A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Tamberlik, Enrico

TAMBERLIK, Enrico, born March 16, 1820, at Rome, received instruction in singing from Borgna and Guglielmi, and made his début in 1841 at the Teatro Fondo, Naples, in Bellini's 'I Capuletti.' He sang with success for several years at the San Carlo, also at Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona. He first appeared in England April 4, 1850, at the Royal Italian Opera, as Masaniello, and obtained immediate popularity in that and in his other parts of the season, viz. Pollio, Robert, Roderick Dhu, Otello; April 20, Amenofi, on the production of a version of 'Mose in Egitto,' entitled 'Zora'; and July 25, in Leopold, on the production of 'La Juive' in England. He possessed a splendid tenor voice, of great richness of tone and volume, reaching to C in alt, which he gave with tremendous power, and 'as clear as a bell.' His taste and energy were equal, and he was an excellent singer, save for the persistent use of the 'vibrato.' In person he was singularly handsome, and was an admirable actor. He remained a member of the company until 1864 inclusive, excepting the season of 1857, singing in the winters at Paris, St. Petersburg, Madrid, North and South America, etc. His other parts included Arnold; Ernani; Aug. 9, 51, Phaon (Saffo); Aug. 17, 52, Pietro il Grande; June 25, 53, Benvenuto Cellini; May 10, 55, Manrico (Trovatore)—on production of those operas in England; also, May 27, 51, Florestan (Fidelio); July 15, 52, Ugo (Spohr's Faust); Aug. 5, 58, Zampa; July 2, 63, Gounod's Faust—on the revival or production of the operas at Covent Garden, etc. He reappeared at the same theatre in 1870 as Don Ottavio, the Duke (Rigoletto), John of Leyden; and in 1877, at Her Majesty's, as Ottavio, Otello, and Manrico, and was well received, though his powers were on the wane. He is now living at Madrid, where he carries on a manufactory of arms, occasionally singing in public. [App. p. 798 "Add date of death, Mar. 13, 1889."]

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