Oberon's Glade

Tag: The Italian

  • Lando Bartolini Has Passed Away

    Lando

    The Italian tenor Lando Bartolini has passed away. A native of Prato, Italy, Lando started studying voice in Philadelphia at the Academy of Vocal Arts with Nicola Moscona. Soon after, also in Philadelphia, he made his operatic debut as Luigi in IL TABARRO in 1968. He enjoyed an early success in Mascagni’s IRIS at the Teatro Liceu in Barcelona, and became a member of the Saint Gallen Opera. 

    Lando joined the New York City Opera in 1976, appearing there until 1979. His Italian debut came in 1982 as Ernani at La Scala. He sang at the Teatro Colón, at the Arena di Verona, at Hamburg, Berlin, Chicago, Vienna, Munich, Naples, Lisbon, Tokyo, Catania, Parma, Turin, Firenze, San Francisco, Rome, Washington DC, at Covent Garden, and in Sydney.

    Bartolini made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera on tour in Boston in 1986, as Cavaradossi. He continued singing at The Met thru 1996, appearing as Manrico, Andrea Chenier, Calaf, and Radames. I saw him at The Met in AIDA opposite Leona Mitchell and Stefania Toczyska, and as Cavaradossi opposite Anna Tomowa-Sintow. He was a passionate singer, and his voice had real cutting power.

    Lando-822663

    My favorite memory of Lando Bartolini was in LA BOHEME at the New York City Opera in 1976, opposite a very young Catherine Malfitano. He was a handsome, ardent poet whose “Che gelida manina” won strong applause; then he sat on the floor at Mimi’s feet as she told her story in “Mi chiamano Mimi.” Their love duet was youthful and rapturous.

    Lando sings Andrea Chenier’s Improviso here, and Pinkerton’s “Addio, fiorito asil” here.

  • Aldo Protti’s Prologo…and Credo

    5a98e51316e41

    The Italian baritone Aldo Protti (1920-1995) was a native of Cremona. He studied at Parma, and made his operatic debut in 1948, at the Teatro Pergolesi in Jesi, as Rossini’s Figaro. Within two years, he was at La Scala, singing Amonasro in AIDA. From that point forward, Protti sang in Italy’s leading theaters as well as making guest appearances in Vienna; he participated in several broadcasts for the RAI, and in 1957 sang at Lyric Opera of Chicago as Barnaba (GIOCONDA) and Marcello (BOHEME).

    Protti made important recordings for Decca, including a 1954 OTELLO with del Monaco and Tebaldi, Alberto Erede conducting. When Herbert von Karajan planned his stereo-remake of that Verdi opera for Decca in 1961, Ettore Bastianini was chosen to sing Iago. But Bastianini had failed to learn the part, so Karajan called upon Protti to repeat the role; the baritone surpassed his earlier recorded portrayal both vocally and in terms of characterization.

    In 1985, at the age of 65, Protti sang a single performance as Rigoletto at The Met. He then joined the Company on tour, singing the role in six cities (including in Boston, where his Gilda was Roberta Peters in her final performance with The Met). He sang Rigoletto twice more, in concert form, with The Met in the Parks.

    Rigoletto was Protti’s most frequent role, which he performed 425 times in all; Scarpia, Count di Luna, and and Iago each figured prominently in his repertoire, with 100 performances of each role in his résumé.

    Also Protti passed away at Cremona in 1995.

    Aldo Protti – Prologo ~ PAGLIACCI

    Aldo Protti – OTELLO ~ Credo – Karajan cond

    ~ Oberon

  • Aldo Protti’s Prologo…and Credo

    5a98e51316e41

    The Italian baritone Aldo Protti (1920-1995) was a native of Cremona. He studied at Parma, and made his operatic debut in 1948, at the Teatro Pergolesi in Jesi, as Rossini’s Figaro. Within two years, he was at La Scala, singing Amonasro in AIDA. From that point forward, Protti sang in Italy’s leading theaters as well as making guest appearances in Vienna; he participated in several broadcasts for the RAI, and in 1957 sang at Lyric Opera of Chicago as Barnaba (GIOCONDA) and Marcello (BOHEME).

    Protti made important recordings for Decca, including a 1954 OTELLO with del Monaco and Tebaldi, Alberto Erede conducting. When Herbert von Karajan planned his stereo-remake of that Verdi opera for Decca in 1961, Ettore Bastianini was chosen to sing Iago. But Bastianini had failed to learn the part, so Karajan called upon Protti to repeat the role; the baritone surpassed his earlier recorded portrayal both vocally and in terms of characterization.

    In 1985, at the age of 65, Protti sang a single performance as Rigoletto at The Met. He then joined the Company on tour, singing the role in six cities (including in Boston, where his Gilda was Roberta Peters in her final performance with The Met). He sang Rigoletto twice more, in concert form, with The Met in the Parks.

    Rigoletto was Protti’s most frequent role, which he performed 425 times in all; Scarpia, Count di Luna, and and Iago each figured prominently in his repertoire, with 100 performances of each role in his résumé.

    Also Protti passed away at Cremona in 1995.

    Aldo Protti – Prologo ~ PAGLIACCI

    Aldo Protti – OTELLO ~ Credo – Karajan cond

    ~ Oberon

  • Sonia Prina Sings Porpora’s SALVE REGINA

    Sonia_Prina

    The Italian contralto Sonia Prina (above) sings Nicola Porpora’s Salve Regina with Accademia Bizantina.

    Listen here.

  • Sonia Prina Sings Porpora’s SALVE REGINA

    Sonia_Prina

    The Italian contralto Sonia Prina (above) sings Nicola Porpora’s Salve Regina with Accademia Bizantina.

    Listen here.