Description

LUIGI MONTESANTO (PALERMO, 23 NOVEMBER, 1887 – MILAN, 14 JUNE, 1954)

 

 

 

 

Montesanto, a student of Santorno in Palermo, began his operatic journey early, performing small roles at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. His breakthrough into more substantial parts occurred in 1908 at the Teatro Biondo in Palermo, where he sang the roles of Escamillo in Carmen and Silvio in Pagliacci. His performances quickly gained recognition, and he went on to sing at major theaters across Italy.

Montesanto’s international career took off when he appeared at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, where he performed Jochanaan in the house’s premiere of Richard Strauss’s Salome. His connection with notable premieres continued when he created the role of Michele in the world premiere of Puccini’s Il Tabarro at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Throughout his illustrious career, Montesanto also sang at La Scala in Milan, the Teatro Costanzi in Rome, and the Chicago Opera. In his later years, he dedicated himself to teaching, with one of his most famous students being the celebrated tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano.

Recordings of Montesanto’s voice can be found on Pathé, Fonotipia, and on electrically recorded discs for Italian Columbia, capturing the richness and power of his performances for future generations.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1908 Palermo Teatro Biondo Pagliacci (Tonio)

1909 Asti Politeama Nazionale Pagliacci (Tonio)

1910 Pisa Teatro Rossi Pagliacci (Tonio)

1910 Cremona Teatro Ponchielli Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1910 Trieste Politeama Rossetti   Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1910 Trieste Politeama Rossetti Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1913 San Francisco Tivoli Opera House Pagliacci (Tonio)

1913 San Francisco Tivoli Opera House Zaza (Cascart)

1913 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Pagliacci (Tonio)

1914 Mosca Teatro Imperiale Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1917 Udine Teatro Sociale Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1918 Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1918 San Paolo Teatro Municipal Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1918 Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon Pagliacci (Tonio)

1919 Buenos Ayres Teatro Coliseo Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1919 Buenos Ayres Teatro Coliseo Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1919 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Municipal Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1919 San Paolo Teatro Municipal Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1919 Firenze Teatro Verdi Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1920 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1920 Montecarlo Teatro del Casinò Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1920 Valencia Teatro Principal Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1922 Buenos Ayres Teatro Colon Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1922 Rio de Janeiro Teatro Municipal Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1924 Torino Teatro Regio Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1926 Chicago Civic Opera House Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1926 Alessandria Teatro Municipale Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1928 Verona Arena Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1928 Chicago Civic Opera House Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1933 Napoli Teatro San Carlo Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1934 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1937 Amsterdam Teatro Carrè Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Adriana Lecouvreur (Cilea) Bimba, non ti crucciar (w. Lenzi) 862117 Pathé, Milano 1912/1913
2. Aida (Verdi) Io son disonorato (w. Magliulo & Scampini) 86215 Pathé, Milano 1911/1912
3. Aida (Verdi) Quest’assisa ch’io vesto 84199 10056 Pathé, Milano 1912/1913
4. Amica (Mascagni) Più presso al ciel (w. Magliulo) 86220 Pathé, Milano 1911/1912
5. Andrea Chénier (Giordano) Un dì m’era di gioia 69230 XPh5125 Fonotipia, Milano 1917-04-26
6. Aria Della Pulce (Moussorgsky) Columbia 50173-D WBX324 Columbia, Milano 1928-09
7. Baciami (Tosti) 44668 Unpubl. Edison
8. Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Eri tu 59078 Pathé, New York 1921
9. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Dunque io son (w. dal Monte) DB2125 2W 2165 HMV, Milano 1933
10. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Largo al factotum 59078 E67536-2 Pathé, New York 1921
11. Bohème (Puccini) Quartetto (w. Lenzi, Billi & Balestro) 84151 Pathé, Milano 1912/1913
12. Damnation de Faust (Berlioz) Su queste rose D12289 WB2117-2 Columbia, Milano 1928-09
13. Don Giovanni (Mozart) Là ci darem la mano (w. Zamboni) DQ722 WB2701 Columbia, Milano 1929?
14. Don Giovanni (Mozart) Serenata D12288 B2104 Columbia, Milano 1928-09
15. Ernani (Verdi) Gran Dio!… Oh, de’ verd’anni miei 69227, 69228, XPh5188, XPh5122 Fonotipia, Milano 1917-04-24/1917-04-25
16. Fanciulla del West (Puccini) Minnie dalla mia casa D12289 WB2106 Columbia, Milano 1928-09
17. Faust (Gounod) Morte di Valentino 84163 Pathé, Milano 1912/1913
18. Forza del Destino (Verdi) Le minacce, i fieri accenti P.I PII (w. Scampini) 84197 12513, 86214 12513 Pathé, Milano 1912/1913