Alberto Randegger Suggest updates
Born Trieste, 13 April 1832.
Died London, 18 December 1911.
Italian-born British conductor, composer, translator and coach.
Alberto Randegger was one of the most influential figures in opera in Britain, enjoying a long career as teacher and conductor, particularly as an enthusiast for the works of Verdi and Wagner. His own operatic compositions included Bianca Capello (Brescia 1854) and The Rival Beauties (Leeds 1864).
He studied under Luigi Ricci. Working initially in Fiume (modern Rijeka), Senigallia, Brescia and Venice, he was in Trieste at the time of Verdi's visit for the premiere of Stiffelio in 1850. His move to Britain followed in 1854. From 1864 he was Professor of Singing at the Royal Academy of Music. He assisted Carl Rosa himself as conductor for Carl Rosa Opera from 1879 to 1885. One of his first conducting engagements was the English-language premiere of Carmen at Her Majesty's Theatre, London, in January 1879. He later worked at Drury Lane and Covent Garden from 1887 to 1898.
He must have conducted many times in Scotland. Unfortunately, the programmes in those days did not stipulate which of the two conductors on the tour conducted which opera, and nor did reviewers feel bound to give a name - even when by modern standards they were able to write quite long reviews.
Randegger had a son of the same name who also followed a musical career.
Main source: New Grove Opera.
