Description

EDOARDO GARBIN (PADUA, 12 MARCH, 1865 – BRESCIA, 12 APRIL, 1943)

 

 

 

 

He studied singing in Milan under Alberto Selva and Vittorio Orefice. Garbin made his debut in 1891 as Don Alvaro in La Forza del Destino at the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza. Following this, he performed at significant venues, including the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan and the Teatro San Carlo in Naples.

In 1892, Garbin sang at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa for the premiere of Alberto Franchetti’s opera Cristoforo Colombo, where he created the role of Guevara, a part he would reprise in 1897 at La Scala.

His La Scala debut came in 1893, where he sang Fenton in the world premiere of Verdi’s Falstaff, alongside his wife, soprano Adelina Stehle (1860-1945), who created the role of Nannetta. The couple would go on to frequently appear together, particularly in Puccini operas.

In 1900, Garbin performed as Dufresne in the premiere of Leoncavallo’s Zazà at the Teatro Lirico in Milan. He also sang in major European opera houses in Vienna, Berlin, Lisbon, Barcelona, Odessa, and Warsaw.

In 1905, he participated in the premiere of Italo Montemezzi’s opera Giovanni Gallurese at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turin. However, his European successes were not mirrored in London, where critics were less favorable during his 1908 appearances.

Garbin’s recordings reveal a voice capable of remarkable expressiveness, but they also show inconsistencies. His voice was noted for moments of brilliance and delicacy but also had periods of uneven tone and forced singing.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1891 Milan Teatro Dal Verme Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1892 Genova Politeama Genovese Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1896 Palermo Politeama Boheme (Rodolfo)

1897 Palermo Teatro Massimo Boheme (Rodolfo)

1898 Madrid Teatro Reale Boheme (Rodolfo)

1899 Barcelona Teatro Liceo Boheme (Rodolfo)

1900 Barcelona Teatro Liceo Boheme (Rodolfo)

1901 Lisbon Teatro San Carlo Boheme (Rodolfo)

1902 Montevideo Teatro Solis Boheme (Rodolfo)

1903 Genova Politeama Genovese Adriana Lecouvreur (Maurizio)

1904 Buenos Ayres Teatro dell’Opera Adriana Lecouvreur (Maurizio)

1905 Naples Teatro San Carlo Adriana Lecouvreur (Maurizio)

1907 Buenos Aies Teatro dell’Opera Carmen (Don Jose)

1908 Milan Teatro La Scala Andrea Chenier (Andrea Chenier)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Manon Lescaut (Puccini) No pazzo son D9320 41973 Columbia 1913

Mefistofele (Boito)  Dai campi, dai prati 92447 XPh3659 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-07-10

Mefistofele (Boito) Dai campi, dai prati E2250 41942 Columbia 1913

Mefistofele (Boito) Giunto sul passo D9322 41942  Columbia 1913

Mefistofele (Boito) Giunto sul passo estremo 92215 XPh3377-2 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-07-10

Mefistofele (Boito) La luna immobile with Ester Mazzoleni and Elisa Petri 92425 XPh3664 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-11-21

Sento che t’amo (Fatuo) 39065 XPh56 Fonotipia, Milano 1904-1011

Tosca (Puccini)  E lucevan le stelle 92032 Xph 2980 Fonotipia, Milano 1907-12-05

Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle 39043 XPh57 Fonotipia, Milano 1904-10/11

Tosca (Puccini) Recondita armonia 92290 XPh3512 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-10-13

Traviata (Verdi) Un dì felice 52428 2841b G&T, Milano 1902-11

Zaza (Leoncavallo) E un riso gentil 39075 XPh60 Fonotipia, Milano 1904-10/11

Zaza (Leoncavallo) Mai piu Zaza 92253 XPh3452 Fonotipia, Milano 1908-09-30