Description

ROSETTA PAMPANINI (MILAN, 2 SEPTEMBER, 1896 – CORBOLA, 2 AUGUST, 1973)

 

 

 

 

Rosetta Pampanini was born in Milan into a musical family. Initially training to become a teacher, she ultimately decided to pursue a career in singing. She studied under Emma and Lorenzo Molajoli and made her debut in 1920 at the Teatro Nazionale in Rome as Micaela in Carmen. Following her debut, she performed at numerous Italian opera houses, building her repertoire under the mentorship of Tullio Serafin.

A key figure in her early career was Pietro Mascagni, who often conducted her in performances of his opera Iris. Pampanini’s success in the title role revitalized the opera, originally premiered in 1898, bringing it back into the contemporary repertoire. Another major influence was Arturo Toscanini, who conducted her in the revival of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at La Scala in 1925. Her portrayal of Cio-Cio-San was a triumph, with 12 performances solidifying her reputation and ensuring the opera’s enduring popularity. This role became her signature, establishing her as one of the leading Italian sopranos of her time.

During her tenure at La Scala, she participated in several world premieres and toured with the ensemble. Toscanini also invited her to Berlin, where she performed Manon Lescaut and Madama Butterfly in 1929. Pampanini brought her celebrated Puccini interpretations to Covent Garden and became a regular guest at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires starting in 1926. In the 1931–32 season, she performed Madama Butterfly, Nedda (Pagliacci), and Mimì (La Bohème) at the Chicago Opera, though she was not invited back for subsequent seasons.

Her international appearances included Vienna (1930–1932), Oslo (1933), and Prague (1935). A notable highlight was her performance as Mimì in La Bohème in Puccini’s hometown of Torre del Lago, conducted by Mascagni.

From 1937, Pampanini transitioned to more dramatic roles, including Leonora in La Forza del Destino, Aida, and Maddalena in Andrea Chénier. She retired from the stage in 1946 and dedicated her post-performance career to teaching and coaching aspiring singers.

Rosetta Pampanini’s artistry and contributions to opera, particularly her association with Puccini’s works, left a lasting legacy.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-08

Wally (Catalani): Ebben? Ne andrò lontana 152034 Pho5694

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): In quelle trine morbide 152035 Pho5695

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Un bel dì, vedremo 74975 XXPh5696

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-09

Bohème (Puccini): Sì, mi chiamano Mimì 74976 XXPh5701

Otello (Verdi): Canzone del salce 74985 XXPh5705

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-10

Iris (Mascagni): Un dì 74986 XXPh5708

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-04-12

Carmen (Bizet): Io dico, no, non son paurosa 74989 XXPh5710

Andrea Chénier (Giordano): La mamma morta 74990 XXPh5712

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-10-20

Bohème (Puccini): O soave fanciulla with Aureliano Pertile 120001 XXPh5775

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1926-10-26

Turandot (Puccini): Signore, ascolta 168014 Pho5789

Turandot (Puccini): Tanto amore segreto… Tu che di gel sei cinta 168015 Pho5790

Otello (Verdi): Ave Maria 168038 Pho5792

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1927-01-20

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Stridono lassù 168038 Pho5854

Faust (Gounod): C’era un re, un re di Thulé 120039 XXPh5855

Faust (Gounod): Ah! …e strano poter il viso 120039 XXPh5856

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1927-01-24

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Un bel dì, vedremo 120043 XXPh5873

Wally (Catalani): Ebben? Ne andrò lontana 120043 XXPh5874

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1928-01-11

Manon Lescaut (Puccini): In quelle trine morbide 168191 Pho6096

Andrea Chénier (Giordano): La mamma morta 120165 XXPh6098

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-19

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Bimba non piangere with Ferdinando Ciniselli 120148 XXPh6239

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Quest’obi pomposa with Ferdinando Cinizelli 120148 XXPh6240

 

Fonotipia, Milano 1928-05-21

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Adesso voi with Ferdinando Ciniselli 120149 XXPh6247

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Via dall’anima in pena with Ferdinando Ciniselli 120149 XXPh6248