Description

BIANCA BESALÚ (BUENOS AIRES, 1879 – BUENOS AIRES, 1935)

 

 

 

 

After studying singing under Cleofonte Campanini and Eva Tetrazzini in Italy, she debuted as Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana at the Teatro Sociale. Her initial repertoire leaned towards dramatic soprano roles, including Leonora in Il Trovatore and Margherita in La damnation de Faust.

A significant turning point came after a grand tour through Greece and Egypt in 1910, when she resumed her studies in Italy and transitioned to mezzo-soprano roles. This decision marked a new phase in her career, and she gained recognition in 1913 with performances at the opera houses in Nice and Monte Carlo. Over the next decade, she appeared at prominent venues across Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland, showcasing her talent to enthusiastic audiences.

In 1923, she returned to her native Argentina and made her debut there at the Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires. Two years later, in 1925, she performed at the Teatro Liceo in Barcelona. After retiring from the stage, she dedicated herself to teaching the next generation of singers in Buenos Aires, continuing to contribute to the world of opera.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1908 Corfu Teatro Nuovo Forza del Destino (Leonora)

1911 Padova Teatro Verdi Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)

1915 Genova Politeama Genovese Trovatore (Azucena)

1918 Modena Teatro Storchi Gioconda (Laura)

1919 Mantova Teatro Andreani Trovatore (Azucena)

1920 Prato Teatro Metastasio Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1923 Buenos Ayres Teatro Coliseo Aida (Amneris)

1925 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Aida (Amneris)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Turiddu mi tolse l’onore with Ernesto Badini 55021-B Victor, USA 1910-11-24
2. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Tu qui, Santuzza with Guido Ciccolini 054297 222aj Gramophone, Milano 1910-11-25
3. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Ah no, Turiddu wtth Guido Ciccolini 054298 223aj Gramophone, Milano 1910-11-25
4. Andrea Chenier (Giordano): Vicino a te with Francesco Conti 54468 947ah Gramophone, Milano 1910-12-10
5. Trovatore (Verdi): Parlar non vuoi with Ferdinando De Neri and Teresa Principe A82557 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1911?
6. Conte di Lussemburgo (Lehar): Duetto del Trefile with Edoardo Mario Pagani 82599 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1911?
7. Trovatore (Verdi): Vivra! Contende il giubilo with Giuseppe Del Chiaro A82625 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1911?
8. Trovatore (Verdi): Mira d’acerbe lagrime with Giuseppe Del Chiaro A82624 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1911?
9. Gioconda (Ponchielli): Dal carcere m’hai tratto with Carlo Albani A82628 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1911?
10. Gioconda (Ponchielli): O furibonda iena with Carlo Albani A82629 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1911?
11. Trovatore (Verdi): Un istante almen with Arminio Ballistini and Carlo Albani 110143 Xm1546 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1911?
12. Aida (Verdi): Fuggiam gli ardori with Alfredo Braglia Phonodisc Mindial 674 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1912?
13. Forza del destino (Verdi): La vergine degli angeli D4353 11251 Columbia, Milano 1912?
14. Mefistofele (Boito): L’altra notte in fondo al mare D 9277 11278 Columbia, Milano 1912?
15. Trovatore (Verdi) Di geloso amor with Gino Martinez-Patti and Luigi Baldassarri Phonodisc Mondial 477