Cesare Formichi (Baritone) (Rome 1883 – Rome 1949)

                                                                  Jago

He studied in Rome with Lombardo, and made his debut in December 1907 at the Teatro Olimpia in Bologna as Lescaut in ‘’Manon’’. He went on to appear in Italy's leading opera houses, including La Scala in Milan. Soon, he was accepting a string of engagements to sing outside Italy, notably in Kiev (in 1912), Buenos Aires (in 1914), Paris (1922), London (1924). He sang as first baritone at the Civic Opera House of Chicago  from 1922 to 1932. Notable roles of his included Ashton, Rigoletto, di Luna, Amonasro, Iago, and some Wagner parts sung in Italian (Klingsor, for example). Formichi possessed a big, rich-toned, important sounding voice which can be heard on the numerous acoustic and electrical recordings which he made during the peak of his career. 

Chronology of some appearances

1907 Bologna Teatro Olimpia Manon (Lescaut)
1908 Bologna Teatro Olimpia Carmen (Escamillo)
1909  Napoli Teatro San Carlo Aida (Amonasro)
1910 Chicago Auditorium Boheme (Marcello)
1911 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice Germania (Worms)
1912 Padova Teatro Verdi Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1913 Cremona Teatro Ponchielli Isabeau (Re Raimondo)
1914 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Parsifal (Klingsor)
1915 Firenze Politeama Fiorentino Dannazione di Faust (Mefistofele)
1916 Palermo Teatro Massimo Fanciulla del West (Rance)
1917 Brescia Teatro Grande Falstaff (Falstaff)
1918 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1919 Ferrara Teatro Comunale Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1920 Palermo Teatro Massimo Lohengrin (Tetralmondo)
1921 Madrid Teatro Reale Thais (Atanaele)
1922 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Aida (Amonasro)
1923 Chicago Civic Opera House Sansone e Dalida (Gran Sacerdote)
1924 Londra Covent Garden Boheme (Marcello)
1925 Madrid Teatro Reale Thais (Atanaele)
1926 Milano Teatro alla Scala Aida (Amonasro)
1927 Chicago Civic Opera House Judith di A.Honegger (Holophernes)
1928 Chicago Civic Opera House Resurrezione di F.Alfano (Simonson)
1929 Chicago Civic Opera House Judith di A.Honegger (Holophernes)
1930 Chicago Civic Opera House Carmen (Escamillo)
1931 Chicago Civic Opera House Aida (Amonasro)
1932 Chicago Civic Opera House Carmen (Escamillo)
1933 Parma Teatro Reale Walkiria (Wotan)
1934 Oslo Teatro Reale Tosca (Scarpia)
1935 Vienna Hohe Warte Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1937  Napoli Teatro San Carlo Giuditta di A.Honegger (Oloferne)
1947 Venezia Teatro La Fenice Boheme (Marcello)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Columbia, Milano 1911?

Trovatore (Verdi): Il balen E2058 11169

Gioconda (Ponchielli): O monumento D17321 11174

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Prologo D17321 11175

Faust (Gounod):  Dio possente D5509 11176

Tannhauser (Wagner): O tu bell’astro D5509 11177

Ernani (Verdi): Oh! Dei verd'anni miei D4328 11195

Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Alla vita che t'arride  D4328 11196

Aida (Verdi): Quest'assisa D4494 11198

Zulma (Romani): Sei cosi bella D4345 11210

Columbia, Milano 1912?

Fanciulla del West (Puccini): Minnie dalla mia casa D 9269 11286

Rigoletto (Verdi): Cortigiani vil razza dannata D 5517 11288

Falstaff (Verdi): Quando ero paggio E1644 11290

Amleto (Thomas): Come il romito fior  E1644 11292

Rigoletto (Verdi): Piangi fanciulla with Maria Alessandrovitch E2048

Rigoletto (Verdi): Lassu in cielo with Maria Alessandrovitch E2048

Aida (Verdi): Rivedrai le foreste with Teresa Chelotti  D 4383 11298

Aida (Verdi): Su dunque sorgete with Teresa Chelotti D 4383 11299

Columbia, Milano 1913?

Boheme (Puccini):  Quartetto with Ida Cattorini and Angelo Bendinelli D9343 11490
Aida (Verdi): Di Napata le gole with Egidio Cunego and Lia Moglia D5571 11498
Ernani (Verdi): Tu sei Ernani with Egidio Cunego & Magda Dorini 41735 
Aida (Verdi) Finale Act II Part 2 with Giovanni Martino, Egidio Cunego, Lia Moglia  and Dolores Frau  D4415 11495
Aida (Verdi) Finale Act II Part 1 with Giovanni Martino, Egidio Cunego, Lia Moglia  and Dolores Frau 11494 D4415

Columbia, Milano 1914?

Complete Carmen (Bizet) with Luigi Bolis, Fanny Anitua and Luigi Baldassarri

Complete Rigoletto (Verdi) with Giuseppe Taccani, Ines Ferraris and Vincenzo Bettoni

Columbia, Milano

Piccolo Marat (Mascagni): Si, l’amante piu’ bella D 9394 70441

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Pescator, affonda l’esca D4376 70467

Walkiria (Wagner): Incantesimo  del fuoco D815 70543
Walkiria (Wagner): Quest'occhi tuol D815 70544

Puritani (Bellini): Il  rival salvar tu dei with Luigi Manfrini D 4934 70571

Puritani (Bellini): Suoni la tromba with Luigi Manfrini D 4934 70572

Piccolo Marat (Mascagni): Di pieta, di pieta D9410 WAX2744

Otello (Verdi): Credo L1579 AX480

Columbia, London 1924

Le Jongleur de Notre Dame (Massenet): Legende de la sauce D1491 A895

Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saens): Maudite a jamais D1491 A896

Tosca (Puccini): Te deum L1579 AX481

Columbia, London

D'une prison (Hahn) 2020-M WA6121

Tosca: Ella verra L1949 AX3043

Rigoletto (Verdi): Pari siamo L2065 WAX3044

Rissurezione (Alfano): Oh! no, non crediate CQ1146 WB4898

Forza del destino (Verdi): Urna fatale CQ1146 WB4910

Columbia, Milan?

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): All'idea di quel metallo with Arnoldo Georgewsky D 4810 70266

Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Voi dovreste travestirvi with Arnoldo Georgewsky D4810 70267

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Nemico della patria  CQX 16522 WAX 3037

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Un di m’era di gioia D9373 12990

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Son sessant' anni D9373 70257

Zingari (Leoncavallo): Canto notturno 41856 C2711

Obstination (Fontenailles): A resolve CQ1146 WB4998

Otello (Verdi): Innaffia l’ugola  D9399 70452

Stabat Mater (Rossini):  Pro peccatis D4935 70552

Tosca (Puccini): Tre sbirri, una carrozza L1579 WAX2744

Thais (Massenet): Voila donc la terrible cité D1490 A892

Thais (Massenet): Helas enfant encore D1490 A893

Zingari (Leoncavallo): Ah! taci, non lo dir 41856 C2712?

Core 'e mamma D4435 41840
Sora mia D4435 41821

 

Elvira Ceresoli (Mezzo-Soprano) (Reggio Emilia 1878 - ?)

In 1904 at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turin she (as Ceresoli-Salvatori) created the role of Sofia Ivanovna in the premiere of the Franco Alfano’s opera ‘’Risurrezione’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1890 Belluno  Teatro Sociale  Trovatore (Azucena)
1893 Palermo Politeama Gioconda (Laura)
1896 Reggio Emilia Teatro Municipale Aida (Amneris)
1900 Odessa Teatro Municipale Cavalleria rsticana (Lola)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

G&T, Milano 1902-12
Lohengrin (Wagner): Vieni al mio ostel with Cesira Ferrani 54033 2930b
Cristoforo Colombo (Franchetti): Ah! Il dì della vendetta  53290 2932b
Favorita (Donizetti): A l’altro ardor with Giuseppe De Luca  54021 2933b

 

Alfredo Brondi (Bass) (Ferrara 1874 - Milan 1828)

He began his education with maestro Squarzoni in Ferrara and then in Milan with Cesare Rossi. In 1897 he debuted at the Teatro Sociale in Asolo in ‘’Poliuto’’ of Donizetti. He had a successful career in the leading Italian opera houses. In 1910 he appeared at La Scala as Rodolfo in ‘’Sonnambula’’. At the Teatro Dal Verme he appeared in 1908 as Colline in Puccini’s ‘’La Bohème’’ and as Pogner in ‘’Meistersingers’’. He achieved big success also at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo and in 1911 at the Teatro Dal Verme in Rome (as Rodolfo in ‘’Sonnambula’’). Also abroad he made successful guest performances and sang among other things in 1906 at the Teatro San Carlo in Lisbon. In 1913 he appeared at the Teatro Regio in Turin, as well as at the Teatro Liceo in Barcelona (as Ramphis in ‘’Aida’’). In 1914 he sang at the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona in ‘’Lohengrin’’. In 1915 he appeared at Pisa in ‘’Mefistofele’’ of Boito.

Chronology of some appearances

1897 Asolo Teatro Sociale Poliuto (Callistene)
1908 Milan Teatro Dal Verme Boheme (Colline)
1910 Milan La Scala Sonnambula (Rodolfo)
1911 Rome Teatro Dal Verme Sonnambula (Rodolfo)
1906 Lisbon Teatro San Carlo Rigoletto (Sparafucile)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1906?

Boheme (Puccini): Vecchia zimarra 7092

Trovatore (Verdi): Abbietta zingara 7102 M567

Zonophone, USA 1907?

Aida (Verdi): Scena del Giudizio with Virginia Colombati 24024

Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1908/1909

Ugonotti (Meyerbeer): Piff, paff 37203 xM 521

Sonnambula (Bellini): Vi ravviso 37274 xM 576

Ernani (Verdi): Infelice e tu credevi  37333 xM 520

Favorita (Donizetti): Fia vero with Giuseppe Bergonzini 37776 xM 1286

 

Enzo Leliva (Tadeusz Leliwa) (Tenor) (Teplik, Ukraine 1875 – Warsaw, Poland 1929)

                                                       Raoul in ''Ugonotti''

His real name was Tadeusz Kopystcynski. He studied at first medicine at the university of Kiev, then law at the university of Warsaw. He received at the same time singing lessons from Mrs. Massini, later from A. W. Aleksandrowicz, also he studied with Jean de Reszke in Paris and with A. Brogi in Italy. In 1901 he made his opera debut at Saratov, afterwards he sang in the opera house of Kiev. The violinist Stanislaw Barcewicz helped him to appear at the Opera Theatre of Warsaw in which he debuted in 1902 as Radames in ‘’Aida’’ and remained till 1904. He appeared here among other things as Duke in ‘’Rigoletto’’, Alfredo in ‘’La Traviata’’, Enzo in ‘’La Gioconda’’ of Ponchielli, Fernando in ‘’La Favorita’’ of Donizetti, Hermann in Tchaikovsky’s ‘’Pique dame’’ and in the title roles of the operas ‘’Mazeppa’’ of A. Münchheimer and ‘’Chopin’’ of Orefice. During his engagement in Warsaw he guested in the opera houses of Lvov (Lwów) and Vilnius. By the invitation of the composer R. Leoncavallo who had heard him in Warsaw he went in 1904 to Italy where he sang as Milio in Leoncavallo’s opera ‘’Zazà’’ first at the Teatro Regio in Turin. In 1905 he guested at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples as Henning in the Italian première of Leoncavallo’s ‘’Roland von Berlin’’, afterwards in Turin, Palermo and at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa. In 1905 he sang at the Teatro Lirico in Milan as Jontek in the Italian première of the Polish national opera ‘’Halka’’ of Moniuszko. He guested during his stay in Italy further in Poland and also in 1906 in the opera houses of St. Petersburg and Kiev. In 1907 he sang at La Scala as Radames in ‘’Aida’’ and guested in the same year in Mexico City. In 1908 he appeared in the opera houses of Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon, then also at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. In 1909 he appeared in Covent Garden as Pinkerton in ‘’Madame Butterfly’’ and as Canio in ‘’Pagliacci’’ together with the famous soprano Emmy Destinn. In 1909 he sang for the first time in the USA, namely in the opera house of Boston (among other things as Turiddu in ‘’Cavalleria rusticana’’ and as ‘ Alfredo in ‘’La Traviata’’), then also in Chicago and New York. From 1910 to 12 he was to be heard, primarily, in his Polish native country and in Russia. Then he went in 1913 again to Italy (Teatro Comunale Bologna, Teatro Carlo Felice Genua), however, came back with outbreak of the First World War in 1914 to Poland and sang here in Warsaw, later in Kiev primarily in concerts. In 1919 he finished his career in Kiev appearing last time in ‘’Halka’’of  Moniuszko. Since 1922 he worked as a teacher in Warsaw, one of his pupils was the famous tenor Jan Kiepura. He sang abroad, above all in Italy, under the name Enzo Leliva.

Chronology of some appearances

1904 Milano Teatro Lirico Zaza (Millo)
1906 San Pietroburgo Teatro Aquarium Ugonotti (Raoul)
1906 Brescia Teatro Grande Tristano e Isotta (Tristano)
1906 Torino Teatro Regio Loreley (Walter)
1906 Torino Teatro Regio Dannazione di Faust (Faust)
1906 Palermo  Teatro Massimo Loreley (Walter)
1907 Cittа del Messico  Teatro Arbeu Ballo in maschera (Riccardo)
1907 Cittа del Messico Teatro Arbeu Tannhauser (Tannhauser)
1907 Cittа del Messico Teatro Arbeu Ugonotti (Raoul)
1908 Genova  Politeama Genovese Pagliacci (Canio)
1909 Boston Opera House Cavalleria rusticana (Turiddu)
1909 Boston  Opera House Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)
1909 Boston  Opera House Pagliacci (Canio)
1910 Chicago  Auditorium Carmen (Don Jose)
1910 Chicago  Auditorium Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)
1910 Chicago  Auditorium Pagliacci (Canio)
1910 Pittsburgh  Teatro Nixon Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)
1910 St. Louis Teatro Odeon Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)
1910 St. Louis Teatro Odeon Pagliacci (Canio)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Columbia, Warszawa? 1904?

Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna e mobile 85244

Halka (Moniuszko): Dumka 35248

Fonotipia, Milano 1904-11

Chopin (Orefice): Si, date fiori 39033 XPh 76

Chopin (Orefice): Tak, gloscie chwale 39034 XPh 77

Chopin (Orefice): Kolysanka with Vera De Lutze 39118 XPh 79

Fonotipia, Milano 1904-12

Chopin (Orefice): Io sono un fior esala 39073  XPh 104

Chopin (Orefice): Sera ineffabile with Irene De Bohus 39119 XPh 105

Roland von Berlin (Leoncavallo): Io son il re della ballata 39061 XPh 107

Fonotipia, Milano 1905-02

Krakowiak (Moniuszko) 39133 XPh 142

Fiori di campo (de Leva) 39132 XPh 146

Stelle cadenti (de Leva) 39126 XPh 148-2

Fonotipia, Milano 1906-12-11

Manru (Pederewski): Come al sol cocente 39034 XPh 77

Pique Dame (Tchaikovsky): Perdona a me 39928 XPh 2275

Fonotipia, Milano 1906-12-12

Figlia di Jorio (Franchetti): Rinverdisca per noi 39927 XPh 2277

Ugonotti (Meyerbeer): Bianca al par 39926  Ph 2278

Odeon, Warszawa 1906?

Don't tempt me (Glinka) with Hanna Skwarecka 97628

Halka (Moniuszko): Szumia jodly 304173

Gramophone, Warszawa 1908

Chopin (Orefice): Duet with Korolewicz-Wajdowa 2-24031 7082L

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-11-07

Ebrea (Halevy): Rachele, allor che Iddio 92410 XPh 3609

Lohengrin (Wagner): Di non t'incantan 92412 XPh 3612

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-11-25

Pique Dame (Tchaikovsky): Perdona a me 92417  XPh 3676

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-11-30

Aida (Verdi): Gia I sacerdoti adunansi with Elisa Petri Unpubl.  XPh 3700

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-12-01

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner): Dall'alba tinto 92413 XPh 3707

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-12-03

Pique Dame (Tchaikovsky): Ma se il tuo cuore 92416 XPh 3724

Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Ma se m'è forza perderti 92411 XPh 3727

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-12-04

Pique Dame (Tchaikovsky): Mistero 92414 XPh 3738

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-12-05

Pique Dame (Tchaikovsky): Cos'è la vita? 92415 XPh 3743

Odeon
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vesti la giubba  12002a

Valentina Bartolomasi (Soprano) (Modena 1889 – Milan 1932)

She studied singing under her father, Bernardo Bartolomasi, a well known voice teacher. She made her professional opera debut in 1911 at the Teatro Verdi in Salerno. Early on in her career she appeared at the Teatro Dal Verme (1913) in Milan and at the Teatro Scribe in Turin. Her career ended prematurely due to illness in 1926. After retiring from the stage, Bartolomasi lived with her husband, Count Antoniani of Padua, in Milan. She spent the last several years of her life fighting endometrial cancer from which she eventually died. 

Chronology of some appearances

1911 Salerno Teatro Verdi Manon Lescaut (Manon)
1913 Barletta Teatro Curci Faust (Margherita)
1914 Prato Teatro Metastasio Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1916 Novara Teatro Coccia Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1918 Milano Teatro Carcano Forza del Destino (Leonora)
1919 Mantova Teatro Andreani Trovatore (Leonora)
1920 Roma Teatro Nazionale Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1921 Bari Teatro Margherita Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1922 GEnova Politeama Genovese Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1924 Como Politeama Lariano Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)
1925 Sampierdarena Politeama Sampierdarenese Ernani (Elvira)
1926 Voghera Teatro Sociale Ernani (Elvira)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Gramophone, Milano 1912-03-08
Isabeau (Mascagni): I tuoi occhi with Bernardo De Muro  054347  02354v

Gramophone, Milano 1912-03-09

Isabeau (Mascagni): Venne una vecchierella   S 5366 053293

Gramophone, Milano 1919-04-25

Fanciulla del west (Puccini): Laggiu nel Soledad  R 5201  2-253070

Gramophone, Milano 1919-04-26

Forza del destino (Verdi): Pace mio dio S 5310  2-0253012

Gramophone, Milano 1919-05-01

Ernani (Verdi): O sommo Carlo with Carlo Ballin and Alfredo Gandolfi 2-0254082 3415c

Gramophone, Milano 1919-10-08

Aida (Verdi): Pur ti riveggo with Gennaro de Tura 7-54014 4156ah

Aida (Verdi): Si, fuggiam with Gennaro de Tura and Matteo Dragoni 2-054111 883aj

Gramophone, Milano 1919-10-14
Aida (Verdi): Rivedrai le foreste with Matteo Dragoni 2-054112 909aj

Gramophone, Milano 1919-10-27
Aida (Verdi): Presago il cor…….Morir sì pura with Enrico Trentini  2-0254149   S 5180
Aida (Verdi): O terra addio with Enrico Trentini and Rosita Pagani 2-0254150 S 5180
Aida (Verdi): La fatal pietra with Enrico Trentini 2-0254148 971Aj

Gramophone, Milano 1919

Complete Tosca (Puccini) with Attilio Salvaneschi, Adolfo Pacini and Ubaldo Ceccarelli

Gramophone, Milano 1920

Complete Andrea Chénier (Giordano): with Lupato, Pacini, Venturini, Garrone, Festa & chorus 

Pathé, Milano 1925/1926

Tosca (Puccini): Vissi d'arte 10406 84927

Wally (Catalani): Ebben? Ne andro lontana 10406 84928

Aida (Verdi): Morir si pura e bella with Ismaele Voltolini 15113 84923

Trovatore (Verdi): Miserere with Aureliano Pertile 12629

Trovatore (Verdi): Mira d'acerbe lagrime with Giulio Fregosi 12630 88422
Trovatore (Verdi): Vivrà, contende  with Giulio Fregosi  12630 88423

Jose Palet (Tenor) (Martorel, near Barcelona 1877 – Milan 1946)

He studied at the Conservatory of Barcelona with Juan Goula and debuted there in 1901 at the Teatro Liceo as Fernando in ‘’La Favorita’’ of Donizetti. He appeared first in Barcelona and Madrid, then came, however, to Italy. Here he sang among other things in 1913 at La Scala, as José in ‘’Carmen’’ and guested at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome and in other big theaters. In 1915 he appeared at the Teatro Nacional of Havana as Radames in ‘’Aida’’ (together with Juanita Capella, Maria Gay, Titta Ruffo and Gaudio Mansueto), in the following 1916-17 season he appeared in Havana as Enzo in ‘’La Gioconda’’ of Ponchielli, as Canio in ‘’Pagliacci’’, as Riccardo in Verdi’s ‘’Ballo in maschera’’ and as Cavaradossi in ‘’Tosca’’. In 1921 he guested in Madrid as Gérald in ‘’Lakmé’’ of Delibes with Maria Barrientos as a partner. In 1921 tour with the Scotti Opera Company through North America. In 1924 he sang at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome in the premiere of the opera ‘’Esvella’’ of Gino Robbiani, already in 1912 he took part at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in the premiere of the opera ‘’Hoffmann’’ of Guido Laccetti. In 1927 he sang in the Italian opera in Holland as Raoul in ‘’Gli Ugonotti’’ of Meyerbeer. In the same year he guested in the festival of Verona as Radames in Verdi’s ‘’Aida’’. He lived later as a singing teacher in Milan.

Chronology of some appearances

1904-1905 Parma Teatro Regio Lucia di Lammermoor with Nunzio Rapisardi (Lord   Enrico Ashton)

1905 Parma Teatro Regio Germania with Aurelio Viale (Crisogno)

1905 Parma Teatro Regio Mefistofele with Giovanni Scarneo (Mefistofele)

1910 Parma Teatro Regio Lucia di Lammermoor with Giovanni Polese (Lord Enrico Ashton)

1920 Parma Teatro Regio Concert with Augusta Concato

1926 Parma Teatro Regio Un Ballo in maschera with Carlo Tagliabue (Renato)

1927 Parma Teatro Regio Lucia di Lammermoor with Victor Damiani (Lord Enrico Ashton)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1905-09-09

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali 39294 XPh 319

Fonotipia, Milano 1905-09-14

Ernani (Verdi): O sommo Carlo with Mario Sammarco and Irene de Bohuss 39300 xph324

Fonotipia, Milano 1905-09-18

Rigoletto (Verdi): Parmi veder le lagrime 39321 XPh 331

Faust (Gounod): Che fate qui, signori? with Mario Sammarco and Oreste Luppi 39297 XPh334

Gramophone, Barcelona 1916-01-10

Marina (Arrieta): Por dios with Mercedes Farry Unpubl. 03090v

La Dolores (Breton): Aragon la mas famosa with Inocencio Navarro  062062 03101v

Gramophone, Barcelona 16-1-13

Marina (Arrieta): Terceto with Mercedec Ferry, Inocencio Navarro 064127 03093v

Marina (Arrieta): Dúo Jorge y Roque with Inocencio Navarro 064131 03092v

Gramophone, Barcelona 16-1-18

Marina (Arrieta): Brindis with Inocencio Navarro 064134  03096v

Gramophone, Barcelona 1917-07-17

Lohengrin (Wagner): Da voi lontan 2-052126 03147v

La conquista de Madrid (Gaztambide): Quien eres, responde with Inocencio Navarro 064138 03148v

Lohengrin (Wagner): Da voi lontan (in catalan)  062064 03146v

Gramophone, Barcelona 1917-07-31

Walküre (Wagner): Ja l'hivern retut es pel temps vernal (in catalan) 2-62194  19792u

Gramophone, Barcelona 1917-08-01

Carmen (Bizet): Il fior 5-052001 s03152v

Gramophone, Barcelona 1917-08-09

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner): Racconto di Walther 9-52007 s19813u

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner): En l'ampla llar del  meu castell 2-62214  19812u

Gramophone, Barcelona  17-8-11

Otello (Verdi): Si, pel ciel with Inocencio Navarro 5-054000 03156v

Gramophone, Barcelona 1917-08-22

Mefistofele (Boito): Dai campi, dai prati 9-52001 s19823u

Favorita (Donizetti): Una vergine un angelo di Dio 9-52004 s19830u

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner): Canzone del Concorso, act 3 2-052125 03157v

Aida (Verdi): Celeste Aida 5-052008 s03158v

Gramophone, Barcelona 17-8-23

La Bruja (Chapi): No extraneis, no, que se escapen 062073 03159v

Gramophone, Barcelona 1917-09-03

Marina (Arrieta): Salida de jorge with Albertini, Macia 64439 19838u

Viva Aragon! (Blanch y Borguno): Jota con coro 2-62204 19840u

Gramophone, Barcelona 1917-09-04

La Barca, Cancion (Borras del Palau) 2-62213 19841u

Gramophone, Barcelona 1917-09-05

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): O ciel, duet act 4, pt 2 with Albertini 5-054007 s03169v

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): O ciel, duet act 4, pt 1 with Albertini 5-054006 s03173v

Gramophone, Barcelona 1917-09-11

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): O ciel, duet act 4, pt 3 with Albertini 5-054008, s03180v

Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti): Di pescator ignobile 9-52011 s19845u

Gramophone, Barcelona 17-9-13

La Tempestad (Chapi): Salve costas de Bretana 062076 03185v

Rienzi (Wagner): O padre Santo 5-052009 03187v

Gramophone, Barcelona 1921-05/06

Aida (Verdi): Duetto, act 3, pt 1,  pt 2 with Matilde Rossi 9-54002 4734ah

Aida (Verdi): Duetto, act 3, pt 2 with Matilde Rossi 9-54001 4733ah

Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Corriam, voliam 9-52015 4747-2ah

Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Ciel, tu sei se Mathilde with Inocencio Navarro 5-054009 4750ah

Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Di tu se fedele 5-052011 1186aj

Gramophone, Barcelona   

La Dolores (Breton): Todos duermen, no hay temor with Inocencio Navarro DA583

Gramophone, Barcelona 

Gigantes y cabezudos (Caballero): Por fin te 062079 1190aj

Emilio Venturini (Tenor) (Brescia 1878 – Milan 1952)

He made his professional opera debut in 1900 in Italy where he remained for the next several years. In 1901 he sang the role of Brighella in Mascagni's ‘’Le maschere’’ at the Teatro Regio in Turin. He made his La Scala debut in 1903 as Froh in Wagner's ‘’Das Rheingold’’ and sang in the premiere of Umberto Giordano's ‘’Siberia’’. In 1904, he originated the role of Prince Yamadori in Puccini's ‘’Madama Butterfly’’ at La Scala. In 1905, Venturini joined the roster of the Opéra National de Paris. In 1907 he moved to London to sing with Royal Opera at Covent Garden. In 1910, Venturini became a member of the Chicago Opera Association where he performed roles until the summer of 1917. While in Chicago he sang mostly character parts but did sing some major roles like Turiddu in ‘’Cavalleria rusticana’’ , Edgardo in ‘’Lucia di Lammermoor’’ and the Pinkerton in ‘’Madama Butterfly’’. In 1911 he sang the roles of Cassio in Verdi's ‘’Otello’’ and Spoletta in Puccini's ‘’Tosca’’ at the Metropolitan Opera. Venturini also returned to Italy for brief periods in 1910, 1911, and 1916 to perform roles with the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. In 1921, Venturi joined the roster at La Scala and sang roles with that opera house until 1948. He notably originated the roles of Il Tempiere in Boito's ‘’Nerone’’ in 1924 and Pang in Puccini's ‘’Turandot’’ in 1926. and was the first to record the role of Nereo in Boito's ‘’Mefistofele’’ in the 1931 La Scala recording. 

Chronology of some appearances

1901 Rovereto Giardino Eppler Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)
1903 Brescia Teatro Grande Iris (Cenciaiolo / Merciaiolo)
1905 Parigi Sarah Bernardt Adriana Lecouvreur (Abate)
1907 New York Manhattan Opera House Traviata (Gastone)
1909 Philadelphia Opera Crispino e la Comare (Contino)
1911 Chicago Civic Opera House Otello (Cassio)
1913 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Lucia di Lammermoor (Arturo)
1915 Milano Teatro del Giardino Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)
1918 New York Manhattan Opera Company Puritani (Bruno)
1922 Novara Teatro Coccia Manon Lescaut (Edmondo/Maestro di Ballo/Lampionaio)
1924 Milano Teatro La Scala Boris Godunov (Innocente)
1926 Milano Teatro La Scala Oro Del Reno (Froh)
1928 Milano Teatro La Scala Turandot (Pang)
1930 Milano Teatro La Scala Turandot (Pang)
1932 Milano Teatro La Scala Turandot (Pang)
1934 Parma Teatro Regio Fra' Gherardo di I.Pizzetti (Notaro/Incredulo)
1936 Parma Teatro Regio Andrea Chenier (Incredibile)
1938 Parma Teatro Regio Fanciulla del West (Nick)
1941 Novara Teatro Coccia Lucia di Lammermoor (Arturo)
1945 Parma Teatro Regio Turandot (Pang)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, Milano 1903?
Favorita (Donizetti): Spirto gentil 10078
Sonnambula (Bellini): Prendi l'anel ti dono 10100

Gramophone, Milano 1920-07-03

Andrea Chénier (Giordano): Signor Chénier with Lupato, Bartolomasi, Garrone, Festa & chorus 2-0254535, S5226

Columbia, Milano 1926?
Otello (Verdi): Brindisi with Mariano Stabile and Giuseppe Nessi D 18015  BX 62

Fonotipia, Milano 11-05-1927
Turandot (Puccini): Terzetto P1 with Giuseppe Nessi and Aristide Baracchi 120049  XXPh 5885
Turandot (Puccini): Terzetto P2 with Giuseppe Nessi and Aristide Baracchi  120049 XXPh 5886

Columbia, Milano 1929-04/05
Otello (Verdi): Brindisi with Stracciari & Nessi GQX10214 WBX522

Columbia, Milano  09-10-1929
Mose in Egitto (Rossini): Dal tuo stella with Nazzareno De Angelis, Ida Mannarini and Elena Cheni GQX 10207 WBX 668-2

Columbia, Milano
Turandot (Verdi): Terzetto delle maschere Part II with Nessi and Baracchi D1663 B2375
Turandot (Verdi): Terzetto delle maschere Part I with Nessi and Baracchi D1663 B2372

Columbia, Milano 1931-11-30
Complete Mefistofele (Boito) with Antonio Melandri, Nazzareno De Angelis, Mafalda Favero and  Giannina Arangi-Lombardi 

Zita Fumagalli Riva (Soprano) (Milan 1893 – Novellara 1994)

                                              Cio-Cio San in ‘’Madama Butterfly’’

She studied with Salvatore Cairone. Debuted in 1920 at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan. In 1922 she sang at the Teatro Carcano in Milan and already in 1924 she appeared with big success at La Scala in ‘’Carmen’’. She had a significant career in the leading Italian opera houses up to 1930s; thus she appeared at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, in Bologna, Turin, Venice and Arena di Verona. She lived after finishing her stage career as a pedagogue in Milan; Her notable pupils included Raina Kabaiwanska, Gianni Maffeo, Bonaldo Giaiotti, Leo Nucci, Ottavio Garaventa and Franco Tagliavini.

Chronology of some appearances

1920 Milan Teatro Dal Verme Marken
1922 Milan Teatro Carcano Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
1924 Milan Teatro La Scala Carmen (Micaela)
1926 Roma Teatro Costanzi Boheme (Mimì)
1928 La Spezia Politeama Duca di Genova Iris (Iris)
1930 Bologna Arena Italia Andea Chenier (Maddalena)
1933 Modena Teatro Municipale Manon (Manon)
1936 Ancona Teatro Delle Muse Sulamita

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Fonografia Nazionale, Milano

Boheme (Puccini): O soave fanciulla with Ettore Bergamaschi 1077

Andrea Chénier (Giordano) Vicino a te with Ettore Bergamaschi 2132
Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Oh come gravi son le vostre parole with Ettore Bergamaschi  2135
Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Vedi son io che piango with Ettore Bergamaschi  2136
Bohème (Puccini): Addio senza rancor with Ettore Bergamaschi 2137
Bohème (Puccini): Quartetto with Ettore Bergamaschi, Carlo Tagliabue & Olga Poletti 2138
Manon Lescaut (Puccini) In quelle trine morbide 5048

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-04
Amico Fritz (Mascagni): Son pochi fiori P1599 2-6466

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-05
Iris (Mascagni): Un dì, ero piccina al tempio P1599 2-6468
Isabeau (Mascagni) Questo mio bianco manto P1600  2-6471

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-06

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Io t’ho ghermita with Antonio Cortis  P 1518 2-6475

Andrea Chénier (Giordano): La mamma morta P1600 2-6476

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-08

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Vedi? La luce incerta with Antonio Cortis  P 1581 2-6482

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-09

Falstaff (Verdi): Sul fil d'un soffio etesio P 1581 2-6487

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-10
Traviata (Verdi): Non, amario ditegli with Enrico De Franceschi  P1614 2-6490
Traviata (Verdi): Dite, alla giovine with Enrico De Franceschi  P1614 2-6491

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-11
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Oh! Il Signore vi manda with Enrico De Franceschi P1615 2-6494

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-12

Boheme (Puccini): Donde lieta usci P 1582 2-6499

Boheme (Puccini): O soave fanciulla with Antonio Cortis  P 1612 2-6502

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-13

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Un bel di vedremo P 1582 2-6506

Parlophon, Berlin 1923-10-15

Rigoletto (Verdi): L'acciar qui piago with Enrico De Franceschi P 1613 2-6510