Giovanni Martinelli (22 October 1885 – 2 February, 1969) was a celebrated I… Read Full Bio ↴Giovanni Martinelli (22 October 1885 – 2 February, 1969) was a celebrated Italian operatic tenor. He was particularly associated with the Italian lyric-dramatic repertory, although he performed French operatic roles to great acclaim as well. Martinelli was one of the most famous tenors of the 20th century, enjoying a long career at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and appearing at other major international theatres.
Martinelli was born in Montagnana, Veneto.
After service as a clarinetist in a military band, he studied with Giuseppe Mandolini in Milan, and made his professional debut at the Teatro Dal Verme, as Ernani in 1910. The role of Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West became his passport role, he sang it for his debut in Rome (under Toscanini), Brescia, Naples, Genoa, all in 1911, as well as in Monte Carlo and La Scala, in 1912. Cavaradossi in Tosca, was his debut role at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London, and for his first American engagement in Philadelphia, in 1913. On 25 April 1913 he portrayed Pantagruel in the world premiere of Jules Massenet's Panurge at the Théâtre de la Gaîté in Paris.
Martinelli's New York Metropolitan Opera debut took place on November 20, 1913, as Rodolfo in La Bohème, where the young tenor's easy high C and pure, silvery tone attracted favorable attention. He remained a Met mainstay for 32 seasons, with 926 performances of 36 roles. He appeared most often as Radames in Aida, Otello, Manrico in Il trovatore, Don Alvaro in La forza del destino, Calaf in Turandot, and Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West, but also as Arnold in Guglielmo Tell, Eleazar in La Juive, Enzo in La Gioconda, Don Jose in Carmen, Vasco de Gama in L'Africaine, Canio in Pagliacci, Pollione in Norma.
Martinelli also sang in Boston, San Francisco and Chicago, often trying out new roles before singing them at the Met.
Outside the United States, Martinelli appeared in Paris and Buenos Aires during his prime; but, oddly enough, his native Italy did not hear him at his peak. In 1937, he returned to London to sing at Covent Garden in highly acclaimed performances of Otello, and as Calaf opposite the English dramatic soprano Eva Turner. He retired from the stage in 1950, although he gave one final performance at the age of 82 as the Emperor Altoum, in Turandot, in Seattle.
Martinelli was essentially a spinto tenor of steely brilliance. His rigorously-controlled technique gave him exceptional breath control, although it did not prohibit some occasional tightness and squeezing out of notes, particularly late in his career. His interpretive style was generally restrained and noble, but he was capable of delivering passionate histrionic outbursts where appropriate in such roles as Canio. As his voice matured, some regarded him as Enrico Caruso's successor in dramatic parts, although the timbre of their voices were markedly different. (Caruso's tone was much richer and warmer than Martinelli's.) Martinelli's forward, vibrant projection and broad phrasing found their supreme expression in Verdi's operas, ranging from Ernani to Otello. In lyrical or light-hearted music, however, his voice production could be too forceful and stiff.
In private life, Martinelli was said to be something of a playboy, with a charming personality, a wealth of anecdotes, and an impressive head of hair that grew silver with age.
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Martinelli was born in Montagnana, Veneto.
After service as a clarinetist in a military band, he studied with Giuseppe Mandolini in Milan, and made his professional debut at the Teatro Dal Verme, as Ernani in 1910. The role of Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West became his passport role, he sang it for his debut in Rome (under Toscanini), Brescia, Naples, Genoa, all in 1911, as well as in Monte Carlo and La Scala, in 1912. Cavaradossi in Tosca, was his debut role at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London, and for his first American engagement in Philadelphia, in 1913. On 25 April 1913 he portrayed Pantagruel in the world premiere of Jules Massenet's Panurge at the Théâtre de la Gaîté in Paris.
Martinelli's New York Metropolitan Opera debut took place on November 20, 1913, as Rodolfo in La Bohème, where the young tenor's easy high C and pure, silvery tone attracted favorable attention. He remained a Met mainstay for 32 seasons, with 926 performances of 36 roles. He appeared most often as Radames in Aida, Otello, Manrico in Il trovatore, Don Alvaro in La forza del destino, Calaf in Turandot, and Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West, but also as Arnold in Guglielmo Tell, Eleazar in La Juive, Enzo in La Gioconda, Don Jose in Carmen, Vasco de Gama in L'Africaine, Canio in Pagliacci, Pollione in Norma.
Martinelli also sang in Boston, San Francisco and Chicago, often trying out new roles before singing them at the Met.
Outside the United States, Martinelli appeared in Paris and Buenos Aires during his prime; but, oddly enough, his native Italy did not hear him at his peak. In 1937, he returned to London to sing at Covent Garden in highly acclaimed performances of Otello, and as Calaf opposite the English dramatic soprano Eva Turner. He retired from the stage in 1950, although he gave one final performance at the age of 82 as the Emperor Altoum, in Turandot, in Seattle.
Martinelli was essentially a spinto tenor of steely brilliance. His rigorously-controlled technique gave him exceptional breath control, although it did not prohibit some occasional tightness and squeezing out of notes, particularly late in his career. His interpretive style was generally restrained and noble, but he was capable of delivering passionate histrionic outbursts where appropriate in such roles as Canio. As his voice matured, some regarded him as Enrico Caruso's successor in dramatic parts, although the timbre of their voices were markedly different. (Caruso's tone was much richer and warmer than Martinelli's.) Martinelli's forward, vibrant projection and broad phrasing found their supreme expression in Verdi's operas, ranging from Ernani to Otello. In lyrical or light-hearted music, however, his voice production could be too forceful and stiff.
In private life, Martinelli was said to be something of a playboy, with a charming personality, a wealth of anecdotes, and an impressive head of hair that grew silver with age.
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Serenata
Giovanni Martinelli Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Serenata' by these artists:
Alberto Vazquez & Joan Sebastian Como guitarra en cerenata quiero bibrar Al roce en tus manos…
Alessandro Grazian Amore mio dove sarai a fianco del sole o a spasso…
Amado Batista Ah! como eu queria Voltar ao passado Cantar com meus amigo…
Amedeo Minghi Sciocca luna, se la goda Lei le stelle facili. Io, non …
Andriana Babali Μαύρα τα μαντάτα για τη Σερενάτα Που παλιά την τάϊζες μπαρμπ…
Arleta Κάπωσ σαν αστείο είπαμε αντίο Πήρα το πικάπ σου και μου…
Au5 feat. Keeley Falling without faltered I am your disaster Pick me up dust …
Avine Vinny (Avine Vinny) (Mari Fernandez) Era pra ser surpresa Flores …
Bacamartes Disse que iria e ainda vou Largar você Não pergunte quando e…
C. A. Bracco Por la calles paso caminando Por las calles paso observando …
Caló Pascoal Coração Vim Te Dizer Que Estou Apaixonado Amor Vim Falar Que…
Caterina Valente Tonight while all the world is still Here I stand under…
Cristina Branco Pregúntale a las estrellas si por las noches me ven…
Cruz Martinez presenta Los Super Reyes Estrella, estrellita mia) (Estrella, estrellita mia) Estoy …
Cutugno Toto Serenata quasi a mezzanotte Guardie e ladri che si fanno a…
Dimitris Psarianos Πού το θυμήθηκεσ καντάδα να σου κάνω Φεγγάρι κι άστρα μασ…
Don Backy Signori capelloni questa serenata voglio a voi cantar Smett…
E.Toselli Eu contei a ela, numa serenata Que a saudade dela, é…
Ekolekua Oye! Esta canción que te vengo a cantar, Esta canción que…
Etnosound E notti e nu minuti eu non dormu U cori ntra…
Fagner Dorme, fecha este olhar entardecente Não me escutes, nostálg…
Fan-Farra Académica de Coimbra Vem à rua ouvir cantar Canções de amor p'ra te embalar. Dá…
Fernando Delgadillo Si el viento esa noche soplara hasta donde no he…
Filippos Plakias Μεσ στησ νύχτασ τη σιγαλιά Θα βγω με μαντολίνο Θα ψάξω όλα…
Folkabbestia E' mezzanotte, e c'ù sta bella luna Nisciuno sape l'intenz…
Francisco Con un manto azul de serenidad Envuelve al suburbio la noche…
Gacela & Villa ¡Cumbia! Hace tanto tiempo que ya no te veo Porque…
Geoff Love & Orchestra Não quero que alcançe a você a mão que mata A…
George Shearing Tonight while all the world is still Fly sweet song over…
Gianluca Esto es como una serenata Que jamás te di Te vi ayer…
Grupo Generacion - Serenata Se a lua não nascesse um dia Para iluminar nosso caminho Não…
Gus Baker La noche brilla tan feliz Por que sabe que estas aquí,…
Ignacio Copani No me cierres en la cara, con un portazo, tu…
Ilan Chester Quiero luna que alumbres la noche en que llegue a tu reja co…
Jair Rodrigues Na Guanabara um barco a vela navegava Dentro de um raio…
Joan Sebastian & Alberto Vasquez Como guitarra en cerenata quiero bibrar Al roce en tus manos…
Jorge Muñiz feat. Marco Antonio Muñiz Para que sepas lo que te amo es necesario Que te…
Juan Solo Serenata te traigo serenata asomate por la ventana que vine …
L.T.C. Por la calles paso caminando Por las calles paso observando …
La maschera È mezzanotte, e c'ù sta bella luna Nisciuno sape l'intenzion…
La Rondalla del Amor de Saltillo & Pedro Infante Tus ojazos negros quisiera robar Y tus labios rojos quisier…
Leonardo Ai, como eu queria voltar ao passado Cantar com meus amigos…
Los Super Reyes Estrella, estrellita mia) (Estrella, estrellita mia) Estoy …
Luciano Pavarotti Come col capo sotto l'ala bianca Dormon le palombelle innamo…
Lupita Infante No es normal que te traiga serenata Pero ya mi corazón…
Manuel & His Orchestra En honor a su belleza Vengo a darle serenata A decir que…
Mar de Copas Ah, flor de barro que pasó por mi lado otra…
Marco Antonio Muñiz feat. Jorge Muñiz Para que sepas lo que te amo, es necesario Que te…
Marco Carena Sono settimane che non esco più Oggi sono 6 anni che…
Marcos & Douglas Foi chegando, chegou Já entrando, olhando e mudando meus pla…
Marília Mendonça Foi chegando e chegou Já entrando, olhando E mudando meus pl…
Mc davo Es una serenata, muchos 'tán dando lata Con comentarios para…
Mike Bahía Dime qué se siente ver mis ojos sin bajarme la…
Nahuel Briones Tengo que decírtelo, pedírtelo hacértelo entender: No quiero…
Nana Mouskouri Πασχαλιέσ πριν ξεκινήσεισ κόψε Να γίνει ο δρόμοσ ουρανόσ Σ' …
Nat King Cole Tonight while all the world is still Fly sweet song over…
Origa My wings Like doves Need to feel the wind And then, love …
Paolo Tosti Vola, o serenata, la mia diletta e sola E con la…
Pedro Infante Canto al pie de tu ventana Pa' que sepas que…
Pedro Infante y la Rondalla del Amor de Saltillo Tus ojazos negros quisiera robar Y tus labios rojos quisie…
Pierangelo Bertoli Quando spinti verso un trip turistico Sciamano in periferia…
Pietro Mascagni Come col capo sotto l'ala bianca dormon le palombelle innamo…
Plácido Domingo Mujer abre tu ventana Para que escuches mi voz Te está canta…
Raul Sandoval Para que sepas cuanto te amo es necesario que te imagines…
Rayo & Toby Si de pasar por tu puerta se trata Tú me cautiva…
Rosapaeda È mezzanotte, e c'ù sta bella luna Nisciuno sape l'intenzio…
Roy Brown ASÓMATE A ESA VERGÜENZA CARA DE POCA VENTANA, Y DAME UN JARR…
Sarah Vaughan Tonight while all the world is still Fly sweet song over…
Sergio Franchi Tonight while all the world is still, Here I stand under…
Sesgo Hoy me dices que te vas que no puedes más Con…
Silvio Caldas Dorme, fecha êste olhar entardecente, Não me escutes, nostál…
Tania Libertad SERENATA ÍBAMOS A VIVIR TODA LA VIDA JUNTOS, ÍBAMOS A MORIR…
The Jonah Jones Quartet Find me an ocean Lazy morning surprise Take me to Heaven On …
Tonis Maroudas Θα σου κάνω μια κι απόψε σερενάτα Για στερνή φορά θα…
Torbellino Hoy es nuestro aniversario y Buscando la mejor manera De dem…
Toto Cutugno Serenata quasi a mezzanotte guardie e ladri che si fanno a…
Tranzas Tranzas- serenata con esta serenata acercate ala ventana…
Trio Latino He buscado una forma de hablarte De decirte lo que…
Various Artists Se ti incontro per strada non riesco a parlarti mi si blocca…
Wayne Shorter Tonight while all the world is still Fly sweet song over…
Willie Colón La luna va surgiendo color de plata, Lo alto en la…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Giovanni Martinelli:
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Surya Jayakumar
Beautiful! In my estimation, one of the most beautiful of Martinelli's early recordings.
tommaso zaccaria
Bravissimo