Forgotten Opera Singers

Forgotten Opera Singers

Jun 18, 2017

Manuel Romero Malpica (Baritone) (Puebla City, Mexico 10. 05.1874 - Mexico City, Mexico 1939)






First he studied with his father José Romero Malpica, who was the director of military bands and with his mother, actress and an opera singer. He continued his vocal training under Lion and Carnelli and on January 29, 1902 made his debut in G. Verdi’s ‘’Il Trovatore’’ at the Teatro María Guerrero of his hometown. He appeared in Mexico until 1905 and the next year went to USA. He became a member of several opera companies, included Boston Opera Company and San Carlo Opera Company. Later he appeared in Italy, France and Spain, made successful guest appearances in Central and South America. He returned to Mexico, where continued his career. In 1938 he sang the part of Rigoletto at the Palacio de Bellas Artes  in Mexico City. Shortly before his death he made his final appearance Teatro María Guerrero, where he and started his career. He was called ‘’Mexican Titta Ruffo’’. He could sing also parts of tenor, which he once done by replacing tenor Agnadi in USA. He made records for Columbia, Victor and Edison.

Chronology of some appearances

1902 Puebla Teatro María Guerrero Trovatore (Count di Luna)
1914 Mississippi Greenwood Theatre Faust (Valentine)
1914 Ashland Vining Theatre Faust (Valentine)
1938 Puebla Teatro María Guerrero Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

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Victor, 1907-07-22

No lo diré (A. Pacheco) 62277-B
Mi morenita mía (Cancion) 62348-A

Columbia, Mexico City 1908-9
Perjura (Lerdo de Tejada) C 300 5851 

Edison 4-min cylinders, Spain? 1910?
La Bruja (Chapí): Jota (w. Jiménez) 22019
El Puñao de Rosas (Chapí): Dúo (w. Herrera) 22033


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Jun 16, 2017

Ferdinando Avedano (Tenor/Baritone) (Cuneo, Italia 1863 - San Francisco, USA after 1915)






He studied singing at the Liceo Musicale in Torino and made his debut in 1890 at Teatro Comunale of Vicenza as Pollione in ‘’Norma’’. In 1899 he went to USA and became a famous dramatic tenor, often appearing with Gaudenzio Salassa, a fine baritone. Probably in 1906 he changed to baritone, but mostly appeared in concerts. After his retirement,  he taught singing in San Francisco and often organized concerts of his pupils. He made a few records for Edison.


Chronology of some appearances

1890 Vicenza Teatro Comunale Norma (Pollione)
1891 Genova Politeama Genovese Due Foscari (Jacopo)
1893 Palermo Politeama Norma (Pollione)
1895 Milano Teatro Alhambra Trovatore (Manrico)
1898 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Aida (Radames)
1904 San Francisco Alhambra Theater Concert
1909 San Francisco Turner Hall Concert (Sang Si puo? from ‘’Pagliacci’’)
1912 San Francisco Concert of his pupils

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Edison 4-min cylinder
Rigoletto (Verdi): Bella figlia dell'amore with Oddo, Martinez & Colombati 7502 BA 22423




















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Jun 15, 2017

Antonio Carrión (Tenor) (Valencia 1902 - Buenos Aires 1978)




He became an Argentinean citizen on March 3rd 1927. He studied in Rosariowith Mº Sismondo. Due to his excellent pitch, he was sent to study in Italy with Cavaliere Benedetto Luciniani. Two years later, he was heard by Commendatore Ferone in an audition at Teatro Alla Scala di Milano. Thereafter he started his career in different Italian theaters such as Nazionale di Milano, Adriano di Roma, Sociale di Campobasso, Vittorio Emmanuele di Torino Petrucelli di Bari etc., and southern Italy’s cities such as Reggio Calabria, Catanzaro, etc., were he sang his most representative operatic roles such as: Edgardo, Rodolfo, Fausto ( from Boito’s Mefistofele), Alfredo and Duca di Mantua. Because of his father’s death, he returned to Rosarioand made his debut at Teatro de la Opera in Lucia di Lammermoor followed by Rigoletto. In Buenos Aires, he made his debut at Teatro Politeama in Lucia di Lammermoor, and in Montevidero at Teatro Sodre with the same opera with Lily Pons and Victor Damiani and Mº Calussio at the podium. Then he was hired by Mº Paolantonio to tour in Brazil, performing at the teatro San Gaetano of Rio di Janeiro in Tosca, Boheme Traviata, Lucia, Rigoletto, and Cavalleria Rusticana. The tour ended with Lucia di Lammermoor, conducted by Paolantonio who was killed the day after during a rehearsal. After many recitals, he returned to Buenos Airesand few days later he was called urgently from Porto Alegre, where he had to replace Beniamino Gigli in Lucia, besides Bidu Sayao. In Argentina he sang in many provincial theaters , his repertory was Carmen, Aida, Rigoletto, Pagliacci and Lucia In the seasons of 1942 up to 1945, he sang many times at Teatro Municipal de Santiago de Chile: Trovatore, Lucia, Caupolicán ( by Remigio Acevedo), in the world premiere), Aida Trovatore, Cavalleria, Sayeda (by Pisquert), Ballo in maschera, Tosca and Rigoletto. He sang also at Valparaiso in Trovatore, Rigoletto, Butterfly, etc. In 1945 he made a Latin American tour with his wife the s. Angelici, this tour started in Lima (Perú) with Lucia and during 10 months they were singing in many important theaters operas such: Traviata, Tosca, Rigoletto, Marina and Lucia in cities such, Cali, Bogotá, Medellin, Caracas, Quito, Maracaibo, etc. After that in Buenos Aires, he sang in La Rural de Palermo with the Teatro Colon Company in Aida , and several operas at the Argentino de La Plata. During all his career, he was very close to the Teatro Marconi. This was the theater were all the Argentinean opera singers of those days prepared their main roles and it was their way into the Colon. Carrion was also manager and producer of this theater during the 50’s. In the early 60’s, he often sang at the "Lunes líricos", (lyrical Monday), were the young conductor Miguel Angel Veltri started in the opera world. His last performance was Il Trovatore, during those cycles. After he retired, he taught singing. 

Chronology of some appearances

1942-1945 Santiago de Chile Teatro Municipal Trovatore, Lucia, Caupolicán, Aida Trovatore, Cavalleria, Sayeda, Ballo in maschera, Tosca and Rigoletto

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Private record
Ugonotti (Meyerbeer):  Bianca al par 


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M. J. Amani (Baritone)



Baryton du Théâtre royal d'Anvers