FORGOTTEN OPERA SINGERS

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Mar 30, 2026

ITALIAN TENOR GIUSEPPE MAURO (1880-1928) CDR

Otello

GIUSEPPE MAURO (PIANA DE’ GALLI/PALERMO, 1880 – NEW YORK, 1928)

He studied singing in Milan under the guidance of Nino Cairone and made his operatic debut in 1901 at the Teatro Sociale in Casalmaggiore, performing in La Forza del Destino. In 1911, he moved to the United States, where he eventually retired from the stage and established the Mural Singing School. Dedicated to teaching, he built a reputation as a respected vocal instructor. Tragically, during a concert by his students at Carnegie Hall, he passed away during the intermission due to illness, marking a sudden and poignant end to his career in music education.

TRACKLIST

Aida (Verdi) Celeste Aida 37634 Odeon Fonotipia 1908-01-01

Andrea Chénier (Giordano) Colpito qui mi avete 37667Odeon Fonotipia 1908-01-01

Andrea Chénier (Giordano) E volli pien d’amore 37668 Odeon Fonotipia 1908-01-01

Forza del destino (Verdi) La vita è inferno 37673Odeon Fonotipia 1908-01-01

Forza del destino (Verdi) O tu che in seno 37674 Odeon Fonotipia 1908-01-01

Himni i Flamurit (Spiridon Ilo) 960-A Albanian Records and Phonographs

Otello (Verdi) Sì, pel ciel (w. Albinolo) 37747 Xm1244 Odeon Fonotipia 1908-01-01

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vesti la giubba 37660 xM 1129 Odeon Fonotipia 1908-01-01

Betimi mi flamur (Asdren) Nathaniel Shilkret (conductor) Victor 72187 B-21711 3 28 1918 New York, New York

Bilbili êshtê njê zok Nathaniel Shilkret (conductor), King’s Orchestra Victor 72186 B-21384 12 9 1918 New York, New York

Deshêrim i mêmdeheut (Mano) Nathaniel Shilkret (conductor), King’s Orchestra Victor 72186 B-21385 1-29-1918 New York, New York

Hymni mbretnor (Logori) Nathaniel Shilkret (conductor) Victor 72187 B-21710 3-28-1918 New York, New York

Sa bukur rronimë Nathaniel Shilkret (conductor), King’s Orchestra Victor 72188 B-21173 12-13-1917 New York, New York

Të gjithë ne o djema Nathaniel Shilkret (conductor), King’s Orchestra Victor 72188 B-21172 12-13-1917 New York, New York

ITALIAN TENOR EDOARDO CASTELLANO (1871-1917) CDR

EDOARDO CASTELLANO (NAPLES, 1871 – RIO DE JANEIRO, 1917)

He was born into a noble family. He studied in Naples and made his debut in 1890 at the Teatro Reale of Malta in Don Pasquale. He died from a tropical illness that struck him while he was in Brazil.

Chronology of some appearances

1890 Malta Teatro Reale Don Pasquale (Ernesto)

1891 Catania Teatro Nazionale Traviata (Alfredo)

1895 Palermo Politeama Manon (De Grieux)

1903 Cremona Teatro Ponchielli Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1904 Genova Politeama Genovese Manon (De Grieux)

1905 San Paolo Politeama Iris (Osaka)

TRACKLIST

Aprite la finestra (Cimmino) 30120 Columbia, New York 1906/1907

Boheme (Puccini) Mimì è una civetta D 17506 30085 Columbia, New York 1906/1907

Elisir d’amore (Donizetti) Una furtiva lagrima X-1779 Zonophone, Milano 1902

Gioconda (Ponchielli) Cielo e mar 30093 M-47-2 Columbia, New York 1906/1907

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Donna non vidi mai X-1739 Zonophone, Milano 1902

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vesti la giubba A 5002 30118 Columbia, New York 1906/1907

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vesti la giubba X-1549 Zonophone, Milano 1902

Rigoletto (Verdi) Questa o quella 30094 M-62-1 Columbia, New York 1906/1907

Scetate (Costa) X-1781 Zonophone, Milano 1902

Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle 30064 D 17500 Columbia, New York 1906/1907

Tosca (Puccini) Recondita armonia A 5070 30135 Columbia, New York 1907

Werther (Massenet) Ah! non mi ridestar X-1776 Zonophone, Milano 1902

ITALIAN TENOR CARLO CARTICA (1865-1935) CDR

Lohengrin

CARLO CARTICA (ROME, 1865 – BOSTON, 1935)

In 1894, he already appeared at La Scala, where he sang the Duke in Rigoletto and Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor alongside Nellie Melba. During the 1903-04 season, he performed at the Teatro Regio in Parma with great success as Alvaro in Verdi’s La forza del destino and Raoul in Gli Ugonotti (Les Huguenots). From 1909 to 1910, he was in North America as part of the Boston Opera ensemble, where he achieved significant success as Manrico in Il Trovatore with Guerrina Fabbri, as well as in roles like Radames in Aida and Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. In 1911, he toured America with the Lombardi Opera Company, performing as Manrico at the Teatro Nacional in Washington. He also sang Manrico in 1916 at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome.

Chronology of some appearances

1894 Milan La Scala Rigoletto (Duke)

1904 Parma Teatro Regio Gli Ugonotti (Raoul)

1911 Washington Teatro National Aida (Radames)

1916 Rome Teatro Costanzi Trovatore (Manrico)

TRACKLIST

Aida (Verdi) O terra addio (w. Villani) Columbia A 5331 30814 Columbia, New York 1911-08

Faust (Gounod) All’erta (w. Wright, Wright-Heims & Alessandroni) A5381 30795 Columbia, New York 1911-08

Forza del destino (Verdi) O tu che in seno 021130 US Everlasting cylinders

Forza del destino (Verdi) Solenne in quest’ora (w. Alessandroni) A 5343 30809 Columbia, New York 1911-08

Gioconda (Ponchielli) Cielo e mar 33016 US Everlasting cylinders

Guillaume Tell (Rossini) Troncar i suoi dì (w. Alessandroni & Autori) US Everlasting cylinders 33017, USA 1906

Guillaume Tell (Rossini) Troncar i suoi dì (w. Alessandroni & Bauer) A5465 36503 Columbia, New York

Lombardi (Verdi) Qual voluttà (w. Alessandroni & Kaestner) A5446 Columbia, New York

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Chi mi frena (w. Wright, Wright-Heims & Alessandroni) D 16326 30709 Columbia, New York 1911-04-01

Martha (Flotow) Solo, profugo (w. Alessandroni) A5343 30817 Columbia, New York 1911-08

Rigoletto (Verdi) Bella figlia dell’amore (w. Wright, Wright-Heims & Alessandroni) A5306 30710 Columbia, New York 1911-04-01

Rigoletto (Verdi) Questa o quella 638 Phono-Cut, USA 1918

Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle 711 Phono-Cut, USA 1918

Trovatore (Verdi) Di quella pira Phono-Cut 5132-B

Trovatore (Verdi) Miserere (w. Villani) D16326 30812 Columbia, New York 1911-08

ITALIAN TENOR ALMERICO STAMPANONI CDR

ALMERICO STAMPANONI

He was active throughout Italy in the 1890s and the first decade of the 1900s. In 1890, he appeared at the Teatro Alfieri as Fernando in La Favorita. He then made guest appearances in Teramo, Asti, and Naples. In 1896, he performed at the Imperial Theatre in Warsaw. The next year, he guested in Buenos Aires (1897) and Odessa (1899). In 1902, he went to Amsterdam and appeared at the Paleis voor Volksvlijt, where he sang the role of the Duke in Rigoletto. He likely retired from the stage in 1908. His recordings, made for APGA, are extremely rare.

Chronology of some appearances

1890 Asti Teatro Alfieri Fernando (Favorita0

1894 Teramo Teatro Comunale Faust (Faust)

1896 Varsavia Teatro Imperiale Faust (Faust)

1897 Buenos Ayres Opera Favorita (Fernando)

1899 Odessa Teatro Municipale Manon (De Grieux)

1901 Bologna Teatro Duse Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1902 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Rigoletto (Duca)

1907 Torino Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Favorita (Fernando)

TRACKLIST

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Se il mio nome 35089 APGA Paris, 1906/7

Carmen (Bizet) Ho nome Escamillo (w. Bernal-Resky) 35101 APGA Paris, 1906/7

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) O sole più rapido (w. Bernal-Resky) 35100 APGA Paris, 1906/7

Marinari (Rossini) (w. Bernal-Resky) 35098 APGA Paris, 1906/7

Mefistofele (Boito) Giunto sul passo estremo 35077 APGA Paris, 1906/7

Pescatori di perle (Bizet) Dal tempio al limitar (w. Bernal-Resky) 35099 APGA Paris, 1906/7

Rigoletto (Verdi) La donna è mobile 35074 APGA Paris, 1906/7

Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle 35073 APGA Paris, 1906/7

Traviata (Verdi) Un di, felice 35087 APGA Paris, 1906/7

Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet) Duetto (w. Bernal-Resky) 35099 APGA, Paris, 1906/7

Faust (Gounod) Duetto (w. Bernal-Resky) 35094 APGA, Paris, 1906/7

Bohème (Puccini) Duo (w. Bernal-Resky) 35091 APGA, Paris, 1906/7

ITALIAN TENOR GIORGIO MALESCI (1876-1908) CDR

GIORGIO MALESCI (PALERMO, ITALY, 1876 – RIJEKA, CROATIA, 1908)

He made his debut in 1900 at the Teatro Comunale of Forlì in Cavalleria Rusticana. He never sang at the most important opera houses and died in Rijeka while performing at the local opera house.

Chronology of some appearances

1900 Lonigo Teatro Comunale Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1901 Roma Teatro Adriano Faust (Faust)

1902 Reggio Emilia Teatro Municipale Traviata (Alfredo)

1903 Pavia Teatro Fraschini Pagliacci (Canio)

1904 Brindisi Teatro Verdi Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgardo)

1905 Milano Teatro Lirico Pagliacci (Canio)

1906 Firenze Politeama Nazionale Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1907 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Ernani (Ernani)

1908 Messina Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Gloria di A. Catalani (Lionetto)

TRACKLIST

Bohème (Puccini) Aspetti signorina 52351 1741b G&T, Milano 1902-03

Bohème (Puccini) Mimì è una civetta 52141 2312L G&T, Milano 1904-12

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Addio alla madre 16089A Victor, USA 1904-12

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Brindisi (w. chorus) 52353 1745b G&T, Milano 1902-03

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Brindisi (w. chorus) 54500 705a Berliner, Milano 1900-06

Faust (Gounod) Imprecazione 52145 2326L G&T, Milano 1904-12

Faust (Gounod) Salve dimora 52350 1740b G&T, Milano 1902-03

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Ah! Manon sempre la stessa 51159 2315L G&T, Milano 1904-12

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Vedi, son io che piango 52143 2316L G&T, Milano 1904-12

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vesti la giubba 52352 1742b G&T, Milano 1902-03

Trovatore (Verdi) Ah si, ben mio 51158 2314L G&T, Milano 1904-12

Trovatore (Verdi) Deserto sulla terra 52142 2313L G&T, Milano 1904-12

Mar 29, 2026

GERMAN TENOR HERMANN WINKELMANN (1848-1912) CDR

Lohengrin

HERMANN WINKELMANN (BRAUNSCHWEIG, 8 MARCH, 1848 – MAUER, VIENNA, 18 JANUARY, 1912)

Hermann Winkelmann was born in Braunschweig in 1849. His father, Theodore Christian Ludewig Winkelmann, was the founder of Zeitter & Winkelmann, piano manufacturers, and he himself planned to continue his father’s trade. He went to Paris to study piano construction, but while there he decided to become a singer. He had his initial training in Paris, and later with Koch in Hanover. Winkelmann made his debut as Manrico in Verdi’s Il trovatore in the Court Theatre of Sondershausen in 1875. He then sang in such places as Altenburg, Darmstadt, and Leipzig. He joined the Hamburg State Opera in 1878. The first role he created was that of Anton Rubinstein’s Néron, in a German translation at the Theater an Dammtor in Hamburg on 1 October 1879 (it did not have its Russian premiere until 1884). Winkelmann became a Heldentenor specialising in the music dramas of Richard Wagner, and was known for the title roles of Tannhäuser and Lohengrin, and as Walther von Stolzing in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Most notably, Wagner himself chose Winkelmann to create the title role of Parsifal at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus in 1882, and he sang it there until 1891, usually alongside Amalie Materna, the creator of the role of Kundry. He was seen at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, during the Hamburg Opera’s London visit in 1882, under Hans Richter. He created Tristan in London; in fact, he and Richter required so many rehearsals of Tristan und Isolde that this caused the postponement of the premiere of Hubert Parry’s latest symphony. He was also the first Walther to be heard in London. He also sang Lohengrin and Tannhäuser there, and participated in a then-rare performance of Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, also under Richter. In 1883 Winkelmann became a member of the Vienna Court Opera, where he was celebrated mainly for his Wagner performances. He was the first Tristan in Vienna (1883), and also the first Otello in that city, where he remained until 1906. In 1884 he appeared in the United States at Wagner festivals in New York, Chicago, Boston and Cincinnati, some under the baton of Theodore Thomas. He later sang in concert, oratorio and lieder. He retired from the stage in 1907, and died at Mauer, Vienna, in 1912, aged 62. His son Hans Winkelmann was also an opera singer.

TRACKLIST

Hermann Winkelmann made 16 records

Dalibor (Smetana) Blickst du mein Freund G&T 3-42299, 6770b

Liebesglück (Sucher) Favorite 1-25079

Lohengrin (Wagner) Höchstes Vertrauen G&T 042110 479c

Lohengrin (Wagner) Nun sei bedankt (Schwanenlied) Berliner 42057 1596A

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Morgenlich leuchtend (Preislied) Berliner 42015 1530A

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Traumlied Favorite 1-25078 2308-f

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Weilten die Sterne im lieblichen Tanz G&T 3-42465 6769b

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Fanget an! (Werbelied) 42014 1529A Berliner, Wien 1900-05

Prophète (Meyerbeer) Pastorale Favorite 1-25080 2321-f

Prophète (Meyerbeer) Pastorale G&T 2-42332 6845a

Prophète (Meyerbeer) Triumphlied Favorite 1-25081 2322-f

Tannhäuser (Wagner) Lied an die Venus G&T 3-42370 6771b

Tannhäuser (Wagner) Loblied an die Venus Favorite 1-25077 2307-f

Trovatore (Verdi) Einsam steh’ ich (Ständchen) 42016 1528A Berliner, Wien 1900-05

Trovatore (Verdi) Einsam steh’ ich (Ständchen) G&T 3-42417 6772b

ROMANIAN TENOR GARBIS ZOBIAN (1915-2002) VOL. 2 CDR

Canio

GARBIS ZOBIAN (KASTEMUNI, TURKEY, MAY 24, 1915 – NEW YORK, USA, SEPTEMBER 20, 2002)

Zobian, of Armenian origin, experienced significant hardship during the great persecution of the Armenian minority in Turkey between 1914 and 1918, when he and his mother were detained in a concentration camp. They managed to escape to Romania, where Zobian continued his musical education after relocating from Galați to Bucharest in 1944. He graduated from the Bucharest Conservatory in 1948, studying under the renowned Italian tenor Quarto Santarelli.

In 1949, Zobian joined the Bucharest Opera as a soloist, where he had a distinguished career. He was renowned for his Italian heroic repertoire, including roles such as Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana, Canio in Pagliacci, Radames in Aida, Otello, Cavaradossi in Tosca, José in Carmen, and Hermann in Pique Dame. His talent earned him guest appearances at prestigious venues like the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and the Kiev Opera House.

In 1968, Zobian emigrated from Romania to Lebanon and later to the United States, settling in New York. He returned to Romania in 1973 for his final concerts before retirement and made one last visit in 1984 for the “Gloriile Operei” (Opera Glories) show.

TRACKLIST

Aida (Verdi) Già i sacerdoti adunansi… Misero appien mi festi with Zenaida Pally Nicolae Teofănescu, Orchestra Simfonică A Cinematografiei, RR

Aida (Verdi) La fatal pietra… Morir si pura e bella… O terra addio with Zenaida Pally Mariinsky Theater, Edouard Grikurov

Aida (Verdi) Se quel guerrier io fossi… Celeste Aida with Vladimir Morozov Mariinsky Theater, Edouard Grikurov

Andrea Chenier (Giordano) Un di all’azzurro Conductor Josef Bartl

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Forse la soglia attinse… Ma se m’e forza perderti Conductor František Škvor

Carmen (Bizet) La fleur que tu m’avais jetée Conductor Josef Bartl

La Juive (Halevy) Rachel, quand du seigneur Conductor Josef Bartl

Otello (Verdi) Dio! Mi potevi scagliar Orchestra De Studio Radio, Constantin Bobescu

ROMANIAN TENOR GARBIS ZOBIAN (1915-2002) VOL. 1 CDR

Canio

GARBIS ZOBIAN (KASTEMUNI, TURKEY, MAY 24, 1915 – NEW YORK, USA, SEPTEMBER 20, 2002)

TRACKLIST

Otello (Verdi) Gia nella notte densa… Ed tu t’amavi…Venga la morte with Arta Florescu Conductor Egizio Massini, Moscow Bolshoi Theater, Orchestra Operei Romane

Otello (Verdi) Dio ti giocondi, pt 1 and pt 2 with Arta Florescu Egizio Massini, Moscow Bolshoi Theater, Orchestra Operei Romane 1960

Otello (Verdi) Niun mi tema Conductor Egizio Massini, Moscow Bolshoi Theater, Orchestra Operei Romane 1960

Otello (Verdi) Si, pel ciel marmoreo giuro! with Mihail Arnautu Egizio Massini, Orchestra Operei Romane, 1960

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vesti la giubba Conductor Egizio Massini, Moscow Bolshoi Theater, Orchestra Operei Romane 1960

Aida (Verdi) Celeste Aida Conductor Alexander Melik-Pashayev, Moscow, Bolshoi Theater, 1956

Aida (Verdi) Duo… Finale with Maria Voloshescu, Zenaida Pally and Petre Stefanescu-Goanga Moscow, Alexander Melik-Pashayev Bolshoi Theater, 1956

ITALIAN TENOR GAETANO PINI-CORSI (1865-1935) CDR

GAETANO PINI-CORSI (ZARA, 25 FEBRUARY, 1865 – MILAN, 16 DECEMBER, 1935)

Pini-Corsi made his debut around 1881 in Empoli as Ernesto in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. He gained prominence in 1886 at the Teatro Comunale in Catania as Elvino in Bellini’s La Sonnambula. His career later focused on comprimario roles, including Mime, David, and Cassio.

From 1892 to 1906, Pini-Corsi frequently appeared at La Scala. Notably, he sang David in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in 1899 and created the role of Mime in the Italian premiere of Siegfried. On February 17, 1904, he performed as Goro in the premiere of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at La Scala. In 1907, he participated in the premiere of Montemezzi’s Paolo e Francesca at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna.

Pini-Corsi also performed at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires in 1912. By 1923, he appeared at the Teatro Regio in Parma as Goro in Madama Butterfly and at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo as Mime in Siegfried. His career likely concluded with a performance in 1932. His brother, Antonio Pini-Corsi, was a noted operatic baritone.

Chronology of some appearances

1884 Madrid Teatro Reale Crispino e la Comare (Contino)
1886 Catania Teatro Comunale Sonnambula (Elvino)
1888 Genova Politeama Genovese Il Pipele’ di S. A. De Ferrari
1890 Napoli Teatro Sannazzaro Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)
1892 Pistoia Politeama Mabellini Don Pasquale (Ernesto)
1894 Rosario di Santa Fe Teatro Olimpo Faust (Faust)
1896 Caracas Teatro Municipal Faust (Faust)
1898 Pavia Teatro Fraschini Papa’ Martin di A. Cagnoni (Armando)
1900 Piacenza Politeama Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)
1902 Bergamo Teatro Sociale Linda di Chamonix (Carlo)
1904 Milano Teatro La Scala Madama Butterfly (Goro)
1906 Milano Teatro La Scala Falstaff (Bardolfo)
1908 Macerata Teatro Societ Filarmonica Il Maestro di Cappella di A. Paer (Benedetto)
1910 Palermo Teatro Massimo Tosca (Spoletta)
1912 Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon Don Pasquale (Notaio)
1914 Boston Opera House Otello (Cassio)
1917 Madrid Teatro Reale Tosca (Spoletta)
1919 Cesena Teatro Comunale Andrea Chenier (Abate/Incredibile)
1921Gorizia Teatro Verdi Madama Butterfly (Goro)
1923 Palermo Teatro Massimo Sifgrido (Mime)
1925 Torino Teatro Regio Sigfrido (Mime)
1927 Russi Teatro Comunale Madama Butterfly (Goro)
1929 Parma Teatro Regio Salome’ di R. Strauss (Giudeo)
1931 Fermo Teatro Dell’Aquila Fanciulla del West (Nick)
1932 Reggio Emilia Politeama Ariosto Tosca (Spoletta)

TRACKLIST

Siberia (Giordano): O mia bella with Giuseppe de Luca, Oreste Gennari and Vittorio Pozzi-Camolla 054039 Con749 G&T, Milano 1903-11/12
Don Pasquale (Donizetti): E’ rimasto là with Linda Brambilla, Antonio Pini-Corsi and Augusto Scipioni 52458 9554b Victor USA, 1906-12?

Traviata (Verdi): Alfredo Alfredo with Ernesto Badini and Giuseppina Huguet 054167 1251c G&T, Milano 1907-06/07
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Un grande spettacolo with Cigada, Barbaini & Rosci 054153 1240c G&T, Milano 1907-06/07
Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Guarda, Don Bartolo with Antonio Pini-Corsi, Ernesto Badini and Josephina Huguet 63171 10638b Victor USA, 1907-06/07
Linda di Chamounix (Donizetti): Linda si ritiro 37657, Xm1049 Odeon, Milano 1908?
Linda di Chamounix (Donizetti): Se tanto in ira 37658, Xm 1057 Odeon, Milano 1908?
Chatterton (Leoncavallo): John dite che ci apprestino with Giuseppe Quinzi-Tapergi, Amina Santoro and Ines De Frate 54391 11203b Gramophone, Milano 1908-05
Chatterton (Leoncavallo): Skinner! Qui, voi stesso with Francisco Granados 054239 1463c Gramophone, Milano 1908-05
Sigfrido (Wagner): Canzone della fucina 052273 1882c Gramophone, Milano 1909-11-12
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Versa il with Augusto Barbaini, Francesco Cigada and Giuseppina Huguet Victor 58382
Fra Diavolo (Auber) Del capitan alla salute with Ernesto Badini and Antonio Pini-Corsi G&T 054193 1355½c
Ernani (Verdi): Ferma, crudele with Clara Joanna and Aristodemo Sillich 054168 1267c G&T, Milano 1907-06/07
Sternuti d’amore (Maggi) 37415 Xm755 Odeon, Milano 1906?
Don Pasquale (Donizetti) Sogno soave e casto 37617 Xm1017 Odeon, Milano 1908
Don Pasquale (Donizetti) Cercherò lontana terra 37618 Xm1021 Odeon, Milano 1908
Mefistofele (Boito): La luna immobile with Bianca Lavin de Casas and Nina Ardoni 54412 13833b Gramophone, Milano 1909-11-03

ITALIAN TENOR GIUSEPPE AGOSTINI (1870-1951) CDR

GIUSEPPE AGOSTINI (VERONA, 1870 – ABDINGTON, 1951)

Agostini began his career with a debut at the Teatro Municipale in Alessandria in 1895. He gained significant recognition with his performance at the Walleck Theatre in New York on May 16, 1898, where he took part in the American premiere of La Bohème.

In 1910, Agostini appeared at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo for the premiere of Mascagni’s Amica. His career saw substantial success in North America, particularly with the San Carlo Opera Company, where he performed almost annually. Notably, in 1903, he substituted for the ailing Enrico Caruso at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, performing as Rodolfo in La Bohème and the Duke in Rigoletto.

Agostini remained active with the San Carlo Opera Company until 1921. Following his performing career, he taught singing in Abington.

Chronology of some appearances

1895 Alessandria Teatro Municipale Traviata (Alfredo)

1898 New York Wallacke Theatre Boheme (Rodolfo)

1900 Cagliari Politeama Regina Margherita Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1902 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1904 Verona Teatro Ristori Boheme (Rodolfo)

1906 Brescia Teatro Grande Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)

1908 Havana Teatro Tacon Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1910 Reggio Emilia Teatro Municipale Loreley (Walter)

1912 Londra Hyppodrom Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1914 Montreal Teatro Princess Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1916 Cedar Rapids Green’s Opera House Aida (Radames)

1918 Edmonton Teatro Empress Pagliacci (Canio)

1920 Calgary Grand Theater Boheme (Rodolfo)

1922 Los Angeles Public Auditorium Boheme (Rodolfo)

1924 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Lohengrin (Lohengrin)

1928 Philadelphia Academy of Music Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

TRACKLIST

Faust (Gounod) Che fate qui signori with Ferruccio Corradetti and Oreste Luppi 37037 Xm40 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1905-03

Germania (Franchetti) Qui spira orcano Odeon 7081 (7½) Odeon, Milano 1905-06

Gioconda (Ponchielli) Cielo e mar 37029 Xm34 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1905-03

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Tu che a Dio 37096 Xm256 Odeon, Milano 1905-06

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Donna non vidi mai 37015 Xm59 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1905-03

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Oh, non v’avvicinate with Oreste Luppi 37042 Xm64 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1905-03

Maria, Mari’ (di Capua) A2350 47360 Columbia, New York 1917-02-09

O sole mio (di Capua) A2350 47361 Columbia, New York 1917-02-09

Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle 37100 Xm258 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1905-06

Traviata (Verdi) Dei miei bollenti spiriti 37007 Xm61 Odeon, Milano 1905-03

ITALIAN TENOR ENRICO DE PRIMO CDR

ENRICO DE PRIMO (NICE, FRANCE ? – ?)

He studied singing in Milan and made his debut in 1910 as Radames in Aida. After 1915, he continued his career in the USA. He also made several recordings for Pathé in Milan.

Chronology of some appearances

1911 Roma Teatro Costanzi Guglielmo Tell (Arnoldo)

1913 Sassari Politeama Verdi Trovatore (Manrico)

1913 Asti Teatro Alfieri Aida (Radames)

1914 Pavia Teatro Fraschini Trovatore (Manrico)

1915 Detroit Teatro Garrick Amore dei tre re (Avito)

TRACKLIST

Africana (Meyerbeer) O paradiso 86299 Pathé, Milano 1912

Carmen (Bizet) Il fior 86301 Pathé, Milano 1912

Juive (Halévy) Rachel, quand du Seigneur 44687 E3807 Columbia, October 1916 New York

Hérodiade (Massenet) Ne pouvant réprimer 44730 E3807 Columbia, October 1916 New York

Fanciulla del West (Puccini) Ch’ella mi creda 86305 Pathé, Milano 1912

Gioconda (Ponchielli) Cielo e mar 86304 Pathé, Milano 1912

Puritani (Bellini) A te, o cara 86314 Pathé, Milano 1912

Trovatore (Verdi) Deserto sulla terra 86308, 10021 Pathé, Milano 1912

Trovatore (Verdi) Di quella pira 86310 Pathé, Milano 1912

Mefistofele (Boito) Giunto sul passo estremo 86303 Pathé, Milano 1912

Cid (Massenet) O Souverain, o juge, o père E3869 44688 Columbia

Werther (Massenet) Pourquoi me réveiller E3869 44689 Columbia

ITALIAN TENOR ATTILIO SALVANESCHI (1873-1938) CDR

ATTILIO SALVANESCHI (25 NOVEMBER 1863 NEAR LIVORNO – 18 JULY 1938 THE HAGUE)

After singing with mostly minor Italian opera houses for some years, Salvaneschi toured North America in performances with Mario Lombardi’s opera troupe in 1907. He was also heard that year in operas in Havana. He made appearances at the New German Theatre in Prague in 1908, 1910 and 1914. Also in 1914, he performed as a guest artist at the Odessa Opera, the Royal Swedish Opera, and the Teatro Corso in Bologna. For the 1914-1915 season, Salvaneschi was engaged at the Italian Opera in Holland. He returned briefly to Italy in early 1915 to portray the Duke of Mantua in Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto at La Fenice with Mario Sammarco in the title role. Due to the difficulties in Italy during World War I, he decided to return to Holland; working as a member of the Theatre Royal in The Hague from 1915-1919. He returned to Italy in 1919, and arrived at La Scala the following year. With the La Scala orchestra and chorus he notably recorded the role of Cavardossi in Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca in 1920 with Carlo Sabajno conducting and Valentina Bartolomasi as the title heroine. In 1921 Salvaneschi found great success in a series of performances of the Duke of Mantua at a variety of theatres, including the Teatro Adriano in Rome and the rebuilt Teatro Verdi di Padova (with Toti dal Monte and Mattia Battistini). In 1924 he retired from the stage after an unsuccessful throat operation. He spent the next four years teaching singing in Italy, and then moved in 1928 he to The Hague where he continued to teach voice.

Chronology of some appearances

1904 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Aminta di A. Saibene

1905 Costarica Teatro Colon Stagione Compagnia Lambardi

1906 San Salvador Teatro Colon Stagione Compagnia Lambardi

1907 Havana Teatro Tacon Stagione

1908 Spoleto Teatro Nuovo Mignon (Guglielmo)

1909 Bologna Teatro Verdi Faust (Faust)

1910 Praga Teatro Nazionale Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1911 Bologna Teatro Verdi Mignon (Guglielmo)

1912 Faenza Teatro Masini Mignon (Guglielmo)

1913 Cremona Politeama Verdi Fra’ Diavolo (Frа Diavolo)

1914 Havana Politeama Grande Carmen (Don Josи)

1915 Venezia Teatro La Fenice Rigoletto (Duca)

1916 ‘S-Gravenhage Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1917 ‘S-Gravenhage Koninklijke Schouwburg Manon (De Grieux)

1918 Mijmegen Opera Traviata (Alfredo)

1919 ‘S-Gravenhage Koninklijke Schouwburg Louise (Julien)

1920 Novara Teatro Coccia Werther (Werther)

1921 Sampierdarena Politeama Sampierdarenese Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1922 Bergamo Teatro Delle Societа Boheme (Rodolfo)

1923 Novara Teatro Coccia Manon (De Grieux)

TRACKLIST

1. Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet) Mi par d’udir ancora Odeon Fonotipia 110096

2. Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle Odeon Fonotipia 37877

3. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Ecco ridente in cielo, pt 1, pt 2 Odeon Fonotipia 82428, 82429

4. Boheme (Puccini) Che gelida manina 7519 BA22440 Edison 4-min cylinders

5. Fra Diavolo (Auber) Agnese la zitella 82433 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano

6. Iris (Mascagni) Apri la tua finestra 82432 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano

7. Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Fra poco a me ricovero 7531 BA22452 Edison 4-min cylinders

8. Mignon (Thomas) Ah! non credevi tu 37785 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano

9. Bohème (Puccini) O soave fanciulla with Giuseppe Piccoletti Odeon Fonotipia 37895 Xm1339

10. Bohème (Puccini) Nei cieli bigi with Tegani Odeon Fonotipia 37896 Xm1338

11. Bohème (Puccini) Addio dolce svegliare… Che facevi, che dicevi with Riccardo Tegani, Giuseppe Piccoletti & Vaccari Odeon Fonotipia 37894, 37895

ITALIAN TENOR ALESSANDRO SCALABRINI CDR

ALESSANDRO SCALABRINI (VERONA, 1875 ? – ?)

He was born in Verona and studied with Camozzini. Before making his debut, he performed in private recitals. He debuted in 1901 at the Teatro Sociale in Sassuolo as Manrico in Trovatore. He was frequently engaged by touring opera companies like Lambardi and Gonzales, and appeared at various opera houses in Eastern Europe and the Americas.

Chronology of some appearances

1901 Sassuolo Teatro Carani Trovatore (Manrico)

1902 Venezia Teatro Rossini Ernani (Ernani)

1906 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Trovatore (Manrico)

1907 Costantinopoli Teatro Petit Champs Aida (Radames)

1908 Guatemala Teatro Colon Aida (Radames)

1909 Los Angeles Teatro Auditorium Aida (Radames)

1910 Bogota Teatro Municipal Aida (Radames)

1911 Puerto Rico Teatro Municipal Stagione Compagnia Lambardi

1912 San Paolo Teatro San Jose Aida (Radames)

TRACKLIST

Andrea Chénier (Giordano) Come un bel dì di maggio 1-35166 Favorite

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) La rivedrò nell’estasi 1-35123 Favorite

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Non sai tu che se l’anima mia 1-35113 Favorite

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Viva il vino 1-35164 Favorite

Ebreo (Apolloni) Amarti, amarti ed essere 1-35111 Favorite, Verona

Ebreo (Apolloni) Del Corano il sacro carme 1-35115 3644-o Favorite, Verona

Ebreo (Apolloni) Meste d’incerto raggio 1-35096 Favorite, Verona

Ebreo (Apolloni) Vieni fatal presagio 1-35117 3649-o- Favorite, Verona

Ernani (Verdi) Come rugiada al cespite 1-35137 Favorite, Verona 1907-10-18

Ernani (Verdi) Ferma crudele (w. Branzani & Marcon) 2-39009 Favorite, Verona

Ernani (Verdi) O sommo Carlo (w. Marcolini, Giuliani & Marcon) 2-39015 Favorite, Verona

Ernani (Verdi) Tu se’ Ernani (w. Marcolini & Marcon) 1-39056 3738-o Favorite, Verona, 1907-10-05

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Sperai tanto il delirio 1-35163 Favorite, Verona

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vesti la giubba 1-35160 Favorite, Verona

Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle 1-35167 (1907-10-05)

Trovatore (Verdi) Ah, si ben mio 1-35102 Favorite, Verona

Trovatore (Verdi) Deserto sulla terra 1-35084 Favorite, Verona

Trovatore (Verdi) Di quella pira 1-35091 Favorite, Verona

FORGOTTEN OPERA SINGERS

Mar 30, 2026

ITALIAN TENOR GIUSEPPE MAURO (1880-1928) CDR

ITALIAN TENOR EDOARDO CASTELLANO (1871-1917) CDR

ITALIAN TENOR CARLO CARTICA (1865-1935) CDR

ITALIAN TENOR ALMERICO STAMPANONI CDR

ITALIAN TENOR GIORGIO MALESCI (1876-1908) CDR

Mar 29, 2026

GERMAN TENOR HERMANN WINKELMANN (1848-1912) CDR

ROMANIAN TENOR GARBIS ZOBIAN (1915-2002) VOL. 2 CDR

ROMANIAN TENOR GARBIS ZOBIAN (1915-2002) VOL. 1 CDR

ITALIAN TENOR GAETANO PINI-CORSI (1865-1935) CDR

ITALIAN TENOR GIUSEPPE AGOSTINI (1870-1951) CDR

ITALIAN TENOR ENRICO DE PRIMO CDR

ITALIAN TENOR ATTILIO SALVANESCHI (1873-1938) CDR

ITALIAN TENOR ALESSANDRO SCALABRINI CDR

Forgotten Opera Singers

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