TITO SCHIPA
Small bust photo of Italian tenor Tito Schipa in a suit-and-tie, signed in 1939.
Photograph signed: "Tito Schipa/1939". B/w, 4½x6¾ overall, image 4¼x6 (one surface). One of the most important lyric tenors of the 20th Century, Schipa (1888-1965, born in Lecce, Italy) had a voice that, while small, could fill even the largest houses. His power was backed up by a firm grasp of the nuts and bolts of singing, including dynamics and phrasing, for which he was also admired. (He reportedly could also sing in five languages like a native) Schipa was the son of a poor family from one of the poorest parts of Italy. However, most of his vocal training was paid for by the Bishop of Lecce, who heard his voice at an early age. Luckily, the Bishop of Lecce heard his voice and paid for his vocal training. Schipa sang his first recital in 1908 and debuted in opera as Alfredo in Verdi's La Traviata in 1910, and he continued to sing professionally until a final tour of America in 1962, singing in operas like Mignon, La Traviata, Lakmé, Rigoletto, Lucia di Lammermoor, Don Giovanni and The Barber of Seville. Many of his important parts were sung at the Chicago Opera between 1919 and 1940, often with Amelita Galli-Curci. Schipa sympathized with Italian fascism and was reportedly one of Benito Mussolini favorite tenors, and he appeared at functions in both Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Needless to say, his popularity suffered because of this after World War II, but he was back in his audience's good graces by the end of his career. Scalloped edges. Fine condition.