ANITA CONTI (VERONA, ITALY, 1889 – MILAN, ITALY, 1975)
Anita Conti was an accomplished Italian soprano known for her dramatic intensity and versatility across a wide range of operatic roles. She made her professional debut in 1912 at the Teatro Ballarin in Lendinara, captivating audiences as Carlotta in Massenet’s Werther. This performance marked the beginning of a career that spanned nearly three decades, earning her acclaim both in Italy and abroad.
Career Highlights
1912: Anita Conti began her career at the Teatro Ballarin in Lendinara with her portrayal of Carlotta in Werther.
1914-1916: She gained recognition for her interpretation of Maddalena in Giordano’s Andrea Chénier, performing at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turin and later at the Politeama Chiarella.
1918: At the Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, she delivered a poignant performance as Mimì in Puccini’s La Bohème, showcasing her lyricism and emotional depth.
1920-1922: Conti expanded her repertoire with the role of Aida, appearing at the Teatro Coccia in Novara and Lisbon’s Teatro São Carlos. Her portrayal of Verdi’s heroic titular character was widely praised for its vocal power and dramatic sensitivity.
1924-1926: Her performances of Tosca in Puccini’s opera at the Politeama Ariosto in Reggio Emilia and the Politeama Duca di Genova in La Spezia affirmed her status as a leading dramatic soprano.
1929-1939: Conti achieved international success with her portrayal of the demanding title role in Ponchielli’s La Gioconda. She performed the role at the Teatro Municipal in São Paulo in 1929 and revisited it triumphantly a decade later at the Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari.
1932: At Milan’s Teatro Carcano, she portrayed Margherita in Boito’s Mefistofele, displaying both vocal brilliance and dramatic depth.
1937: Returning to Bari’s Teatro Petruzzelli, she took on the emotionally charged role of Santuzza in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, adding another signature role to her repertoire.
TRACKLIST
Gramophone, Milano 1917
Complete Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) with Anita Conti, Luigi Bolis, Giuseppe Montanelli and Ernesto Badini, Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan, conductor Carlo Sabajno
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