A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Naudin, Emilio
NAUDIN, Emilio, born at Parma Oct. 23, 1823, was taught singing by Giacomo Panizza of Milan, made his début at Cremona in Pacini's 'Saffo,' and afterwards sang at the principal theatres of Italy, at Vienna and St. Petersburg. He made his first appearance in England June 2, 1858, at Drury Lane, as the Duke in 'Rigoletto,' and remained for the season, playing Edgardo, Ernesto, and Arturo, and singing in concerts. In the winter he went to Madrid, and passed two seasons there, playing at Turin in the summer of 1859.
Sig. Naudin reappeared in England May 30, 1862, at Mrs. Anderson's farewell concert at Her Majesty's, and on the 3ist acted Manrico at the same theatre. On April 7, 1863, he appeared at Covent Garden as Masaniello, and remained there every season up to 1872 inclusive, except 1865, when, at the instance of Meyerbeer, he was engaged at the Académie de Musique, and created Vasco di Gama, on the production of 'L' Africaine,' April 28. During all these seasons he undertook several characters in addition to the above, viz. Don Ottavio, Raoul, Vasco, Danilowitz, Fra Diavolo, Horace de Massaréna, Carlo, etc., as well as Phœbus, on the production of Campana's 'Esmeralda,' June 14, 1870; Silvio, in Prince Poniatowski's 'Gelmina,' June 4, 1872; Don Carlos, on the production of Verdi's opera of that name in England, June 4, 1867; and was always acceptable on account of his careful singing and acting. In 1873 he sang in concerts only. In 1874 he sang at Drury Lane for the season, adding Henrique de Sandoval to his already extensive list, and in 1875 returned to Covent Garden. In the autumn of that year he played Lohengrin for the first time in the English provinces. Since then he has not appeared in England.
The rest of the year, when not in this country, Sig. Naudin has sung either in opera or concerts in France, Germany, Spain, or Russia. In Moscow he played Tannhäuser, on its reproduction, there in 1877. More recently (1879) he has sung at Barcelona, and was at Milan in June of last year.