Description

FRANCESCO BRAVI (1872 – 1906)

 

 

 

He likely made his debut in 1898 at the Teatro Metastasio in Regio in Guglielmo Branca’s La figlia di Jorio. Despite his short career, he performed not only in Italy but also in Odessa, Egypt, Santiago de Chile, Lisbon, London, and Madrid.

In some productions, he sang alongside his wife, soprano Linda Cannetti. For instance, in 1899, they appeared together in Lohengrin at the Teatro Civico in Cagliari and again in 1900 at the same theater, where he performed the role of Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème.

Unfortunately, his promising career was cut short when he died young from severe uricemia.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1898 Regio Teatro Metastasio La figlia di Jorio (Guglielmo Branca)

1899 Cagliari Teatro Civico Lohengrin (Richard Wagner)

1900 Cagliari Teatro Civico Boheme (Giacomo Puccini)

 

 

ANTONIO FASSINO (PIOBESI TORINESE, 1874 – PADUA, 1913)

 

 

 

 

He began his musical journey singing in the choruses of Milan and Turin before starting his career as a baritone. Later, he transitioned to tenor, making his second debut in 1902 at the Politeama Armandi in Asti as Pollione in Norma. In 1904, he performed as Alvaro in La Forza del Destino at the Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo.

In 1906, he embarked on a successful South American tour, with notable performances at the Teatro Solís in Montevideo and the Teatro Victoria in Rio de Janeiro. In 1908, as part of Pietro Mascagni’s opera troupe, he participated in the Italian tour of Mascagni’s new opera Amica, appearing at venues such as the Politeama Genovese in Genoa, Teatro Costanzi in Rome, Politeama Rossetti in Trieste, and Teatro Ristori in Verona.

In 1907, Fassino also sang at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Andrea Chénier by Umberto Giordano. Married to soprano Giuseppina Cinzano from Turin since 1907, he tragically passed away suddenly in 1913 during an engagement in Padua.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1902 Asti Politeama Armandi Norma (Pollione)

1904 Bergamo Teatro Donizetti Forza del Destino (Alvaro)

1906 Montevideo Teatro Urquiza Aida (Radames)

1906 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Victoria Guarany (Pery)

1907 Torino Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Andrea Chenier (Chenier)

1908 Genova Politeama Genovese Gloria di A. Cilea (Lionetto)

1908 Roma Teatro Costanzi Gloria di A. Cilea (Lionetto)

1908 Trieste Politeama Rossetti Amica (Giorgio)

1908 Verona Teatro Ristori Amica (Giorgio)

 

 

FRANCESCO FAZZINI

 

 

 

He initially debuted as a baritone in 1900 at the Teatro Manzoni in Pistoia, performing the role of David in Mascagni’s L’Amico Fritz. However, by 1903, Fazzini transitioned to tenor roles, making his second debut as Loris in Giordano’s Fedora. His career gained momentum, and in 1906, he appeared at Covent Garden in London as Don José in Carmen, performing alongside renowned artists Angelo Scandiani and Louise Kirkby Lunn.

In 1913, Fazzini took on the challenging title role of Verdi’s Otello at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, where he was joined by Enrico Nani and Sara Fidelia Solari. Around 1920, as his career progressed, Fazzini shifted towards comprimario (supporting) roles, continuing to contribute to the operatic stage in a different capacity.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1903 La Spezia Politeama Duca di Genova Fedora (Loris)

1904 Forlê Teatro Comunale Cavalleria rusticana (Turiddu)

1905 Savona Teatro Chiabrera Andrea Chenier (Chenier)

1906 London Covent Garden Carmen (Don Jose)

1907 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Amore e Perdizione di J. Arroyo (Baltasaar)

1908 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Carmen (Don Josæ)

1909 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Aida (Radames)

1910 Madrid Teatro Reale Colomba di A. Vives

1911 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Aida (Radames)

1912 Palermo Teatro Massimo Otello (Otello)

1913 Venice Teatro La Fenice Otello (Otello)

1914 Torino Teatro Regio Otello (Otello)

1915 La Spezia Politeama Duca di Genova Concerto

1917 Venezia Teatro Rossini Fedora (Loris)

 

 

UMBERTO SACCHETTI (SAN PIETRO IN CASALE, BOLOGNA, 1874 – ? 1944)

 

 

 

 

He studied singing in Bologna under the vocal pedagogues Corsi and Verati and made his debut in 1903 at the Teatro Sociale of Argenta in P. Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. In 1906, as a member of the operetta company “Gordini e Marchetti,” he appeared at the Teatro Olimpia in Milan. In 1908, he sang at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Messina as Turiddu in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.

In 1906, he traveled to the United States, returning again in 1911 to continue his career, during which he performed in both vaudeville and opera. He appeared with success in New Orleans, Washington, Boston, Fitchburg, and Winnipeg. Probably for the last time, he sang the role of Edgardo in G. Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor at the Teatro Morgana in Rome in 1920.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1903 Argenta Teatro Sociale

1906 Milano Teatro Olimpia

1908 Messina Teatro Vittorio Emanuele

1920 Roma Teatro Morgana

 

 

FORTUNATO DE ANGELIS (ROME, 1882 – ?)

 

 

 

He made his debut in 1913 at the Teatro Adriano in Rome as Don Alvaro in La Forza del Destino. In 1923, he immigrated to the United States, where he performed at prominent opera houses until 1935. He married the soprano Maria Javor, who was the mother of the renowned soprano Astrid Varnay. He also recorded a few selections for Columbia.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1913 Roma Teatro Adriano Forza del Destino (Don Alvaro)

1916 Roma Teatro Costanzi Aida (Radames)

1919 Roma Teatro Nazionale Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1921 La Spezia Politeama Duca di Genova Aida (Radames)

1923 Brooklyn Academy of Music Pagliacci (Canio)

1925 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Trovatore (Manrico)

1927 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Otello (Otello)

1929 Boston Opera House Carmen (Don Josè)

1931 Syracuse Lincoln Auditorium Trovatore (Manrico)

1933 Brooklyn Ridgewood Grove Stadium Pagliacci (Canio)

1935 Binghamton Binghamton Theatre Aida (Radames)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Francesco Bravi Rigoletto (Verdi): Questa o quella X-1770 Zonophone, Milano 1902-09?

Francesco Bravi Mefistofele (Boito): Giunto sul passo estremo X-1771 Zonophone, Milano 1902-09?

Francesco Bravi Africaine (Meyerbeer): O paradiso X-1772 Zonophone, Milano 1902-09?

Francesco Bravi Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna è mobile X-1773 Zonophone, Milano 1902-09?

Antonio Fassino Trovatore (Verdi): Deserto sulla terra Columbia 10671

Antonio Fassino Aida (Verdi): Morir si pura e bella Columbia D9204 10847

Antonio Fassino Forza del Destino (Verdi): O tu che in seno Columbia

Antonio Fassino Guarany (Gomez): Sento una forza indomita (w. Ivanisi) Columbia D4306 10850

Antonio Fassino Lohengrin (Wagner): Da voi lontan Columbia D4365 10672

Antonio Fassino Norma (Bellini): Me protegge Columbia D4175 10673

Francesco Fazzini Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Barcarola 10663 D4173 Columbia, Milano 1908

Francesco Fazzini Ballo in maschera (Verdi): La rivedrò nell’estasi 10662 D4173 Columbia, Milano 1908

Francesco Fazzini Carmen (Bizet): Duetto della sfida (w. de Padova) 10690 D4002 Columbia, Milano 1908

Francesco Fazzini Carmen (Bizet): Mia tu sei D 4175 10665 Columbia, Milano 1908

Francesco Fazzini Traviata (Verdi): De’ miei bollenti spiriti D 4174 10664 Columbia, Milano 1908

Umberto Sacchetti Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Siciliana 10515 Columbia, Milano 1905?

Fortunato De Angelis Casa mia 14630-F W112517 Columbia

Fortunato De Angelis Forse (Tafarella) 14549-F W111084 Columbia

Fortunato De Angelis Maruska 14532-F W111428 Columbia

Fortunato De Angelis Notturno d’amore (Drigo) 14549-F W111083 Columbia

Fortunato De Angelis Serenata amara 14630-F W112518 Columbia

Fortunato De Angelis Un mazzolin di fiori (w. Palma) 14532-F W111426 Columbia