Description

GIANNA PEDERZINI (TRENTO, 10 FEBRUARY, 1900 – ROME, 12 MARCH, 1988)

She was the last student of the legendary tenor Fernando De Lucia in Naples, who cautioned her against an early debut. Despite his advice, she made her stage debut in 1923 at the Messina Opera House as La Cieca in Ponchielli’s La Gioconda. However, the experience proved premature, and she paused her career for a year. In 1925, she made a triumphant second debut at the Teatro Nuovo in Padua as Preziosilla in Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, marking the true beginning of her illustrious journey.

In 1928, she performed at the Rome Opera in Mascagni’s Zanetto, and in 1932, she portrayed Cherubino in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Her career blossomed with celebrated guest appearances across major Italian theaters. She became a prominent artist at La Scala in Milan, where she performed from 1930 to 1943 (debuting as Nancy in Flotow’s Martha) and again from 1956 to 1957. Notably, she participated in the world premiere of Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites on January 26, 1957, creating the role of Mme de Croisy.

Her association with the Rome Opera spanned from 1939 to 1952, including her participation in the 1937 premiere of Ghislanzoni’s Re Lear. She also performed at prestigious venues such as the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires (1937-1939, 1946-1947), Covent Garden in London (1931), and the Grand Opéra in Paris (1935). Her festival appearances included the Verona Festival (1929-1930, 1933) and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (notably as the Old Countess in Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades in 1952).

After Conchita Supervia’s passing, she embraced coloratura-contralto roles, achieving remarkable success, particularly in Rossini’s Cenerentola, which she performed to acclaim at La Scala in 1937. Renowned for her dramatic artistry, she also made notable contributions to sound films, showcasing her eminent acting talent.

Her later years were marked by powerful character roles, such as Quickly in Verdi’s Falstaff, Mme Flora in Menotti’s The Medium, and the Old Countess in The Queen of Spades. Her final performances included The Medium at the Teatro Colón in 1956 and the Rome Opera in 1960, where she concluded her illustrious career. She remained particularly beloved in South America, though she never performed in North America. Her legacy endures as a masterful interpreter of both dramatic and coloratura roles, combining vocal finesse with exceptional theatrical presence.

TRACKLIST

1. Crepuscolo triste Giordano 0253012 S10089 HMV 10-12-28
2. Sogno vespertino (Traum durch die Dämmerung) (R Strauss) DA5386 0RA3869 HMV, Milano 1940
3. Passione (Tagliaferri-Valverde) DA5386 0BA3868 HMV, Milano 1940
4. Condotta ell’era in ceppi Verdi 0253005 S10040 HMV 29- 8-28
5. Trovatore Giorni poveri vivea Verdi 0254002 S10040 5-12-28
6. Carmen (Bizet) Quadri! Picche! Bizet S10052 HMV
7. Mignon (Thomas) Non conosci il bel suol S10258 (102-690) HMV, Milano 1930
8. Mignon Ella è là Thomas 100-1114 R10533 HMV 6-11-30
9. Forza del destino (Verdi) Al suon del tamburo (w. Gelli & chorus) JOX43 CF3611-1 HMV, Milano 1930
10. La Forza del Destino Rataplan Verdi 102-693 S10259 HMV 10-11-30
11. Favorite (Donizetti) In questo suolo DB1748 HMV
12. Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Non so più A105 KR251 Fono Roma
13. Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Voi che sapete A105 KR250 Fono Roma,
14. Carmen (Bizet) E l’amore uno strano augello DA5385 HMV
15. Carmen (Bizet) Presso il bastion di Siviglia 20145 Cetra
16. Carmen (Bizet) Quadri! Picche! 2-70531 Cetra
17. L’italiana in Algeri (Rossini) Cruda sorte amor tiranno BB25092 Cetra
18. L’Italiana in Algeri (Rossini ) Per lui che adoro BB25092 Cetra
19. Vidalita (Williams) Canzone Argentina AA304 Cetra
20. Canta pe’ me (De Curtis) AA304 Cetra
21. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Voi lo sapete o mamma CC2235 70532 Cetra
22. Ninna nanna grigioverde (Militello-Mari) AA303 Cetra
23. Lili’ Marleen (Rastelli-Schultze) AA303 Cetra
24. Dopo! (Tosti) S10258 (102-691) HMV, Milano 1930
25. Werther (Massenet) Va… Non e mal se piango DA5424 HMV