Alessandro Wesselowsky (Vesselovsky) (Tenor) (Moscow 1885 – Luino 1964)

Since 1914 Wesselowsky was a member of the Moscow Sinodal Chorus. During the First World War he served as an Officer. He started his career in 1917 at the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre. In 1920 he appeared in ''La fille de Madame Angot'' of Charles Lecocq. In 1921 together with cellist Gregori Pyatigorsky and violinist Mikhakov, he went on tour in the cities of West Ukraine. With them he arrived in Romania. Then has emigrated to France, where he made his debut at Opera Comique as Wilhelm Meister in ''Mignon''. In France he appeared also in performances of Paris Russian Opera. In 1920s he sang at the opera house of Belgrad. Then in Barcelona (Teatro Liceo, 1922), Buenos Aires (Teatro Colon, 1924). In 1925 Wesselowsky went to Italy to study. In the same year, by the invitation of Arturo Toscanini, he made his debut at La Scala, Milan as Vasily Golitsyn in ''Khovanshina''. He sang at La Scala up to 1950 appearing in ‘’Prince Igor’’, ‘’Khovanshina’’, ’’Manon Lescaut’’, ‘’Fedora’’, ‘’Traviata’’, ‘’Lohengrin’’ etc. Wesselowsky also made guest appearances in Paris (Grand Opera 1926, 1938). He sang with success in different italian opera houses. Performed in many opera premieres at La Scala ("Il Dibuk", ‘’Nerone’’, "La Flamma"). After his retirement he taught singing in Milan. Wesselowsky made records for Pathe, Columbia and Brunswick.

Chronology of some appearances

1924 Buenos Aires Teatro Colon Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

1924 Buenos Aires Teatro Colon Mefistofele (Faust)

1924 Madrid  Teatro Reale  Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

1925 Lisbon Coliseo Recrejos Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1925 Lisbon Coliseo Recrejos Boheme (Rodolfo)

1925 Lisbon Coliseo Recrejos Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

1925 Lisbon Coliseo Recrejos Rigoletto (Duke)

1925 Madrid  Teatro Reale  Boheme (Rodolfo)

1925 Venezia Teatro Malibran Rigoletto (Duke)

1926 Ginevra  Grand Theatre Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1926 Nice Jetee Mediterranee Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1926 Nice Jetee Mediterranee Rigoletto (Duke)

1926 Madrid  Teatro Reale  Mefistofele (Faust)

1927 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1927 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Rigoletto (Duke)

1928 Parma Teatro Regio Rigoletto (Duke)

1928 Como Teatro Sociale Rigoletto (Duke)

1928 Mantova Teatro Sociale Rigoletto (Duke)

1928 Verona Arena Rigoletto (Duke)

1929 Bergamo Teatro Donizetti Lohengrin (Lohengrin)

1930 La Spezia  Politeama Duca di Genova Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1930 Rimini  Politeama Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1931 Caracas  Teatro Municipal Mefistofele (Faust)

1934 Parma Teatro Regio Favorita (Fernando)

1934 Parma Teatro Regio Lohengrin (Lohengrin)

1934 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Municipal Favorita (Fernando)

1935 Casalmaggiore  Teatro Sociale Favorita (Fernando)

1938 Carpi Teatro Comunale Adriana Lecouvreur (Maurizio)

1938 Rovigo Teatro Sociale Adriana Lecouvreur (Maurizio)

1942 Modena Teatro Municipale Mefistofele (Faust)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Brunswick 1920's

Manon (Massenet): Il sogno 37001-B

Werther (Massenet):  Ah! non mi ridestar M 37001-A

Rigoletto (Verdi): Ella mi fu rapita... Parmi veder le lagrime  M 37002-B

Mefistofele (Boito): Dai campi, dai prati 37002-A

Columbia, Milano 1926
Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna e mobile D 5452

Lohengrin (Wagner): Cigno fedel  D5646 B1342
Rigoletto (Verdi): Ella mi fu rapita...Parmi veder le lagrime D 16416

Tosca (Puccini): E lucevan le stelle D5454
Manon (Massenet): Ah! dispar vision D 5453
Manon (Massenet) Il sogno D5453 B1091

Boheme (Puccini): Che gelida manina WB 51

Rigoletto (Verdi): Questa o quella D 5452 

Pathe, Milano 1920's
Manon (Massenet): Il sogno N80010
Werther (Massenet): Ah! non mi ridestar N80012