Tamagno, Francesco. (1850-1905). Signed Photograph as Otello. A desirable signed cabinet card photograph of the most famous dramatic tenor of the golden age, creator of the historic title role in Verdi's Otello, in which he is here depicted. Photograph by Falk of New York, inscribed "Al Signor R. Stowell / Ricordo di Frsco. Tamagno / Denver 28/2.90 (Otello)." 4.2 x 6.6 inches (10.5 x 16.6 cm). Foxing spots, else fine. A great rarity, one of only a handful of signed photographs of Tamagno in his most famous role that we have traced on the market in more than 30 years.
Best known as the creator of Verdi's Otello, Tamagno was also the first Gabriele Adorno in the revised 1881 Simon Boccanegra, and creator of major roles in operas by Ponchielli and Gomes. In an 1892 letter to the great tenor, Puccini writes: "I can always hear the sound of your divine voice in my ear and think of the extraordinary, the inspired interpreter who will sing my music." When the present photograph was penned, Tamagno was in the United States on a tour organized by Adelina Patti's manager, Henry E. Abbey, and had given his USA debut in Guglielmo Tell in Chicago just a few months prior. He sang a number of roles, appearing in Mexico City, San Francisco, Denver, Louisville, Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
Best known as the creator of Verdi's Otello, Tamagno was also the first Gabriele Adorno in the revised 1881 Simon Boccanegra, and creator of major roles in operas by Ponchielli and Gomes. In an 1892 letter to the great tenor, Puccini writes: "I can always hear the sound of your divine voice in my ear and think of the extraordinary, the inspired interpreter who will sing my music." When the present photograph was penned, Tamagno was in the United States on a tour organized by Adelina Patti's manager, Henry E. Abbey, and had given his USA debut in Guglielmo Tell in Chicago just a few months prior. He sang a number of roles, appearing in Mexico City, San Francisco, Denver, Louisville, Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
"Otello was first performed at La Scala in February, 1887... Verdi's ears were open to all that they encountered in Rossini, Donizetti and Mercadante, in Meyerbeer, Berlioz and Wagner... he found things that could become his own. Otello results from Verdi's lifetime of learning by trial and effort, by striving, experimenting, discarding and refining, how best to give musical shape to ideas about musical drama that guided him from the start. It crowns his career as an operatic tragedian." (New Grove, 19: 657).
Tamagno, Francesco. (1850-1905). Signed Photograph as Otello. A desirable signed cabinet card photograph of the most famous dramatic tenor of the golden age, creator of the historic title role in Verdi's Otello, in which he is here depicted. Photograph by Falk of New York, inscribed "Al Signor R. Stowell / Ricordo di Frsco. Tamagno / Denver 28/2.90 (Otello)." 4.2 x 6.6 inches (10.5 x 16.6 cm). Foxing spots, else fine. A great rarity, one of only a handful of signed photographs of Tamagno in his most famous role that we have traced on the market in more than 30 years.
Best known as the creator of Verdi's Otello, Tamagno was also the first Gabriele Adorno in the revised 1881 Simon Boccanegra, and creator of major roles in operas by Ponchielli and Gomes. In an 1892 letter to the great tenor, Puccini writes: "I can always hear the sound of your divine voice in my ear and think of the extraordinary, the inspired interpreter who will sing my music." When the present photograph was penned, Tamagno was in the United States on a tour organized by Adelina Patti's manager, Henry E. Abbey, and had given his USA debut in Guglielmo Tell in Chicago just a few months prior. He sang a number of roles, appearing in Mexico City, San Francisco, Denver, Louisville, Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
Best known as the creator of Verdi's Otello, Tamagno was also the first Gabriele Adorno in the revised 1881 Simon Boccanegra, and creator of major roles in operas by Ponchielli and Gomes. In an 1892 letter to the great tenor, Puccini writes: "I can always hear the sound of your divine voice in my ear and think of the extraordinary, the inspired interpreter who will sing my music." When the present photograph was penned, Tamagno was in the United States on a tour organized by Adelina Patti's manager, Henry E. Abbey, and had given his USA debut in Guglielmo Tell in Chicago just a few months prior. He sang a number of roles, appearing in Mexico City, San Francisco, Denver, Louisville, Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
"Otello was first performed at La Scala in February, 1887... Verdi's ears were open to all that they encountered in Rossini, Donizetti and Mercadante, in Meyerbeer, Berlioz and Wagner... he found things that could become his own. Otello results from Verdi's lifetime of learning by trial and effort, by striving, experimenting, discarding and refining, how best to give musical shape to ideas about musical drama that guided him from the start. It crowns his career as an operatic tragedian." (New Grove, 19: 657).