Mario Guardabassi (Tenor) (Perugia 1867 - Palm Beach 1952)

Originally he was a painter. He studied singing in Italy. In 1903 he made his debut as baritone at the Metroplitan Opera of New York as Silvio in R. Leoncavallo’s ‘’Pagliacci’’ opposite Enrico Caruso, Marcella Sembrich and Antonio Scotti. In the 1903-1904 season Guardabassi appeared in different american opera houses (Chicago, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Boston) as comprimario baritone. He cut short his operatic career approximately five years and then started to appear as tenor singing principal tenor roles mostly at the Chicago Opera House and at the Metropolitan Opera of Philadelphia. His favorite roles was Don Jose in G. Bizet’s ‘’Carmen’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1903 New York Teatro Metropolitan Pagliacci (Silvio)

1910 Chicago  Civic Opera House Carmen (Don Josè)

1911 Chicago  Civic Opera House Romeo et Juliette (Romeo)
1912 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Carmen (Don Josè)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Lyrophon

Cavalleria Rusitacana (Mascagni): Siciliana J403

Mattinata (Leoncavallo) J 405