Forgotten Opera Singers

Forgotten Opera Singers

Nov 8, 2017

Giovanni Peirani (Tenor) (Rivoli/Torino 1868 - Santiago del Cile 1901)




Originally he was a sculptor. He studied singing with maestro Thermignon in Turin and with E. Barbacini in Milan. In 1895 he made his debut (without special success) at the Teatro Sociale of Colorno as Manrico in G. Verdi’s ‘’Trovatore’’. In 1898 he appeared with great success at the Teatro San Carlo in Napoli as Arrigo in ‘’I Vespri Siciliani’’ and as Radames in ‘’Aida’’. The criticism compared his voice with Francesco Tamagno’s voice. In 1899 he sang at the Teatro Storchi in Modena the part of Alvaro in ‘’La Forza del Destino’’ and also appeared in the premiere of ‘’Irnerio’’ by E. M. Poggi. One of his star roles was Otello (G. Verdi), role, which he sang with great success in Italy, Spain, Portugal and South America. In 1899 he made guest appearances at the Teatro Lirico in Rio de Janeiro in ‘’Samson et Dalila’’, ‘’Carmen’’, ‘’Il Guarany’’ and ‘’Aida’’. His young wife died in Parà of a fever epidemic. He was engaged again for appearances in South America. During a tour he fallen ill in Santiago de Chile with yellow fever and died at the of 33. He never made records.

Chronology of some appearances

1895 Colorno Teatro Sociale Trovatore (Manrico)
1898 Milano Teatro San Carlo I Vespri Siciliani (Arrigo)
1898 Milano Teatro San Carlo Aida (Radames)
1899 Modena Teatro Storchi  La Forza del Destino (Alvaro)
1900 Oporto Teatro S. Joao Aida (Radames)
1901 Lisbona Coliseo Recrejos Sansone e Dalida (Sansone)

1 comment: