Luigi Cilla (Tenor) (Rimini, Italy 1885 - ?)

After singing in Italian provincial theaters, he specialized as comprimario and became one of the most famous interpreters of the secondary roles. From 1910 to 40 he appeared in the leading Italian theaters, including Teatro La Scala in Milan and the Teatro Costanzi in Rome. There he performed on 12. 6. 1911 in the Italian premiиre of Puccini’s  ‘’La Fanciulla del West’’. In 1912 at La Scala he sang the role of Dr. Cajus in Verdi’s ‘’Falstaff’’, which he repeated also in 1914 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. In 1922 he perfmored at La Scala as Riccardo in Wolf-Ferrari’s ‘’I Quattro Rusteghi’’. In 1910 he guested at the Boston Opera, from 1925 to 1934 he sang regularly at Covent Covent Garden. In the 1923-24 season Cilla took part in an Australia tour. In 1926 he appeared at the Arena di Verona, in 1929 he sang at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome in the premiere of the opera ‘’Il Gobbo del Califfo’’ of  Franco Casavola.  In 1935 Cilla sang at the Maggio musicale in Florence in Pizzeti’s ‘’L'Orseolo’’. In 1944 he performed at the Teatro Alighieri in Ravenna in Puccini’s ‘’Turandot’’.

Chronology of some appearances

1910 Boston Opera House
1911 Roma Teatro Costanzi La Fanciulla del West
1912 Milan Teatro La Scala
1914 Venezia Teatro La Fenice
1926 Verona Arena

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Columbia, New York 1910-04-15

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Chi mi frena with with Florencio Constantino, Ramon Blanchart, Eugenia Bronskaja, Bettina Freeman and Jose Mardones  A5177 30443

Imperial, London? (el)
O sole mio (di Capua) 1658 4403
Mamma mia che vò sapè (Russo) 1658  4404

Edison 4-min cylinders, USA? 1910/1911

Don Pasquale (Donizetti): Com’e gentil BA 22442 A 7521 

Ernani (Verdi): Come rugiata al cespite BA 22445A 7524
Mefistofele (Boito): Dai campi, dai prati A 22460 A 7539

HMV, London 1926-06-17

Otello (Verdi): Niun mi tema with Zenatello, Cotreuil & Sampieri DB955 2-054168

Otello (Verdi): Questa è una ragna with Giuseppe Noto and Giovanni Zenatello DB955 2-054167

HMV, London 1929-06-19

Otello (Verdi): Inaffia L'ugola with Giovanni Inghilleri and Octave Dua 2-054312 D1698