Theodore (Tobia, Vito) Kittay (Tenor) (near St. Petersburg 1887 - USA 1965)

                                                        with Giacomo Puccini

He was of jewish origin. Since 1902 he lived at St. Petersburg and in 1905 he studied singing at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under the pedagogue Stanislav Gabel. In 1912 together with his family he went to New York, where he additionally studied privately with Pasquale Amato. He appeared almost exclusively together with Japanese soprano Tamaki Miura (1884-1946), who undertook big tours in the 1924-32 seasons appearing in G. Puccini's ''Madama Butterfly''  and ''Iris'' of P. Mascagni. Already in 1917 he appeared opposite her at the Boston Opera in P. Mascagni's ''Iris''. When Tamaki Miura began in 1920 her big European tours, he sang as her partner at the Italian opera houses. Besides, he appeared in Europe under the pseudonym Vito. After his retirement he worked at the Chicago Conservatory.

Chronology of appearances

Iris Indianapolis, Murat Th., 14 October 1916 (possible)

Iris Louisville, Keith's Th., 18 October 1916

Iris Columbus, Hartmann Th., 24 October 1916

Iris Richester, Lyceum, 28 October 1916

Iris Buffalo, Teck Th., 1 November 1916

Iris New York, Lexington Th., 9 November 1916 (2)

Iris Philadelphia, Metropolitan O. H., 14 November 1916

Iris Cleveland, Keith's Auditorium, 22 November 1916

Iris Detroit, Washington Th., 24 November 1916

Iris Baltimore, Lyric, 1 December 1916

Iris Boston, Opera House, 5 January 1917]

Iris Washington, Poli's Th., 13 January 1917

Iris Pittsburgh, Alvin Th., 17 January 1917

Iris Cincinatti, Music Hall, 24 January 1917

Iris Toledo, Valentine Th., 27 January 1917

Iris Nashville, Vendome Th., 2 February 1917

Iris New Orleans, La Fayette Th., 7 February 1917

Iris Dallas, Coliseum, 13 February 1917

Iris El Paso, Texas Grand Th., 17 February 1917

Iris Los Angeles, Cline's Th., 20 February 1917

Iris San Francisco, Cort Th., 27 February 1917

Iris Portland, 11th Street Play House, 6 March 1917

Iris Seattle, ?, 8 March 1917

Iris Spokane, Auditorium, 15 March 1917

Iris Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Th. 20 March 1917

Iris  Denver, Auditorium, 24 March 1917

Iris Omaha, Boyd's Th., 28 March 1917

Iris Kansas City, Convention Hall, 31 March 1917

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, New York 1917-11-09

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Love duet with Tamaki Miura 49265

Brunswick 1921

Meierke Mein Sohn  40000-B