Description

PAOLO WULMAN (ROME, 1863 – MILAN, 1922)

 

 

 

 

He studied singing in Rome with Ottavio Bartolini and likely made his debut in 1884 at the Teatro Regio in Parma in Ambroise Thomas’ Mignon. By 1888, he was performing at the Politeama Genovese in Genoa, where he took on the role of Mefistofele in Gounod’s Faust. Between 1889 and 1891, he expanded his career with guest performances in Montevideo and Lisbon.

In 1897, he performed at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, where he shared the stage with the legendary tenor Enrico Caruso in Ponchielli’s La Gioconda. His career continued to flourish as he appeared on major Italian stages, notably performing in 1904 at La Scala as the King in Verdi’s Aida, alongside renowned artists Giannina Russ, Rose Olitzka, Emilio De Marchi, and Riccardo Stracciari.

The following year, in 1905, he was part of the ensemble of the Sonzogno Compagnia, which delivered a sensational performance at the Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt in Paris. There, he performed in Orefice’s Chopin with Adelina Stehle-Garbin and Amedeo Bassi. That same year, he also guested at Covent Garden in London.

In 1907, he joined the Milan Grand Opera Company for a North American tour. His career reached a pinnacle during the 1909-10 season when he was engaged by the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In 1910, he participated in the premiere of Alberto Franchetti’s Germania, performing alongside Emmy Destinn and Enrico Caruso.

His likely last appearance was at the Politeama Mafalda in Mogliano. After retiring from the stage, he dedicated himself to teaching, passing on his expertise to the next generation of singers.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1884 Parma Teatro Regio Mignon (Lotario)

1886 Palermo Politeama Aida (Ramfis)

1888 Genova Politeama Genovese Faust (Mefistofele)

1890 Roma Teatro Argentina Barbiere di Siviglia (Don Basilio)

1893 Roma Teatro Costanzi Barbiere di Siviglia (Don Basilio)

1895 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Manon Lescaut (Geronte)

1897 Palermo Teatro Massimo Gioconda (Alvise)

1899 Odessa Teatro Municipale Amleto (Re Claudio)

1902 Milano Teatro Lirico Mignon (Lotario)

1904 Milano Teatro La Scala Madama Butterfly (Zio Bonzo)

1906 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Barbiere di Siviglia (Don Basilio)

1908 New Orleans Opera Stagione

1910 New York Teatro Metropolitan Germania (Luigi)

1911 Mogliano Politeama Mafalda Barbiere di Siviglia (Don Basilio)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Mefistofele (Boito): Ave signor X-1762 Zonophone, Milano 1902
2. Mefistofele (Boito):  Ecco il mondo X-1761 Zonophone, Milano 1902
3. Simon Boccanegra (Verdi): Il lacerato spirto X-1766 Zonophone, Milano 1902
4. Faust (Gounod): Serenata X-1767 Zonophone, Milano 1902
5. Stabat Mater (Rossini) Pro peccatis X-1769 Zonophone, Milano 1902
6. Mefistofele (Boito) Son lo soirito che nega X-1774 Zonophone, Milano 1902
7. Bohème (Puccini) Vecchia zimarra X-1775 Zonophone, Milano 1902
8. Faust (Gounod): Rammenta i lieti dì 10309 84019 Pathé-AICC cylinders & discs, Milano 1903?
9. Mefistofele (Boito) Ecco il mondo Pathe 84030 Pathé-AICC cylinders & discs, Milano 1903?
10. Mefistofele (Boito) Ave Signor Pathe 84031 Pathé-AICC cylinders & discs, Milano 1903?
11. Boheme (Puccini): Vecchia zimarra 10201 84042 Pathé-AICC cylinders & discs, Milano 1903?
12. Ernani (Verdi) Infelice 4280 Pathé cylinders & discs, Paris 1905-04?
13. Faust (Gounod) Serenata 4289 Pathé cylinders & discs, Paris 1905-04?
14. Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti): Vieni la mia vendetta… Qualunque sia l’evento 10292, 10292, 4281, 4282 Pathé cylinders & discs, Paris 1905-04?
15. Juive (Halévy): Voi che del Dio vivente Pathé-AICC cylinders & discs 84039
16. Stabat Mater (Rossini): Pro peccatis 89040 Pathé
17. Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Corale X-1768 Zonophone, Milano 1902
18. Gioconda (Ponchielli): Ombre di mia prosapia 4284 Pathé cylinders & discs, Paris 1905-04?
19. Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Corale di Marcello 84055 Pathé-AICC cylinders & discs, Milano 1903?