Description

TANCREDI PASERO (TURIN, 11 JANUARY, 1893 – MILAN, 17 FEBRUARY, 1983)

 

 

 

 

He studied under Arturo Pessina, a former renowned baritone, and made his debut in 1917 in Turin, his birthplace, as Ramfis in Aida. However, the singer considered the true beginning of his artistic career to be on December 15, 1918, when he performed as Rodolfo in Bellini’s La Sonnambula. Shortly thereafter, he reprised the role at La Scala.

Pasero’s illustrious and exceptionally long career was primarily centered in Italy, with La Scala serving as his main artistic home. Arturo Toscanini engaged him for leading roles at the renowned theater. Pasero also made guest appearances internationally, including at Covent Garden in London, and in cities such as Paris, Brussels, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Berlin, and Hamburg.

From 1929 to 1933, he was a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he performed alongside many legendary voices. His most memorable roles included Aida, Il Trovatore, Luisa Miller, La Gioconda, Norma, La Bohème, La Forza del Destino, Guillaume Tell, Lucia di Lammermoor, Simon Boccanegra, and Don Giovanni (as Leporello).

In 1933, Pasero achieved great acclaim at the Maggio Musicale in Florence, performing in Spontini’s La Vestale opposite the celebrated Rosa Ponselle. He frequently appeared at the Arena di Verona, and in 1948, he sang at a concert commemorating the centenary of Donizetti’s death. His final operatic performance was in 1950 as Wotan in Die Walküre.

Pasero’s repertoire included Rossini’s Mosè, Sarastro, Don Basilio, Philip II, Boris Godunov, and Escamillo, as well as several significant Wagnerian roles, such as King Heinrich, Gurnemanz, King Marke, Pogner, and Hagen (all performed in Italian). He also participated in the world premieres of several operas, including Mascagni’s Nerone at La Scala and Pizzetti’s Orseolo in Florence.

His voice was remarkable for its richness, evenness, and consistency across an extensive range. In his later years, Pasero added several baritone roles to his repertoire. His performances were characterized by lyrical beauty, deep feeling, and a noble dignity, avoiding overt emotionalism. In this regard, he contrasted sharply with contemporaries such as Nazzareno de Angelis.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) La calunnia DB05356 HMV, Milano 1944-07-14
2. Don Carlo (Verdi) Dormiro’ sol nel manto mio regal Cetra CC2054 70079
3. Don Carlo (Verdi) Ella giammai m’amo’ Cetra CC2054 70078
4. Faust (Gounod) Dio dell’or D1617 WB1324 Columbia, Milano 1927
5. Faust (Gounod) Serenata D1617 WB1259 Columbia, Milano 1927
6. Favorita (Donizetti) Splendon più belle in ciel D18072 WBX644 Columbia, Milano 1929-09-25
7. Gioconda (Ponchielli) Si morir ella dè GQX10246 WBX213 Columbia, Milano 1927
8. Gli Orazi (Porrino) Ahi! Che il littore lega le mani DB11305 2BA5586 HMV, Milano 1944-07-14
9. Gli Orazi (Porrino) Io per l’antico diritto DB11305 2BA5585 HMV, Milano 1944-07-14
10. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Piff, paff GQX10246 WBX235 Columbia, Milano 1927
11. La Forza del Destino (Verdi) L’ immonda cenere ne sperda il vento with Maria Caniglia and Satruno Meletti Cetra CC2292 70593
12. La Forza del Destino (Verdi) Terzetto finale with Francesco Merli and Bianca Scacciati GQX10213 BX491 Columbia
13. La Sonnambula (Bellini) Oh ciel! Che tento with Gina Bernelli DB11306 HMV, Milano 1944-07-14
14. La Sonnambula (Bellini) Tu non sai DQ1103 B1792 Columbia
15. La Sonnambula (Bellini) Vi ravviso o luoghi ameni Cetra CC2053 70082 Cetra, 1937-11-09
16. Loreley (Catalani) O forze recondite GQX10213 BX484 Columbia
17. Luisa Miller (Verdi) Il mio sangue DB5440 2BA4852 HMV, Milano 1942
18. L’ultima canzone (Tosti) PE100 70472 Cetra, 1937
19. Mefisto (Carelli) DA5437 HMV, Milano 1944-07-14
20. Mefistofele (Boito) Ballata del fischio DQ1085 WB1271 Columbia, Milano 1927
21. Mefistofele (Boito) Ecco il mondo DQ1085 WB1268 Columbia, Milano 1927
22. Mignon (Thomas) Berceuse DQ1103 B1778 Columbia
23. Nabucco (Verdi) Tu sul labbro DB5440 2BA4903 HMV, Milano 1942
24. Norma (Bellini) Ite sul colle, o Druidi! GQX10159 BX111 Columbia
25. Puritani (Bellini) Il rival salvar tu puoi with Gino Vanelli GQX10248 BX245 Columbia
26. Puritani (Bellini) Suoni la tromba with Gino Vanelli GQX10248 BX246 Columbia
27. Rigoletto (Verdi) Quel vecchio maledivami DB11306 HMV, Milano 1944-07-14
28. Sogno (Tosti) DA5437 HMV, Milano 1944-07-14
29. Trovatore (Verdi) Di due figli GQX10159 BX112 Columbia
30. Vêpres Siciliennes (Verdi) O tu Palermo Cetra BB25065 2-70081 Cetra, 1937-11-09