Description

CÉSAR VEZZANI (BASTIA, CORSICA, 8 AUGUST, 1888 – MARSEILLE, 11 NOVEMBER, 1951)

 

 

 

 

He was born in Bastia, Corsica, and arrived in Paris in 1908. At first, he could barely read or write and spoke very little French. His voice was discovered by the soprano Agnès Borgo (1879-1958), who became his first teacher and later sent him to the Conservatoire National de Paris. The two married in 1913.

He made his debut in 1912 at the Opéra-Comique, performing in Grétry’s Richard Cœur de Lion. The couple was invited to sing in Boston and Chicago, but the outbreak of World War I forced them to cancel these engagements. After a disagreement with the management of the Opéra-Comique, his career was largely confined to performing at operas in Nice, Marseille, Toulon, Toulouse, and Brussels, and he never returned to Paris.

During World War II, he lived in exile and performed at the opera in Algiers, where he was highly admired. In 1947, he signed a three-year contract with La Monnaie in Brussels. However, during a rehearsal in Toulon, he suffered a stroke that left him completely paralyzed. He passed away in 1951.

Vezzani was a dramatic tenor of great brilliance, known for his ringing top notes and vibrant vitality in his singing. He was particularly admired in roles such as Otello (in excellent French—a rare skill today), and his renditions of Di quella pira from Il Trovatore, Reyer’s Sigurd, and Corentin in Dinorah showcase him at his finest.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Le Crucifix (Faure) with Cazaux L929 52-1040 Gramophone, Paris 1932-01-27

Le roi d’Ys (Lalo) Vainement 111896 xP6417 Odéon, Paris, 1914

Les millions d’Arlequin (Drigo) K6545 50-2132 Gramophone, Paris 1932-01-27

Les pêcheurs de perles (Bizet) Je crois entendre encore P733 BFR522-I Gramophone, Paris, 11 April 1927

Lohengrin (Wagner) Ah, respirons tous deux (Atmest du nicht mit mir) with Berthon DB4920 52-1257 Gramophone, Paris 1933-10-31

Lohengrin (Wagner) Ah, respirons tous deux (Atmest du nicht) P641 4-32688 Gramophone, Paris 1925-02-16

Lohengrin (Wagner) Aux bords lointains (In fernem Land) DB4828 52-1009 Gramophone, Paris 1931-09-10

Lohengrin (Wagner) Déjà se perd leur voix (Das süße Lied verhallt) with Berthon DB4920 52-1256 Gramophone, Paris 1933-10-31

Lohengrin (Wagner) Ma confiance en toi (Höchstes Vertrauen) with Berthon DB4921 52-1259 Gramophone, Paris 1933-10-31

Lohengrin (Wagner) Ma confiance en toi (Hцchstes Vertrauen) P641 4-32687 Gramophone, Paris 1925-02-16

Lohengrin (Wagner) Mon cygne aime (Mein lieber Schwan) DB4828 52-1008 Gramophone, Paris 1931-09-10

Louise (Charpentier) Depuis longtemps j’habitais cette chambre with Guyla DB4970 (52-1380) Gramophone, Paris 1932-11-23

Maître Pathelin (Bazin) Je pense à vous 111887 xP6426 Odéon, Paris, 1914

Manon (Massenet) Ah fuyez 111890 xP6409 Odéon, Paris, 1914

Manon (Massenet) Ah fuyez DB4844 2W1225-I Gramophone, Paris, 28 January 1932

Manon (Massenet) En fermant les yeux 111901 xP6407 Odéon, Paris, 1914

Manon (Massenet) Toi… Vous with Heilbronner 111594 XP6074 Odeon, Paris 1913

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Ah, ne m’appochez pas (Ah, non v’avvicinate) U78 4-32607 Gramophone, Paris 1924-07-11