SPANISH TENOR PAOLO CIVIL (1899-1987) CDR

 

Lohengrin

PAOLO CIVIL (BARCELONA, 20 NOVEMBER, 1899 – BARCELONA, 28 DECEMBER, 1987)

 

 

 

 

His real name was Pau Civil. Trained by José Sabater in Barcelona, who transformed his voice from baritone to tenor, he made his debut in 1925 at the Teatro del Casino in Masnou near Barcelona as the Duke in Rigoletto. After touring Spain with a traveling opera company, he went to Italy, where he appeared in numerous theaters from 1928 to 1931. In 1928, he sang Alfredo in La Traviata in Cannes alongside Elvira de Hidalgo. From 1930 to 1933, he enjoyed great success with the Italian Opera in Holland.

In 1933, he made his debut at the Teatro del Liceo in Barcelona as Paco in de Falla’s La vida breve. His career in Spain was interrupted by the Civil War, after which he resumed performing at major Italian opera houses, including La Scala in Milan. He made his debut there in 1937 as Rodolfo in La Bohème, returning in 1938 for Goyescas by Granados, in 1942 as Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur by Cilea, and in 1949 for Khovantchina by Mussorgsky. At La Scala, he also created roles in several premieres: Lucrezia by Ottorino Respighi (February 24, 1937), La morte di Frine by Lodovico Rocca (April 24, 1937), and Proserpina by Renzo Bianchi (March 23, 1938).

He appeared as a guest artist at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples (1938), the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (1938 as Gabriele Adorno in Simon Boccanegra by Verdi), the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa (1937 in La fiamma and 1942 in Lucrezia by Respighi), in Piacenza (1939 as Alfredo), at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna (1936 as Donello in Respighi’s La fiamma, 1938 as Gabriele Adorno), and at the Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari. From 1938 to 1941, he was heard at the Rome Opera as Dimitrij in Boris Godunov, as Arrigo in Verdi’s I vespri siciliani, as Matteo in Zandonai’s Conchita, and as Walther von Stolzing in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. In 1938, he also appeared at the Teatro Comunale in Florence as Don José in Carmen.

In 1941, he returned to the Teatro del Liceo in Barcelona, where he appeared again in 1953, creating a role in the premiere of Massana’s Canigó. In 1947, he undertook a major North American tour with the San Carlo Opera Company, appearing 54 times as Don José in Carmen alone. His last appearance took place in 1955 at the Teatro Calderón in Barcelona as Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor.

He undoubtedly possessed one of the most beautiful lyric-dramatic tenor voices of his generation, excelling in roles such as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Rodolfo in La Bohème, Faust in both Boito’s Mefistofele and Gounod’s Faust, Ernesto in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Alfredo in La Traviata, Nadir in Bizet’s Les pêcheurs de perles, Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur, Cavaradossi in Tosca, and even Lohengrin.

After retiring from the stage, he worked as a zarzuela producer, stage director at the Teatro del Liceo, and from 1965 to 1985 as Professor of Vocal Pedagogy at the Conservatorio del Liceo in Barcelona.

Recordings:

He made solo recordings for Columbia between 1929 and 1931, including the complete garden scene from Boito’s Mefistofele. After a long silence, he returned to the studio in 1953 for a complete recording of de Falla’s La vida breve, again as Paco, opposite the celebrated soprano Victoria de los Ángeles. He also recorded for Odeon and Fonotipia, as well as excerpts from Lehár’s The Merry Widow.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1925 Barcellona Teatro Bosque Rigoletto (Duca)

1929 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Trovatore (Manrico)

1929 Palermo Politeama Garibaldi Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1929 Palermo Politeama Garibaldi Traviata (Alfredo)

1930 Barcellona Teatro Olimpia Rigoletto (Duca)

1930 Udine Teatro Puccini Manon Lescaut (De Grieux)

1930 ‘S-Gravenhage Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1930 ‘S-Gravenhage Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Boheme (Rodolfo)

1930 ‘S-Gravenhage Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Rigoletto (Duca)

1931 Genova Politeama Genovese Boheme (Rodolfo)

1931 Genova  Politeama Genovese Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1931 Genova  Politeama Genovese Manon Lescaut (De Grieux)

1931 Genova  Politeama Genovese Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1931 Genova  Politeama Genovese Traviata (Alfredo)

1931 ‘S-Gravenhage  Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Boheme (Rodolfo)

1931 ‘S-Gravenhage  Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1931 ‘S-Gravenhage  Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

1931 ‘S-Gravenhage  Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1931 ‘S-Gravenhage  Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Traviata (Alfredo)

1931 Rotterdam  Groote Schouwburg Rigoletto (Duca)

1931 Camerino  Teatro Marchetti Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

1931 Galatina  Teatro Comunale Rigoletto (Duca)

1932 Amsterdam  Teatro Carré Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1932 Amsterdam  Teatro Carré Traviata (Alfredo)

1933 ‘S-Gravenhage Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Boheme (Rodolfo)

1933 ‘S-Gravenhage Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1933 ‘S-Gravenhage  Gebouw Voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

1933 La Spezia  Politeama Duca di Genova Boheme (Rodolfo)

1933 La Spezia  Politeama Duca di Genova Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1934 Milano Teatro Lirico Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

1935 Asti  Teatro Alfieri Gioconda (Enzo)

1935 Piacenza  Teatro Municipale Francesca da Rimini Zandonai (Malatestino)

1935 Vicenza  Teatro Eretenio Manon Lescaut (De Grieux)

1935 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1935 Bari  Teatro Petruzzelli Traviata (Alfredo)

1936 Verona  Teatro Filarmonico Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1936 Verona Teatro Filarmonico Traviata (Alfredo)

1938 Firenze  Teatro Comunale Carmen (Don Jose)

1939 Trieste Teatro Verdi Boheme (Rodolfo)

1939 Trieste  Teatro Verdi Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1939 Milano Teatro La Scala Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)

1939 Genova Aperto della Foce Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)

1939 Venezia  Teatro La Fenice Carmen (Don Jose)

1939 Palermo Teatro Massimo Carmen (Don Jose)

1939 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Gioconda (Enzo)

1940 Roma Eiar Gioconda (Enzo)

1941 Cosenza Teatro Rendano Adriana Lecouvreur (Maurizio)

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Tra voi belle D6053 B2503 Columbia, Milano

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Donna non vidi mai D6053 B2504 Columbia, Milano

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Ah! Manon, mi tradisce D6054 B2507 Columbia, Milano

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Si, fui soldato D6064 B2683 Columbia, Milano

Mefistofele (Boito): Giunto sul passo estremo D6064 B2681 Columbia, Milano

Boheme (Boito): Nei cieli bigi with Gino Vanelli D6065 B2522 Columbia, Milano

Boheme (Boito): O Mimi tu piu non torni with Gino Vanelli D6065 B2523 Columbia, Milano

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Come un bel di di maggio D6097 B2684 Columbia, Milano

Mefistofele (Boito): Dai campi, dai prati   D6097 D2682 Columbia, Milano

Mefistofele (Boito): Cavaliere illustre e saggio with Gina Cigna,Tancredi Pasero and Ida Mannarini D6064 B2681 Columbia, Milano

Faust (Gounod): All’erta, all’erta with Gina Cigna and Tancredi Pasero D14582 BX 681 Columbia, Milano

Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti): Di pescatore ignobile CC322 70708 Cetra

Fedora (Giordano): Amor ti vieta CB20277 2-70414 Cetra

Carmen (Bizet): Il fior che avevi a me tu dato CB20777 2-70418 Cetra

Wally (Catalani):  Mai salvato with Maria Vinciguerra CC2322 2-70707 Cetra

La Dolores (Bretón) Jota Odeon M 15205 CKX 3742

La Dolores (Bretón) Conclusión Odeon M 15205 CKX 3743

Luisa Fernanda (Romero): De este apacible rincón Odeon PC 36020 XXS 10917

Doña Francisquita (Vives): Por el humo se sabe Odeon CKX 3753 M 15213

ITALIAN SOPRANO GILDA DALLA RIZZA (1892-1975) VOL. 2 CDR

 

GILDA DALLA RIZZA (VERONA, 12 OCTOBER, 1892 – MILAN, 5 JULY, 1975)

 

 

She was born in Verona. She made her operatic debut in Bologna (the Teatro Verdi) in 1912, as Charlotte in ‘’Werther’’. Especially acclaimed in the verismo repertory, she was regarded as being Giacomo Puccini’s favorite soprano, creating Magda in his ‘’La rondine’’ (1917). Although he created the part of Minnie in ‘’La fanciulla del West’’ for Emmy Destinn, when Puccini saw Dalla Rizza in the part, he said, “At last I have seen my true Fanciulla”. She also gave the first European performances of his ‘’Suor Angelica’’ and ‘’Gianni Schicchi’’, at Rome in 1919. She also created roles in Pietro Mascagni’s ‘’Il piccolo Marat’’ and Riccardo Zandonai’s ‘’Giulietta e Romeo’’. She was also an important interpreter of that composer’s ‘’Francesca da Rimini’’. She also appeared at the Teatro Colón (including ‘’Manon Lescaut’’ opposite Aureliano Pertile) and Covent Garden, and was a favorite at Monte Carlo and the Teatro alla Scala. One of Dalla Rizza’s unexpected successes at the latter theatre was in ‘’La traviata’’, under the baton of Arturo Toscanini. The beautiful singing-actress bade Farewell to the stage in 1939, though she returned for a final ‘’Suor Angelica’’, at Vicenza in 1942. She was married to the tenor Tino Capuzzo, and, from 1939 to 1955, she taught at Venice’s Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello. The great prima donna died at Milan’s Casa Verdi, in 1975.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1913 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)

1913 Novara  Teatro Coccia Fanciulla del West (Minnie)

1913 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Fanciulla del West (Minnie)

1914 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Coliseo Boheme (Mimi)

1914 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Municipal Boheme (Mimi)

1914 San Paolo  Politeama Boheme (Mimi)

1914 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Boheme (Mimi)

1914 Montevideo Teatro Solis Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1915 Piacenza  Teatro Municipale Boheme (Mimi)

1915 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Boheme (Mimi)

1915 Porto Alegre  Teatro San Pedro Boheme (Mimi)

1915 San Paolo  Teatro Municipal Boheme (Mimi)

1916 Milano  Teatro La Scala Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1916 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1916 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1916 San Paolo Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1916 Havana  Teatro Nacional Boheme (Mimi)

1917 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Boheme (Mimi)

1918 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1919 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Coliseo Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)

1920 San Paulo Teatro Municipal Francesca da Rimini (Francesca)

1920 Roma Teatro Costanzi Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)

1921 Rosario di Santa Fe  Teatro Colon Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1923 Santiago del Cile  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1923 Milano Teatro La Scala Manon Lescaut (Manon)

1923 Milano Teatro La Scala Tosca (Tosca)

1923 Torino Teatro Scribe  Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1924 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1924 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1924 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1924 San Paolo  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1925 Santiago del Cile  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1925 Valparaiso  Teatro Victoria Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1925 Conception Teatro Conception Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1926 Firenze  Politeama Fiorentino Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1930 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1930 Valparaiso  Teatro Victoria Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1931 Roma  Teatro dell’Opera Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1933 Palermo Politeama Garibaldi Manon Lescaut (Manon)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Traviata (Verdi) Addio, del passato 74920 XXPh5418 Fonotipia, Milano 1924-02-19

Traviata (Verdi) Addio, del passato 120163 XXPh6287 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-29

Traviata (Verdi) Ah, fors’è lui… Sempre libera (w. Pollicino) 74918, 74919, XXPh5416, XXPh5417, Fonotipia, Milano 1924-02-19, 02-27

Traviata (Verdi) E strano… Ah, fors’è lui… Sempre libera (w. Manuritta) 120156, 120156, XXPh6284, XXPh6285 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-29

Traviata (Verdi) Libiamo, libiamo (w. Manuritta & chorus) 120152 XXPh6282 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-29

Traviata (Verdi) Parigi, o cara (w. Manuritta & chorus) 120163 XXPh6283 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-29

Traviata (Verdi) Pura siccome…E grave…Dite alla giovane…Imponete… Morrò! la mia (w. Fregosi) 120186, 120186, 120187, 120187, XXPh6437, XXPh6438, XXPh6439, XXPh6440 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-10-26

Traviata (Verdi) Un dì felice (w. Manuritta & chorus) 120152 XXPh6286 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-29

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Ah! Lo vedi with Gaetano Tommasini E2914 42059 Columbia

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) La tua Santuzza piange with Gaetano Tommasini E1995 42061 Columbia

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Tu qui Santuzza with Gaetano Tommasini E1995 42062 Columbia

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Innegiamo al signore with Eugenia Nuñez-Lopez E2914 42058 Columbia

ITALIAN SOPRANO GILDA DALLA RIZZA (1892-1975) VOL. 1 CDR

 

GILDA DALLA RIZZA (VERONA, 12 OCTOBER, 1892 – MILAN, 5 JULY, 1975)

 

 

 

 

She was born in Verona. She made her operatic debut in Bologna (the Teatro Verdi) in 1912, as Charlotte in ‘’Werther’’. Especially acclaimed in the verismo repertory, she was regarded as being Giacomo Puccini’s favorite soprano, creating Magda in his ‘’La rondine’’ (1917). Although he created the part of Minnie in ‘’La fanciulla del West’’ for Emmy Destinn, when Puccini saw Dalla Rizza in the part, he said, “At last I have seen my true Fanciulla”. She also gave the first European performances of his ‘’Suor Angelica’’ and ‘’Gianni Schicchi’’, at Rome in 1919. She also created roles in Pietro Mascagni’s ‘’Il piccolo Marat’’ and Riccardo Zandonai’s ‘’Giulietta e Romeo’’. She was also an important interpreter of that composer’s ‘’Francesca da Rimini’’. She also appeared at the Teatro Colón (including ‘’Manon Lescaut’’ opposite Aureliano Pertile) and Covent Garden, and was a favorite at Monte Carlo and the Teatro alla Scala. One of Dalla Rizza’s unexpected successes at the latter theatre was in ‘’La traviata’’, under the baton of Arturo Toscanini. The beautiful singing-actress bade Farewell to the stage in 1939, though she returned for a final ‘’Suor Angelica’’, at Vicenza in 1942. She was married to the tenor Tino Capuzzo, and, from 1939 to 1955, she taught at Venice’s Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello. The great prima donna died at Milan’s Casa Verdi, in 1975.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1913 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)

1913 Novara  Teatro Coccia Fanciulla del West (Minnie)

1913 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Fanciulla del West (Minnie)

1914 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Coliseo Boheme (Mimi)

1914 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Municipal Boheme (Mimi)

1914 San Paolo  Politeama Boheme (Mimi)

1914 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Boheme (Mimi)

1914 Montevideo Teatro Solis Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1915 Piacenza  Teatro Municipale Boheme (Mimi)

1915 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Boheme (Mimi)

1915 Porto Alegre  Teatro San Pedro Boheme (Mimi)

1915 San Paolo  Teatro Municipal Boheme (Mimi)

1916 Milano  Teatro La Scala Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1916 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1916 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1916 San Paolo Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1916 Havana  Teatro Nacional Boheme (Mimi)

1917 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Boheme (Mimi)

1918 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1919 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Coliseo Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)

1920 San Paulo Teatro Municipal Francesca da Rimini (Francesca)

1920 Roma Teatro Costanzi Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)

1921 Rosario di Santa Fe  Teatro Colon Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1923 Santiago del Cile  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1923 Milano Teatro La Scala Manon Lescaut (Manon)

1923 Milano Teatro La Scala Tosca (Tosca)

1923 Torino Teatro Scribe  Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1924 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1924 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1924 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1924 San Paolo  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1925 Santiago del Cile  Teatro Municipal Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1925 Valparaiso  Teatro Victoria Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1925 Conception Teatro Conception Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1926 Firenze  Politeama Fiorentino Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1930 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1930 Valparaiso  Teatro Victoria Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1931 Roma  Teatro dell’Opera Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1933 Palermo Politeama Garibaldi Manon Lescaut (Manon)

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

 

Andrea Chénier (Giordano) La mamma morta 74914 XXPh5393 Fonotipia, Milano 1924-02-13

Andrea Chénier (Giordano) La mamma morta D9338 42080 Columbia, Milano 1913

Faust (Gounod) Permettereste a me (w. Tommasini & Lopez Nuñes) D4517 42064 Columbia, Milano 1913

Forza del destino (Verdi) La vergine degli angeli E2459 42070 Columbia, Milano 1913

Forza del destino (Verdi) Madre pietosa vergine E2459 42071 Columbia, Milano 1913

Gianni Schicchi (Puccini) O mio babbino caro 152025 Pho5439 Fonotipia, Milano 1924-02-27

Isabeau (Mascagni) Questo mio manto bianco D9338 42082 Columbia, Milano 1913

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Un bel dì, vedremo 74991 XXPh5434 Fonotipia, Milano 1925-05-01

Manon (Massenet) Addio, o nostro picciol desco 120160 XXPh6315 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-06-15

Manon (Massenet) Duetto della lettera (w. Manuritta) 120160 XXPh6314 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-06-15

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) In quelle trine morbide 152024 Pho5438 Fonotipia, Milano 1924-02-27

Mefistofele (Boito) L’altra notte 74915 XXPh5437 Fonotipia, Milano 1924-02-25

Otello (Verdi) Canzone del salice… Ave Maria D7395, D9336 Columbia, Milano 1913

Tosca (Puccini) Vissi d’arte 120164 XXPh6316 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-06-15

Tosca (Puccini) Vissi d’arte 152028 Pho5435 Fonotipia, Milano 1924-02-25

ITALIAN SOPRANO TINA POLI RANDACCIO (1879-1956) VOL. 2 CDR

 

TINA POLI RANDACCIO (FERRARA, 13 APRIL, 1879 – MILAN, 1 FEBRUARY, 1956)

 

 

 

 

 

She studied in Pesaro and made her debut in 1902 at Bergamo in ”Un ballo in maschera”. She travelled widely in Italy, Spain, Hungary and South America, mostly in lyric-dramatic and verismo roles. Admiring her Santuzza in ”Cavalleria Rusticana”, Pietro Mascagni engaged her in 1908 to sing the heroine of his Amica in an Italian tour. In 1910, as Brunnhilde in ”Siegfried”, she made her debut at La Scala, where she also appeared in the theatre’s first presentation of ”La fanciulla del West”. Other notable roles were Aida, La Gioconda and the heroine of Pietro Mascagni’s ”Parisina”. In her only season at Covent Garden (1920) she sang Tosca, a performance praised for emotional force but criticized for unevenness. Her career lasted until 1934 with an appearance as Turandot at Bologna. Recordings show a powerful voice, capable of delicacy but inclined to shrillness at the top and having the fast vibrato characteristic of Italian sopranos of the period. She was clearly an imaginative artist, sensitive to nuance and warm in feeling.

 

Chronology of appearances

 

1903 Messina  Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1904 San Paolo  Politeama Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1904 San Paolo  Teatro Santana Boheme (Mimi)
1904 San Paolo  Politeama Carmen (Micaela)
1904 San Paolo  Politeama Ernani (Elvira)
1905 San Paolo  Politeama Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1906 Oporto  Teatro S. Joao Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1906 Oporto  Teatro S. Joao Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1906 Citta del Messico  Teatro Arbeu Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1906 Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Don Carlo (Elisabetta)
1907 Parma  Teatro Regio Amica (Amica)
1907 Parma  Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1907 Bucarest  Teatro Nazionale Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1908 Firenze  Teatro Verdi Amica (Amica)
1908 Bologna  Teatro Duse Amica (Amica)
1908 Modena  Teatro Storchi Amica (Amica)
1908 Vicenza  Teatro Verdi Amica (Amica)
1908 Treviso  Teatro Sociale  Amica (Amica)
1908 Trieste  Politeama Rossetti  Amica (Amica)
1908 Cesena  Teatro Comunale Amica (Amica)
1908 Forli  Teatro Comunale Amica (Amica)
1908 Gorizia  Teatro Sociale  Amica (Amica)
1908 Ravenna  Teatro Alighieri Amica (Amica)
1908 Reggio Emilia Politeama Ariosto Amica (Amica)
1908 Pistoia  Teatro Manzoni Amica (Amica)
1908 Senigallia Teatro Fenice  Amica (Amica)
1908 Verona  Teatro Ristori Amica (Amica)
1908 Parma  Teatro Regio Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)
1909 Roma  Teatro Adriano Amica (Amica)
1909 Roma  Teatro Adriano Tosca (Tosca)
1910 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Lirico Tristano e Isotta (Isotta)
1911 Lucca  Teatro Del Giglio (Minnie)
1911 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1912 Bari  Teatro Petruzzelli Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1912 Montecarlo  Grand Theatre  Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1912 Milano  Teatro La Scala Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1913 Montecarlo  Grand Theatre Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1913 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1915 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1915 Piacenza  Teatro Municipale  Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1915  Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1916 Havana  Teatro Nacional Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1917 Zurigo  Opera Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1917 Havana  Teatro Nacional Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1921 Palermo  Teatro Massimo Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1929 Milano  Teatro Lirico Boheme (Mimi)
1930 Varese   Teatro del Giardino Boheme (Mimi)
1930 Genova  Politeama Genovese Boheme (Mimi)
1930 Cremona  Politeama Verdi Boheme (Mimi)
1931 Milano  Teatro Carcano Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1931 Milano  Teatro Dal Verme Boheme (Mimi)
1933 Milano  Politeama Estivo Boheme (Mimi)
1935 Foggia  Teatro Giordano Tosca (Tosca)
1936 Modena  Teatro Municipale Boheme (Mimi)

 

TRACKLIST

 

Fanciulla del West (Puccini) Laggiù nel soledad 7-53053 BE373 Gramophone, Milano 1922-04-05

Gioconda (Ponchielli) Suicidio Odeon 21500 XXPh6034-2 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-10-22

Gioconda (Ponchielli) Ora posso morir… Cosi mantieni il patto (w. Inghilleri) 168199, Pho6415, 168199 Pho6416 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-10-22

Isabeau (Mascagni) I tuoi occhi… Ch’to fugga (w. Barbieri) 172104, XXPho6522, 172104, XXPho6523 Fonotipia, Milano 1929-12-11

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Un bel dì 2-053191 DB181 Gramophone, Milano 1920-09-14

Norma (Bellini) Deh non volerli vittime (w. Boscacci & Pinza) DB-729 2-054139 HMV, Milano 1923-12-10

Suor Angelica (Puccini) Senza Mamma 2-053192 1143aj Gramophone, Milano 1920-09-14

Trovatore (Verdi) Di geloso amor (w. Inghilleri & Montelauri) 120145 xxph62671 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-24

Trovatore (Verdi) Udiste… Mira, d’acerbe lagrime… Conte… Né cessi? Vivrà, contende il giubilo (w. Inghilleri) 120195 XXPh6408, 120195 XXPh6409 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-10-20

Wally (Catalani) Ebben Ne Andro Lontana DB182 2-053164 Gramophone, Milano 1919-10-15

ITALIAN SOPRANO TINA POLI RANDACCIO (1879-1956) VOL. 1 CDR

 

Tosca

TINA POLI RANDACCIO (FERRARA, 13 APRIL, 1879 – MILAN, 1 FEBRUARY, 1956)

 

 

 

 

She studied in Pesaro and made her debut in 1902 at Bergamo in ”Un ballo in maschera”. She travelled widely in Italy, Spain, Hungary and South America, mostly in lyric-dramatic and verismo roles. Admiring her Santuzza in ”Cavalleria Rusticana”, Pietro Mascagni engaged her in 1908 to sing the heroine of his Amica in an Italian tour. In 1910, as Brunnhilde in ”Siegfried”, she made her debut at La Scala, where she also appeared in the theatre’s first presentation of ”La fanciulla del West”. Other notable roles were Aida, La Gioconda and the heroine of Pietro Mascagni’s ”Parisina”. In her only season at Covent Garden (1920) she sang Tosca, a performance praised for emotional force but criticized for unevenness. Her career lasted until 1934 with an appearance as Turandot at Bologna. Recordings show a powerful voice, capable of delicacy but inclined to shrillness at the top and having the fast vibrato characteristic of Italian sopranos of the period. She was clearly an imaginative artist, sensitive to nuance and warm in feeling.

 

Chronology of appearances

 

1903 Messina  Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1904 San Paolo  Politeama Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1904 San Paolo  Teatro Santana Boheme (Mimi)
1904 San Paolo  Politeama Carmen (Micaela)
1904 San Paolo  Politeama Ernani (Elvira)
1905 San Paolo  Politeama Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1906 Oporto  Teatro S. Joao Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1906 Oporto  Teatro S. Joao Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1906 Citta del Messico  Teatro Arbeu Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1906 Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Don Carlo (Elisabetta)
1907 Parma  Teatro Regio Amica (Amica)
1907 Parma  Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1907 Bucarest  Teatro Nazionale Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1908 Firenze  Teatro Verdi Amica (Amica)
1908 Bologna  Teatro Duse Amica (Amica)
1908 Modena  Teatro Storchi Amica (Amica)
1908 Vicenza  Teatro Verdi Amica (Amica)
1908 Treviso  Teatro Sociale  Amica (Amica)
1908 Trieste  Politeama Rossetti  Amica (Amica)
1908 Cesena  Teatro Comunale Amica (Amica)
1908 Forli  Teatro Comunale Amica (Amica)
1908 Gorizia  Teatro Sociale  Amica (Amica)
1908 Ravenna  Teatro Alighieri Amica (Amica)
1908 Reggio Emilia Politeama Ariosto Amica (Amica)
1908 Pistoia  Teatro Manzoni Amica (Amica)
1908 Senigallia Teatro Fenice  Amica (Amica)
1908 Verona  Teatro Ristori Amica (Amica)
1908 Parma  Teatro Regio Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)
1909 Roma  Teatro Adriano Amica (Amica)
1909 Roma  Teatro Adriano Tosca (Tosca)
1910 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Lirico Tristano e Isotta (Isotta)
1911 Lucca  Teatro Del Giglio (Minnie)
1911 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1912 Bari  Teatro Petruzzelli Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1912 Montecarlo  Grand Theatre  Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1912 Milano  Teatro La Scala Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1913 Montecarlo  Grand Theatre Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1913 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1915 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1915 Piacenza  Teatro Municipale  Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1915  Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1916 Havana  Teatro Nacional Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1917 Zurigo  Opera Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1917 Havana  Teatro Nacional Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1921 Palermo  Teatro Massimo Fanciulla del West (Minnie)
1929 Milano  Teatro Lirico Boheme (Mimi)
1930 Varese   Teatro del Giardino Boheme (Mimi)
1930 Genova  Politeama Genovese Boheme (Mimi)
1930 Cremona  Politeama Verdi Boheme (Mimi)
1931 Milano  Teatro Carcano Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1931 Milano  Teatro Dal Verme Boheme (Mimi)
1933 Milano  Politeama Estivo Boheme (Mimi)
1935 Foggia  Teatro Giordano Tosca (Tosca)
1936 Modena  Teatro Municipale Boheme (Mimi)

 

TRACKLIST   

 

 

Aida (Verdi) Ciel! Mio padre… Su, dunque (w. Inghilleri) 120194, 120194, XXPh6405, XXPh6406 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-10-20

Aida (Verdi) Concertato, act 2, pt 1 (w. Baracchi, Minghini-Cattaneo, Montelauri, Fregosi, Righetti & chorus) 120181 XXPh6387 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-10-17

Aida (Verdi) Concertato, act 2, pt 2 (w. Baracchi, Minghini-Cattaneo, Montelauri, Fregosi, Righetti & chorus) 120181 XXPh6412 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-10-21

Aida (Verdi) Concertato, act 2, pt 3 (w. Baracchi, Minghini-Cattaneo, Montelauri, Fregosi, Righetti & chorus) 120182 XXPh6413

Aida (Verdi) Concertato, act 2, pt 4 (w. Baracchi, Minghini-Cattaneo, Montelauri, Fregosi, Righetti & chorus) 120182 XXPh6414 Fonotipia, Milano 1928-10-21

Aida (Verdi) Fu la sorte dell’armi… Pieta ti prendi (w. Offers) DB 728 2-054137, DB 728 2-054138 HMV, Milano 1923-12-07

Aida (Verdi) I sacri nomi 2-053162 DB568 Gramophone, Milano 1919-10-13

Aida (Verdi) Ritorna vincitor DB568 2-053180 Gramophone, Milano 1919-10-13

Andrea Chénier (Giordano) La mamma morta 2-053189 1141aj Gramophone, Milano 1920-09-14

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Mezzanotte! DA173 4259ah Gramophone, Milano 1919-10-15

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Voi lo sapete, o mamma DB729 2-053218 HMV, Milano 1923-12-10

Ernani (Verdi) O sommo Carlo (w. Fullin, Nessi, Fregosi, Baracchi, Righetti & Mannarini) 120071 XXPh6062 Fonotipia, Milano 1927-10-18

Ernani (Verdi) Qual rumore (w. Fullin, Nessi, Fregosi, Baracchi, Righetti & Mannarini) 120071 XXPh6061 Fonotipia, Milano 1927-10-18

ITALIAN SOPRANO EMILIA CORSI (1870-1928) VOL. 2 CDR

 

EMILIA CORSI (LISBON, 21 JANUARY, 1870 – BOLOGNA, 17 SEPTEMBER, 1928)

 

 

  

 

She studied with her father, the famous tenor Achille Corsi, and made her debut in 1886 at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna as Micaela in G. Bizet’s Carmen.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1887 Bologna Teatro Comunale Carmen (Micaela)

1891 Parma Teatro Regio Carmen (Micaela)

1893 Rovigo Teatro Sociale Lohengrin (Elsa)

1895 Montevideo Teatro Solis Lohengrin (Elsa)

1895 Madrid Teatro Reale Lohengrin (Elsa)

1896 Torino Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1896 Vicenza Teatro Verdi Boheme (Mimi)

1897 Trento Teatro Sociale Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1897 Ravenna Teatro Alighieri Boheme (Mimi)

1898 Bergamo Teatro Donizetti Boheme (Mimi)

1898 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1899 Firenze Teatro della Pergola Lohengrin (Elsa)

1902 Roma Teatro Adriano Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1904 Torino Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Adriana Lecouvreur (Adriana)

1905 Varsavia  Teatro Imperiale Ernani (Elvira)

1907 Oporto Teatro S.Joao Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1907 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1907 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1907 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Ernani (Elvira)

1907 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Gioconda (Gioconda)

1907 Cesena Teatro Comunale Lohengrin (Elsa)

1908 Urbino Teatro Sanzio Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1908 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1908 San Pietroburgo Teatro Petit Ernani (Elvira)

1910 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Gioconda (Gioconda)

1911 Torino Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Gioconda (Gioconda)

 

TRACKLIST

 

  

2. Tristan e Isotta (Wagner) Morte di Isotta Pt. I, Pt. II 110165 xm 1740, 110166 xm1741  Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

4. Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Ma dall’arido stelo divulsa… Mezzanotte! 110285, 110286 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Forza del destino (Verdi) Pace, pace mio Dio 110163 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Trovatore (Verdi) D’amor sull’ali rosee 110221 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Gioconda (Ponchielli) L’amo come il fulgor (w. Petri) 92925 Fonotipia, Milano 1912

Canards (Les) Trad. Tyrolian 69249 Xph 5144  Fonotipia, Milano 27-04-1917

Baya (La) Trad. Chinese 69250  Xph 5145 Fonotipia, Milano 27-04-1917

11. Norma (Bellini) Deh! Con te… Mira o Norma (w. Moretti) 110261, 110262 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Aida (Verdi) Ritorna vincitor Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Aida (Verdi) I sacri nomi Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Vespri Siciliani (Verdi) Bolero Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Gioconda (Ponchielli) Suicidio! X110224 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Lohengrin (Wagner) Vieni al mio castel (w. Cucini) 054086 603c G&T, Milano 1906

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) In quelle trine morbide Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Manon (Massenet) Je suis encore tout étourdie Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Fliegende Holländer (Wagner) Ballata di Senta 53451 8017b G&T, Milano 1906

Aida (Verdi) Ebben qual nuovo fremito… Pietà ti prenda (w. Petri) 92923, 92924 Fonotipia, Milano 1912

ITALIAN SOPRANO EMILIA CORSI (1870-1928) VOL. 1 CDR

 

EMILIA CORSI (LISBON, 21 JANUARY, 1870 – BOLOGNA, 17 SEPTEMBER, 1928)

 

 

She studied with her father, the famous tenor Achille Corsi, and made her debut in 1886 at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna as Micaela in G. Bizet’s Carmen.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1887 Bologna Teatro Comunale Carmen (Micaela)

1891 Parma Teatro Regio Carmen (Micaela)

1893 Rovigo Teatro Sociale Lohengrin (Elsa)

1895 Montevideo Teatro Solis Lohengrin (Elsa)

1895 Madrid Teatro Reale Lohengrin (Elsa)

1896 Torino Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1896 Vicenza Teatro Verdi Boheme (Mimi)

1897 Trento Teatro Sociale Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1897 Ravenna Teatro Alighieri Boheme (Mimi)

1898 Bergamo Teatro Donizetti Boheme (Mimi)

1898 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1899 Firenze Teatro della Pergola Lohengrin (Elsa)

1902 Roma Teatro Adriano Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1904 Torino Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Adriana Lecouvreur (Adriana)

1905 Varsavia  Teatro Imperiale Ernani (Elvira)

1907 Oporto Teatro S.Joao Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1907 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1907 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1907 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Ernani (Elvira)

1907 Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Gioconda (Gioconda)

1907 Cesena Teatro Comunale Lohengrin (Elsa)

1908 Urbino Teatro Sanzio Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)

1908 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1908 San Pietroburgo Teatro Petit Ernani (Elvira)

1910 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Gioconda (Gioconda)

1911 Torino Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Gioconda (Gioconda)

TRACKLIST

Don Pasquale (Donizetti) Vieni cara sposina (w. Pini-Corsi) 54299 8005b G&T, Milano 1906

Pecheurs de perles (Bizet) Temer non so per me 53470 8007b G&T, Milano 1906

Freischutz (Weber) Preghiera 53471 8056b  G&T, Milano 1906

Lohengrin (Wagner) Sola nei miei prim’anni 053083 6041/2c G&T, Milano 1906

Don Pasquale (Donizetti) Signorina in tanta fretta (w. Pini-Corsi) 054094 606c G&T, Milano 1906

Don Pasquale (Donizetti) Vado, corro (w. Badini) 62104-B 8099b-1 Victor, USA 1906

Ernani (Verdi) Da quel di che t’ho veduta (w. Battistini) 054103 876c G&T, Milano 1906-11

Ernani (Verdi) Vieni meco, sol di rose (w. Battistini) G&T 054106 880c  G&T, Milano 1906-11

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

Don Giovanni (Mozart) Alfin Siam Liberati…La ci darem la mano (w. Battistini) 054104 881c G&T, Milano 1906-11

Otello (Verdi) Venga la morte (w. Albani) X10256 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Saffo (Pacini) Ai mortali, o crudo 110164  Xm 1638  Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Poliuto (Donizetti) Deh, fuggi da morte…Il suon dell’arpe angeliche (w. Albani) X110198 Xm1664 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Leggenda Valacca (Braga) 110225 xm 1599  Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Il libro santo (Pinsuti) 110226 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Aida (Verdi) O patria mia  110131 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Norma (Bellini) In mia man alfin (w. Albani) 110164 Xm1638 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Aida (Verdi) Qual insolita luce…Vieni o diletta (w. Albani) 110405, 110406,  Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti) Della ducchessa i prieghi…Guai se ti sfugga un detto (w. Albani & Vannuccini) X110251 Xm1587, X110252 Xm1588 Odeon, Milano 1911/1912

ROMANIAN BARITONE JEAN ATHANASIU (1885-1938) CDR

 

JEAN ATHANASIU (BUCHAREST, ROMANIA, 28 FEBRUARY, 1885 – BUCHAREST, ROMANIA, 20 NOVEMBER, 1938)

 

 

 

 

  

He first studied in Bucharest and then under Ernesto Colli and Manlio Bavagnoli in Milan. He made his debut in 1912 at the Teatro Sociale in Salò as Silvio in Pagliacci. Promoted by the famous baritone Mattia Battistini, he appeared in 1913 at the Teatro Regio in Turin as Amonasro in Aida. In 1914, he created the role of Amfortas in Parsifal for Palermo. After the outbreak of the First World War, he returned to Romania, singing in Bucharest and Jassy, and in 1917 in Odessa. In 1919, he was one of the founders of the Romanian National Opera in Bucharest, where he was celebrated in roles such as Rigoletto, Scarpia, Amonasro, and Don Giovanni.

In 1921, he made guest appearances in Brescia and Ferrara, and from 1921 to 1930, he was one of the leading singers at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome, performing under the name Giovanni Atanasio. During the 1923-1925 seasons, he appeared with great success at the Vienna People’s Opera alongside Romanian tenor Traian Grozavescu and also sang as a guest at the Berlin State Opera. He died at the height of his career from typhoid fever.

 

Chronology of some appearances

1912 Salò Teatro Sociale Pagliacci (Silvio)

1913 Turin Teatro Regio Aida (Amonasro)

1914 Palermo (-) Parsifal (Amfortas)

1917 Odessa Teatro Municipale (-)

1923 Roma Teatro Costanzi Tristan und Isolde (Kurwenal)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Alla vita che t’arride 03578 Vox, Berlin 1926

Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Eri tu 03579 Vox, Berlin 1926

Carmen (Bizet) Con voi ber Odeon, Bukarest 1920s

Cei doi grenadiri (Schumann) XX127411 xxJo1524 Odeon, Bukarest 1920s

Cinen’are dor XX127411 xxJo1525 Odeon, Bukarest 1920s

Crucifix (Faure) AA17522 xxJo1948 Odeon, Bukarest 1920s

Ernani (Verdi) Ihr holden Frühlingsträume (It) 03579 Vox, Berlin 1926

Faust (Gounod) Avant de quitter ces lieux 03576 2750A Vox, Berlin 1926

Faust (Gounod) Dio possente (Valentins Gebet) 03576 2750A Vox, Berlin 1926

Forza del destino (Verdi) Solenne in quest’ora with Costa Milona 04177 2745A Vox, Berlin 1926

Noaptea (Tchaikovsky) AA17522 xxJo1949 Odeon, Bukarest 1920s

Otello (Verdi) Sì pel ciel (w. Milona) 04177 2757A Vox, Berlin, May 1926

Rigoletto (Verdi) Cortigiani, vil razza dannata 03578 Vox, Berlin 1926

Tosca (Puccini) Sei la gurata fede 03576 2750B Vox, Berlin 1926

Traviata (Verdi) Di Provenza 03576 2748A Vox, Berlin 1926

Visione Venziana (Brogi) A199213b Odeon, Bukarest 1920s

POLISH TENOR STANISŁAW GRUSZCZYŃSKI (1891-1959) CDR

 

Lohengrin

Canio

STANISŁAW GRUSZCZYŃSKI (LUDWINOWO, 6 JANUARY, 1891 – MILANÓWEK, 3 FEBRUARY, 1959)

 

 

 

Initially working as a waiter, he was unable to finance formal music education and taught himself singing by listening to recordings of other singers. He made his debut in 1916 at the Warsaw Opera as Radamès in Aida, achieving significant success that led to engagements in Hamburg and Berlin. Throughout the 1920s, he performed as a guest in Italy, including Milan and Madrid.

In 1924, he experienced only modest success at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo and chose to leave Italy. Returning to Poland, he became a beloved figure at the Warsaw Opera. Notably, in 1922, he took part in the premiere of Karol Szymanowski’s Hagith at the Warsaw Opera.

From 1926 to 1931, he enjoyed great success in Warsaw. However, despite his earlier achievements, he lost a considerable fortune and struggled with alcoholism, eventually living in poverty. He died on February 3, 1959, in Milanówek.

Renowned for his exceptional talent and remarkable musical memory, he quickly learned new roles and was recognized with several honors, including the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polish Rebirth in 1955. He is remembered as one of Poland’s most prominent opera singers of his era.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Aida (Verdi) Celeste Aida Parlophon 40050

Andrea Chenier (Giordano) Come un  bel di di maggio Parlophon 40046

Carmen (Bizet) Il fior Syrena 18983 3112

For all eternity (Mascheroni) Gramophone AM-813

Halka (Moniuszko) I ty mu wierzysz Syrena 3118

Halka (Moniuszko) Szuma Jodly Syrena 3118

Hrabina (Moniuszko) Aria Gramophone 0222011 CK2211

Krakowiaczek (Moniuszko) Victor 18-80697-A 43809

La Juive (Halévy) Rachel, quand du Seigneur Parlophon 40048

La Juive (Halévy) Rachel, quand du Seigneur Efte Plyta 10650

Lohengrin (Wagner) Opowiadanie o Graalu Efte Plyta 10634 547

Mój śpiew (Enderson) Syrena 22585

Mow do mnie jeszce (Karlowicz) HMV 222394 AM814

Otello (Verdi) Niun mi tema Muza XL 0110

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vesti la giubba  Syrena 18982 3112

Przyjdz (Come to me) (Jerzy Petersburski) Syrena 22586 3825

Mów do mnie jeszcze (Karłowicz) HMV 222394 AM 814

Strasny Dwor (Moniuszko) Arja z kurantem Efte Plyta 10656

POLISH TENOR MIECZYSLAW SALECKI (1893-1982) CDR

 

Cavaradossi

MIECZYSLAW SALECKI (LIPNO AUGUST 29, 1893 – WARSAW JULY 19, 1982)

 

 

 

 

He studied at the Kiev Conservatory and also with Maria Lubkowska. In 1924, he was engaged by Emil Mlynarski to perform at the Warsaw Opera, where he started with smaller roles like Mr. Triquet in Eugene Onegin, Parpignol in La Bohème, and Leopold in La Juive.

From 1925 to 1927, he performed at the Lemberg (Lwów) Opera House, notably as Faust in Faust, with Adam Didur as Mephistopheles. He returned to the Warsaw Opera in 1927, where he took on roles such as Faust, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Cavaradossi in Tosca, and Jontek in Stanisław Moniuszko’s Halka.

In 1928, he appeared on the radio and in concerts in Vienna. He was a member of the Dresden State Opera from 1928 to 1929, and from 1929 to 1931, he performed at the Braunschweig Theater under the name Mario Saletzky, making guest appearances at various German stages, including the Berlin State Opera.

He continued his studies in Milan and in 1932 joined the Opéra Russe in Paris. There, he performed significant roles such as Dimitri in Boris Godunov, the Indian guest in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sadko, and Vladimir in Prince Igor by Borodin.

In the 1933-1934 season, he sang at the theater in Teplitz-Schönau and from 1934 to 1936, he made guest appearances in Zurich, including in Moniuszko’s Halka (1935). Returning to Poland in 1936, he performed at the opera houses in Warsaw and Posen (Poznan).

Though his career was interrupted during World War II, he resumed after the war and worked as a respected educator. Celebrating his 60th professional anniversary in 1974, he performed again, showcasing an impressive presence despite his age. He was recognized as one of the finest Polish tenors of his generation, known for both his lyrical and heroic roles. His repertoire included Jontek in Halka, Lenski in Eugene Onegin, Stephan in Moniuszko’s Ghost Castle, Gounod’s Faust, Duke in Rigoletto, Cavaradossi in Tosca, and Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Ave Maria (Schubert) Syrena 23619 3964

Canta pe’ me (de Curtis) Syrena 18781 3041

Casanowa (Rozycki) Aria Syrena 20427 3378

Das Land Des Lachelns (Lehar) Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz Syrena 23721 9087

Eugene Onegin (Tchaikovsky) Whither, whither have you gone Syrena 20404, 20405, 3371, 3371

Frasquita (Lehar) Serenade Syrena 27871 9816

Halka (Moniuszko) In the hills the wind wails Pt 1 Syrena 20408 3373

Halka (Moniuszko) In the hills the wind wails Pt 2 Syrena 20409 3373

Manon (Massenet) Chiudo gli occhi Syrena 18820 3059

Manru (Paderewski) Aria Syrena 20426 3378

Martha (Flotow) M’appari Syrena 27869 9814

Ninon (Jurmann, Kaper – Halicz) Syrena 23620 9087

Paganini (Lehar) Girls were made to love and kiss Syrena 27873 9816

Pescatori di perle (Bizet) Mi par d’udir ancora Syrena 20407 3372

Rigoletto (Verdi) La donna e mobile Syrena 20372 3353

Serenade (Schubert) Syrena 23621 3963

Serenata Criolla Ay-Ay-Ay Syrena 18824 3059

Soldier’s Song (Moniuszko) Syrena 27870 9815

Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle Syrena 20370 3353