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Domenico DonzelliItalian tenor
Date of Birth: 02.02.1790
Country:  Italy |
Content:
Biography of Domenico Donzelli
Domenico Donzelli, an Italian tenor, possessed a powerful voice that helped him build a successful career in Paris, London, and his homeland from 1808 to 1841. He was born on February 2, 1790. His musical journey can be seen as an offshoot of the so-called Bergamo School of tenors, whose notable representatives included Giacomo David, Gaetano Crivelli, Giovanni David, Andrea Nozzari, Marco Bordogni, and Giovanni Battista Rubini. Donzelli made his debut in his hometown in 1808 as a second tenor in Johann Simon Mayr's opera. He then moved to Naples, where he played numerous roles, including the famous character of the popular party, Cinna, in Gaspare Spontini's revived opera 'La Vestale'.
In 1815, Donzelli gained considerable recognition when Rossini wrote the role of Torvaldo for him in the opera 'Torvaldo e Dorliska'. The following year, he made his debut at Milan's La Scala, playing the lead role in Ferdinando Paer's 'Achille'. His successful performances brought Donzelli to the main theaters not only in his homeland but also in Paris and London, where he became particularly famous for his roles in Rossini's operas. Perhaps his most iconic performance was in the opera 'Otello'. His range of roles varied from the protagonist Cesare in Giovanni Pacini's 'Cesare in Egitto' to the role of the Belfiore in Rossini's 'Il viaggio a Reims', and from the first Pollio in Bellini's 'Norma' to the leading role in Mercadante's opera 'Il bravo'. Donzelli retired from the stage in 1841. He briefly returned in 1844-1845 to perform in Naples, but by then his vocal abilities had significantly and irreparably deteriorated. He died in Bologna in 1873 at the age of 83.
Artistic Periods
Domenico's life can be loosely divided into three artistic periods. In the first period, he mainly focused on comic operas that required the so-called tennorino (a sharp form of tenor-leggero). In the second, more extended period, lasting until around 1822, Donzelli became known for his performances in Rossini's operas. Finally, in the third and most significant period, he established himself as a 'tenore di forza' (tenor of power), as the dramatic tenors were called. In fact, Domenico was a tenor of the old-fashioned baritone type in the traditional Italian manner, with a relatively narrow vocal range. In the middle of his career, he could reach a high note 'C' (the second octave for men) by using head voice (falsettone), and his voice sounded brighter and more expressive than when using falsetto.
Although Domenico had some understanding of the coloratura style, he sang with a more powerful voice, a dull timbre, commendable phrasing, and passionate artistry. Despite criticism of his strained voice and lack of liveliness, Donzelli stands as an excellent example existing at the intersection of the old neoclassical baritone style and the romantic 'power tenor'. There is a story that his young colleague Americo Sbigoli died while trying to imitate Donzelli's singing style. In 1821, both singers were supposed to be involved in the premiere of Donizetti's opera 'Zoraide di Granata at Rome' at the Teatro Argentina in Rome. During the rehearsal, Sbigoli attempted to match Donzelli's vocal level, which, according to popular belief, led to a ruptured blood vessel in his throat, resulting in Sbigoli's death.
