MARIA CAPUANA (FANO, 2 SEPTEMBER, 1891 – CAGLIARI, 22 FEBRUARY, 1955)
She was the older sister of conductor Franco Capuana (1894–1969). She studied singing and piano at the San Pietro a Majella Conservatory in Naples, graduating with distinction. She made her operatic debut in 1916 at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, performing as Amneris in Verdi’s Aida. In 1918, she returned to the Teatro San Carlo, appearing as Urbain in Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots.
In 1920, she achieved notable success at the Teatro Regio in Turin as Brangäne in Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, a role she reprised at prestigious venues including the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, Reggio Emilia, Trieste, and later La Scala. Brangäne became one of her signature roles, cementing her reputation as one of Italy’s foremost interpreters of Wagner’s works.
In 1922, she joined La Scala, debuting as Ortrud in Wagner’s Lohengrin. Her performances at La Scala included Herodias in Strauss’s Salome (1923), Fricka in Wagner’s Die Walküre (1925–1927), Amneris in Aida, and Rubria in Boito’s Nerone. She also performed extensively at other prominent Italian theaters. At the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, she sang Brangäne in 1924 and Ortrud in 1936. At the Teatro San Carlo, she appeared in Nerone (1927) and Zandonai’s Conchita (1930).
Her international career included performances at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires (1925), as well as in Barcelona, Lisbon, Cairo, South Africa, and Chile. She was a frequent guest at the Verona Festival, where she performed Adalgisa in Norma (1923) and Rubria in Nerone (1926). In 1926, she sang in the premiere of Pizzi’s Ivania in Bergamo and also guested at the Teatro Regio in Parma. At the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, she performed in 1931 and 1934.
In 1931, she participated in one of the first Italian tours of the traveling opera company Carro di Tespi, appearing as Amneris in Aida. Her career also took her to Vichy, France, in 1935. In addition to her operatic achievements, she was highly regarded as a concert singer, showcasing her versatile artistry.
Chronology of some appearances
1914 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Conchita (Madre)
1916 Reggio Emilia Teatro Municipale Aida (Amneris)
1918 Madrid Teatro Reale Amleto (Regina)
1920 Trieste Teatro Verdi Tristano e Isotta (Brangania)
1922 Lisbona Coliseo Recrejos Aida (Amneris)
1924 Torino Teatro Regio Gioconda (Laura)
1926 Milano Teatro La Scala Aida (Amneris)
1928 Il Cairo Kedivhiale Gioconda (Laura)
1930 Santiago del Chile Teatro Municipal Boris Godunov
1932 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Tristano e Isotta (Brangania)
1934 Palermo Teatro Massimo Aida (Amneris)
1936 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice Ballo in Maschera (Ulrica)
1939 Brescia Teatro Grande Hansel e Gretel (Strega)
TRACKLIST
Columbia, Milano
Don Carlo (Verdi): O don fatale D18043 BX159
Carmen (Bizet): Duetto finale act 4, pt 1 (w. Taccani) CQX16554 WBX273
Carmen (Bizet): Duetto finale act 4, pt 2 (w. Taccani) CQX16554 WBX275
Orfeo (Gluck): Che faro senza Euridice D16432 WBX281
Carmen (Bizet) Scena delle carte D5747 WB1568
Trovatore (Verdi): Condotta ell’era in ceppi, pt 1 3026 3026
Trovatore (Verdi): Condotta ell’era in ceppi, pt 2 302 73027
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