Description

SALVATORE POTENZA

 

 

 

 

Potenza made his debut in 1893 at the Teatro Sociale in Crema as Canio in Pagliacci, a role that would remain one of his most frequent and successful portrayals. The following year (1894), he appeared in concert at the Teatro Bellini in Naples, confirming his growing reputation.

In 1895, Potenza returned to Naples, this time to the Teatro Mercadante, where he sang Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata. His success there opened the way to wider engagements.

The year 1896 proved especially important in his career. In February, he appeared at the Teatro dei Filodrammatici in Milan as the Viscount in Donizetti’s Linda di Chamounix. Soon afterward, he was engaged at the Coliseo dos Recreios in Lisbon, where he gave a remarkable series of performances in leading tenor roles: Don José in Carmen, Faust in Faust, Fernando in La Favorita, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, the Duke in Rigoletto, and Alfredo in La Traviata. In May of the same year, he appeared in Ancona at the Teatro Goldoni as Faust.

Potenza’s engagements continued steadily: in 1897 he appeared at the Teatro Dauno in Foggia as the Duke in Rigoletto, and in 1898 returned to the Teatro Mercadante in Naples, singing Don José in Carmen, Des Grieux in Manon, and taking part in Atala by G. Miceli. That December, he sang the title role in Massenet’s Sapho at the Teatro Sociale in Mantua.

In 1899, he appeared in Fedora (as Loris) and Pagliacci (as Canio) at the Teatro Sociale in Varese, followed by performances of Carmen at the Teatro Lirico in Milan.

The year 1900 found him highly active: he sang Des Grieux in Manon at the Teatro Comunale in Forlì, Don José in Carmen at the Teatro Quirino in Rome, and later the same role at the Teatro Bellini in Naples, where he also appeared as Guglielmo in Mignon. At the close of the year, he was heard at the Teatro Balbo in Turin in Faust, Rigoletto, and La Traviata.

In 1901, Potenza sang Fernando in La Favorita at the Teatro Alfieri in Florence, and in autumn appeared at the Teatro Verdi in Salerno as the Duke and Alfredo in Rigoletto and La Traviata.

In 1902, he was heard at the Teatro Goldoni in Venice as Canio in Pagliacci. In December of the same year, Salvatore Potenza appeared repeatedly at the Teatro Bellini in Naples in the title role of Gounod’s Faust. His performances took place on December 1, 9, 28, and 31, confirming his popularity with Neapolitan audiences and marking the last known stage appearances of his documented career.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

December 1 1902 Napoli Teatro Bellini Faust (Faust)

December 9 1902 Napoli Teatro Bellini Faust (Faust)

December 28 1902 Napoli Teatro Bellini Faust (Faust)

December 31 1902 Napoli Teatro Bellini Faust (Faust)

 

 

ALESSANDRO GIACCHERO

 

 

 

He studied singing under Elettra Callery Villani and made his debut in 1899 at the Teatro Storchi in Modena as Manrico in Il Trovatore. In 1900, he appeared at the Teatro Regio in Turin, again as Manrico in Il Trovatore, performing alongside Vittorio Pozzi Camola, Nina Mazzi, and Edvige Ghibaudo.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1899 Modena Teatro Storchi Trovatore (Manrico)

1901 Trani Teatro Comunale Aida (Radames)

1903 Novara Teatro Coccia Trovatore (Manrico)

1905 Lucca Teatro del Giglio Ballo in Maschera (Riccardo)

1907 Bahia Blanca Teatro Colon Trovatore (Manrico)

1909 Sampierdarena Politeama Sampierdarenese Ernani (Ernani)

1911 Corfu Teatro Nuovo Aida (Radames)

1912 Desio Teatro Sociale Norma (Pollione)

 

ALFREDO QUINTO

 

 

 

He probably made his debut in 1908 at the Teatro Ristori in Cividale del Friuli as Turiddu in P. Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1908 Cividale del Friuli Teatro Ristori Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1910 Altamura Teatro Mercadante Boheme (Rodolfo)

1911 Empoli Teatro Salvini Manon (De Grieux)

1912 Firenze Teatro Verdi Puritani (Arturo)

1913 Sassari    Politeama Verdi Traviata (Alfredo)

1914 Adria Politeama Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1915 Bari Teatro Piccinni Traviata (Alfredo)

1919 Cento Teatro Sociale Mignon (Guglielmo)

 

GASTON BARACCHINI

 

 

 

The performances of his debut were probably the only occasions on which he appeared on stage. Possessing a wide and expressive voice, he chose instead to devote himself to a concert career, in which he achieved considerable success. Preferring the freedom of an independent life to that of a stage artist, he often performed at private gatherings as well. In 1911, he sued the French impresario Abstrae and obtained compensation of 100,000 francs—a remarkably large sum for the time.

 

Chronology of appearance

 

1911 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Sonnambula (Elvino)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Salvatore Potenza Luisa Miller (Verdi): Quando le sere al placido D4159 10827 Columbia, Milano 1908?

Alessandro Giacchero Aida (Verdi): Celeste Aida X-1534 Zonophone, Milano 1902/03

Alessandro Giacchero Trovatore (Verdi): Di quella pira 329 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1909?

Alessandro Giacchero Trovatore (Verdi): Ah si ben mio 339 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1909?

Valentino Cergoli Forza del destino (Verdi): Solenne in quest’ora 3454 Kalliope

Alfredo Quinto Carmen (Bizet) Il fior A 82491 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1910/1911

Alfredo Quinto Manon (Massenet) Ah! Dispar vision A 82489 Odeon Fonotipia, Milano 1910/1911

Alfredo Quinto Mignon (Thomas) Ah! Non credevi tu 42020 Beka, Milano 1908/1909

Alfredo Quinto Traviata (Verdi) Alfredo, Alfredo (with Stefani Moretti & Marturano) A 82481 Odeon Fonotipia

Alfredo Quinto Traviata (Verdi) Ogni suo aver tal femmina (w. Marturano) A 82480 Odeon Fonotipia

Gaston Baracchini L’elisir d’amore (Donizetti): D’un solo istante i palpiti  Unpubl. 44649 Edison 2-min cylinders, 1912?

Gaston Baracchini Tristezza (Tosti) Unpubl. 44787 Edison 2-min cylinders, 1912?