Description

FRANCESCO GIUNION MARIO GUARDABASSI (PERUGIA, ITALY, 4 FEBRUARY, 1867 – PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, USA, 17 MAY, 1952)

 

 

 

 

Originally a painter, Guardabassi transitioned to singing after studying in Italy. In 1903, he made his debut as a baritone at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, performing Silvio in R. Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci alongside Enrico Caruso, Marcella Sembrich, and Antonio Scotti. During the 1903–1904 season, he appeared in various American opera houses, including those in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, and Boston, primarily in comprimario baritone roles.

After approximately five years, Guardabassi shifted to performing as a tenor, focusing on principal tenor roles. He achieved success at the Chicago Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera of Philadelphia. His favorite role was Don José in G. Bizet’s Carmen.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1903 New York Teatro Metropolitan Pagliacci (Silvio)

1910 Chicago Civic Opera House Carmen (Don Josè)

1911 Chicago Civic Opera House Romeo et Juliette (Romeo)

1912 Philadelphia Teatro Metropolitan Carmen (Don Josè)

 

 

ARMANDO MARESCOTTI (NAPOLI, 1887 – ?)

 

 

 

He studied singing in Naples under the pedagogue Abramo Petrillo and later in Milan with Federico Corrado. He made his debut in 1911 at La Scala in Milan, replacing Giuseppe Armanini in some performances of Il matrimonio segreto. Later, he went to the United States but appeared there without success. He returned to Italy and continued his career as a member of various opera and operetta companies.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1911 Milano Teatro La Scala Matrimonio Segreto (Paolino)

1912 Trento Teatro Gustavo Modena Rigoletto (Duca)

1915 Benevento Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Favorita (Fernando)

1916 Lisbona Coliseo Recrejos Favorita (Fernando)

1917 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Thais (Nicia)

1919 Pola Teatro Ciscutti Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1920 Firenze Teatro Goldoni Favorita (Fernando)

1921 Ravenna Teatro Alighieri Pescatori di perle (Nadir)

1922 Trapani Teatro Garibaldi Mefistofele (Faust)

1932 Napoli Teatro Bellini Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

 

 

GIUSEPPE CORTI (MILANO ? – ?)

 

 

 

He studied in Milan with Ettore Negrini and Alfredo Clerici, and made his debut in 1909 at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan in La forza del destino.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1909 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Forza del Destino (Alvaro)

1912 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Fanciulla del West (Johnson)

1913 Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Aida (Radames)

1914 Catania Teatro Bellini Fanciulla del West (Johnson)

1915 Firenze Politeama Fiorentino Andrea Chenier (Chenier)

1916 Modena Teatro Storchi Isabeau (Folco)

1917 Sanremo Teatro Principe di Napoli Aida (Radames)

1919 Pisa Teatro Verdi Aida (Radames)

1920 Mirandola Teatro Nuovo Andrea Chenier (Chenier)

1922 Parma Politeama Reinach Tosca (Cavaradossi)

1923 Cotignola Teatro Sociale Lodoletta (Flammen)

1924 Rovereto Teatro Zandonai Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton)

 

 

GIUSEPPE SCARCELLA

 

 

 

Giuseppe Scarcella was an Italian tenor active in the early 20th century, known for his performances in smaller regional theaters across northern Italy. He made a notable appearance in February 1905 as Ernesto at the Teatro Sociale in Chiari. Later that year, he performed the title role in Gounod’s Faust at the Teatro Martinetti in Garlasco.

In May 1906, Scarcella returned to Chiari to sing Rodolfo, and in December of the same year, he appeared as Enzo Grimaldo at Bergamo’s Teatro Sociale, the smaller of the city’s two theaters. In 1908, he was engaged for the January season at the Teatro Toselli in Cuneo, followed by a performance as Almaviva at the Teatro Cavour in Imperia in March.

 

 

GIUSEPPE SINATRA

 

 

 

I know that in 1906 he performed at the Teatro Sociale in Stradella as Enzo in La Gioconda. His other appearances were in Quistello (Teatro Sociale) and Montecarlo di Lucca (Teatro Rinnovati), where he sang the role of Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. He made only one recording for Beka.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1906 Stradella Teatro Sociale Gioconda (Enzo)

1910 Montecarlo di Lucca Teatro Rinnovati Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgardo)

 

TRACKLIST

 

Mario Guardabassi Carmen (Bizet) Il fior J. 404 Lyrophon

Mario Guardabassi Cavalleria Rusitacana (Mascagni) Siciliana J. 403 Lyrophon

Mario Guardabassi Mattinata (Leoncavallo) J. 405 Lyrophon

Mario Guardabassi Trovatore (Verdi) Ah si, ben mio J. 407 Lyrophon

Mario Guardabassi Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle J. 401 Lyrophon

Armando Marescotti Pescatori di Perle (Bizet): Del tempio al limitar with Giulio Fregosi D4763 70100 Columbia, Milano

Armando Marescotti Fox della tentazione (Marchetti) Fox canzone A. – N 152661 Fonotipia

Giuseppe Corti Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni): Nun siehst du, was du getan hast with Mary Verriotis P1361 2-5792 Parlophon, Berlin 1922-03-28

Giuseppe Scarcella Mattinata (Leoncavallo) B16 Stella

Giuseppe Sinatra Fedora (Giordano): Amor ti vieta 42024 Beka