Description

STANISLAW BERINI (WARSAW, JUNE 10, 1877 – PHOENIX, 10 MARCH, 1943)

 

 

 

 

Stanislaw Berini, also known as Stanislao Berini, Stassio Berini and Joseph Birnzweig, was a Polish operatic and concert tenor who pursued an international career in Europe and the United States during the early twentieth century. He was particularly active as a recording artist during the acoustic recording era.

He was born Joseph Birnzweig on June 10, 1877, in Warsaw, then part of the Russian Empire. According to biographical accounts, he sang in a synagogue choir during his childhood and subsequently studied at the music school associated with the University of Warsaw. He made his operatic debut at the Warsaw Grand Opera.

During his European career, Berini appeared at several important opera houses, including the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, the Royal Opera in Vienna, the Theater des Westens in Berlin, and the Royal Opera in Warsaw. In 1903, he emigrated to the United States, where he became associated with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, performing as a member of its chorus.

Berini also appeared with touring opera companies and participated in the American Chautauqua circuits, sometimes performing alongside his wife, Tozier, who was associated with the Savage English Grand Opera Company of New York.

Between approximately 1918 and 1922, Berini made numerous commercial recordings for several American record companies, including Emerson, Vocalion, Victor and Columbia. His repertoire encompassed Italian opera arias, operetta selections, popular songs and traditional melodies. Among his recorded operatic selections were arias from Puccini’s La Bohème and Verdi’s Rigoletto.

Some of his recordings appeared under different variations of his name, including Stassio Berini.

In 1925, he established a vocal studio in New York, where he worked as a singing teacher and vocal instructor. His students and professional acquaintances reportedly included prominent cantors such as Yossele Rosenblatt, Mordechai Hershman and Abraham Hayman. He also briefly taught at the University of Denver.

His performing career was apparently interrupted by illness, and in 1928 he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to recuperate. He subsequently remained connected with musical activities in the United States, occasionally appearing with local theatrical companies.

Stanisław Berini died in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 10, 1943, aged approximately 70.

Today, he is remembered as one of the Polish-born tenors who contributed to the early American recording industry, leaving behind a valuable collection of recordings documenting the vocal traditions and popular musical repertoire of the early twentieth century.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

A Dream (Cory-Bartlett) Emerson, 1919 10867 4274-1

Aida (Verdi): Celeste Aida Emerson, 1919 2004 4287

Boheme (Puccini): Che gelida manina Emerson, 1919 2033X 4510-1

Boheme (Puccini): O Mimì, tu più non torni (w/ Millo Picco) Emerson, 1919 2013z 3657-1

Elisir d’amore (Donizetti): Una furtiva lagrima Emerson, 1919 2003 4284

Eil rachem Vocalion, 1922 14421A 9548

Forza del destino (Verdi): Solenne in quest’ ora (w/ Millo Picco) Emerson, 1919 2011X 3654

La serenata (Tosti) Emerson, 1919 1047 4277

Leebe tzu Kinder Vocalion, 1922 14421B 9549

Ludu mój ludu Columbia, 1918  E4152 84737

Martha (Flotow): M’apparì tutt’ amor Emerson, 1919 2003 4285

Mia sposa sarà la mia bandiera (Rotoli) Emerson, 1919 1047 4276

Modlitwa Pańska Columbia, 1918 E4152 84738

Na fujarce Columbia, 1918 E3964 84210

O Dry Those Tears Emerson, 1919 1076 4275-2 / 4275-3

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Vesti la giubba Emerson, 1919 2004 4286

Pecchè (Pennino) Emerson, 1919 2024 4301

Rigoletto (Verdi): La donna è mobile Emerson, 1919 2033X 4511-2

The Bohemian Girl (Balfe) Then You’ll Remember Me Emerson, 1919 1076 4278

Życzenia Columbia, 1918 E3964 84209