (Teatro Adriano). In 1905 he sang with success at the Teatro Regio in Parma as Federico in A. Franchetti’s ‘’Germania’’. Guest appearances followed in Oporto (Teatro Prince Real, 1909), Rio de Janeiro (1910, Teatro Lirico) and  San Paolo (1910, Politeama). He retired from the stage in 1923. Conti was a dramatic tenor, whose main roles included Radames in ’’Aida’’, Canio in ‘’Pagliacci’’, Otello in G. Verdi’s ‘’Otello’’, Don Alvaro in ‘’La Forza del destino’’ and Manrico in  ‘’Il Trovatore’’. His few recordings made in Milan in 1910 are very great rarities.

Chronology of some appearances

1902 Lugano Teatro Apollo Norma (Pollione)
1903 Malta Teatro Reale Aida (Radames)
1905 Parma Teatro Regio Germania (Federico)
1909 Oporto Teatro Prince Real Trovatore (Manrico)
1910 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Lirico Otello (Otello)
1910 San Paolo Politeama Germania (Federico)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 






Gramophone, Milano 1910-11-21
Aida (Verdi): Morir, si pura e bella with Fanny Lotti 054309, 203aj
Aida (Verdi): O terra addio with Fanny Lotti 054310 204aj

Gramophone, Milano 1910-11-22
Gioconda (Ponchielli): Enzo Grimaldo with Ernesto Badini 54438 905ah
Gioconda (Ponchielli): O grido di quest'anima with Ernesto Badini 54439 906ah

Gramophone, Milano 1910-11-24
Otello (Verdi): Già nella notte densa with Fanny Lotti 54437 910ah
Otello (Verdi): Quando narravi with Fanny Lotti 054301 212aj
Otello (Verdi): Venga la morte with Fanny Lotti 054308 213aj

Gramophone, Milano 1910-12-10
Andrea Chénier (Giordano): Vicino a te with Bianca Besalu 54468 947ah
 

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