Description

GIANNINA RUSS (LODI, 27 MARCH, 1873 – MILAN, 28 FEBRUARY, 1951)

 

 

 

 

She studied piano and voice at the Milan Conservatory with the notable pedagogue Leoni.

She made her debut in Bologna in 1903 as Mimi and appeared at La Scala in 1905 as Aida. Her Florence debut came in 1908 as Norma. Her international career took off quickly, with debuts at the Royal Opera House in London and the Monte Carlo Opera in 1904. She also performed at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and the Manhattan Opera in New York in 1907.

Her repertoire was diverse, covering roles from bel canto to verismo, including:

• Semiramide (Rossini)
• Giulia (Donizetti)
• Amaltea (Benedetto)
• Paolina (Donizetti)
• Abigail (Verdi)
• Elvira (Bellini)
• Leonora (Verdi)
• Amelia (Verdi)
• Wally (Catalani)
• Gioconda (Ponchielli)
• Santuzza (Mascagni)

She was known for her beautiful and grand voice, though it could be somewhat uneven, and for her strong dramatic presence. She achieved greater success in Latin countries compared to Anglo-Saxon ones. After retiring from the stage, she became a respected voice teacher. Among her notable pupils were Margherita Grandi and Clara Petrella.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1903 Bologna  Politeama D’Azeglio Boheme ( Mimi)

1903 Bologna  Arena Azeglio Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1903 Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Ernani (Elvira)

1904 Lisbona  Teatro San Carlos Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1904 Palermo  Politeama Garibaldi Boheme ( Mimi)

1904 Palermo  Politeama Garibaldi Ernani (Elvira)

1904 Ravenna  Teatro Alighieri Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)

1905 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1905 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Amica (Amica)

1905 Montevideo  Teatro Solis Dannazione di Faust (Margherita)

1906 Milano Teatro Dal Verme Amica (Amica)

1907  New York  Manatthan Opera House Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1907  New York  Manhattan Opera House Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1907  New York  Manhattan Opera House Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza)

1910  Montevideo  Teatro Solis Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1910 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Don Carlo (Elisabetta)

1911 Altamura  Teatro Mercadante Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1912 Milano  Teatro alla Scala Don Carlo (Elisabetta)

1913 Parma  Teatro Regio Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1913 Parma  Teatro Regio Don Carlo (Elisabetta)

1913 Bologna  Teatro Del Corso Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1914 Modena  Teatro Municipale Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1915 Torino  Teatro Regio Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1916 Melbourne  Princess Theater Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1916 Sidney  Grand Opera House Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1916 Brisbane  Royal Theater Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1917 Melbourne  Princess Theater Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1917 Adelaide  Royal Theater Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1917 Sidney  Grand Opera House Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1918 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1918 Roma  Teatro Costanzi Don Carlo (Elisabetta)

1919 Fabriano  Teatro Gentile Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

1919 Napoli  Teatro San Carlo Ballo in maschera (Amelia)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Africaine (Meyerbeer) Figlio del sol 39357 XPh401 Fonotipia, Milano 1905-10-28
2. Aida (Verdi) I sacri nomi 39355 XPh400b Fonotipia, Milano 1905-10-28
3. Aida (Verdi) O cieli azzurri 92273 XPh3511 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-10-13
4. Aida (Verdi) Ritorna vincitor 39354 XPh400a Fonotipia, Milano 1905-10-28
5. Aida (Verdi) Rivedrai le foreste… Su, dunque! (w. Magini-Coletti) 74002 XXPh 455, 74003 XXPh 456 Fonotipia, Milano 1905-11-13
6. Amica (Mascagni) Piu presso al ciel (w. Corradetti) 39388 XPh 476 Fonotipia, Milano 1905-11-18
7. Ave Maria (Bach – Gounod) 39046 XPh 2065 Fonotipia, Milano 1906-09-26
8. Ballo in maschera (Verdi): Per salvarti da lor (w. Pacini & Longobardi) 69003 XXPh 20 Fonotipia, Milano 1904-10
9. Boheme (Puccini) Si mi chiamano Mimi 39308 XPh 373 Fonotipia, Milano 1905-10-04
10. Carmen (Bizet): Ah mi parla (w. Garbin) 92270 XPh 3509 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-10-13
11. Carmen (Bizet) Ti baciava (w. Garbin) 92271 XPh 3510 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-10-13
12. Don Carlo (Verdi) Fra voi, vaghi giardini 92748 XPh4396 Fonotipia, Milano 1910-10-22
13. Don Carlo (Verdi) Tu che la vanità 92747 XPh4395 Fonotipia, Milano 1910-10-22
14. Ernani (Verdi) Ernani involami 92233 XPh3361 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-07-02
15. Faust (Gounod) All’erta (w. Bonci & Luppi) 39299 XPh368 Fonotipia, Milano 1905-10-03
16. Fedora (Giordano) Morte di Fedora (w. Garbin) 92955 XPh3501 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-10-12
17. Fedora (Giordano) O grandi occhi 92954 XPh3360 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-07-02