Great Singers
Volume 2 (1903 - 1939)

Note by Norman White











Francesco Tamagno was born in Turin, and made his debut there, in 1874. He was soon engaged by La Scala for Verdi's Ernani and Simon Boccanegra. He was chosen by Verdi to create the role of Otello in the world premiere, 1887. He performed in all major opera houses until his career was severely restricted by a heart attack, in 1898.

Emma Calvé, the dramatic French soprano, made her debut in Born in Fumay, Pol Plançon made his debut in Les Huguenots , 1877. He sang in French provincial theatres until the Paris Opera invited him to perform Mefistophele in Faust, 1883. He was one of the most admired lyrical basses at La Scala, Covent Garden and the Metropolitan. His display of coloratura singing together with vocal ornamentation won him the respect of the high sopranos! Plançon retired from the stage in 1908.

Geraldine Farrar was famous for her physical beauty as well as vocal talent. Born in America, she completed her studies in Berlin, and made her debut there in 1901 as Marguerite in Faust. She remained there until 1906 when she began making guest appearances in Monte-Carlo, Paris, London, Brussels and Stockholm. After joining the Met in 1906 she became their leading prima donna for many years, and stage partner to Caruso.

Titta Ruffo was one of the most sought after and highly paid Italian baritones of all time. After his debut in 1898 he quickly rose to world fame in a wide ranging repertoire but was especially popular in the roles of Verdi. He retired in 1936, having thrilled audiences in every major opera house of the world.

Alma Gluck was born in Bucharest but moved as a child to America. She made her debut in the New Theatre, New York, in 1909, followed almost immediately by her debut at the Metropolitan as Sophie in Werther. She was a regular performer with the Met until 1918 after which she only appeared in their Sunday evening concerts. She combined a highly successful concert career with her operatic appearances.

Giuseppe de Luca the world famous Italian baritone made his stage debut in 1897 as Valentin in Faust with such success that engagements followed in the most important Italian opera houses. By 1904 he had sung at La Scala where Puccini chose him to create the role of Sharpless for the world premiere of Madama Butterfly. He joined the Met in 1915 and remained one of their principal baritones for the next 31 years. He gave a concert in New York in 1947 to celebrate 50 years of singing after which he retired to teach.

Mary Garden had a 'fairytale' debut in opera, taking over during a performance of Louise when the leading soprano was taken ill. Born in Scotland, brought up in America and trained in France, she created the role of Mélisande in the world premiere performance of Pelléas et Mélisande in 1902, at Debussy's request. She later moved back to America for the Manhattan Opera, 1907-1910, and the Chicago opera 1910-1930. She also made guest appearances in many of the world's leading opera houses. She was noted for her great acting ability.

Giovanni Martinelli made his operatic debut as Ernani in 1911. During 1912 Toscanini chose him for the Italian premiere of La Fanciulla del West. En route to America he sang with great success at Covent Garden and returned on future occasions. From 1913 he was a member of the Metropolitan Opera, remaining there until his retirement in 1946. After Caruso's death Martinelli inherited most of his roles. His dramatic tenor voice had great intensity and he performed with impeccable musicality.

Sigrid Onegin studied in Frankfurt, Munich and Milan, making her concert debut in 1911. This was followed by her stage debut as Carmen, Stuttgart, 1912, where she also created the role of Dryad in Ariadne auf Naxos. She later joined the Bavarian State Opera and the Metropolitan. Guest appearances followed in London, Paris, Vienna and Berlin. She sang at Bayreuth in 1933-34 as Fricka, Waltraute and the third Norn in the Ring.

The Italian bass Ezio Pinza wanted to become a professional cyclist, but his father insisted on his taking up singing. He was recognised by Toscanini as an outstanding talent and offered a contract at La Scala. From 1926 he was the principal bass for the Italian wing of the Metropolitan while guesting in Europe. After his operatic retirement in 1948 he began a new career on Broadway, notably in South Pacific.

Maria Ivogün was offered a contract at the Munich Royal Opera by Bruno Walter, making her debut as Mimi in La Bohème, 1913. She remained in Munich until 1925 after which she joined the Berlin State Opera and made guest appearances throughout Europe and America. Her coloratura soprano voice was ideal for the German repertoire.

The bass Feodor Chaliapine was most famous for his interpretations of the Russian masterpieces, and is remembered for his large flexible bass voice and gripping stage presence. He performed in St Petersburg, Moscow, Milan, Paris, London and New York with equal success. He is particularly noted for his singing of the title role in Boris Godunov.

Elisabeth Rethberg studied first piano, and later singing in Dresden. Her debut there in Der Freischütz, 1915, was a great success and she remained with the company until 1922 when she was engaged by the Metropolitan. She was a member of the Met for twenty years while still fulfilling engagements in all the world's leading opera houses. Toscanini commented that hers was the most beautiful soprano voice he had heard. She retired in 1942.

Lauritz Melchior, arguably the greatest Heldentenor of the century, made his debut as a baritone in 1913, changing to tenor in 1918. He enjoyed huge success at Covent Garden from 1924, and the Bayreuth Festivals from 1924-1931. During the 1930's he sang frequently in the principal European opera houses. From 1926 he was the leading Wagnerian tenor at the Metropolitan until his retirement in 1950.

Kirsten Flagstad is best remembered for her interpretations of Wagnerian soprano roles at the Metropolitan and Covent Garden. She had a twenty-year career in Scandinavia performing operetta and the lighter soprano repertoire. She is affectionately remembered for her performances of Purcell's The Swedish tenor, Jussi Björling, was born in Stockholm, 1911, and began performing at an early age when he, his father and brothers formed a popular male voice quartet. His debut in Stockholm, 1929, was followed by appearances in major opera houses all over Europe. His remarkable career as one of the century's most refined tenors, lasted until his early death in 1960.

Mafalda Favero was born near Ferrara in Italy and made her stage debut as Liu in Turandot (Parma, 1927). The following year she was invited by Toscanini to join La Scala as Eva in Die Meistersinger. She remained a leading soprano there until 1950. Favero was a guest singer in major opera houses all over the world. She was particularly renowned for her portrayals of Mimi in La Bohème, Manon in both Puccini's and Massenet's operas, and Cilèa's Adriana Lecouvreur.


© 1990 Norman White

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