Renata Tebaldi: Renata Tebaldi and Carmen Melis - The pupil and the teacher

Renata Tebaldi (Pesaro, Italy, February 1, 1922 – San Marino, December 19, 2004) was an Italian lirico-spinto soprano, popular in the post-war period. Acclaimed as one of the most beloved opera singers of all time, she primarily focused on the verismo roles of the lyric and dramatic repertoires.

"I know that my voice has entered into the hearts of many people and has caused beautiful reactions. Some, hearing me sing, have become more religious; some who were ill felt joy; friends, while in hospital, played my tapes whenever they felt ill; they all said that my voice gave them the strength needed to stand the pain. Therefore, how can I not be thankful for this great gift?" Renata Tebaldi

The Teacher
Carmen Melis (1885 in Cagliari – 19 December 1967 in Longone al Segrino) was an Italian soprano and teacher.
Melis was a pupil of Antonio Cotogni and made her debut in 1905 in Mascagni's Iris at the Teatro Coccia in Novara at the age of 20. She quickly started singing in Madama Butterfly, Tosca and La Bohème and her predisposition for Puccini brought her to the attention of Puccini himself, who taught her personally the role of Minnie in La Fanciulla del West, a role she sang in 1911 in Boston. At Covent Garden in London, she sang in Pagliacci opposite Enrico Caruso in 1913 and, in 1917, made her debut at La Scala in Il macigno by Victor de Sabata. She was known, above all, as a verismo soprano, and one of the most interesting singing actresses of the early 20th century.


Tracklist

Renata Tebaldi - The pupil
Giacomo Puccini
La Boheme
01. Si mi chiamano Mimi
02. Donde lieta usci
03. Sono andati?
04. Che avvien?
Orchestra e coro dell'Academia di Santa Sisilia
19-22 july 1951
Cond. Alberte Erede
Giacomo Puccini
Madame Butterfly
05. Viena la sera
06. Un bel di vedremo
07. Con onor muore
08. Tu,tu,tu, piccolo Iddio
Roma, Orchestra e coro dell'Academia di Santa Sisilia
Juli 23-26, 1951
Cond. Alberte Erede
Giacomo Puccini
Manon Lescaut
09. In quelle trine morbide
Giacomo Puccini
Tosca
10. Vissi d'arte
Orchestre De La Suisse Romande, Geneve, Victoria Hall.
23.11.1951
Cond. Alberte Erede

Carmen Melis - The teacher
Giacomo Puccini
Tosca
11. Vissi d'arte
12. Finale Atto II
13. Franchigia a Floria Tosca… O dolci mani
14. Senti l'ora e vicina
15. E non giungon Come e lunga l'attesa
Orchestera e coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, 1929
with Piero Pauli and Apollo Granforte
Cond. Carlo Sabajno
Jules Massenet
Manon
16. Ah, mi rendi il tuo cor'…
Recording 1920