Description

ALESSANDRO ZILIANI (BUSSETTO, 3 JUNE, 1906 – MILAN, 18 FEBRUARY, 1977)

 

 

 

 

Education: He studied singing under Alfredo Cecchi in Milan.

Debut: He made his debut in 1928 at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan as Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly.

Early Career: In 1930, he performed at the Italian Opera in Holland, and in 1932, he joined the Teatro alla Scala. He made a notable appearance on February 28, 1932, as the title role in the world premiere of Arrigo Pedrollo’s Primavera Fiorentina. He also sang the role of Enzo in La Gioconda by A. Ponchielli in 1934.

Career Highlights: He remained a prominent figure at the Teatro alla Scala until 1946, with interruptions during the war years. At La Scala, he appeared in the premiere of O. Respighi’s Maria Egiziaca in 1934 and had significant roles such as Paolo in Francesca da Rimini and Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly. On March 5, 1931, he sang in the premiere of E. Wolf-Ferrari’s La vedova scaltra in Rome and also took part in the premieres of works by Peragallo, Pannain, and Pedrollo.

Further Performances: In 1940, he was Kalaf in the Italian premiere of F. Busoni’s Turandot, and in 1942, he sang at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in the premiere of Guido Pannain’s Beatrice Cenci. He also had successful engagements at the San Francisco Opera (1938), in Zurich (1934), and at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. During WWII, he performed in Germany at the State Operas of Vienna, Berlin, and Munich.

Later Career: Post-WWII, he continued to perform primarily in Italy. He was active as a concert singer and performed on stage until 1956, including a notable role as Siegfried in Götterdämmerung in Palermo (1955). He also appeared in the world premiere of J. Napoli’s I Pescatori at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in 1954.

Additional Ventures: He participated in operettas and sound films in Italy and Germany.

Personal Life: He was married to soprano Mafalda Favero (1903–1981).

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Bohème (Puccini) Che gelida manina DB2521 2BA570 HMV, Milano 1935-05-29

Bohème (Puccini) O soave fanciulla (w. Favero) DB2521 2BA561 HMV, Milano 1935-04-24

Dame Blanche (Boïeldieu) Vieni, o divina donna DA1450 0RA798 HMV, Berlin 1935-10-13

Fanciulla del West (Puccini) Ch’ella mi creda DA1483 0BA1300 HMV, Milano 1936-04-30

Fedora (Giordano) Amor ti vieta DA1424 0BA572 HMV, Milano 1935-05-29

Fedora (Giordano) Vedi, io piango (w. Oltrabella) DB2859, 2BA1341 HMV, Milano 1936-05

Francesa da Rimini (Zandonai) Benvenuto, signore mio cognato with Gina Cigna Telefunken SK 3301 3302 026533-026536

Funiculi, funiculà (Denza) DA1450 0RA799 HMV, Berlin 1935-10-13

Io canto per te (Serenata) (Borgmann) DA1532 2BA1585 HMV, Milano 1936-10-16

Königin der Liebe (Film Liebeslied) (Borgmann) DA4410 0RA861 HMV, Berlin 1935-11-05

Lohengrin (Wagner) Mai devi domandarmi (w. Caniglia) DB2859 2BA1340 HMV, Milano 1936-05

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Addio, fiorito asil (with Afro Poli) SK 10499 026510 Telefunken, Milano, June 1942

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Bimba dagli occhi… Io t’ho ghermita (w. Favero) DB2894 DB2894 2BA1381 2BA1382 HMV, Milano 1936-05-21

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Dovunque al mondo (with Afro Poli) SK 10499 026508 Telefunken, Milano, June 1942

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Donna non vidi mai DA1423 0RA571 HMV, Milano 1935-05-29

Sei la mia regina (Borgmann) DA1532 2BA1584 HMV, Milano 1936-10-27

Serenata (Mascagni) DA1424 0BA569 HMV, Milano 1935-05-28

Turandot (Puccini) Nessun dorma DA1423, 0RA562 HMV, Milano 1935-04-24

Turandot (Puccini) Non piangere, Liù DA1483 0BA1301 HMV, Milano 1936-04-30