A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Campanini, Italo

CAMPANINI, Italo, born June 29, 1846, at Parma, received instruction in singing there at the Conservatorio, and later from Lamperti of Milan. He first attracted public attention in 1871, on the production in Italy of 'Lohengrin' at Bologna under Angelo Mariani. On May 4, 1872, he first appeared in England at Drury Lane as Gennaro in 'Lucrezia,' with such success that hopes were entertained that a successor of Mario and Giuglini had been found. From that time until '82, he sang every year in opera both there and (from 1887) at Her Majesty's. He did not fulfil his early promise, but he still obtained considerable popularity as a hard-working and extremely zealous artist. In addition to the usual repertory for tenors, he played Kenneth on the production of Balfe's 'Talismano,' June 11, 1874; Don José on the production of 'Carmen,' June 22, '78; Rhadames ('Aïda') first time at Her Majesty's, June 19, '79, and Faust on production in England of Boito's 'Mefistofele,' July 6, '80. He had played the same part Oct. 4. '75 on the occasion of the successful reproduction of that opera at Bologna. He sang also at St. Petersburg, Moscow, and later in America under Mapleson with great effect. We believe he has now retired from public life. He was present at the production of 'Otello' at Milan as correspondent for an American paper.

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