Giovanni Zenatello, “Di Quella Pira“ 1909

Giovanni Zenatello (1876-1949) was famous for his Otello. Manrico was also a principal role for him. He had a good international career as a dramatic tenor. He also created the role of Pinkerton in 1904. His debut was five years earlier, in 1899, in Naples, as Canio. He toured with the Metropolitan from 1907 to 1910, replacing Caruso for that period. The middle of his voice was perhaps the heaviest part, and he would seem to have been a little short on top, as he sings this Di Quella Pira down a half