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. Torna a Sorrento (De Curtis) 188565 Ki1550 Odéon, Paris 1928-02-08
2. Torna a Surriento (De Curtis) 3371 N201319-1 Pathé, Paris 1928
3. Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle 7154 N201308 Pathé, Paris 1928
4. Tosca (Puccini) Franchise à Floria Tosca… O douce mains (w. Vallin) 123815 xxP 7336 Odéon, Paris 1932-06-14
5. Tosca (Puccini) Le ciel luisait d’étoiles 188500 Ki 1021-1 Odéon, Paris 1927-01/02
6. Tosca (Puccini) Mais quels yeux valent ces yeux (w. Vallin) 123811 xxP 7327 Odéon, Paris 1932-06-08
7. Tosca (Puccini) Mario Cavaradossi… Le ciel luisait d’étoiles with Paul Payen 123815 XXP 7335-1 Odéon, Paris 1932
8. Tosca (Puccini) Mario, permet que je parle (w. Vallin & Endrèze) 123813 xxP 7331 Odéon, Paris 1932-06-09
9. Tosca (Puccini) O de beautés égales 188501 Ki1020 Odéon, Paris 1927-01/02
10. Tosca (Puccini) O dolci mani N201309 7154 Pathé, Paris 1928
11. Tosca (Puccini) O douces mains 188500 Ki 1022-2 Odéon, Paris 1927-01/02
12. Tosca (Puccini) Oui, l’on me dit venal  (w. Vallin & Endrèze) 123813 xxP 7332 Odéon, Paris 1932-06-09
13. Tosca (Puccini) Quelle est cette blonde dis-moi… Ma jalouse (w. Dorley) 123638, 123638 xxP 6873 xxP 6874 Odéon, Paris 1929-04-17
14. Tosca (Puccini) Recondita armonia 7158 N201323-1 Pathé, Paris 1928
15. Tu ch’ai le penne, Amore (Caccini) 188869 Ki 5393 Odéon, Paris 1932-05-10
16. Werther (Massenet) Invocation à la nature 123618 xxP 6827 Odéon, Paris 1929-02-25
17. Werther (Massenet) J’aurais sur ma poitrine 123618 xxP 6828 Odéon, Paris 1929-02-25
18. Werther (Massenet) Pourquoi me réveiller 188643 Ki 2222-2 Odéon, Paris 1929-02-25