FORGOTTEN OPERA SINGERS

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Apr 14, 2026

AMERICAN SOPRANO BERNICE DE PASQUALI (1880-1925) CDR

Nedda

BERNICE DE PASQUALI (BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 7, 1880 – NEW YORK CITY, APRIL 3, 1925)

Her real name was Bernice James. She was born in Boston and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Practically all of her musical training was received in New York City where she became a pupil of Oscar Saenger. She made her debut in Milan (1900) as Gilda in ‘’Rigoletto’’. She married Italian tenor Pietro de Pasquali who put together his own opera troupe, which included his wife as principal soprano. They toured the United States. Her Metropolitan Opera debut (1909) came when she replaced an ill Marcella Sembrich as Susanna in a performance of ‘’Le Nozze di Figaro’’. She remained at that House until 1917 as a principal coloratura soprano. For a performance of ‘’Aida’’ (15 Jan 1910) she appeared as the Priestess under the pseudonym of Emma Laurier, a practice that singers applied when they chose not to have a billing. She sang for the Prince of Wales in Quebec in 1908, and appeared at the 1916 Pan American Exposition in San Diego. Her successes, however, are not limited to America as she has appeared in Mexico, Cuba, South Africa and Europe, in many places receiving great ovations. Her voice is a clear, high, flexible soprano, equally fine for concert or opera. Her husband, Signor Pasquali, made a lifetime study of the principles of the “Bel Canto” school of singing, and the following conference is the result of long experiment and study in the esthetic, philosophical and physiological factors in the most significant of the so-called methods of voice training. While working the Orpheum vaudville circuit in Omaha, Nebraska, she developed double pneumonia and died there 2 weeks later.

Chronology of some appearances

1906 Savona Teatro Chiabrera Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1906 Savona Teatro Chiabrera Linda di Chamonix (Linda)

1906 Livorno Teatro Goldoni Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1906 Vicenza Teatro Verdi Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1906 Vicenza Teatro Verdi Don Pasquale (Norina)

1906 Pisa Politeama Linda di Chamonix (Linda)

1906 Pisa Politeama Puritani (Elvira)

1906 Livorno Teatro Goldoni Puritani (Elvira)

1906 Modena Teatro Storchi Puritani (Elvira)

1906 Modena Teatro Storchi Traviata (Violetta)

1907 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Puritani (Elvira)

1907 Alessandria Teatro Finzi Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1907 Nice Jetee Promenade Don Pasquale (Norina)

1907 Nice Jetee Promenade Puritani (Elvira)

1907 Nice Jetee Promenade Rigoletto (Gilda)

1907 Marsiglia Casinò de la Plague Puritani (Elvira)

1908 Città del Messico Teatro Virginia Fabregas Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1908 Città del Messico Teatro Virginia Fabregas Boheme (Mimi)

1908 Città del Messico Teatro Virginia Fabregas Rigoletto (Gilda)

1908 New York Teatro Metropolitan Carmen (Carmen)

1908 New York Teatro Metropolitan Traviata (Violetta)

1909 New York Academy of Music Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1909 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Don Pasquale (Norina)

1909 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Pagliacci (Nedda)

1909 New York Teatro Metropolitan Don Pasquale (Norina)

1910 New York Teatro Metropolitan Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1910 New York Teatro Metropolitan Don Pasquale (Norina)

1911 New York Teatro Metropolitan Pagliacci (Nedda)

1915 Havana Teatro Nacional Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)

1915 Havana Teatro Nacional Rigoletto (Gilda)

TRACKLIST

Call me no more (Cadman) A1446 39079 Columbia, New York 1913-10-31

Carmen (Bizet) I say to the dread that assails me 36911 D17725 Columbia, New York 1914-03

Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach) Barcarole (w. de Segurola) A1214 19860 Columbia, New York 1912-04-19

Faust (Gounod) Jewel song 13367 Edison 2-min cylinders, London 1906

Linda di Chamonix (Donizetti) O luce di quest anima 30880 A5350 Columbia, New York 1911-10-30

Lo! here the gentle lark (Bishop) 36826 L1098 Columbia, New York 1913-1011

Low back’d car (Lover) A1179 19709 Columbia, New York 1912-01-05

Mary (Richardson) A5612 36983 Columbia, New York 1914-05-28

Mignon (Thomas) Leggiadre rondinelle (w. de Segurola) A1215 19876 Columbia, New York 1912-04-30

O dolce contento (Dronet) A 5580 36811 Columbia, New York 1913-1011

Perle de Brazil Thou brillant Bird (David) A 5350 30875 Columbia, New York 1911-10-27

Rigoletto (Verdi) Caro Nome A 5580 36973 Columbia, New York 1914-05

Ruy Blas (Marchetti) Duo (w. P de Pasquali) 54010 2027b G&T, London 1902

Swiss echo song (Eckert) A5612 36984 Columbia, New York 1914-05-28

The last dance (Ware) A1446 39071 Columbia, New York 1913-10-27

Will o’ the wisp (Spross) A1179 19714 Columbia, New York 1912-01-08

Within a mile o’ Edinboro’ Town (trad) 6673 Edison Bell cylinders, London 1906

Apr 13, 2026

ROMANIAN TENOR DIMITRIE ONOFREI (1897-1991) CDR

Lohengrin

Don José

DIMITRIE ONOFREI (IAȘI, 6 AUGUST 1897 – BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA 20 MARCH 1991)

During World War I, he served as a soldier in the Romanian army. After the war, he studied singing in Milan under Maestro Collenz-Muro and made his debut in 1921 at the Royal Opera House of Malta as the Duke in Rigoletto. In 1922, he performed in Palermo, Venice, Florence, and Turin, and in 1923, he traveled to North America. He joined the San Carlo Opera Company and made his New York debut in 1923 as Rodolfo in La Bohème. In 1924, he married the prima donna of the troupe, soprano Bianca Saroya (1893-1981).

In 1926, he toured the United States with a company organized by the Japanese soprano Tamaki Miura and also performed at the Havana Opera. In 1927, he sang alongside his wife at the Bucharest Opera in the presence of Queen Maria of Romania. He later made a guest appearance in Italy, but had to cancel a performance at La Scala in Milan due to illness. After further studies with Manlio Bavagnoli, he achieved great success in 1928 in Monte Carlo with La Traviata.

From 1929 to 1931, he taught at Georgia University in the United States, where he also directed operas in English. In the 1930-1931 season, he toured South and Central America with the Braccala Company and sang with great success at the Philadelphia Opera during the 1931-1932 season. In 1934, he debuted at the Chicago Opera, performing as Cavaradossi, Pinkerton, Faust, and Lohengrin. From 1933 to 1937, he participated in the opera festival held at the Zoological Gardens.

In the 1940-1941 season, he toured once more with the San Carlo Opera before retiring from the stage due to illness. From 1945 to 1950, he taught at the Cincinnati Conservatory, and later in New York, Chicago, and finally San Francisco. Among his students were notable tenors Rolf Björling and John Alexander.

TRACKLIST

Odeon, Berlin 1928

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Addio alla madre 127002 xxJo2020

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) O Lola RA199902B Jo1472

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Viva il vino 199903

Faust (Gounod) Salve dimora 127000

Gioconda (Ponchielli) Cielo e mar 127003

Les Pêcheurs de Perles (Bizet) Je crois 127001

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Tu che a dio 127000

Manon (Massenet) Il sogno 199903

Martha (Flotow) M’appari RA199902a Jo1460

Mefistofele (Boito) Giunto sul passo 127003

Mignon (Thomas) Ah non credevi tu 127001

Rigoletto (Verdi) La donna e mobile 199901

Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle 199901

Tosca (Puccini) O dolci mani 199906

AMERICAN BASS HENRI SCOTT (1876-1942) CDR

Mefistofele

HENRI SCOTT (COATESVILLE / PENNSYLVANIA 8. 4. 1876 † HAGERSTOWN / MARYLAND 2. 4. 1942)

He was a pupil of Oscar Saenger in New York and initially appeared as a concert singer. In 1909, he was engaged by Oscar Hammerstein to perform at the Manhattan Opera House in New York, making his debut as Ramphis in Aida. He resided in Philadelphia from 1932 onwards.

Chronology of some appearances

1909 New York Manhattan Opera Aida (Ramfis)

1909 New York Manhattan Opera Samson et Dalila (old Hebrew)

1910-11 Roma Teatro Adriano

1913 Chicago Opera

1915-1919 New York Metropolitan Opera Aida (Ramfis) (Debut)

1916-1917 Ravinia Summer Opera

1920 USA San Carlo Opera Company

TRACKLIST

Bedouin love song (Pinsuti) A5651 37138 Columbia, New York 1915-01-21

An Irish folk song U.S. Everlasting cylinder 1368

Bohemian Girl (Balfe) The heart bow’d down A5500 36762 Columbia, New York 1913-07-11

Caïd (Thomas) Air du Tambour-Major U.S. Everlasting cylinder 35023

Don Giovanni (Mozart) Madamina A5504 36763 Columbia, New York 1913-07-11

Ernani (Verdi) Infelice A5552 36881 Columbia, New York 1914-02-26

Ernani (Verdi) Infelice! e tu credevi U.S. Everlasting cylinder 33025

Faust (Gounod) Even bravest heart A5877 48569 Columbia, New York 1916-01-27

Gloria (Buzzi-Peccia) A5442 36453 Columbia, New York 1912-10-03

Gypsy John (Clay) A5877 48570 Columbia, New York 1916-01-27

I fear no foe (Pinsuti) A5799 48572 Columbia, New York 1916-01-28

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Sestetto (w. Verlet, Alcock, Baroni, Ciccolini & Middleton) Edison 82266 5787-A

Maritana (Wallace) In happy moments A5500 36761 Columbia, New York 1913-07-11

Martha (Flotow) Drinking song A5651 37139 Columbia, New York 1915-01-21

On the road to Mandalay (Kipling) 28275 Edison, New York 1917

Puritani (Bellini) Suoni la tromba (w. Dufranne) Columbia A5558 368804

Requiem (Verdi) Confutatis maledictis A5442 36452 Columbia, New York 1912-10-03

Sonnambula (Bellini) Vi ravviso A5504 36764 Columbia, New York 1913-07-11

Thy sentinel am I (Watson) A5799 48571 Columbia, New York 1916-01-28

Zauberflöte (Mozart) In diesen heil’gen Hallen A5552 36879 Columbia, New York 1914-02-24

POLISH BARITONE WACŁAW BRZEZIŃSKI (1878-1955) CDR

WACŁAW BRZEZIŃSKI (WARSAW, 15 SEPTEMBER, 1878 – ŁÓDŹ, 13 FEBRUARY, 1955)

He was originally a blacksmith, but after his voice was discovered, he studied in Italy and made his debut in 1904 at the Teatro del Corso in Bologna as the lead in Martha by F. von Flotow. He also studied under Witold Aleksandrowicz in Warsaw and joined the opera house in Lwów (Lvov) in 1906. By 1908, he had performed as a guest in Palermo and Bologna. Later that year, he was engaged by the Warsaw Opera, making his debut there as Silvio in R. Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. He remained the leading baritone at this opera house for twenty years and was known as the “Polish Battistini.”

During the 1911-12 season, he performed as a guest at various opera houses in southern Italy and Sicily, notably as Rigoletto in Rigoletto and as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia. He also appeared in Moscow. In Warsaw, he sang a comprehensive Bel Canto repertoire for baritone, as well as Polish opera works by S. Moniuszko. His overexertion led to heart problems, forcing him to retire from active singing. He then became a voice pedagogue in Warsaw and later served as a professor at the College of Music in Łódź. His students included notable singers such as Jan Kiepura, Jerzy Czaplicki, Eugeniusz Mossakowski, and Jerzy Garda.

Chronology of some appearances

1904 Bologna Teatro del Corso Martha (Tristan)

1908 Warsaw Opera House Pagliacci (Silvio)

TRACKLIST

A wish (The Prisoner) (Rubinstein) 4-22317 2496ae Gramophone, Warszawa 1911-08-21

Ah, this charm (Kalienski) X-2-62784 Zonophone Warszawa 1911-08-21

Chrysanthemums (words Radoshevskaja) X-2-62783 Zonophone Warszawa 1911-08-20

Die beiden Grenadiere (Schumann) X-2-62781 Zonophone Warszawa 1911-08-20

Ernani (Verdi) O sommo Carlo 0222000 191af Gramophone, Warszawa 1911-08-28

Hamlet (Thomas) Le vin dissippe la tristesse 0222001 192af Gramophone, Warszawa 1911-08-28

Maria Mari (di Capua) 222013 1056ae Gramophone, Moskva 1910-07-13

O sole mio (di Capua) 222012 1054ae Gramophone, Moskva 1910-07-13

So, have mercy (Bakaleynikov) X-2-62731 Moskva 1910-07-15

Straszny Dwór (Moniuszko) Which of my girls 4-22393 3437ae Gramophone, Warszawa 1912-02-24

The haunted castle (Moniuszko) Polonaise 13499 Syrena, Warszawa 1906

Non t’amo più (Tosti) 4-22361 3431ae Gramophone, Warszawa 1912-02-24

Graf von Luxemburg (Lehár) My Lord (w. Messal) X-2-64050 Zonophone, Warszawa 1910-09

Graf von Luxemburg (Lehár) Is this my happiness (w. Messal) X-2-64051 Zonophone, Warszawa 1910-09

Zigeunerliebe (Lehár): Ha, ha, a to zabawne (w. Messal) 67579-A Victor

ITALIAN BARITONE LELIO CASINI (1865-1910) CDR

LELIO CASINI (PISA, 1865 – VOLTERRA, 22 OCTOBER, 1910)

He studied singing at the Conservatorio Pacini in Lucca under the guidance of Angeloni. He made his debut in 1886 at the Teatro Nuovo in Toscana as Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera. On November 27, 1897, he appeared at the Teatro Lirico in Milan as Baldassare in the premiere of F. Cilea’s L’Arlesiana. After retiring from the stage, he founded a singing school in Milan. Among his notable pupils were baritones Titta Ruffo, Emilio Ghirardini, Amleto Barbieri, and tenor Giuseppe Taccani.

Chronology of some appearances

1886 Pisa Teatro Nuovo Ruy Blas (Sallustio)

1886 Pisa Arena Garibaldi Macbet (Macbet)

1887 Pisa Teatro Verdi Un ballo in Maschera (Renato)

1887 Roma Teatro Costanzi Ruy Blas (Sallustio)

1888 Cesena Teatro Comunale Un ballo in Maschera (Renato)

1889 Catania Politeama Pacini Carmen (Escamilio)

1889 Catania Politeama Pacini Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1889 Catania Teatro Principe di Napoli Favorita (Alfonso)

1889 Catania Teatro Principe di Napoli Puritani (Riccardo)

1889 Catania Politeama Pacini Puritani (Riccardo)

1889 Catania Teatro Nazionale Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1889 Catania Teatro Nazionale Sonnambula (Rodolfo)

1889 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Trovatore (Conte)

1890 Firenze Teatro Pagliano Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio)

1890 Firenze Teatro Pagliano Ernani (Don Carlo)

1890 Pisa Teatro Verdi Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1891 Firenze Teatro Pagliano Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio)

1891 Firenze Teatro Pagliano Trovatore (Conte)

1891 Firenze Teatro Niccolini Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1891 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Lirico Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio)

1891 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Lirico Ernani (Don Carlo)

1891 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Lirico Favorita (Alfonso)

1891 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Lirico Trovatore (Conte)

1891 Catania Teatro Bellini Puritani (Riccardo)

1892 Pisa Teatro Nuovo Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1892 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Lohengrin (Tetralmondo)

1893 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Carmen (Escamilio)

1893 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Favorita (Alfonso)

1893 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Gioconda (Barnaba)

1893 Livorno Teatro Avvalorati Ernani (Don Carlo)

1894 Firenze Teatro Pagliano Carmen (Escamilio)

1894 Firenze Teatro Verdi Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1894 Caracas Teatro Municipal Otello (Jago)

1894 Adria Politeama Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1895 Pisa Politeama Jone (Arbace)

1896 Milano Teatro Lirico Andrea Chenier (Gerard)

1896 Parma Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Gerard)

1897 Parma Teatro Regio Pagliacci (Tonio)

1897 Milano Teatro Lirico Mignon (Laerte)

1897 Milano Teatro Lirico Pagliacci (Tonio)

1897 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Tannhauser (Wolfram)

1897 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Lohengrin (Tetralmondo)

1898 Firenze Teatro Nuovo Favorita (Alfonso)

1899 Padova Teatro Verdi Favorita (Alfonso)

1899 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Gioconda (Barnaba)

1900 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Boheme (Marcello)

1900 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Favorita (Alfonso)

1900 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Puritani (Riccardo)

1900 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Tannhauser (Wolfram)

1900 Venezia Teatro La Fenice Puritani (Riccardo)

1901 Volterra Teatro Persio Flacco Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio)

1901 Volterra Teatro Persio Flacco Pagliacci (Tonio)

1901 Volterra Teatro Persio Flacco Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1901 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio)

1902 Valencia Teatro Principal Tosca (Scarpia)

1903 Cartagena Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Gerard)

1903 Malaga Teatro Cervantes Tosca (Scarpia)

1903 Almeria Teatro Municipal Tosca (Scarpia)

1903 Granada Teatro Isabel Catolica Tosca (Scarpia)

1903 Alicante Teatro Municipal Tosca (Scarpia)

1903 Cartagena Teatro Municipal Tosca (Scarpia)

1906 Firenze Politeama Nazionale Traviata (Germont)

TRACKLIST

Zonophone (dark blue, later orange), Milano 1902

Tannhäuser (Wagner): O tu bell’astro X-491

Ernani (Verdi): O dei verd’anni miei X-493

Non penso a lei (Stornello toscano) (Ferradini) X-494

La mia sposa sarà là mia bandiera (Rotoli) X-496

Canzone toscana (Stornellata) (-) X-497

Pathé – A.I.C.C. cylinders & discs, Milano 1903

La cartolina (-) 84021

Stornello toscana (-) 84025

Tizianello (Billi) E canto il grillo 84028

Zonophone, Milano 1903

Don Carlo (Verdi): Io morrò X-92000

Andrea Chénier (Giordano): Un dì, m’era di gioia X-92001

Hamlet (Thomas): Come il romito fior X-92002

LEON DAVID THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS CDR

Werther

LEON DAVID (TENOR) (LES SABLES D’OLONNE, VENDÉE, 18 DECEMBER, 1867 – LES SABLES D’OLONNE, 27 OCTOBER, 1962)

He studied in Nantes and Paris, making his debut in February 1892 at Monte Carlo as Euxenos in Noël Desjoyeaux’s Gyptis. Later that year, he began a significant engagement at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, debuting as Iopas in Les Troyens. His repertoire at the Opéra-Comique included roles such as Almaviva, George Brown in La Dame Blanche, Gérald in Lakmé, Des Grieux in Manon, Wilhelm Meister in Mignon, Nadir, Vincent in Mireille, Werther, and Don José.

Between 1900 and 1907, he was a prominent figure at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, where he performed roles like Belmonte and Dimitri in Franco Alfano’s Risurrezione. In 1913, he created the role of Paco in Manuel de Falla’s La Vida Breve at Nice. After retiring from the Opéra-Comique in 1920, he served as a professor of singing at the Paris Conservatoire from 1924 to 1937.

Chronology of some appearances

1892 Monte Carlo Opera House

1892 Paris Opéra-Comique

1900-1907 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie

1913 Nice Opera House

TRACKLIST

Carmen (Bizet) La fleur que te m’avais jetee 39219 XPh 551 Fonotipia, Paris 1904/1905

La muette de portici (Ober) Du pauvre seul ami fidele 39220 XPh 550 Fonotipia, Paris 1904/1905

La veritable Manola (E. Bourgeois) 39069 XPh 546 Fonotipia, Paris 1904/1905

Le barbier de Seville (Rossini) Des rayons de l’aurore Serenade 97177 XP 4293 Odeon, Paris 1908

Manon (Massenet) Ah! fyez douce image 97178 XP 4292 Odeon, Paris 1908

Mignon (Thomas) Elle ne croyait pas 39094 XPh 545 Fonotipia, Paris 1904/1905

Mignon (Thomas) Elle ne croyait pas 97175 XP 4291 Odeon, Paris 1908

Rigoletto (Verdi) Comme la plume au vent 39221 XPh 515 Fonotipia, Paris 1904/1905

Romeo et Juliette (Gounod) L’amour… Ah!, leve-toi, soleil 39095 XPh 549 Fonotipia, Paris 1904/1905

Werther (Massenet) Pourquoi me reveiller 97176 XP 4291 Odeon, Paris 1908

BELGIAN TENOR ERNEST VAN DYCK (1861-1923) CDR

ERNEST VAN DYCK (ANTWERP, 2 APRIL, 1861 – BERLAAR, 3 AUGUST, 1923)

For a short time he studied law and worked as a journalist before beginning singing lessons with, among others, the composers Chabrier and Massenet, an association that led to his creation of Massenet’s Werther in 1892. His first appearance in Bayreuth was in 1888 as Parsifal. Although he did not have the most beautiful voice, his intelligence and the ability to learn roles on short notice were a godsend to opera house managements.

Chronology of some appearances

Lohengrin 1/2/191900, Loge 2/6/191900, Siegmund 2/8/191900, Tristan 3/6/191900, Tannhäuser 12/27/191900, Siegmund 1/10/191901, Loge 1/24/191901, Siegmund 1/29/191901, Tannhäuser 2/14/191901, Tristan 12/26/191901, Le docteur Faust 1/28/191902, Siegmund 2/13/191902 (Filadelfia)

TRACKLIST

Dichterliebe (Schumann) Ich grolle nicht 8702 Homophone, Paris 1905

Dichterliebe (Schumann) Ich grolle nicht 39100 xPh 535 Fonotipia, Paris 1905

Die Meistersinger (Wagner) Walter devant les mâitres 8703 Homophone, Paris 1905

Die Post (Schubert) 60607 Pathé cylinders, London 1903

Die Walküre (Wagner) Plus d’hiver, déjà le printemps commence 39098 xPh 536 Fonotipia, Paris 1905

Du bist wie eine blume (Schumann) 39101 xPh 539 Fonotipia, Paris 1905

Een bloemken (Nicolai) 39102 xPh 542 Fonotipia, Paris 1905

Meistersinger (Wagner) Walther vor die Meisterzunft 60605 798 Pathé Cylinders, London 1903

Walkyre (Wagner) Chant d’amour 60602 795 Pathé Cylinders, London 1903

Werther (Massenet) Pourquoi me réveiller (Stances d’Ossian) 39113 xPh 537 Fonotipia, Paris 1905

Werther (Massenet) Stances d’Ossian 60604 Pathé Cylinders, London 1903

CHARLES SANTLEY THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS CDR

CHARLES SANTLEY (BARITONE) (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND 28 FEBRUARY 1834 – LONDON, ENGLAND 22 SEPTEMBER 1922)

He was a choir boy and then performed as an amateur singer. Since 1855 he studied first with Gaetano Nava in Milan, then with Manuel Garcia in London. In 1857 he was heard for the first time in London as soloist in J. Haydn’s “Creation”. He made his debut on stage at Pavia City Theater in 1857 as Dr. Grenvil in “La Traviata”. Guest appearances on leading stages in Italy, England and France brought him the first successes. He has appeared in particular at the Grand Opéra in Paris and the London Covent Garden Opera. Here he appeared in 1859 as Hoël in the English premiere of the opera “Dinorah” by G. Meyerbeer (with Mme Miolan-Carvalho as partner), on February 23, 1860 in the premiere of the opera “Lurline” by Vincent Wallace, on November 30. 1861 in “The Puritan’s Daughter” by Michael Balfe, on 8. 2. 1862 in “The Lily of Killarney” by Julius Benedict (in the part of Danny Man). In 1863 he sang the role of Valentin at the Her Majesty’s Theater in London in the English premiere of C. Gounod’s “Faust” in the presence of the composer. After this performance, Gounod composed for him the prayer of Valentin “Avant de quitter ces lieux”, which does not appear in the opera’s original score and has not been sung in Paris until today. In 1864 he participated in the same theater in the English premieres of the operas “Mireille” by C. Gounod and “The Merry Wives of Windsor” by Nicolai (in Italian). In 1870 he sang the title character in the English premiere of R. Wagner’s at the Drury Lane Theater in London In 1907 he was ennobled by King Edward VII as “Sir Charles Santley” (for his 50th anniversary as a singer). In 1911 he gave his farewell performance in “The Waterman” by C. Dibdin at the Covent Garden Opera in London. He has written several self-biographical writings (Student and Singer, London 1892; Reminiscence of my Life, London, 1909). Further Lit .: J.Mewburn Levien: “Sir Charles Santley” (London, 1930) .His daughter Edith Santley began a very successful career as a concert singer (soprano), which she gave up entirely after her marriage in 1884.

TRACKLIST

Father O’Flynn (arr Stanford) 373 6115 Columbia, London 1913

Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Non più andrai 052000 187c G&T, London 1903-06-10

Simon the Cellarer (Hatton) 2-2862 3860b G&T, London 1903-06-08

Simon the Cellarer (Hatton) 373 6113 Columbia, London 1913

The Rosary (Nevin) (w. piano) 360 6114 Columbia, London 1913

The Rosary (Nevin) (w. piano) 360 6114 Columbia, London 1922

The Vicar of Bray (Watson) 2-2863 3861b G&T, London 1903-06-08

Thou’rt passing hence, my brother (Sullivan) 02015 188c G&T, London 1903-06-10

To Anthea (Hatton) 2-2864 3862b G&T, London 1903-06-08

To Anthea (Hatton) 360 6283 Columbia, London 1913

BELGIAN BARITONE JEAN DELVOYE (1861-1938) CDR

JEAN DELVOYE (LIÈGE, 25 NOVEMBER, 1861 – OUGRÉE, 13 JUNE, 1938)

He studied singing at the Conservatory of Liège under Mr. Bonheur, then continued his training with Carmon and Ismaël. He began his career in Dunkirk during the 1887-1888 season and subsequently performed in Angers, Nantes, and Marseilles. After a season in Nice, he moved to Lyon before being engaged by the Opéra-Comique in Paris, where he had a long tenure.

At the Opéra-Comique, he appeared in several notable productions, including J. Massenet’s Manon in 1901, where he performed alongside Mary Garden and Léon Beyle. He reprised the role in Manon in 1905, this time partnering with Edmond Clément and Marguerite Carre. In 1907, he was featured in the premiere of X. Leroux’s Le Chemineau. It is likely that he retired from the stage around 1910.

Chronology of some appearances

1901 Paris Opéra-Comique

1905 Paris Opéra-Comique

1907 Paris Opéra-Comique

TRACKLIST

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Air de Figaro 2-32791 1702F G&T, Paris 1903

Boheme (Puccini) Chers petits bonnets roses with Jules Gautier Beka, Paris 1906/1907

Chien du jardinier (Grisar) 6864 Beka, Paris 1906/1907

Fille du Régiment (Donizetti) Au bruit de la guerre (w. Tiphaine) 10113 Beka, Paris 1906/1907

Joconde (Nicolo) Dans un délire extrême 6665 Beka, Paris 1906/1907

Manon (Massenet) Ne bronchez pas 6668 Beka, Paris 1906/1907

Martha (Flotow) Chanson du Porter 6863 Beka, Paris 1906/1907

Mascotte (Audran) Duo des dindons (w. Simon-Girard) 34018 1918F G&T, Paris 1903

Noces de Jeannette (Massé) Enfin! me voilà seul 6658 Beka, Paris 1906/1907

Noces de Jeannette (Massé) Margot, lève ton sabot 2-32746 1670F G&T, Paris 1903

Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Bel enfant 2-32866 1949F G&T, Paris 1903

Rigoletto (Verdi) Courtisans, race vile et damnée! 6866 Beka, Paris 1906/1907

Si j’étais roi (Adam) Dans le sommeil 6669 Beka, Paris 1906/1907

Traviata (Verdi) Lorsquа de folles amours 6868 Beka, Paris 1906/1907

ITALIAN TENOR LUIGI COLAZZA (1868-1927) VOL. 2 CDR

Otello

LUIGI COLAZZA (ROME, 1868 – TRIESTE, 1927)

He made his stage debut in 1892 at the Teatro Quirino in Rome. In 1898, he appeared as Radames in G. Verdi’s Aida at the Building for Arts and Sciences in The Hague. The following year, he created the title role in U. Giordano’s Andrea Chénier in Bergamo, and reprised the role in 1901 at the Teatro Regio in Parma. In 1905, he performed as Vasili in U. Giordano’s Siberia at the Teatro Municipale in Piacenza. His career was primarily centered around Italian provincial opera houses. After retiring from the stage, he became a professor at the Conservatory in Trieste.

Chronology of some appearances

1892 Rome Teatro Quirino Norma (Pollione)

1896 Venezia Teatro Rossini Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)

1898 ‘S-Gravenhage Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Aida (Radames)

1901 Parma Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Chenier)

1903 Gorizia Teatro Sociale Otello (Otello)

1905 Piacenza Teatro Municipale Siberia (Vassili)

1907 Corugna Teatro Rosalia Otello (Otello)

1909 Venezia Teatro Rossini Norma (Pollione)

1912 Roma Teatro Adriano Pagliacci (Canio)

1917 Milano Teatro Verdi Norma (Pollione)

TRACKLIST

Norma (Bellini) Me protegge 10412 Columbia, Milano 1904

Otello (Verdi) Esultate!… Ora e per sempre addio 42381 Beka, Milano 1910/1911

Otello (Verdi) Niun mi tema 42382 Beka, Milano 1910/1911

Otello (Verdi) Ora e per sempre addio 86163 Pathé, Milano 1906

Poliuto (Donizetti) Sfolgorò divino raggio 52890, 6933a G&T, Milano 1905-08

Prophète (Meyerbeer) Pastorale 2-52416 7005b G&T, Milano 1905-08

Prophète (Meyerbeer) Roi du ciel et des anges 52516 Victor, USA 1905-08

Ruy Blas (Marchetti) O dolce voluttà (w. Boninsegna) 054109 854c G&T, Milano 1906-10/11

Siberia (Giordano) Orride steppe 10417 Columbia, Milano 1904

Tosca (Puccini) Recondita armonia 86162 Pathé, Milano 1906

Trovatore (Verdi) Ah si ben mio 2-52575 9367b G&T, Milano 1906-10/11

Trovatore (Verdi) Ai nostri monti (w. Esposito) 54259 7029b G&T, Milano 1905-08

Trovatore (Verdi) Di geloso amor (w. Bernacchi & Caronna) 54261 7027½b G&T, Milano 1905-08

Trovatore (Verdi) Di quella pira 86132 Pathé, Milano 1906

Trovatore (Verdi) Mal reggendo (w. Esposito) 54263 7014b G&T, Milano 1905-08

ITALIAN TENOR LUIGI COLAZZA (1868-1927) VOL. 1 CDR

Otello

LUIGI COLAZZA (ROME, 1868 – TRIESTE, 1927)

Chronology of some appearances

1892 Rome Teatro Quirino Norma (Pollione)

1896 Venezia Teatro Rossini Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)

1898 ‘S-Gravenhage Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Aida (Radames)

1901 Parma Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Chenier)

1903 Gorizia Teatro Sociale Otello (Otello)

1905 Piacenza Teatro Municipale Siberia (Vassili)

1907 Corugna Teatro Rosalia Otello (Otello)

1909 Venezia Teatro Rossini Norma (Pollione)

1912 Roma Teatro Adriano Pagliacci (Canio)

1917 Milano Teatro Verdi Norma (Pollione)

TRACKLIST

Africaine (Meyerbeer) O Paradiso 10416 Columbia, Milano 1904

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Barcarola Victor 52409, USA 1905-08

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Di’ tu se fedele 86169 Pathé, Milano 1906

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Odi tu (w. Bernacchi & Caronna) 54255 7035b G&T, Milano 1905-08

Ernani (Verdi) A te scegli seguimi (w. Torres de Luna) 054047 490c G&T, Milano 1905-08

Ernani (Verdi) Come rugiada al cespite 2-52576 9447b G&T, Milano 1906-10/11

Ernani (Verdi) Ferma crudel (w. Bernacchi & Torres de Luna) 054046 491c G&T, Milano 1905-08

Ernani (Verdi) O sommo Carlo (w. Battistini, Corsi, Sillich & chorus) 054107 881c G&T, Milano 1906-10/11

Ernani (Verdi) Oro quant’oro (w. Bernacchi & Torres de Luna) 54260 7050b G&T, Milano 1905-08

Forza del destino (Verdi) Le minaccie (w. Caronna) 054049 494½c G&T, Milano 1905-08

Forza del destino (Verdi) Solenne in quest’ora (w. Caronna) 54060 7010b G&T, Milano 1905-08

Forza del destino (Verdi) Uniti in vita (w. Minolfi) 054108 855c G&T, Milano 1906-10/11

Gli Ugonotti (Meyerbeer) Qui sotto il ciel 52889 6930a G&T, Milano 1905-08

Norma (Bellini) Ah di qual sei tu vittima (w. Cappiello & Giacomelli) 054115 918½c G&T, Milano 1906-10/11

Norma (Bellini) Deh non volerli vittime (w. Boninsegna & de Segurola) 054097 789c G&T, Milano 1906-10

FORGOTTEN OPERA SINGERS

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AMERICAN SOPRANO BERNICE DE PASQUALI (1880-1925) CDR

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ROMANIAN TENOR DIMITRIE ONOFREI (1897-1991) CDR

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POLISH BARITONE WACŁAW BRZEZIŃSKI (1878-1955) CDR

ITALIAN BARITONE LELIO CASINI (1865-1910) CDR

LEON DAVID THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS CDR

BELGIAN TENOR ERNEST VAN DYCK (1861-1923) CDR

CHARLES SANTLEY THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS CDR

BELGIAN BARITONE JEAN DELVOYE (1861-1938) CDR

ITALIAN TENOR LUIGI COLAZZA (1868-1927) VOL. 2 CDR

ITALIAN TENOR LUIGI COLAZZA (1868-1927) VOL. 1 CDR

Forgotten Opera Singers

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