Description

ENRICO DI MAZZEI (ENRICUS DAMASUS TACCHELLA DI MAZZEI) (SOFIA, BULGARIA 1894 – GENEVA, SWITZERLAND 1958)

He was the son of an Italian diplomat and pursued singing studies in Milan under Fumagalli, later continuing his education at the Conservatory of Geneva. In 1925, he made his stage debut at the Grand Théâtre in Geneva. The following year, in 1926, he debuted at the Opéra-Comique in Paris as Cavaradossi in Tosca. Over the next few years, he enjoyed considerable success at the Opéra-Comique, performing roles such as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Rodolfo in La Bohème, and Werther in Werther.

He also sang with distinction at various other theaters, including in Lyon, Nice, Bordeaux, Liège, and Monte Carlo. Unfortunately, his promising career was cut short due to health issues. While on tour in Bulgaria in 1928, he experienced a severe shock during the catastrophic earthquake in Plovdiv, which made it impossible for him to continue performing. He subsequently retired from the stage and lived in Geneva. Despite being of Italian origin, he never performed on any Italian stage during his career.

Chronology of some appearances

1925 Genéve Opera House

1926 Paris Opéra-Comique

1929 Bulgaria Tour

TRACKLIST

1. Le campane di San Giusto (Arona) 188779  Ki 3835 Odéon, Paris 1930-11-17
2. Lusinga (De Curtis) 188624 Ki 2062-2 Odéon, Paris 1928
3. Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Addio, fiorito asil 188888 Ki5994 Odéon, Paris 1932-05-17
4. Mamma mia, che vo’ sapè (Nutile) 188565 Ki 1551 Odéon, Paris 1928-02-08
5. Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Donna non vidi mai 7152 N201312-1 Pathé, Paris 1928
6. O leggiadri occhi belli 188869 Ki 5392 Odéon, Paris 1932-05-10
7. ‘O marenariello (Gambardella) (w. Mme G. Rey) 188781 Ki 3827 Odéon, Paris 1930-11-14
8. ‘O sole mio (Di Capua) 188779 Ki 3834 Odéon, Paris 1930-11-17
9. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) M’habiller 171021 xxP 6461-2 Odéon, Paris 1928-02-08
10. Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet) Je crois entendre encore 188512 Ki1146 Odéon, Paris 1927-04
11. Reginella (Lama) 188687 Ki 2673 Odéon, Paris 1929-10-18
12. Rigoletto (Verdi) Addio, addio (w. Pons) 123597 xxP 6769-2 Odéon, Paris 1928-12-19
13. Rigoletto (Verdi) È il sol dell’anima (w. Pons) 123597 xxP 6770-2  Odéon, Paris 1928-12-19
14. Rigoletto (Verdi) La donna è mobile 188512 Ki1149 Odéon, Paris 1927-04
15. Rigoletto (Verdi) La donna è mobile N201310-S 7152 Pathé, Paris 1928
16. Rigoletto (Verdi) Qu’une belle 188643 Ki 2364-3 Odéon, Paris 1929-04-17
17. Santa Lucia lontana (Mario) 3370 201318 Pathé, Paris 1928
18. Santa Lucia luntana (Mario) 188689 Ki 2674-2 Odéon, Paris 1929-10-18