ROMITO (Felipe, 1893-1962, Argentinian Bass-Baritone)

Fine Signed Portrait Photograph, showing him head and shoulders, three-quarter face, bareheaded, his beard streaked with grey, frowning with a suspicious look at the viewer, in costume in his famous role as Boris Godunov at the Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires, neatly laid down on card inscribed in Spanish "for Señor Alejandro Zorrilla de San Martín, with cordial greetings, Felipe Romito", 3¼" x 2½" on card 4½" x 6", with two notices in Spanish from (probably) Uruguayan papers, laid down 4½" x 3", with translation, the inscription Buenos Aires, 14th June tiny area of adhesion on verso in recipient's address (easily supplied)

(Translation of notices)
(1) "Boris Godunov" at the Colón -
Mussorgski's admirable opera has been performed at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. It is a marvellous expression of popular Russian life, inspired by the composer's genius.
The Argentine bass Felipe Romito, who has already played it repeatedly in Europe, and where he has won sufficiently solid renown, took the leading part.
Inevitably, the singer wrestled bravely with the memory of Feodor Chaliapin, the creator of this powerful and theatrical role. Chaliapin had an exceptional voice, was a magnificent actor, and emerged triumphant from the strenuous test.
Romito's vocal work was very well judged, his style of acting measured and eloquent. The artist, who displayed a fine modern discernment, received affectionate applause.
Franco Paolantonio, [1885-1934, Italian conductor and composer] conducted the orchestra. He fulfilled a heavy task, striving for the cohesion of the spectacle.
Luisa Bertana [1888-1933, Argentinian mezzo-soprano] did splendidly, as did Baccaloni [Salvatore, 1900-1969, Italian bass]. The others did what they could.
(2) The Argentine press eulogized, in warm and unanimous terms, the interpretation of the Argentine bass, Felipe Romito, in "Boris Godunov". Those who heard it here over the ether shared this opinion no less.

Felipe Romito sang in Russian, the others in Italian, which may account for the remark on 'cohesion' in the first press notice.
The recipient Alejandro Zorrilla de San Martín, (1909-1987), was a Uruguyan banker and politician, Foreign Minister, 1963-1965. In 1987 he organized the visit of John Paul II to Uruguay. On the verso he has written his name and address in the financial district of Montevideo, [Avenida] Uruguay, 864.
Tragically, two years later, on 15th December 1934 in Rio de Janeiro, the conductor, Franco Paolantonio, was shot dead by a member of the local orchestra whom he had ejected.

Item Date:  1932

Stock No:  56634      £125

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire