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. Germania (Franchetti) Ascolta, io morirò 84164 Pathé, Milano 1912/1913
2. Gioconda (Ponchielli) Enzo Grimaldo (w. Fusati) 69217 XPh5112 Fonotipia, Milano 1917-04-29
3. Gioconda (Ponchielli) O grido di quest’anima (w. Fusati) 69218 XPh5113 Fonotipia, Milano 1917-04-29
4. Gioconda (Poncielli) Così mantieni il patto (w. Pacetti) D14495 Columbia, Milano 1929
5. Otello (Verdi) Credo 69293 XPh 5188 Fonotipia, Milano 1917-04-2
6. Otello (Verdi) Credo D14478 WBX329 Columbia, Milano 1928-09
7. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Prologo, pt 1 pt 2 84159, 84160 Pathé, Milano 1912/1913
8. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Si puo 69294 XPh 5189 Fonotipia, Milano 1917-04-25
9. Rigoletto (Verdi) Bella figlia dell’amore (w. Ciaroff-Ciarini, Perosio & Lollini) 69234 XPh5129 Fonotipia, Milano 1917-04-28
10. Rigoletto (Verdi) Lassù nel ciel (w. dal Monte) DB2124 2W B2166 HMV, Milano 1933
11. Rigoletto (Verdi) Pari siamo! 69229, XPh5124 Fonotipia, Milano 1917-04-27
12. Rigoletto (Verdi) Quartetto (w. Billi, Monti-Brunner & Venerandi) 84155 Pathé, Milano 19121913
13. Rigoletto (Verdi) Un dì, se ben rammentomi (w. Ciaroff-Ciarini, Perosio & Lollini) 69233 XPh5128 Fonotipia, Milano 1917-04-26
14. Tannhäuser (Wagner) O tu bell’astro (Romanza) D12461 Columbia
15. Tosca (Puccini) Già mi dicon venal 27021 10356 Pathé, New York 1921
16. Trovatore (Verdi) Di geloso amor (w. Scampini & Magliulo) 86191 Pathé, Milano 1911/1912
17. Trovatore (Verdi) Trio (w. Lenzi & Scampini) 84191 Pathé, Milano 1912/1913
18. Zazà (Leoncavallo)  Zazà, piccola zingara 10356 61538 Pathé, New York 1921