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. Mefistofele (Boito) Amore misterioso (w. Ventura) 054025 Con636 G&T, Milano 1903-10
2. Mefistofele (Boito) L’altra notte unpubl. XPh3353 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-06-30
3. Mefistofele (Boito) Serenata (w. Ventura & Longhi) 54046 Con228 G&T, Milano 1903-10
4. Mefistofele (Boito) Spunta l’aurora pallida 92236 XPh3347 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-06-29
5. Nabucco (Verdi) Anch’io dischiuso un giorno… Salgo già del trono unpubl XPh5030, XPh5031 Fonotipia, Milano 1914-04-06
6. Nabucco (Verdi) Donna, chi sei… Oh di qual’onta… Deh, perdona (w. Nani) Fonotipia 69172 XPh 5036, 69173 XPh 5037, 69174 XPh 5038 Fonotipia, Milano 1913-04-08
7. Norma (Bellini) Casta diva… Ah! bello, a me ritorna 39892 XPh 2209, 69061 XPh4935 Fonotipia, Milano 1906-11-05
8. Norma (Bellini) Cedi… deh, cedi! (w. Guerrini) 69064 XPh4948 Fonotipia, Milano 1913-05-30
9. Norma (Bellini) Mira, o Norma… Sola, furtiva al tempio… Si, fa core abbracciami Fonotipia 69063, 69065, 69066, XPh 4947, XPh 4949, XPh 4950 Fonotipia, Milano 1913-05-30
10. Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Voi che sapete 39047 XPh 43 Fonotipia, Milano 1904-10
11. Rigoletto (Verdi) Ah, veglia o donna (w. Magini-Coletti) 39399 XPh475 Fonotipia, Milano 1905-11-18
12. Rigoletto (Verdi) Figlia! mio padre (w. Magini-Coletti) 39398 XPh474 Fonotipia, Milano 1905-11-18