Opera Scotland

Giovanni Mario Suggest updates

Giovanni Matteo, Cavaliere di Candia.

Born Cagliari, 17 October 1810.

Died Rome, 11 December 1883.

Italian tenor.

Mario was one of the greatest tenors of his era. The voice was naturally beautiful, and his technique helped him to use it stylishly, and ensure a lengthy career at the top of his profession. This combined with a handsome figure and excellent acting ability to make him a hugely popular figure. He sang frequently, in both opera and concert, with the soprano Giulia Grisi, and she became his second wife in 1844.

He trained in Paris, making his debut there in 1838, at the Opéra, singing the title role in Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable. He continued to sing regularly in Paris, and created Ernesto in the premiere of Don Pasquale (1843), when Grisi created Norina.

His first appearance in London came in 1839, singing Gennaro in the British premiere of Lucrezia Borgia at Her Majesty's, and he also introduced Don Pasquale to London, a few weeks after its premiere, again with Grisi as Norina. From 1847 his London appearances were at Covent Garden, and during that twenty year period he sang in the British premieres of several operas including Le Prophète (1849), Rigoletto (1853) and Roméo et Juliette (1867).

Source: Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera.