Florencio Constantino Spanish opera singer-tenor. Date of Birth: 09.04.1864 Country: Spain

1. Biography of Florencio Constantino
2. Success at Teatro Real and International Performances
3. Performances in North America and Later Years

Biography of Florencio Constantino

Florencio Constantino, an opera singer and tenor, was born on April 9, 1869 in Bilbao, Spain, the largest city in the Basque Country. In 1889, Constantino immigrated to Argentina and worked as a ship mechanic. It was during this time that he discovered his rare natural tenor voice and made his debut on stage at Teatro Solis in Montevideo, Uruguay, performing in Tomás Bretón's opera "La Dolores." He later repeated this role at Teatro Odéon in Buenos Aires.

After spending several years in South America, Constantino returned to Europe in 1896 for further training. He performed mainly in provincial theaters in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. His repertoire expanded to include roles such as the Duke of Mantua in "Rigoletto," Alfredo in "La traviata," Don Ottavio in "Don Giovanni," Count Almaviva, Raoul in "Les Huguenots," Ernani, Fernando in "La Favorita," Enzo in "La Gioconda," and Guglielmo Ratcliff in Mascagni's opera.

Success at Teatro Real and International Performances

A turning point in Constantino's career came in 1899 when he was engaged by the Royal Theater (Teatro Real) in Madrid. He achieved incredible success there, performing alongside renowned artists such as Romanian soprano Hariclea Darclée and Spanish baritone Ramón Blanchart. He also made his debut in Lisbon, Portugal, as the Duke in "Rigoletto" alongside Mario Sammarco.

Constantino traveled extensively, performing with artists such as Luisa Tetrazzini, Salomea Kruszelnicka, Mattia Battistini, Josefina Huguet, and Adamo Didur. In the early 20th century, he was invited to Russia, where he debuted as Enzo in "La Gioconda" and gained immense popularity in St. Petersburg and Moscow, performing in "Lohengrin," "La traviata," "Rigoletto," and "The Demon."

Performances in North America and Later Years

In 1905, Constantino performed in New Orleans as Don José in "Carmen" with the San Carlo Opera Company. He embarked on an extensive tour across North America, singing in eleven different operas in just two months. He found great success in Boston, where he performed at the newly opened Boston Opera House. In 1908, he joined the Manhattan Opera in New York City, where he collaborated with some of the best opera artists of his time.

Despite his success, Constantino's reputation as a difficult person who insisted on his own terms and demanded high fees often preceded him. He once attempted to build his own opera house, but the project failed, resulting in significant financial loss. Additionally, during a fencing match with renowned bass Giovanni Gravina, Constantino accidentally injured him, causing him to lose an eye and resulting in a $50,000 settlement.

In his later years, Constantino's career declined. He traveled to South America, where he performed at Theatro Colón and other theaters, primarily focusing on dramatic repertoire. In 1918, he faced a lawsuit for disrupting the Boston premiere of the opera "Louis XIV" by forgetting his lines and consuming brandy during intermissions. This incident, along with personal struggles, including depression, led Constantino to Mexico City, where he died on November 19, 1919, in a hospital for the poor. He left behind approximately 200 recorded performances.