Pia Ravenna (Soprano) (Helsinki 1894 - Helsinki 1964)

                                             Rosina in  ‘’Il Barbiere di Siviglia’’

She studied for five years with Elin Tallqvist in Helsinki, then for two years with Alma Fohstrom in St. Petersburg, and later in Sweden and Milan. She gave her first concert in 1913. In 1917 she became a member of the Finnish Opera, where she sang intermittently until 1940. She sang with the Monte Carlo Opera in 1921, with the Egyptian Stazione group from 1921 to 1923, in Sardinia from 1923 to 1924, in Central Europe from 1924 to 1928, and was a guest at the Helsinki Swedish Theater in 1929 and 1933. Among her main roles were those of Rosina in ‘’Il barbiere di Siviglia’’, Mimi in ‘’La Boheme’’, Gilda in ‘’Rigoletto’’, Margaretha in ‘’Faust’’, the Queen of the Night in ‘’Magic Flue’’, and the title roles in ‘’Lucia di Lammermoor’’, ‘’Madama Butterfly’’, ‘’Lakme’’ and ‘’Manon’’. She established a voice studio in Helsinki in 1929 with her husband, Alessio Costa, called the Studio Ravenna-Costa and taught at the Helsinki Conservatory (Sibelius Academy) from 1936 to 1939. Her italian coloratura was rare in Finland, and her stylistic interpretations received international recognition. Her brother, Arnold Tilgmann, was a tenor.

Chronology of some appearances

1921 Alessandria d'Egitto Teatro Alhambra Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1922 Porto Said Teatro Eldorado Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucia)
1923 Roma Teatro Adriano Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1924 Como Teatro Sociale Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucia)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Fonotipia, Berlin 1928-01-05
Rigoletto (Verdi): Ah! Solo per me with Fausto Ricci 120122 XXPh6079
Rigoletto (Verdi): No, vecchio, t'inganni with Fausto Ricci 120122  XXPh6080
Traviata (Verdi): Dite alla giovine with Fausto Ricci 120126 XXPh6083
Traviata (Verdi): Morro, morro la mia memoria with Fausto Ricci 120126 XXPh6084   

Vox
Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Una voce poco fa... Io sono docile 02139 1626A 

Rigoletto (Verdi): Caro nome  02163  1628A

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Spargi d'amaro pianto  02163  1629½A
Mireille (Gounod):  O legere hirondelle 02172  1630A

Elisa Petri (Soprano) (Fabriano 1869 – Milan 1929)

She studied with Virginia Boccabadati at the Liceo Rossini in Pesaro. Later she took singing lessons from Giuseppina Vitali-Augusti. Debuted in November, 1889 at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome as Raffaela in the Italian première of the opera ’’Patrie’’ of Émile Paladilhe. She sang at the big Italian stages, nevertheless, was especially liked in Spain, in particular at the Teatro Real in Madrid and at the Teatro Liceo in Barcelona.  Also in South America she has often appeared on the stage; here she sang in  the 1894-95 season and again in 1899 at the Teatro de la Opera in Buenos Aires, at the opera houses of Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo as well as in the concert hall. In Italy she appeared practically in all leading theaters with success (Teatro Argentina, Teatro Costanzi in Rome (among other things in the premiere of the opera ‘’Il Voto’’ of Pietro Vallini on 27. 11. 1895), Teatro Pagliano and Teatro della pergola in Florence, Teatro San Carlo in Naples (among other things in 1895 as Sieglinde in ‘’Walkiria’’, in 1896 as Mimi in the première there of Puccini’s ‘’La Bohème’’, in 1911 as Amneris in ‘’Aida’’ and as Laura in ‘’La Gioconda’’), Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa and La Scala, Milan). At La Scala she sang in 1902 as Marguerite in ‘’La damnation de Faust’’ of Berlioz, in 1907 as Brangäne in ‘’Tristan und Isolde’’. In May, 1897 she appeared in ‘’Falstaff’’ of Verdi in the opening of the anew built Teatro Massimo in Palermo. In 1912 she guested at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna as Brangäne, in 1912 in the same house as Ortrud in ‘’Lohengrin’’. Later she lived as a singing teacher in Milan.

Chronology of some appearances

1890 Gubbio  Teatro Comunale Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1892 La Valletta/Malta  Teatro Reale  Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1892 Alessandria  Politeama Grа Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1893 Mantova  Teatro Sociale Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
1893 Livorno  Teatro Avvalorati Lohengrin (Elsa)
1894 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1894 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Gioconda (Gioconda)
1894 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Manon Lescaut (Manon)
1894 Buenos Ayres  Teatro dell'Opera Gioconda (Gioconda)
1894 Buenos Ayres  Teatro dell'Opera Lohengrin (Elsa)
1894 Buenos Ayres  Teatro dell'Opera Manon Lescaut (Manon)
1895 Montevideo  Nuovo Politeama Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1895 Montevideo  Nuovo Politeama Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1895 Torino Teatro Regio Manon Lescaut (Manon)
1895 Ravenna  Teatro Alighieri Manon Lescaut (Manon)
1896 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Boheme (Mimi)
1896 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Lohengrin (Elsa)
1896 Barcellona  Teatro Liceo Manon Lescaut (Manon)
1897 Barcellona  Teatro Liceo Gioconda (Gioconda)
1898 Fabriano  Teatro Gentile Manon Lescaut (Manon)
1899 Bari  Teatro Piccinni Boheme (Mimi)
1899 Buenos Ayres Teatro dell'Opera Boheme (Mimi)
1899 Buenos Ayres Teatro dell'Opera Gioconda (Gioconda)
1900 Ancona  Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Boheme (Mimi)
1900 Rio de Janeiro  Teatro Lirico Manon Lescaut (Manon)
1902 Milano Teatro alla Scala Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)
1904 Fabriano  Teatro Gentile Adriana Lecouvreur (Adriana)
1904 Este Teatro Sociale  Adriana Lecouvreur (Adriana)
1904 Modena  Teatro Storchi Boheme (Mimi)
1905 Catania  Teatro Bellini  Adriana Lecouvreur (Adriana)
1905 Fano  Teatro della Fortuna Lohengrin (Elsa)
1906 Catania  Teatro Bellini Boheme (Mimi)
1906 Catania  Teatro Bellini Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)
1906 Parma  Teatro Regio Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)
1906 Milano  Teatro Dal Verme Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)
1908 Palermo  Teatro Massimo Ballo in Maschera (Amelia)
1907 Fermo  Teatro Dell'Aquila Favorita (Leonora)
1907 Milano  Teatro alla Scala Gioconda (Laura)
1907 Roma  Teatro Adriano Gioconda (Laura)
1908 Reggio Emilia  Teatro Municipale Favorita (Leonora)
1908 Genova  Teatro Carlo Felice Gioconda (Laura)
1908 Palermo Teatro Massimo Gioconda (Laura)
1908 Palermo  Teatro Massimo Lohengrin (Ortruda)
1909 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)
1909 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Favorita (Leonora)
1909 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Gioconda (Laura)
1909 Reggio Emilia  Teatro Municipale Gioconda (Laura)
1909 Madrid  Teatro Reale Lohengrin (Ortruda)
1910 Madrid  Teatro Reale Gioconda (Laura)
1913 Genova  Teatro Carlo Felice Lohengrin (Ortruda)
1913 Bologna Teatro Comunale Lohengrin (Ortruda)
1914 Siena Teatro Della Lizza Favorita (Leonora)
1914 Trieste Politeama Rossetti Favorita (Leonora)
1914 Padova Teatro Verdi Lohengrin (Ortruda)
1915 Genova  Teatro Carlo Felice Gioconda (Laura)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1904-10

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Si, donna infame with Oreste Luppi 39062 XPh 53

Fonotipia, Milano 1904-12
L'ombra di Carmen (Tirindelli) 39023 XPh118

Fonotipia, Milano 1905-12-06

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Voi lo sapete o Mamma 39483 XPh1509
Ideale (Tosti) 39449 XPh1508 

Fonotipia, Milano 1905-12-16

Falstaff (Verdi): Quand'ero paggio with Antonio Magini-Coletti  39430  XPh 1533

Fonotipia, Milano 1906-02-21

Damnazione di Faust  (Berlioz): Perduta ho la mia pace 39484 XPh1640

Fonotipia, Milano 1906-03-10

Educande di Sorrento (Usiglio): Fa corraggio with Ferruccio Corradetti 39515 XPh 1694

Educande di Sorrento (Usiglio): Un bacio rendimi with Ferruccio Corradetti, 39516 XPh 1695

Fonotipia, Milano 1906-10-26

Le Maître de Chapelle (Paer): Cantar! with Ferruccio Corradetti 39880 XPh 2189

Le Maître de Chapelle (Paer): Perchè crudele rendimi with Ferruccio Corradetti 39881 XPh 2190

Fonotipia, Milano 1907-04-11

Due Gatti (Duetto comico imitativo) (Weyse, Rossini, arr Berthold) with Ferruccio Corradetti  62003 XPh2529

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-11-18

Gioconda (Ponchielli): L'amo come il fulgor with Ester Mazzoleni 92424 Xph 3651

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-11-30

Aida (Verdi): Gia I sacerdoti adunansi with Enzo Leliva Unpubl.  XPh 3700

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-12-02

Lohengrin (Wagner): Vendetta avrò with Eugenio Giraldoni 92953 XPh3716

Fonotipia, Milano 1908-12-12
Gioconda (Ponchielli): Voce di donna (w. chorus) 92396 XPh3744

Fonotipia, Milano 1909-03-05
Mignon (Thomas): Soffero hai tu with Nazzareno De Angelis 92934 XPh3822

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-02-07
Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini): Il vecchietto 92907 XPh4790

Fonotipia, Milano 1912-02-26
Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Re dell'abisso 92908 XPh4803

Fonotipia, Milano 1912
Gioconda (Ponchielli): L'amo come il fulgor with Emilia Corsi 92925

Ettore Bergamaschi (Tenor) (Bologna 1884 - Bologna 1975)

                                             

He made his debut in 1912 at the Municipal Theatre of Bari in ‘’Forza del destino’’. He had a successful career in Italian provincial theaters and also at La Scala. In 1922 he helped at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in the premiere of the opera ‘’Glauco’’ of Alberto Franchetti. In 1923 he guested at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna in the title role of Mascagni’s ‘’Il piccolo Marat’’, a part which he had sung already in 1922 in Piacenza where he was to be found then in 1928 again in ‘’Il piccolo Marat’’. This part which was probably his special star role he also repeated in 1923 at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa. He appeared with significant success at guest performances abroad, above all at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. In 1923 he sang at the Grand Opéra in Paris as Radames in ‘’Aida’’. Later he worked as a vocal pedagogue in Bologna.

Chronology of some appearances

1912 Bari Municipal Theatre Fanciulla del West (Trin)
1922 Naples Teatro San Carlo Il Piccolo Marat (Marat)
1923 Bologna Teatro Comunale Il Piccolo Marat (Marat)
1923 Genoa Teatro Carlo Felice Il Piccolo Marat (Marat)
1923 Paris Grand Opëra Rigoletto (Duca)
1926 Bologna Teatro Del Corso Andrea Chenier (Chenier)
1927 Lisbona Coliseo Recrejos AIDA (Radames)
1928 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Isabeau (Folco)
1929 Livorno Politeama Il Piccolo Marat (Marat)
1933 Vicenza Teatro Eretenio Il Piccolo Marat (Marat)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Fonografia Nazionale, Milano
Forza del destino (Verdi) Solenne in quest'ora with Carlo Tagliabue G 2055
Forza del destino (Verdi) Le minaccie with Giuseppe Noto 2057
Forza del destino (Verdi) Non si placa il mio furor with Giuseppe Noto 2058
Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Tra voi belle Dr 4661
Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Donna non vidi mai Dr 4661
Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Oh come gravi son le vostre parole with Zita Fumagalli Riva 2135
Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Vedi son io che piango with Zita Fumagalli Riva 2136
Andrea Chénier (Giordano) Vicino a te with Zita Fumagalli Riva 2132
Tosca (Puccini) Recondita armonia Dr 5043
Tosca (Verdi) Non la sospiri la nostra casetta with Valeria Manna  4605
Trovatore (Verdi) Ai nostri monti with Elvira Casazza 2043
Bohème (Puccini): Addio senza rancor with Zita Fumagalli Riva 2137
Bohème (Puccini): Quartetto with Zita Fumagalli Riva, Tagliabue & Poletti 2138
Tosca (Puccini) E lucean le stelle Dr 5044
Aida (Verdi) Già i sacerdoti adunansi with Elvira Casazza 2023
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Mamma, quel vino, e generoso 2221
Forza del destino (Verdi) La vita e inferno 1033
Forza del destino (Verdi) O tu che in seno all'infelice 1034
Piccolo Marat (Mascagni): C’ґera una volta  1057

Piccolo Marat (Mascagni): Va nella tua stanzetta with Maria Zamboni 1059

Piccolo Marat (Mascagni): Se viene l'alba with Maria Zamboni 1060

Piccolo Marat (Mascagni): Ah! Se tu m'ami Mariella 1063

Andrea Chenier (Giordano):  Improvviso 1071

Andrea Chenier (Giordano):  Improvviso 1072

Boheme (Puccini): O soave fanciulla with Zita Fumagalli Riva 1077

Boheme (Puccini): O Mimi, tu piu non torni with Carlo Tagliabue 1078

Aida (Verdi): Celeste Aida 4593

Aida (Verdi): Pur ti riveggo with Valeria Manna 2021

Aida (Verdi): Fuggiam gli ardori with Valeria Manna  2022

Aida (Verdi): La fatal pietra with Valeria Manna 2025

Aida (Verdi): O terra addio with Valeria Manna 2026

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Cielo e mar 2030

Trovatore (Verdi): Ai nostri monti with Elvira Casazza 2043

Aida (Verdi): Morir si pura e bella 4594

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vesti la giubba 4595

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): No, pagliaccio non son 4596

Trovatore (Verdi): Ah si, ben mio 4599

Trovatore (Verdi): Di quella pira 4600

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Ah, Manon, mi tradisce 4663

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Guardate no, pazzo son 4664

Fanciulla del West (Puccini): Ch’ella mi creda 5041

Fanciulla del West (Puccini): Or son sei mesi 5042

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Si, fui soldato 5045

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Come un bel di di maggio 5046

Carmen (Bizet) La fleur G 2035
Aida (Verdi): Sacerdote io resto a te with Manna & Granforte Dr4719
Aida (Verdi): Io son disonorato with Manna & Granforte Dr4720
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Tu qui Santuzza with Valeria Manna 2059
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Fior di giaggiolo with Valeria Manna & Anna Gramegna 2060
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): No no Turiddu with Valeria Manna 2061

Cesarina Valobra (Soprano) (La Spezia 1901 - Milan 1982)

She studied with Vittorio Vanza in Milan and debuted in 1923 at the Teatro Sociale in Como in Puccini’s ‘’La Bohème’’. In 1924 she appeared at La Scala as Lisa in Bellini’s ‘’La Sonnambula’’. In 1938 she appeared at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa in the premiere of the opera ‘’Donata’’ of Gaspare Scuderi. In 1939 she finished her career. She spent her old age in the Casa di riposo Verdi in Milan. At the beginning of her career she has also appeared under the name Cesarina Valobra-Barbieri.

Chronology of some appearances

1923 La Spezia Teatro Monteverdi Boheme (Mimè)
1925 Milano Teatro La Scala Orfeo ed Euridice (Amore)
1928 Milano Teatro La Scala Gianni Schicchi (Lauretta)
1930 Bologna Teatro Del Corso Guglielmo Tell (Matilde)
1934 Pisa Teatro Verdi Manon (Manon)
1938 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice DonatA di G. Scuderi

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Homokord 1929, Milano

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): In quelle trine morbide H 4326
Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Un bel di H 4326

Homokord 1930, Milano

Madama Butterfly (Puccini):  Duo act 1, pt I with Nino Piccaluga  H-9100-II

Madama Butterfly (Puccini):  Duo act 1, pt 2 with Nino Piccaluga  H-9100-I

Odeon 1935
Boheme (Puccini): O soave fanciulla with Lionello Cecil  O-6838 b

Boheme (Puccini): Qaurtetto with Lionello Cecil, Adelina Fiori and Carlo Martinengo O-6838 a

Elisa Bruno (Mezzo-Soprano) (Turin 1869 - ?)

She studied with Antonietta Fricci at the Liceo Musicale in Turin. She made her debut in 1890 at the opera house of Valencia as Cieca in ‘’La Gioconda’’. In the same year she appeared at the Teatro Politeama in Genoa as Siebel in ‘’Faust’’ and again as Cieca, from 1891-92 she sang at the Teatro Municipale in Modena among other things as Lola in ‘’Cavalleria rusticana’’. In the 1893-94 season she guested at the Teatro Grande in Brescia as Emilia in Verdi’s ‘’Otello’’ and appeared in the premiere of the opera ‘’Il Malacarne’’ of  G. Coronaro. Appeareances followed at the Teatro Alfieri in Turin, at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan (1894, in ‘’Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor’’ of Nicolai), at the Teatro Comunale in Ferrara (1895 as Mrs. Quickly in Verdi’s ‘’Falstaff’’), at the Teatro Sociale in Como and at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turin. In 1899 she sang at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa in Massenet’s opera ‘’Sapho’’ and in Mancinelli’s opera ‘’Ero e Leandro’’. In the 1898-99 season she had significant success at La Scala where she debuted as Edvige in Rossini’s ‘’Guglielmo Tell’’ and appeared in Wagner's operas ‘’Lohengrin’’ (as Ortrud) and ‘’Siegfried’’ (as Erda). At La Scala she also sang in Tchaikovsky’s ‘’Eugene Onegin’’ (as Olga). In 1900 She appeared with success as a soloist in Lorenzo Perosi’s oratorio ‘’La strage degli Innocenti’’ at Milan. In 1902 she sang at La Scala in Verdi’s ‘’Requiem’’ under the baton of Arturo Toscanini. At the Teatro Costanzi in Rome she appeared with big success from 1902 to 1906. At La Scala under the baton of Arturo Toscanini she sang in the première of  the opera ‘’Salome’’ (Richard Strauss, 26.12.1906). From 1906-09 she appeared at La Scala as Cieca in ‘’La Gioconda’’, as Lola in’’ Cavalleria rusticana’’', as  Bersi in ‘’Andrea Chénier’’ of Giordano, in the important première of Mussorgsky’s ‘’Boris Godunov’’ with Fedor Chaliapin in the title role (1909) and in the Italian première of the opera ‘’Theodora’’ of Xavier Leroux (1909). In 1905 she appeared at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna in the premiere of the opera ‘’Cassandra’’ of Vittorio Gnecchi in the title role. In 1907 she helped at the Teatro Regio in Turin in the Italian première of Massenet's opera ‘’Ariane’’ appearing as Persephone. She guested in 1900 at the Vienna Court Opera, in 1910 at the German theatre in Prague.

Chronology of some appearances

1892 Siena Teatro dei Rinnovati Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)
1893 Asti Teatro Alfieri Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)
1894 Torino Teatro Alfieri Cavalleria rusticana (Lola)
1897 Bari Teatro Piccinni Ballo in maschera (Ulrica)
1899 Padova  Teatro Garibaldi Carmen (Carmen)
1900 Pavia Teatro Guidi Carmen (Carmen)
1900 Feltre Teatro Sociale Carmen (Carmen)
1901 Genova Teatro Paganini Ballo in maschera (Ulrica)
1901 Cesena Teatro Comunale Carmen (Carmen)
1904 Roma Teatro Costanzi Ballo in maschera (Ulrica)
1905 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Adriana Lecouvreur (Principessa)
1912 Budapest Volgsopera Ballo in maschera (Ulrica)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

G&T, Milano 1902

Trovatore (Verdi): Stride la vampa 53227 1724G

Favorita (Donizetti): O mio Fernando 53137 4339G

Samson e Dalila (Saint-Saens):  Romanza di Dalila 53241 1726G

Linda di Chamounix (Donizetti): Racconto di Pierotto 53229 1728b

Pathe cylinders & discs, Milano 1905/1906

Gioconda (Ponchielli): A te questo rosario 86137

Fonotipia, Milano 1911-05-23

Trovatore (Verdi): Mal reggendo all'aspro assalto with Giovanni Zenatello 92880 XPh 4683

Trovatore (Verdi): Gia I sacerdoti with Giovanni Zenatello 92827 XPh 4685

Aida (Verdi): Misero appien mi festi with Giovanni Zenatello 92828 XPh 4686

Fonotipia, Milano 1911-06-09

Trovatore (Verdi): Non m'inganna quel fioco lume? with Giovanni Zenatello and Ester Mazzoleni  74168 XXPh 4710

Nini Frascani (Mezzo-Soprano) (Milan 1878 - ? 1935)

She studied with Cosentino and Puzzone at Naples. In 1899 she made her debut at Naples in ‘’La Favorita’’. In 1903 she was at La Scala as Fricka in the Italian première of Wagner’s ‘’Rheingold’’ and appeared there also as Principessa in ‘’Adriana Lecouvreur’’.  In 1909 she appeared as Neris in an important première of Cherubini’s opera ‘’Medea’’. In 1905 she guested at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in the premiere of Leopoldo Mugnone's opera ‘’Vita Bretonne’’. In 1904 she sang at Covent Garden London, in 1906 and from 1914-15 with big success she appeared at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. In 1906 in this same theatre she sang in ‘’La figlia di Jorio’’ of  Franchetti, in ‘’Rigoletto’’ and in ‘’Walkure’’; on  4. 8. 1914 she helped in the same house in the premiere of the opera ‘’El Sueño d'Alma'’’ of Carlos López Buchardo. In 1909 she again appeared at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, this time  as queen in ‘’Amleto’’ of  A. Thomas, in 1911 at the Teatro Regio in Parma she guested as Laura in ‘’La Gioconda’’. Since 1909 she had at Scala a persistently successful career; she helped there among other things in 1911 in the première of the opera ‘’Ariane et Barbe-bleue’’ of  Dukas. In 1913 she appeared at the Verdi-commemorative celebrations in many big Italian theaters. Thus she sang at the Teatro Regio in Parma in Verdi's operas ‘’Oberto’’ and ‘’Nabucco’’. She married the tenor Gaetano Tommasini and appeared with him in North America. In 1921 with Favorita Opera Company in Manhattan Theatre, New York, later with San Carlo Opera Company. During the 1930s she picked up her career and then lived in Milan where she opened together with Gaetano Tommasini an opera studio.

Chronology of some appearances

1903 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Favorita (Leonora)
1904 Milano  Teatro Lirico Adraiana Lecouvreur (Principessa)
1904 Londra  Covent Garden Rigoletto (Maddalena)
1905 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Adraiana Lecouvreur (Principessa)
1905 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Gioconda (Laura)
1908 Oporto  Teatro S. Joao  Favorita (Leonora)
1908 Trieste  Anfiteatro Fenice Favorita (Leonora)
1909 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Carmen (Carmen)
1909 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Guglielmo Ratcliff (Margherita)
1910 Venezia  Teatro Rossini Carmen (Carmen)
1910 Brescia  Teatro Grande Don Carlo (Eboli)
1911 Padova  Teatro Verdi Carmen (Carmen)
1911 Parma  Teatro Regio Gioconda (Laura)
1912 Bergamo  Teatro Donizetti Carmen (Carmen)
1912 Bologna  Teatro Comunale Don Carlo (Eboli)
1912 Napoli  Teatro Mercadante Favorita (Leonora)
1913 Madrid Teatro Reale Carmen (Carmen)
1913 Madrid  Teatro Reale Favorita (Leonora)
1913 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Carmen (Carmen)
1913 Trieste  Teatro Verdi Carmen (Carmen)
1913 Torino  Teatro Regio Don Carlo (Eboli)
1915 Piacenza  Teatro Municipale Carmen (Carmen)
1915 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Colon Carmen (Carmen)
1915 Firenze  Teatro Della Pergola Carmen (Carmen)
1916 Valencia  Teatro Principal Carmen (Carmen)
1917 Venezia  Teatro Rossini Carmen (Carmen)
1917 Milano  Teatro Dal Verme Favorita (Leonora)
1918 Genova  Politeama Genovese Gioconda (Laura)
1919 Mantova Teatro Andreani Carmen (Carmen)
1919 Ascoli Piceno  Teatro Ventidio Basso Carmen (Carmen)
1919 Urbino  Teatro Sanzio Gioconda (Cieca)
1920 Roma  Teatro Nazionale Carmen (Carmen)
1920 Napoli Politeama Giacosa Don Carlo (Eboli)
1920 Livorno  Teatro Avvalorati Gioconda (Laura)
1921 Prato  Teatro Metastasio Carmen (Carmen)
1921 Brooklyn  Academy of Music Carmen (Carmen)
1921 New York  Lexington Theater Carmen (Carmen)
1921 New York  Manhattan Theater Carmen (Carmen)
1921 New York  Manhattan Opera House Favorita (Leonora)
1921 New York Teatro Manhattan Gioconda (Laura)
1921 Philadelphia  Teatro Metropolitan Carmen (Carmen)
1922 Los Angeles  Philarmonic Auditorium Carmen (Carmen)
1922 Los Angeles Philarmonic Auditorium Lohengrin (Ortruda)
1922 Edmondton  Empress Theater Carmen (Carmen)
1922 St. Louis Odeon Theater Carmen (Carmen)
1922 Buffalo Teck Theater Carmen (Carmen)
1923 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Adraiana Lecouvreur (Principessa)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

G&T, Milano 1904-04

Crepuscolo triste (Giordano) 053048 312¹/2i

Fonotipia, Milano 1906-02-26

Aida (Verdi): Misero appien mi festi with Giovanni Zenatello 39528 Xph 1663

Aida (Verdi): Gia i sacerdoti with Giovanni Zenatello 39527 Xph1664

Fonotipia, Milano 1910-12-03

Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saens): S'apre per te il mio cor with Mario Gilion 92855 XPh4431

Trovatore (Verdi): Ai nostri monti with Mario Gilion 92856  XPh4433

Columbia, Milano 1912?

Carmen (Bizet): Scene delle carte A1634  11153

Carmen (Bizet): Pressa il bastian di Siviglia D5504 11154
Favorita (Donizetti) O mio Fernando D 4308

Pathe, Milano 1918?

Gioconda (Ponchielli): L'amo come il fulgor with Celestina Boninsegna 86599 12565

Aida (Verdi): Duetto, act 2 with Celestina Boninsegna 86600 12565

Alice Cucini (Mezzo-Soprano) (? 1870 – Milan 1949)

She made her professional opera debut in 1891 at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples as Lola in Cavalleria rusticana, a role which she repeated later that year at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome. She spent the next several years singing in performances throughout Italy, including productions in Trieste, Milan, Venice, and Florence. In 1897 she sang the role of Dalila in Camille Saint-Saëns's Samson et Dalila at the Teatro Regio di Torino to great acclaim. Cucini became particularly associated with this role and portrayed in numerous productions throughout the next fourteen years, including the Teatro Comunale di Bologna (1899), Teatro Donizetti di Bergamo (1900), Teatro Regio di Parma (1902), Teatro Colón (1910), and a few performances of the role in Spain. In 1898 Cucini traveled to Russia where she sang in several operas in Saint Petersburg and portrayed the role of Gertrude in Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet in Odessa. In 1901 and 1902 she sang at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and the Solís Theatre in Montevideo, notably portraying Amneris in Giuseppe Verdi's Aida and as Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore. This was the beginning of a fruitful career in South America that lasted until 1910. In 1903 Cucini made an extensive tour of South America with lauded soprano Hariclea Darclée. Over the next seven years she made frequent appearances in operas and concerts in major cities throughout South America. Her last season on that continent was in 1910 and was spent mainly at the Teatro Colón. That year she notably sang the title role in Gaspare Spontini's La Vestale and sang in the world premiere of Giocondo Fino's Il Battista along with Adelina Agostinelli and Giuseppe de Luca. After 1910, Cucini spent the remaining part of her career singing in major opera houses throughout Italy. During the final four years of her career, the only major opera house In Italy she did not appear in was La Scala. She retired from the stage not too long after the outbreak of World War I. She spent her last few years at a rest home for aged musicians that Verdi had donated to the city of Milan. 

Chronology of some appearances

1891 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Cavalleria Rusticana (Lola)
1891 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Cavalleria Rusticana (Lola)
1893 Palermo  Politeama Cavalleria Rusticana (Lola)
1896 Madrid  Teatro Buen Retiro Ballo in Maschera (Ulrica)
1896 Madrid  Teatro Buen Retiro Carmen (Carmen)
1896 Madrid  Teatro Buen Retiro Favorita (Leonora)
1896 Venezia  Teatro Rossini Favorita (Leonora)
1898 Odessa  Teatro Municipale Favorita (Leonora)
1901 Firenze  Teatro Verdi Favorita (Leonora)
1902 Vienna  Un der Wien Favorita (Leonora)
1902 Bergamo  Teatro Nuovo Favorita (Leonora)
1902 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Opera Favorita (Leonora)
1903 Rosario di Santa Fê  Teatro Olimpo Ballo in Maschera (Ulrica)
1904 Rosario di Santa Fê  Teatro Colon Favorita (Leonora)
1906 Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Don Carlo (Eboli)
1906 Lisbona  Coliseo Recrejos Favorita (Leonora)
1907 Buenos Ayres  Teatro Coliseo Ballo in Maschera (Ulrica)
1908 Verona  Teatro Drammatico Favorita (Leonora)
 

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Zonophone, Milano 1903?
Mignon (Thomas): Non conosci il bel suol? X-1583
Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns): O aprile foriero X-1578

Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saens): S'apre per te il mio cor  X-1579

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Voce di donna X-1586

G&T, MIlano 1906

Favorita (Donizetti): O mio Fernando 053080 601½c

G&T, Milano 1907
Trovatore (Verdi): Stride la vampa 53500 10372b

Gina Ciaparelli-Viafora (Soprano) (Novara 1881 - New York 1936)

                                  Gina Ciaparelli-Viafora (seated) and Evelyn Herbert

She studied at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia  in Rome with M. Falchi and began her career in Italy under her real name Gina Ciaparelli. Probably her debut occurred in 1894 at the Teatro Nuova Fenice in Osimo. In 1907 she moved her to the USA. After she had married there conductor Viafora, she began to appear on the stage as Gina Viafora. In 1910 she guested at the Metropolitan opera, New York as Mimi in ‘’La Bohème’’ together with Enrico Caruso as Rodolfo. Later she opened in New York a singing school.

Chronology of some appearances

1894 Osimo Teatro Nuova Fenice Carmen (Micaela)
1908 Novi Ligure Politeama Marenco Ballo in Maschera (Ulrica)
1909 Pisa Teatro Rossi Ballo in Maschera (Ulrica)
1910 Terni Politeama Ballo in Maschera (Ulrica)
1911 Catanzaro Teatro Comunale Manon Lescaut (Musico)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Bettini cylinders, New York 1900?

Carmen (Bizet): Ti baciava mia madre with Dante Del Papa 
Aida (Verdi): Nel fiero anelito with Dante Del Papa 
Aida (Verdi): Morir si pura e bella...O terra addio with Dante Del Papa
Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Non sai tu…O qual soave brivido with Dante Del Papa
Forza del Destino (Verdi): Ah! per sempre 
Martha (Flotow): Il suo sguardo e dolce incanto 
Aida (Verdi): Ed in suo potere io sto…Rivedrai le foreste with Alberto De Bassini 
Traviata (Verdi): Parigi, o cara with Dante Del Papa
Ruy Blas (Marchetti): Duetto Maria – Sallustio with Alberto De Bassini

Columbia, Milano 1905?
Carmen (Bizet): Mia madre with Jose Garcia 10469 10469

Columbia, New York 1905?
Trovatore (Verdi): Mira d'acerbe with Taurino Parvis (orch) 3524
Carmen (Bizet): Habanera 3144 E441
Addio (Tosti) 3274 3038

Columbia, New York 1906

Don Giovanni (Mozart): La ci darem la mano with Taurino Parvis A 5026 30030
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Duetto Nedda-Tonio with  Taurino Parvis  30035 A5011
Morremo (attr Mozart) with Taurino Parvis A528
Ernani (Verdi) Da quel dì with Taurino Parvis 30032, A5025

Columbia, Milano 1907?

Lombardi (Verdi): Qual voluttа with Oreste Mieli and Augusto Dado 10631
Forza del destino (Verdi): Terzetto wth Dadò & Mieli 10630 E104
Rigoletto (Verdi): Quartetto with Mieli, Baldassare & Correa 10633

Victor, New York 1908-03-10

Boheme (Puccini): Addio, dolce svegliare with Geraldine Farrar, Enrico Caruso, Antonio Scotti 96003 C6025-1

Victor, Camden 1908-05-14

Boheme (Puccini): Mi chiamano Mimi  Unpubl. C6196-1
Boheme (Puccini): Musetta Waltz 64085 

Oreste Mieli (Mielino) (Tenor) (Galbiate, near Como 1870 - Galbiate, near Como 1924)

http://www.lavoceantica.it/

His career seems to have happened primarily in Italian provincial theatres. In 1900 he sang at the Teatro Sociale in Rovigo as Andrea Chenier in Giordano’s ‘’Andrea Chénier’’, on 17. 1. 1901 in one of six premieres of Mascagni’s opera ‘’Le Maschere’’ at the Teatro Regio in Turin as Florindo. On 30. 11. 1904 he helped at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turin in the premiere of the opera ‘’Risurrezione’’ of Alfano as prince Dimitri. By the end of his career he started to appear as baritone. He finished his career approximately in 1915.

Chronology of some appearances

1892 Ravenna Teatro Mariani Favorita (Alfonso)
1894 Caltagirone Teatro Garibaldi Forza del Destino (Melitone)
1898 Sassari Politeama Verdi Boheme (Rodolfo)
1903 Verona Teatro Drammatico Carmen (Don Josì)
1906  Lonigo Teatro Comunale Carmen (Don Josì)
1908 Torino Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)
1910 Rimini Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Africana (Nelusko)
1913 Pola Teatro Ciscutti Tosca (Scarpia)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

Zonophone, Milano 1901 (late)
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Bada Santuzza with Ida Sambo 509

Pathe-AICC cylinders & discs, Milano 1902?
Eugenio Onegin (Tchaikovsky): Qual sorte arrechi il nuovo sole

Carmen (Bizet): Mia madre io veggo ancor with Ida Sambo

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): La tua Santuzza with Ida Sambo

Africana (Meyerbeer):  O paradiso

Ernani (Verdi): Come rugiada al cespite 86141

Ruy Blas (Marchetti): Bene, signor!

Otello (Verdi): Si, pel ciel marmoreo giuro with Giovanni Milani

Pescatori di perle (Bizet): Del tempio al limitar with Giovanni Milani

Zonophone, Milano 1902-09
Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Tra voi belle 10655
Aida (Verdi): Morir, si pura e bella 10656
Africana (Meyerbeer): O paradiso X-1824

Fedora  (Giordano): Vedi io piango  10695

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Ah! non v'avvicinate X-1798

Traviata  (Verdi): Brindisi with  Ida Sambo X 1834

Tosca (Puccini): E lucevan le stelle X-92036
Iris (Mascagni): Apri la tua finestra 10682
Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna e  mobile 10662
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): O Colombina 10668
Rigoletto (Verdi) Bella figlia dell'amore 10702
O sole mio (di Capua) X-1890
Manon Lescaut (Puccini): Donna non vidi mai X-1797
Lohengrin (Wagner) S'ei torna alfin X-1819
Serenata (Schubert) 10728
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Un grande spettacolo 10707
Amico Fritz (Mscagni): O amore, o bella luce del core X-1682
Forza del destino (Verdi): O tu che in seno X-1820
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vesti la giubba X-1800
Andrea Chénier (Giordano): Un dì all'azzurro X-1860
Bohème (Puccini): Ci lasceremo alla stagion dei fiori with Ida Sambo X-1839
Ruy Blas (Marchetti) O dolce voluttà with Ida Sambo X-1837
Tosca (Puccini) O dolci mani with Ida Sambo X-1864
Amico Fritz (Mascagni): Tutto tace with Ida Sambo  X-1863
Forza del destino (Verdi): Solenne in quest'ora with Vincenzo Reschiglian X-1835
Ernani (Verdi) Terzetto with Ida Sambo & Ettore Brancaleoni X-1846

Zonophone, Milano 1903-04
Trovatore (Verdi): Miserere with Ida Sambo X-2552
Adriana Lecouvreur (Cilea): No, più nobile sei X-2555
Adriana Lecouvreur (Cilea): La dolcissima effige X-2554

Columbia, Milano 1903?

Mefistofele (Boito):  Dai campi, dai prati 10008

O sole mio (Di Capua)  10009
Gioconda (Ponchielli) Cielo e mar 10019

Zonophone, Milano 1904-12

Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Si, fui soldato 92042

Gioconda (Ponchielli): Cielo e mar X-92041 H253L

Carmen (Bizet): Il fior X-92037

Mignon (Thomas): Addio X-92043

Lohengrin (Wagner): Racconto del Graal X-92034

Columbia, Milano 1905

Rigoletto (Verdi) Questa o quella 10479 D4010

Zonophone, Milano 1905

Faust (Gounod): Tardi si fa with Tina Scognamiglio X-94011

Bohème (Puccini): Mimi è tanto malata 92049

Puritani (Bellini): A te o cara X-92069

Traviata (Verdi): Parigi o cara with Tina Scognamiglio X-94010
Traviata (Verdi): Prendi, quest'è l'imagine with Tina Scognamiglio & Luigi Prestini X-94014

Edison 2-min cylinders

Fra Diavolo (Auber): Quell'uom dal fiero aspetto 12464

Norma (Bellini): Me protegge, me difende  12452

Pathé, Milano 1906?
Ernani (Verdi) Come rugiada al cespite 86141
Favorita (Donizetti) Spirto gentil 86104
Trovatore (Verdi): Ah, sì ben mio 86107
Mattinata (Leoncavallo) 86101

Columbia, Milano 1907?

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Per me d'immenso 10617

Lombardi (Verdi): Qual voluttа with Dado & Ciaparelli 10631

Rigoletto (Verdi): Quartetto with Baldassare, Ciaparelli & Correa 10633

Forza del destino (Verdi): Terzetto with Dadò & Ciaparelli 10630 E104

Columbia, Milano 1908?
Ernani (Verdi) Vieni meco sol di rose D 4179
Ernani (Verdi): O sommo Carlo (w. chorus) D417 10783
Faust (Gounod) Aria (w. chorus) D 4180 

Trovatore (Verdi): Il balen D 4178 10787

Pietro Venerandi (Tenor) (?1875 - ?)

 Otello

                                             

Probably he made his debut in 1897 at the Teatro Minerva in Udine as Turiddu in ‘’Cavalleria rusticana’’. In 1902 he sang at the Teatro Comunale in Piacenza as Radames in ‘’Aida’’ and in Verdi’s ‘’Ernani’’. In 1905 he appeared at the Italian opera in Holland. He also sang with success in USA.  Still in 1913 as a member of the Aborn Grand opera Company he appeared in New York.

Chronology of some appearnces

1897  Udine Teatro Minerva Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)      
1899  Milano Teatro Filodrammatici Stagione
1901  Catania Teatro Principe di Napoli Ernani (Ernani)
1903  Piacenza Teatro Municipale Aida (Radames)
1905  Amsterdam Paleis Voor Volksvlijt Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)
1907  Piacenza Teatro Municipale Trovatore (Manrico)
1909  Trani Teatro Comunale Otello (Otello)
1911  Alessandria Teatro Verdi Fedora (Loris)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Pathe-AICC cylinders & discs, Milano 1903?

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vesti la giubba 84106

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Un grande spettacolo 84118

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Duvunque al mondo lo
Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Amore o grillo

Columbia, Milano 1904?

Trovatore (Verdi): Di quella pira 10400

Otello (Verdi): Niun mi tema 10470

Ernani (Verdi) Solingo errante e misero 10398

Pathe, Milano 1906?

Traviata (Verdi): Un di, felice with  Tina Scognamiglio 86187

Odeon
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Un tal gioco 37140

Zonophone, Milano 1905-08/09
Ernani (Verdi): Come rugiada al cespite X-92065