Elena Teodorini (Theodorini) (Krajowa, Romania 1857 – Bucharest 1926)

Her real name was Elena De Monzunu. She was born into a theatrical family. She studied piano with Ratti and voice with Sangiovanni, both at the Milan Conservatory. Her debut as a mezzo-soprano, was in 1877 when she sang Conde in Donizetti's ‘’Maria di Rohan’’ at Cuneo. For the next two years she undertook mezzo-soprano roles in Alexandria, Bucharest, Chieti, Livorno and Pisa. Her soprano debut took place in 1879, when she sang Marie in ‘’La Figlia del Reggimento’’, followed by Rachel, in ‘’La Juive’’ (probably given as ‘’L'Ebrea’’) at the Dal Verme, Milan. At La Scala, Milan in 1880 she sang Margherita in ‘’Faust’’, and in 1881 the part of Valentine in ‘’Gli Ugonotti’’. In 1882 she appeared there in the world premiere of Smareglia's ‘’Bianca da Cervia’’. For ten years from 1884, when she appeared with Tamagno, at the old Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires, her career flourished: Covent Garden (1886 in ‘’Don Giovanni’’ (Donna Anna), ‘’La Gioconda’’ and ‘’Ugonotti’’); La Scala (Gastaldon's ‘’Mala Pasqua’’, based on the same Verga source as ‘’Cavalleria Rusticana’’); Lisbon, and Bucharest, in concert as in opera. In 1909 she founded the Accademia Teodorini in Buenos Aires, and from 1916 to 1923 she taught singing in Brazil. Among her pupils was Bidu Sayao. In 1924 she returned to Romania, where in 1925 she became Professor of Singing in the Academy of Music. In 1902 she made 6 records for G&T in Milano.

Chronology of some appearances

1877 Bucharest Opera Italiana Favorita (Leonora)

1877 Bucharest Opera Italiana Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1877 Cuneo Civico Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1877 Alessandria Municipale  Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1879 Bucharest Nazionale Favorita (Leonora)

1879 Bucharest Nazionale Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1880 Bologna Comunale Favorita (Leonora)

1880 Cremona Concordia Favorita (Leonora)

1880 Piacenza Municipale Favorita (Leonora)

1880 Warsaw Imperiale Favorita (Leonora)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

G&T, Milano 1903-02

Carmen (Bizet): Habanera 53298 3085b

Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti): Rondo  53299 3087b

Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti): M'odi, ah m'odi 53300 3088b

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Preghiera 53301 3089b

Parla! Valzer (Arditi) 53302 3091b