Description

FRANCESCO FEDERICI (FERRARA, 1873 – THE HAAG, 1934)

He hailed from an aristocratic family in Ferrara and made his operatic debut in 1894 at the Teatro Poliziano in Montepulciano. He initially performed in various Italian provincial theaters, and by 1903, he had gained recognition, guesting in Bari as Schaunard in La Bohème. His performances extended to major venues such as the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, where in 1905, he appeared in Dinorah and Iris. In 1906, he performed in Bergamo at the Teatro Donizetti as Belcore in L’elisir d’amore.

He also participated in important premieres, notably in 1905 at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, where he appeared in the debut performance of Vittorio Gnecchi’s Cassandra. By 1909, he was making international appearances, including guest performances at the Teatro Liceo in Barcelona. Between 1913 and 1916, he was engaged at the Chicago Opera, where he performed in the American premiere of Leoncavallo’s I Zingari in 1913, with the composer present. His career took him to São Paulo in 1916, and later, in 1934, he was engaged by the Italian Opera in Holland.

Tragically, he collapsed during a performance in Amsterdam and passed away a few days later, finding his final resting place in The Hague.

Chronology of some appearances

1894 Montepulciano Teatro Poliziano Cavalleria rusticana (Alfio)

1905 Palermo Teatro Massimo Dinorah (Hoel)

1905 Bologna Teatro Comunale Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1906 Bergamo Teatro Donizetti Boheme (Marcello)

1909 Barcelona Teatro Liceo Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

TRACKLIST

1. Chatterton (Leoncavallo) Signore, vi presento (w. Granados, Quinzi-Tapergi & De Frate) 054234 1465c Gramophone, Milano 1908-05
2. Chatterton (Leoncavallo) Vedeste Mistress Clark (w. Granados, Cigada & Quinzi-Tapergi) 54390 11201b Gramophone, Milano 1908-05
3. Eidelberga mia (Pacchierotti) Parea mill’anni 052284 1892c Gramophone, Milano 1909-11-23
4. Elisir d’amore (Donizetti) Come Paride vezzoso 2-52702 11278b Gramophone, Milano 1908
5. Ernani (Verdi) O sommo Carlo (w. Davi & Popovici) 054287 1851c Gramophone, Milano 1909-05-14
6. Faust (Gounod) Che fate qui? (w. Giovanelli & Quinzi-Tapergi) 54431 13160b Gramophone, Milano 1909-04-29
7. Faust (Gounod) Dio possente 2-52801 13182b Gramophone, Milano 1909-05-03
8. Favorita (Donizetti) A tanto amor 2-52760 13134b Gramophone, Milano 1909-04-27
9. Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet) Del tempio al limitar (w. Giorgini) 054289 1817½c Gramophone, Milano 1909-04-29
10. Rigoletto (Verdi) Miei Signori (w. chorus) 2-52804 13162b Gramophone, Milano 1909-04-29
11. Traviata (Verdi) Alfredo, Alfredo (w. Gotti Giovanelli & Huguet) 054264 1827c Gramophone, Milano 1909-05-04