Pinkerton
His real name was Hugh Whitfield Martin. He was granted an endowment which allowed him, in 1901, to go to Paris to study with Giovanni Sbriglia and Jean de Reszke; he later completed his studies with Vincenzo Lombardi in Florence and Beniamino Carelli in Naples, he sang Andrea Chénier at Verona. His first American appearances were at the French Opera House in New Orleans during the 1906-07 season. Shortly thereafter he made his Metropolitan Opera debut (20 Nov 1907) as Faust in Mefistofele, which also featured the debut of Feodor Chaliapin. He toured with the San Carlo Opera Company and in 1907 made his Metropolitan début as Arrigo Boito's Faust; he remained with the company until 1915. Martin appeared in three world premieres of American works at the Metropolitan: Converse's Pipe of Desire (18 Mar 1909), Parker's Mona (14 Mar 1912), and Damrosch's Cyrano (27 Feb 1913). Collectively, those works were only mounted thirteen times at that house. He made his Covent Garden début in 1910 as Pinkerton, also singing Giacomo Puccini's Des Grieux, Radames, Faust, Cavaradossi, Angel Clare (Frédéric d’Erlanger's Tess) and, in 1911, Canio and Dick Johnson. He appeared at Boston and in Chicago (1920–23) as Radames, Nicias (Thaïs) and Don José. He had a voice of great beauty, though lacking in individuality, and a fine presence, but he suffered comparison with Caruso throughout his career. Martin died in New York City in 1952.
Chronology of some appearances
1907 New York Metropolitan Opera Mefistofele (Faust)
1910 London Covent Garden Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)
RECORDINGS FOR SALE
Edison 4-min cylinders, New
York
Trovatore
(Verdi): Ah! si, ben mio B161 BA 28113
Cavalleria Rusticana
(Mascagni): O Lola B162 BA 28158
Тоsca
(Puccini): E lucevan le stelle B181
Cavalleria Rusticana
(Mascagni): Brindisi
Goodbye (Tosti)
BA 28167
Victor, 1910-02-24
Als die alte Mutter (Dvorak) 87051 B8656
Victor, 1910-03-07
Tosca
(Puccini): E lucevan le stelle 87050 B8658
Madama
Butterfly (Puccini): Lo so che with Rita Fornia and Antonio Scotti 87503 B8704
Victor, 1910-12-07
Madama
Butterfly (Puccini): Amore o grillo 87081 B9690
Victor, 1910-12-08
Walkure
(Wagner): Siegmunds Liebeslied 88276 C9694
Cid
(Massenet): O Souverain 88316 C9695
Cavalleria
Rusticana (Mascagni): Addio alla madre 88277 C9696
Great photos, thanks for sharing!
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