Description

BIANCA LENZI (LODI, 1883 – TURIN, 1978)

 

 

 

 

Bianca Lenzi was an accomplished soprano who enjoyed a notable career in Italian opera. Her performances spanned both traditional and contemporary repertoires, and she was recognized for her vocal artistry and expressive interpretations.

Bianca Lenzi’s early career included appearances at prestigious venues such as the Teatro Comunale in Bologna. In 1912, she sang the role of Isabeau in Pietro Mascagni’s Isabeau, performing alongside Edward Johnson as Folco, Elisa Petri as Giglietta, and Luigi Piazza as Le Faidet de l’Araldo. That same year, she participated in a Verdi concert at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, sharing the stage with Juanita Cappella, Liani Benazzo, and Edward Johnson.

In 1925, Lenzi performed at the Teatro Regio in Torino in Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari’s I quattro rusteghi, where she appeared alongside Anna Sassone-Soster, Maria Labia, and Guerrina Fabbri. Her participation in this production highlighted her versatility in comedic and character-driven roles.

Lenzi was active on operatic stages through the 1930s. In 1932, she returned to the Teatro Regio in Torino to sing in Domenico Cimarosa’s Giannina e Bernardone, performing alongside notable artists like Bidú Sayão and Giovanni Manurita.

In 1937, she performed at the Teatro Carignano in Torino in Umberto Giordano’s Mese Mariano, taking part in a cast that included Florica Cristoforeanu, Ebe Ticozzi, and Magda Olivero. This production demonstrated Lenzi’s ability to bring emotional depth to both modern and verismo operatic works.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1912 Bologna Teatro Comunale ‘’Isabeau’’ with Edward Johnson (Folco), Elisa Petri (Giglietta), Amerigo Pasuello (Re Raimondo) and Luigi Piazza (Le Faidet de l’Araldo)

1912 Bologna Teatro Comunale Verdi Concert with Juanita Cappella, Liani Benazzo and Edward Johnson

1925 Torino Teatro Regio “I quatro rusteghi’’ with Anna Sassone-Soster (Lucieta), Maria Labia (Felice), Guerrina Fabbri (Margarita) e Maria Avezza (servetta), Pietro Girardi (Filipeto), Luigi Cilla (conte Riccardo), Ugo Canetti (Simon), Gaetano Azzolini (Lunardo), Edoardo Nicolicchia (Cancian)

1932 Torino Teatro Regio ‘’Giannina e Bernardone’’ (Domenico Cimarosa) with Bidú Sayão (Giannina), Laura Pasini (Lauretta), Giovanni Manurita (capitan Francone) e Alfredo Poggianti (Masino), bassi Edoardo Faticanti

1937 Torino Teatro Carignano ‘’Mese Mariano’’ (Umberto Giordano) with Florica Cristoforeanu/Ebe Ticozzi (Superiora), Liana Avogadro (suor Pazienza), baritono Giuseppe Noto (rettore/don Fabiano), Augusta Oltrabella/Magda Olivero (Carmela), Olga Stella (Valentina)

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

      Pathé, Milano 1912/1913

1. Adriana Lecouvreur (Cilea): Poveri fiori 86222
2. Aida (Verdi): O terra addio (w. Venerandi) 84157
3. Bohème (Puccini): Addio senza rancor 84154
4. Bohème (Puccini) O soave fanciulla (w. Balestro) 84152
5. Bohème (Puccini): Quartetto (w. Billi, Balestro & Montesanto) 84151
6. Bohème (Puccini): Sono andati? (w. Balestro) 84153
7. Carmen (Bizet): Aria di Micaëla 86232
8. Faust (Gounod): All’erta (w. Balestro & Preve) 84163
9. Fedora (Giordano) Dio di giustizia 86235
10. Jocelyn (Godard): Berceuse (vln: Ranzato, harp & organ) 84353
11. Tosca (Puccini) Qual occhio al mondo (w. Scampini) 84189
12. Trovatore (Verdi) Di geloso amor (w. Scampini & Montesanto) 84191
13. Wally (Catalani) Ebben, ne andrò lontano 84166