Lina Aimaro (Soprano) (Torino 1914 - Desenzano del Garda 2000)

She studied at the  Accademia di Musica di Milano under Mario Pieraccini and then at the Conservatorio Verdi di Milano. She made her debut at the Teatro Puccini of Milano in Rossini’s ‘’Barbiere di Siviglia’’ (1935). In 1939 she already sang at La Scala in Bellini’s ‘’Sonnambula’’. Appeared there also as Angelica in ‘’ Il malato immaginario’’. In Milan togheter with Gacomo Lauri-Volpi and Gino Bechi she performed in ‘’Rigoletto’’, then in ‘’I trionfi’’ of Carlo Orff under the direction of Herbert Von Karajan. Her artistic career lasted from 1935 to 1951. She also sang at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She married lawyer Aldo Bailey (1893-1960). At the end of artistic career, and after her husband's death she settled Lago di Garda di Sirmione, built the Kursaal Theatre, where, in addition to teaching, he promoted concerts and opera singing Competitions.

Chronology of appearance

1935 Milano Teatro Puccini Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

Rudolf Gerlach-Rusnack (Tenor) (Duboutz, Ukraine 24. 7. 1895 † Munich, Germany 23. 1. 1960)

His real name was Orest Rusnak. He was of Ukrainian descent and took part in the First World War as an officer of the Austrian-Hungarian army. In 1917 he fell into Russian war. Here he excited sensation singing Ukrainian songs in camp evenings. After his dismissal he began in 1918 his education under Eugene Fuchs in Prague. He made his debut in 1923 at the Municipal Theater of Olmütz (Olomouc) as Rodolfo in ‘’La Bohème’’. In the 1924-1926 seasons he appeared at the Municipal Theater in Königsberg, from 1926 to 1927 at the Municipal Theater of Szczecin. After additional education with Jacques Stückgold in Berlin and with Lari in Milan he became a soloist of the Municipal Theater of Chemnitz (1928-1930). In the 1930-1931 season he was engaged by the Municipal Theater of Graz. Since 1931 he was a principal tenor of the Munich State Opera and started to appear under the name Rudolf Gerlach-Rusnak. He formed his artistic name Rudolf Gerlach-Rusnak from the name of his favorite hero, the Rudolf  in ‘’La Bohème’’ and the family name of his wife Elisabeth Gerlach. Till 1937 he remained a member of the Munich Opera, where he also performed in the premiere of the opera ‘’Lucedia’’ by Vittorio Giannini (1934). In 1938 he made guest appearance at the Vienna State Opera. In the 1941-1942 season he was engaged by the Municipal Theater in Bremen, in the 1942-1944 seasons he was a soloist of the  Municipal Theater in Innsbruck. In 1945 he joined again to the Munich Opera. After a cardiac infarction in 1946 he remained ill, however, undertook in the 1956-1957 season again a tour through Canada and the USA.

Chronology of some appearances

1923 Olmütz Municipal Theater

1924-1926 Königsberg Municipal Theater

1926-1927 Szczecin Municipal Theater

1928-1930 Chemnitz Municipal Theater

1930-1931 Graz Municipal Theater

1931-1945 Munich State Opera

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-06
Trovatore (Verdi): Dass nur für mich dein Herz erbebt EG2636 (60-2068)
Trovatore (Verdi): Lodern zum Himmel (w. chorus) EG2636 (60-2069)
Tosca (Puccini): Und es blitzen die Sterne EG2637 (60-2070)
Tosca (Puccini): Wie sich die Bilder gleichen EG2637 (60-2071)

HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-31
Postillon de Longjumeau (Adam): Freunde, vernehmet die Geschichte EH811 (62-1017)
Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Ha, welch ein reizendes Bild (Plus blanche) EG2698 (60-2154)
Martha (Flotow): Ach so fromm EH811 (62-1017)
Africaine (Meyerbeer): Wunderbares Land EG2698 (60-2155)

HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-09-28
Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Du meiner Väter Hütte (Asile héréditaire) EG2886 (60-2412)
Fra Diavolo (Auber): Dorina, jene Kleine so jung und schön EG2887 (60-2414)
Alessandro Stradella (Flotow): Horch', Liebchen, horch' (Ständchen) EG2886 (60-2413)
Alessandro Stradella (Flotow): Tief in den Abruzzen EG2887 (60-2415)

HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-19
Zauberflöte (Mozart): Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön EG2910 (60-2448)
Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet): Ich höre wie im Traume EG2910 (60-2449)


HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-20
Favorite (Donizetti): Engel so rein EG2911
Aida (Verdi): Einne Heerschaft tapferer Männer... Holde Aida EH849 (62-1065)
Bohème (Puccini): Wie eiskalt ist dies Händchen EH849 (62-1064)

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Blanche Hamilton Fox (Mezzo-Soprano) (Boston, USA ? - ?)

                                                                           Amneris

Born Blanche Hamilton Fox. She was a leading mezzo-soprano of the Boston Opera. First she studied at the Academy of Notre Dame in Rosbury, then continued her education at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Probably she made her debut in 1906 at the Teatro Cressoni of Como in G. Donizetti’s ‘’Favorita’’. In Italy she appeared on the stages as Bianca Volpini and made only two recordings there for Odeon.

Chronology of some appearances

1906 Como Teatro Cressoni  Favorita (Leonora)

1907 Pisa Politeama Aida (Amneris)

1908 MantovaTeatro Sociale  Stagione
1909 New York Academy of Music Teatro Princess Cavalleria Rusticana (Lola)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1906-01-01
Il trovatore (Verdi): Stride la vampa! 37429 xM 791
Il trovatore (Verdi): Giorni poveri vivea 37444 xM 792

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Mathilde Saïman (Soprano) (Algiers 9 December 1891– Paris September 1940)

In 1914 she made her debut at the Paris Opéra-Comique in G. Charpentier's ‘’Louise’’ and remained at this opera house during the following seasons. In 1915 she appeared as Pierre in the première of the opera ‘’Les cadeaux de Noël’’ by X. Leroux. Two years later she performed there in the French premiere of A. Messager's ‘’Béatrice’’ (as Lélia, 1917). In 1923 she sang at the Théâtre Gaîté-Lyrique of Paris in ‘’Quo vadis?’’ by Jean Nouguès.

Chronology of some appearances

1914 Paris Opéra-Comique Louise (Grisette)

1915 Paris Opéra-Comique Les cadeaux de Noël (Pierre)

1917 Paris Opéra-Comique Béatrice (Lélia)

1923 Paris Théâtre Gaîté-Lyrique Quo vadis

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Pathé, Paris 1917?
Manon (Massenet): Adieu, notre petite table 0168 3083 
Fille du Régiment (Donizetti): Salut à la France 0168 3084

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Dolorès de Silvera (Contralto)

In 1920's she appeared at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. Probably she had a short career. She made a few records for Columbia.

Chronology of some appearances

1921 Théâtre du Châtelet Concerts Colonne
1924 Paris Opéra-Comique Werther (Charlotte)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Paris 1928-02-25
Werther (Massenet): Larmes D12043 L934
Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns): Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix D12043 L1190

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