Description

PAOLO ANANIAN (ISTANBUL, TURKEY, 1879 – NEW YORK, USA, 1942)

 

 

 

 

Paolo Ananian was of Armenian origin. He likely made his debut in 1905 at the Opera House of Monte Carlo, performing as Don Diego in G. Meyerbeer’s L’Africaine. He appeared at Monte Carlo during the 1905–1908 seasons and participated in a guest performance of the opera house’s ensemble in Berlin in 1907.

In 1908, he was engaged by the Metropolitan Opera in New York, debuting as Wagner in C. Gounod’s Faust. He remained a significant presence at the Met, performing there initially until 1910, returning for the 1911–1915 seasons, and ultimately staying from 1918 until his retirement in 1935, concluding his career with the role of Hermann Ortel in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.

At Monte Carlo, he participated in the world premieres of J. Massenet’s Thérèse (1907) and Xavier Leroux’s Theodora (1907). His contributions at the Metropolitan Opera included performances in the premieres of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi (1918, as Betto di Signa), A. Wolff’s L’Oiseau Bleu (1919), and D. Taylor’s The King’s Henchman (1927). Additionally, he appeared in the U.S. premieres of works such as Wolf-Ferrari’s Le Donne Curiose (1912), L. Thuille’s Lobetanz (1911), G. Charpentier’s Julien (1914), X. Leroux’s La Pure Fiammette (1919), and I. Pizzetti’s Fra Gherardo (1929).

In 1910, he made a guest appearance at the Grand Opéra in Paris, singing Melot in Tristan und Isolde. During the 1923–1924 season, he performed at the San Francisco Opera. In 1921, he joined a touring opera troupe assembled by Antonio Scotti, which traveled throughout the United States and Canada.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1905 Monte Carlo Opera House Africaine (Don Diego)

1908 New York Metropolitan Opera Faust (Wagner)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Bohème (Puccini) Quatuor, pt 1 (w. Dubois, Landouzy & lauger-Dubois) 56093 Odeon, Paris 1907-09
2. Chalet (Adam) Arrêtons-nous ici 60230 XP3210 Odeon, Paris 1907
3. Chalet (Adam) Chants de nos montagnes 60231 XP3211 Odeon, Paris 1907
4. Crucifix (Faure) (w. Gautier) 1-9027 Favorite, Paris
5. Faust (Gounod) Anges purs (w. Landouzy & Dubois) 56094 XP3532 Odeon, Paris 1907-09
6. Faust (Gounod) Prenez mon bras un moment… Eh quoi! Toujours seule (w. Landouzy, Lauger-Dubois & Ananian) 56090, 56091, XP3527, XP3528 Odeon, Paris 1907-09
7. Jongleur de Notre Dame (Massenet) Légende 60182 XP3171 Odeon, Paris 1907
8. Marie-Madeleine (Massenet) 1387 Perfectaphone
9. Mignon (Thomas) Berceuse 60181 XP3170 Odeon, Paris 1907
10. Patrie (Paladilhe) Pauvre martyr obscur 365 Lyrophon, Paris 1905