Bruno Carmassi (Bass) (?1894 - ?)

He was one of  the best italian comprimario singers of his time, who appeared not only at the secondary theatres, but also at La Scala in Milan. Already in 1921 he performed at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna as Marke in R. Wagner’s ‘’Tristano e Isotta’’ and as Conte Rodolfo in V. Bellini’s ‘’Sonnambula’’. He sang there also in the premiere of the opera ‘’La Leggenda di Sakuntala’’ of Franco Alfano (10. 12. 1921). In 1924 he was to be found at Teatro Verdi in Pisa, two years later he again appeared in Bologna (as Ferrando in G. Verdi’s ‘’Trovatore’’).  In 1928 he made guest appearances in São Paulo and Brazil. In 1927 and 1929 he traveled to the Lima, Santiago de Chile and Valparaiso. At La Scala he sang as comprimario from 1930 to 1941. In 1936 he made guest appearances in Holland.  Already in 1931 he was in London, where at Covent Garden sang the role of Sparafucile in G. Verdi’s ‘’Rigoletto’’. The role of Sparafucile in ‘’Rigoletto’’ he performed also in Zurich (1947) and Lugano (1956). In 1947 he appeared at the Arena di Verona. In 1951 he sang at the Florence Maggio musicale, the next year  made guest performance at the London Stoll Theatre. He retired from the stage in the 1950’s.

Chronology of some appearances

1921 Bologna Teatro Comunale Tristano e Isotta (Marke)

1921 Bologna Teatro Comunale Sonnambula (Conte Rodolfo)

1921 Bologna Teatro Comunale La Leggenda di Sakuntala (Kanva)

1926 Bologna Teatro Comunale Trovatore (Ferrando)

1931 London Covent Garden Rigoletto (Sparafucile)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Milano 1926-05?

Mefistofele (Boito): Concertato, ferma ideal purissima with Lina Bruna Rasa and Ferdinando Ciniselli D5329 B1021

Aida (Verdi): Finale A.II°  with Erminia Rubadi, Leone Paci, Ferdinando Ciniselli and Eva Turner D5311 WB1022
Carmen (Bizet): All, udir del sistro il suon with Buades, Ticozzi & Mion DX8056 WBX1244

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Gia ti veggo with Erminia Rubadi, Leone Paci, Ferdinando Ciniselli and Eva Turner D14659 WBX28