Giuseppe Anselmi
Encyclopedia
Giuseppe Anselmi was an Italian operatic tenor
. He became famous throughout Europe during the first decade of the 20th century for his stylish performances of lyric roles. He never sang in the United States.
troupe with which he toured Italy and the Middle East. The music publisher Giulio Ricordi
allegedly heard him and advised him to undergo vocal instruction with Luigi Mancinelli
, one of Italy's leading conductors.
According to some sources, Anselmi's first appearance on stage in an operatic role happened as early as 1896, when he sang Turiddu
(Cavalleria rusticana) in Greece. His Italian operatic debut took place in Genoa in 1900, and his career took off quickly from there. He appeared initially at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples, in late December of that year and, in 1901, at the Royal Opera House
, Covent Garden
, London. Engagements at La Scala
, Milan, and the Monte-Carlo Opera ensued in 1904 and 1908, respectively. He was much admired at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and also sang in Brussels, Berlin and Vienna prior to World War I
.
His greatest triumphs, however, occurred in the cities of St Petersburg (often opposite lyric soprano
Lina Cavalieri
), Warsaw and, in particular, Madrid, where he even eclipsed the famous tenor Enrico Caruso in popularity.
Although his style of singing was not liked at first by the London critics, he soon became a favorite with audiences in the British capital, and he sang intermittently at Covent Garden until 1909.
Anselmi's operatic career tailed off at the end of World War I. He spent his remaining years teaching and composing in Italy. He also gave the odd concert. Anselmi died in 1929 of pneumonia, at Zoagli in the Italian province of Liguria. He had retained a deep affection for Madrid, and he bequeathed his heart to that city, where it was exhibited inside an urn at the Teatro Real
museum.
) as being among the last exponents of the old bel canto
method of Italian singing, which was largely supplanted in Italy during the early 1900s by a more forceful mode of vocalism associated with Wagner's music dramas and verismo opera.
Michael Scott (in the Record of Singing, published in London in 1977) notes, however, that if Anselmi were a exponent of bel canto it must have been when that school was in decline. Anselmi's treatment of much of the bel canto repertoire has relatively sketchy runs and ornaments (compared with the accuracy displayed by such exceptional vocalists as Adelina Patti
, Nellie Melba
, Pol Plançon
, Mario Ancona
, Mattia Battistini
and the great Handel
ian Peter Dawson—all of whom were genuine remnants of the 19th-century bel canto tradition). Indeed, Anselmi was as capable of agitation as any true-blue verismo tenor (listen, for example, to his emotional recording of the aria Vesti la giubba from Pagliacci).
Anselmi was a good-looking man with an arresting stage presence, which made him extremely popular with many opera-goers. He was sometimes referred to as Il tenore di donne (the tenor of/for women) which apparently had a double meaning; details of his personal life have never emerged.
He possessed a sweet-toned if rather throaty and fluttery lyric tenor voice, which he employed with memorable grace and elegance when on his best behaviour. His upper range extends upwards to a high B on disc but his lowest notes are not so secure. There is a clear division between the registers. Anselmi often clears his throat at the beginning of his recordings (famously in the Fonotipia recording of Amor ti vieta) and even during phrase (as in the Fonotipia recording of Apri la tua finestra). Anselmi's intonation is sometimes suspect, too—most notably in the recitative to his famed Fonotipia recording of Quando al sere al placido from Verdi's Luisa Miller, where his forced top notes are pushed sharp. (See: Scott, Steane, et al.).
Anselmi was noted for his performances as Almaviva and Don Ottavio
, but he also excelled in the roles of Edgardo, Ernesto
(in Don Pasquale
), Duca di Mantua
, Alfredo
, Faust
, Enzo
, Cavaradossi
, Loris and Lensky
, among others. His recordings were made between 1907 and 1913 for Fonotipia Records
in Milan, and then Edison Records
in London. A good selection of these recordings can be heard on Compact Disc reissues by Pearl, Marston, Symposium and other companies.
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
. He became famous throughout Europe during the first decade of the 20th century for his stylish performances of lyric roles. He never sang in the United States.
Life and career
Anselmi came from the Catania area on the east coast of Sicily. He studied violin and piano at the Naples Conservatory as a teenager, and then joined an operettaOperetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
troupe with which he toured Italy and the Middle East. The music publisher Giulio Ricordi
Giulio Ricordi
Giulio Ricordi was an Italian editor and musician.-Biography:Ricordi was born in Milan, where he also died....
allegedly heard him and advised him to undergo vocal instruction with Luigi Mancinelli
Luigi Mancinelli
Luigi Mancinelli was a leading Italian orchestral conductor. He also composed music for the stage and concert hall and played the cello....
, one of Italy's leading conductors.
According to some sources, Anselmi's first appearance on stage in an operatic role happened as early as 1896, when he sang Turiddu
Cavalleria rusticana
Cavalleria rusticana is an opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni to an Italian libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci, adapted from a play written by Giovanni Verga based on his short story. Considered one of the classic verismo operas, it premiered on May 17, 1890 at the Teatro...
(Cavalleria rusticana) in Greece. His Italian operatic debut took place in Genoa in 1900, and his career took off quickly from there. He appeared initially at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples, in late December of that year and, in 1901, at the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
, Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
, London. Engagements at La Scala
La Scala
La Scala , is a world renowned opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala...
, Milan, and the Monte-Carlo Opera ensued in 1904 and 1908, respectively. He was much admired at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and also sang in Brussels, Berlin and Vienna prior to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
His greatest triumphs, however, occurred in the cities of St Petersburg (often opposite lyric soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Lina Cavalieri
Lina Cavalieri
Lina Cavalieri was an Italian operatic soprano and diseuse known for her grace and beauty.-Biography:...
), Warsaw and, in particular, Madrid, where he even eclipsed the famous tenor Enrico Caruso in popularity.
Although his style of singing was not liked at first by the London critics, he soon became a favorite with audiences in the British capital, and he sang intermittently at Covent Garden until 1909.
Anselmi's operatic career tailed off at the end of World War I. He spent his remaining years teaching and composing in Italy. He also gave the odd concert. Anselmi died in 1929 of pneumonia, at Zoagli in the Italian province of Liguria. He had retained a deep affection for Madrid, and he bequeathed his heart to that city, where it was exhibited inside an urn at the Teatro Real
Teatro Real
The Teatro Real or simply El Real , is a major opera house located in Madrid, Spain.-History:...
museum.
Voice and recordings
Commentators often describe Anselmi (and his famous contemporary Alessandro BonciAlessandro Bonci
Alessandro Bonci was an Italian lyric tenor known internationally for his association with the bel canto repertoire. He sang at many famous theatres, including New York's Metropolitan Opera, Milan's La Scala and London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.-Career:A native of Cesena, Romagna, Bonci...
) as being among the last exponents of the old bel canto
Bel canto
Bel canto , along with a number of similar constructions , is an Italian opera term...
method of Italian singing, which was largely supplanted in Italy during the early 1900s by a more forceful mode of vocalism associated with Wagner's music dramas and verismo opera.
Michael Scott (in the Record of Singing, published in London in 1977) notes, however, that if Anselmi were a exponent of bel canto it must have been when that school was in decline. Anselmi's treatment of much of the bel canto repertoire has relatively sketchy runs and ornaments (compared with the accuracy displayed by such exceptional vocalists as Adelina Patti
Adelina Patti
Adelina Patti was a highly acclaimed 19th-century opera singer, earning huge fees at the height of her career in the music capitals of Europe and America. She first sang in public as a child in 1851 and gave her last performance before an audience in 1914...
, Nellie Melba
Nellie Melba
Dame Nellie Melba GBE , born Helen "Nellie" Porter Mitchell, was an Australian operatic soprano. She became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian Era and the early 20th century...
, Pol Plançon
Pol Plançon
Pol-Henri Plançon was a distinguished French operatic bass . He was one of the most acclaimed singers active during the 1880s, 1890s and early 20th century—a period often referred to as the "Golden Age of Opera".In addition to being among the earliest international opera stars to have made...
, Mario Ancona
Mario Ancona
Mario Ancona , was a leading Italian baritone and master of bel canto singing. He appeared at some of the most important opera houses in Europe and America during what is commonly referred to as the "Golden Age of Opera".-Career:Ancona was born into a middle-class Jewish family at Livorno, Tuscany,...
, Mattia Battistini
Mattia Battistini
Mattia Battistini was an Italian operatic baritone. He became internationally famous due to the beauty of his voice and the virtuosity of his singing technique, and he earned the sobriquet "King of Baritones".-Early life:...
and the great Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
ian Peter Dawson—all of whom were genuine remnants of the 19th-century bel canto tradition). Indeed, Anselmi was as capable of agitation as any true-blue verismo tenor (listen, for example, to his emotional recording of the aria Vesti la giubba from Pagliacci).
Anselmi was a good-looking man with an arresting stage presence, which made him extremely popular with many opera-goers. He was sometimes referred to as Il tenore di donne (the tenor of/for women) which apparently had a double meaning; details of his personal life have never emerged.
He possessed a sweet-toned if rather throaty and fluttery lyric tenor voice, which he employed with memorable grace and elegance when on his best behaviour. His upper range extends upwards to a high B on disc but his lowest notes are not so secure. There is a clear division between the registers. Anselmi often clears his throat at the beginning of his recordings (famously in the Fonotipia recording of Amor ti vieta) and even during phrase (as in the Fonotipia recording of Apri la tua finestra). Anselmi's intonation is sometimes suspect, too—most notably in the recitative to his famed Fonotipia recording of Quando al sere al placido from Verdi's Luisa Miller, where his forced top notes are pushed sharp. (See: Scott, Steane, et al.).
Anselmi was noted for his performances as Almaviva and Don Ottavio
Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni is an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and with an Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. It was premiered by the Prague Italian opera at the Teatro di Praga on October 29, 1787...
, but he also excelled in the roles of Edgardo, Ernesto
Ernesto
Ernesto, a form of the name Ernest in several Romance languages, may refer to:*Ernesto , an autobiographical 'secret' novel by Umberto Saba, published in 1975...
(in Don Pasquale
Don Pasquale
Don Pasquale is an opera buffa, or comic opera, in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti. The librettist Giovanni Ruffini wrote the Italian language libretto after Angelo Anelli's libretto for Stefano Pavesi's Ser Marcantonio ....
), Duca di Mantua
Rigoletto
Rigoletto is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi. The Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on the play Le roi s'amuse by Victor Hugo. It was first performed at La Fenice in Venice on March 11, 1851...
, Alfredo
La traviata
La traviata is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on La dame aux Camélias , a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils. The title La traviata means literally The Fallen Woman, or perhaps more figuratively, The Woman...
, Faust
Faust (opera)
Faust is a drame lyrique in five acts by Charles Gounod to a French libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré from Carré's play Faust et Marguerite, in turn loosely based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust, Part 1...
, Enzo
La Gioconda (opera)
La Gioconda is an opera in four acts by Amilcare Ponchielli set to an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Angelo, tyran de Padoue, a play in prose by Victor Hugo, dating from 1835...
, Cavaradossi
Tosca
Tosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 14 January 1900...
, Loris and Lensky
Eugene Onegin (opera)
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24, is an opera in 3 acts , by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto was written by Konstantin Shilovsky and the composer and his brother Modest, and is based on the novel in verse by Alexander Pushkin....
, among others. His recordings were made between 1907 and 1913 for Fonotipia Records
Fonotipia Records
Fonotipia Records, or Dischi Fonotipia, was an Italian gramophone record label established in 1904 with a charter to record the art of leading opera singers and some other celebrity musicians, chiefly violinists. Fonotipia continued to operate into the electrical recording era, which commenced in...
in Milan, and then Edison Records
Edison Records
Edison Records was one of the earliest record labels which pioneered recorded sound and was an important player in the early recording industry.- Early phonographs before commercial mass produced records :...
in London. A good selection of these recordings can be heard on Compact Disc reissues by Pearl, Marston, Symposium and other companies.
Sources
- Le guide de l'opéra, les indispensables de la musique, R. Mancini & J-J. Rouvereux (Fayard, 1986), ISBN 2-213-01563-6
- The Record of Singing, Michael Scott (Duckworth, 1977)
- The Grand Tradition, J.B. SteaneJ.B. SteaneJohn Barry Steane was an English music critic, musicologist, literary scholar and teacher, with a particular interest in singing and the human voice...
(Duckworth, 1974) - The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera (Second Edition), Harold Rosenthal and John Warrack (Oxford University Press, 1980)