Francesco Tamagno

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Francesco Tamagno.

Francesco Tamagno (28 December 1850 – 31 August 1905) was an Italian operatic singer. He was born in Turin.

The most famous dramatic tenor of his age, Tamagno was known for the extreme power of his voice - especially in the upper register - so much so that his voice was often compared to a trumpet. His particular genre of voice is called the tenore robusto. Best known as the creator of Verdi's Otello at Milan's La Scala in 1887, he also was the first Gabriele Adorno in the 1881 version of Simon Boccanegra, a far more lyrical role. Other important operas that he created include Ponchielli's Il Figliuol Prodigo and Marion Delorme. He was also famous for his appearances as Radames in Aida, the title role in Poliuto and Arnold in Guillaume Tell.

Tamagno first burst into prominence with a sensational performance of Riccardo in Verdi's Un ballo in maschera at Palermo in 1874. Three years later, he made his La Scala debut. During the last dozen years of the 19th Century, Tamagno appeared not only in Italy, Iberia, and South America but also in New York, Chicago and London, setting a standard in singing which is still relevant today. Indeed he remains, by general consensus, the greatest heroic-voiced Italian tenor to have made records. His health deteriorated in the early 20th Century due to a heart condition and he retired from the stage. He died in Varese at the age of 54.

[edit] Recordings

Tamagno's complete recordings are published on CD by Pearl/Opal (CD 9846). The original discs were made by the Gramophone & Typewriter Company in 1903 and 1904 when Tamagno was in retirement. Among them are excerpts from Otello.