Description

NUNZIO RAPISARDI (BARITONE) (CATANIA, 1877 – ST. PETERSBURG, 5 MAY, 1911)

 

 

 

 

Young, originally from Palermo, moved with his family to Florence, where his interest in theater initially drew him toward acting. He enrolled in Luigi Rasi’s acting school and participated in several comedies at the Stabile theater in Florence. Coming from a musically talented family, with his sisters Nunzia Rapisardi and Bianca Morello (both sopranos), he eventually shifted his focus to singing. He began vocal training with Maestro Vannini and made his operatic debut as a baritone in 1898, singing Schaunard in La Bohème at the Teatro Pagliano in Florence.

The early years of his career were marked by continued study and performances in smaller venues, primarily in secondary roles. In September 1902, after a brief period of intense study, he attempted a switch to tenor, debuting in the role of Canio in Pagliacci at the Politeama Reinach in Parma. However, the tenor transition was short-lived, and he quickly returned to his baritone repertoire, where he found true success.

In 1903, his breakthrough came with a highly acclaimed performance of Rigoletto at the Teatro Rossini in Venice, establishing him as a rising baritone. He continued to gain recognition, and in 1905, he sang in the premiere of Alto Mare by G. Chigi at the Teatro Della Lizza in Siena.

In 1911, he was engaged to perform at the prestigious Imperial Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia. However, upon reaching the Russian border, he was arrested for not possessing a passport. After resolving this issue, he proceeded with his performances. Unfortunately, during a production of Aida, he suffered a severe injury when a rusty nail punctured his foot. The wound became infected, leading to a fatal case of tetanus. His tragic death cut short a promising career, and his funeral was attended by prominent figures of the opera world, including Sobinov, Figner, Sibiriakov, and Stracciari.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1898 Firenze Teatro Pagliano Boheme (Schaunard)

1900 Firenze Teatro Alfieri Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)

1902 Firenze Teatro Verdi Manon (Lescaut)

1904 Venezia Teatro Rossini Rigoletto (Rigoletto)

1906 Torino Teatro Regio Loreley (Hermann)

1908 Alessandria d’Egitto Teatro Zizinia Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro)

1910 Parma Teatro Regio Loreley (Hermann)

1911 Pietroburgo Teatro Imperiale Aida (Amonasro)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Forza del destino (Verdi): Non si plasa (w. Martinez-Patti) 50 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1908?
2. Ballo in maschera (Verdi) Eri tu 81 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1908?
3. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Largo al factotum 80 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1908?
4. Ernani (Verdi) O dei verd’anni miei 115 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1908?
5. Hamlet (Thomas) Come il romito fior 123 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1908?
6. Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Cruda, funesta smania 113 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1908?
7. Amleto (Thomas): O vin discaccia la tristezza 122 Phonodisc Mondial, Milano 1908?