Giovanni Martinelli
ItalyBiography of Giovanni Martinelli
Giovanni Martinelli was an Italian spinto tenor, known for his powerful and elegant voice. He was born in Montagnana, Veneto, Italy in 1885. Martinelli began his musical career playing the clarinet in a military orchestra. After his service, he studied in Milan and made his professional debut at Teatro Dal Verme in 1910. His performance as Dick Johnson in 'La fanciulla del West' was highly successful and brought him recognition throughout Italy.
In the early 1910s, Martinelli performed in Rome, Genoa, Naples, and made his debut at La Scala in 1912. He also sang the role of Cavaradossi in 'Tosca' at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and captivated the audience in Philadelphia in 1913. He later performed at Théâtre de la Gaîté in Paris.
Martinelli's New York debut took place at the Metropolitan Opera, where he portrayed Rodolfo in 'La Bohème'. He became renowned for his exceptional beauty and vocal range. He continued to conquer America, performing in major opera houses in Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago. He also showcased his talent in Paris and Buenos Aires. However, Martinelli's home base was the Metropolitan Opera, where he was a soloist from 1913 to 1946.
Although he retired from the stage in 1950, Martinelli's last performance took place at the age of 82 in Seattle, where he sang in 'Turandot'. His powerful voice was praised, even though some criticized him for lacking tenderness and softness. Many of Martinelli's fans were captivated by the sound of his voice. His most well-known and controversial role was Otello, and some believed that he imitated the legendary Enrico Caruso.
Apart from Otello, Martinelli's most celebrated roles included Manrico in Verdi's 'Il trovatore', Tristan in Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde', and Jose in Bizet's 'Carmen'. Offstage, Martinelli was known for his lively and playful personality, often engaging with women and earning a reputation as a playboy. Despite his age, his appearance remained handsome, with a touch of nobility added to his silver hair.
Martinelli left behind numerous recordings, including live performances, that are still accessible to opera lovers today. He passed away on February 2, 1969.
