Maria Luisa Fanelli (Soprano) (Chicago 1900 - ? 1988)

She been descended from an Italian family which had emigrated to North America. She studied under Adolph Mìhlmann in Chicago, then in Italy and had since 1923 a successful career in Italian opera stages. In 1923 she appeared at the Teatro Comunale, Bologna in ‘’Il Piccolo Marat’’ of Mascagni. On 7. 3. 1925 she appeared at La Scala in the premiere of the opera ‘’I Cavalieri di Ekebé’’ of Zandonai in the role of Marianne, while the remaining leading roles were sung under the direction of Toscanini by Maria Capuana, Franco Costa Lo Giudice, Benvenuto Franci and Fernando Autori. Then she sang in Parma, Bologna, Piacenza (1928 as Elsa in ‘’Lohengrin’’) and in 1929 at the Teatro Massimo, Palermo in ‘’Andrea Ch©nier’’ of Giordano. In 1932 she returned to Chicago, however, she appeared in North America as no more wide.

Chronology of some appearances

1922 Lonigo Teatro Comunale Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1923 Catania Anfiteatro Gangi Trovatore (Leonora)

1924 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Il Piccolo Marat (Mariella)

1925 Treviso Teatro Sociale Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1926 Catania Teatro Bellini Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1927 Parma Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1928 Piacenza Teatro Municipale Lohengrin (Elsa)

1929 Palermo Teatro Massimo Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1930 Torino Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1931 Bologna Teatro Duse Isabeau (Isabeau)

1934 Novara Teatro Coccia Lohengrin (Elsa)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

HMV, Milano 1928-12-17

Lohengrin (Wagner): Deh! Non t'incantan with Aureliano Pertile DB1218 2-054276        

Trovatore (Verdi): Mira d’acerbe lagrime with Benvenuto Franci DB1509 CM 970-2      

HMV, Milano 1930-04-16

Wally (Catalani): Ebben! Ne andrâ lontana DB 1508 32-1534      

HMV, Milano 1930-04-24

Mefistofele (Boito):  Forma ideal, purissima with Piero Pauli and Guglielmo Masini  DB1440 32-1490

HMV, Milano 1930-05-09

Manona Lescaut (Puccini): In quelle trine morbide  R10854   30-3868         

HMV, Milano 1930/1931

Forza del  destino (Verdi): Madre pietosa vergine DB 1748 32-2667     

HMV, Milano 1828/1930

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): La mamma morta  C2347 32-2356

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Suicidio  C 2347 32-2353