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By the autumn of 1936, Ballarini had arrived in the United States and was studying singing in New York City with [[Estelle Liebling]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_music-magazine-and-musical-courier_1936-11-28_114_12/page/31/mode/1up?q=%22Stephan+Ballarini%22|title=Estelle Liebling|work=[[The Musical Courier]]|page=31|date=November 28, 1936}}</ref> He made his United States debut using the name Stefano Ballarini with the [[Chicago City Opera Company]] (CCOC) in [[Ottorino Respighi]] ''[[La fiamma]]'' on October 31, 1936. This was followed by the part of Escamillo in [[Georges Bizet]]'s ''[[Carmen]]'' with the CCOC in November 1936 with [[Gertrud Pålson-Wettergren]] in the title role.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wettergren Will Make Local Debut in "Carmen Friday|work=[[Wilmette Life]]|date=November 19, 1936|page= 76}}</ref> He repeated the latter role with the [[Philadelphia Civic Grand Opera Company]] (PCGCO) at Philadelphia's [[Academy of Music (Philadelphia)|Academy of Music]] in February 1937,<ref>{{cite news|title=Carmen in Philadelphia|work=[[Musical America]]|date=March 10, 1937|volume= 57|issue= 5|page=13}}</ref> and two months later performed the part of Scarpia in [[Giacomo Puccini]]'s ''[[Tosca]]'' with the PCGCO.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tosa—April 20—At Academy|work=[[Philadelphia Jewish Exponent]]|date=April 16, 1937|page= 11}}</ref>
By the autumn of 1936, Ballarini had arrived in the United States and was studying singing in New York City with [[Estelle Liebling]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_music-magazine-and-musical-courier_1936-11-28_114_12/page/31/mode/1up?q=%22Stephan+Ballarini%22|title=Estelle Liebling|work=[[The Musical Courier]]|page=31|date=November 28, 1936}}</ref> He made his United States debut using the name Stefano Ballarini with the [[Chicago City Opera Company]] (CCOC) in [[Ottorino Respighi]] ''[[La fiamma]]'' on October 31, 1936. This was followed by the part of Escamillo in [[Georges Bizet]]'s ''[[Carmen]]'' with the CCOC in November 1936 with [[Gertrud Pålson-Wettergren]] in the title role.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wettergren Will Make Local Debut in "Carmen Friday|work=[[Wilmette Life]]|date=November 19, 1936|page= 76}}</ref> He repeated the latter role with the [[Philadelphia Civic Grand Opera Company]] (PCGCO) at Philadelphia's [[Academy of Music (Philadelphia)|Academy of Music]] in February 1937,<ref>{{cite news|title=Carmen in Philadelphia|work=[[Musical America]]|date=March 10, 1937|volume= 57|issue= 5|page=13}}</ref> and two months later performed the part of Scarpia in [[Giacomo Puccini]]'s ''[[Tosca]]'' with the PCGCO.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tosa—April 20—At Academy|work=[[Philadelphia Jewish Exponent]]|date=April 16, 1937|page= 11}}</ref>


In July 1937 Ballarini performed the roles of Donner and Alberich in ''Das Rheingold'' at [[Lewisohn Stadium]] with the [[New York Philharmonic]] under conductor [[Fritz Reiner]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/13/archives/rheingold-heard-at-the-stadium-presentation-of-first-of-five-music.html?searchResultPosition=1|title=RHEINGOLD' HEARD AT THE STADIUM|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 13, 1937|page=22}}</ref> In August 1937 he performed the role of Escamillo opposite [[Irra Petina]] as Carmen with the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]] under conductor [[Alexander Smallens]] at the [[Mann Center for the Performing Arts|Robin Hood Dell]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Robin Hood Dell Presents Gala Offerings; Carmen Presented|work=[[The Musical Courier]]|date=August 15, 1937|page=9}}</ref> In December 1937 he portrayed Sharpless in ''[[Madama Butterfly]]'' with the PCGCO with Annunciata Garrotto as Cio-Cio-San and [[Laurence Power|Lawrence Power]] as Pinkerton.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Civic Grand Opera in Butterfly|work=[[The Musical Courier]]|page=11|date=January 1, 1938|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_music-magazine-and-musical-courier_1938-01-01_117_1/page/11/mode/1up?q=%22Stefano+Ballarini%22}}</ref>
In July 1937 Ballarini performed the roles of Donner and Alberich in ''Das Rheingold'' at [[Lewisohn Stadium]] with the [[New York Philharmonic]] under conductor [[Fritz Reiner]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/13/archives/rheingold-heard-at-the-stadium-presentation-of-first-of-five-music.html?searchResultPosition=1|title=RHEINGOLD' HEARD AT THE STADIUM|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 13, 1937|page=22}}</ref> In August 1937 he performed the role of Escamillo opposite [[Irra Petina]] as Carmen with the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]] under conductor [[Alexander Smallens]] at the [[Mann Center for the Performing Arts|Robin Hood Dell]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Robin Hood Dell Presents Gala Offerings; Carmen Presented|work=[[The Musical Courier]]|date=August 15, 1937|page=9}}</ref> In December 1937 he portrayed Sharpless in ''[[Madama Butterfly]]'' with the PCGCO with Annunciata Garrotto as Cio-Cio-San and [[Laurence Power|Lawrence Power]] as Pinkerton.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Civic Grand Opera in Butterfly|work=[[The Musical Courier]]|page=11|date=January 1, 1938|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_music-magazine-and-musical-courier_1938-01-01_117_1/page/11/mode/1up?q=%22Stefano+Ballarini%22}}</ref> In 1938 he was committed to the touring [[San Carlo Opera Company]] (SCOC);<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_music-magazine-and-musical-courier_1938-04-15_117_8/page/18/mode/2up?q=%22Stefano+Ballarini%22|title=San Francisco March Calendar Varried|work=[[The Musical Courier]]|date=April 15, 1938|page=18}}</ref> and by February 1938 he was in Dallas with the company performing Escamillo to [[Maru Castagna]]'s Carmen with [[Aroldo Lindi]] as Don Jose.<ref>{{cite news|title=As We See It|author=Martha Stewart|work=Dallas Campus|date= February 9, 1938|page= 2}}</ref> Castagna was replaced as Carmen later in the season by [[Janet Fairbank]] when the SCOC reached Chicago.<ref>{{cite news|title=Janet Fairbank Wins Praise for Carmen Singing|work=[[Chicago Sunday Tribune]]|date=January 16, 1938|page=16}}</ref> Other parts he performed with the SCOC in 1938 included Amonasro in ''[[Aida]]'' with [[Bianca Saroya]] in the title role,<ref>{{cite news|title=San Carlo Fans are Treated to Excellent Aida|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 7, 1938|page=15}}</ref> and Germont in ''[[La traviata]]'' with [[Mary Henderson (soprano)|Mary Henderson]] as Violetta.<ref>{{cite news|title=Verdi's Traviata Opens San Carlo Season of Opera|date=September 8, 1945|work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|page=4}}</ref>

In 1938 he was committed to the touring [[San Carlo Opera Company]] (SCOC);<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_music-magazine-and-musical-courier_1938-04-15_117_8/page/18/mode/2up?q=%22Stefano+Ballarini%22|title=San Francisco March Calendar Varried|work=[[The Musical Courier]]|date=April 15, 1938|page=18}}</ref> scoring particular success in the role of Escamillo in ''[[Carmen]]'' opposite [[Janet Fairbank]] in the title role.<ref>{{cite news|title=Janet Fairbank Wins Praise for Carmen Singing|work=[[Chicago Sunday Tribune]]|date=January 16, 1938|page=16}}</ref> He also portrayed the role of Amonasro in ''[[Aida]]'' with [[Bianca Saroya]] in the title role with the SCOC that season.<ref>{{cite news|title=San Carlo Fans are Treated to Excellent Aida|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 7, 1938|page=15}}</ref> That same year he returned to the SCOC to perform the role of Germont in ''[[La traviata]]'' with [[Mary Henderson (soprano)|Mary Henderson]] as Violetta.<ref>{{cite news|title=Verdi's Traviata Opens San Carlo Season of Opera|date=September 8, 1945|work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|page=4}}</ref>


In 1941 he performed the role of Friedrich of Telramund opposite [[Rose Bampton]]'s Elsa in Wagner's ''[[Lohengrin (opera)|Lohengrin]]'' with the [[Chicago Opera Company]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_musical-america_1941-12-10_61_19/page/11/mode/1up?q=%22Stephen+Ballarini%22|title=Performances in English Enliven Chicago Opera Season|page=11|date=December 10, 1941|work=[[Musical America]]|author=Ruth Barry and Charles Quint}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rose Bampton's First Chicago Elsa A Success|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 23, 1941|page=20}}</ref>
In 1941 he performed the role of Friedrich of Telramund opposite [[Rose Bampton]]'s Elsa in Wagner's ''[[Lohengrin (opera)|Lohengrin]]'' with the [[Chicago Opera Company]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_musical-america_1941-12-10_61_19/page/11/mode/1up?q=%22Stephen+Ballarini%22|title=Performances in English Enliven Chicago Opera Season|page=11|date=December 10, 1941|work=[[Musical America]]|author=Ruth Barry and Charles Quint}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rose Bampton's First Chicago Elsa A Success|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 23, 1941|page=20}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:56, 12 July 2024

Istvan Balla, better known by the names Stefano Ballarini, Stephen Ballarini, and Stephan Ballarini (19 October 1902 - 1976) was a Hungarian-born American baritone.


Early life and career in Europe and Argentina

Istvan Balla was born on 19 October 1902 in Budapest, Hungary.[1] He trained as an opera singer in Germany, and made his professional debut at the Oper Breslau in 1925 at which time he adopted the stage name Stefan Balla.[2] He was committed to that theatre for the 1925-1926 season. Following this he modified his name to Stefano Ballarini when he went on a tour of France and Italy in 1926-1927.[2] He continued to perform under various variations of this name during his career, among them Stephen Ballarini and Stephan Ballarini.

In 1928 Ballarini performed the role of Donner in Richard Wagner's Das Rheingold at La Scala under the baton on Ettore Panizza.[3] He then worked mainly in Germany and Austria where he was a principal guest artist at the Berlin State Opera (1929-1930), the Dresden State Opera (1930-1931), the Vienna Volksoper in (1932-1933), and the Vienna State Opera (1935).[2] In 1936 he was a guest artist at the Hungarian State Opera.[4]

Ballarini also appeared at the Teatro Colón (TC) in Argentina; making his debut at that house in 1931.[5] He returned in 1933 for a season of German language operas conducted by Roberto Kinsky.[6] Later at that theatre he appeared as Count Lamoral in Argentina's first performance of Richard Strauss's Arabella on August 16, 1934,[7][8] and was the baritone soloist in Argentina's first performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion on 25 September 1934 under conductor Fritz Busch.[8] Other operas he performed in at the TC included Bedřich Smetana's The Bartered Bride (1934).[9]

Later life and career in the United States

By the autumn of 1936, Ballarini had arrived in the United States and was studying singing in New York City with Estelle Liebling.[10] He made his United States debut using the name Stefano Ballarini with the Chicago City Opera Company (CCOC) in Ottorino Respighi La fiamma on October 31, 1936. This was followed by the part of Escamillo in Georges Bizet's Carmen with the CCOC in November 1936 with Gertrud Pålson-Wettergren in the title role.[11] He repeated the latter role with the Philadelphia Civic Grand Opera Company (PCGCO) at Philadelphia's Academy of Music in February 1937,[12] and two months later performed the part of Scarpia in Giacomo Puccini's Tosca with the PCGCO.[13]

In July 1937 Ballarini performed the roles of Donner and Alberich in Das Rheingold at Lewisohn Stadium with the New York Philharmonic under conductor Fritz Reiner.[14] In August 1937 he performed the role of Escamillo opposite Irra Petina as Carmen with the Philadelphia Orchestra under conductor Alexander Smallens at the Robin Hood Dell.[15] In December 1937 he portrayed Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with the PCGCO with Annunciata Garrotto as Cio-Cio-San and Lawrence Power as Pinkerton.[16] In 1938 he was committed to the touring San Carlo Opera Company (SCOC);[17] and by February 1938 he was in Dallas with the company performing Escamillo to Maru Castagna's Carmen with Aroldo Lindi as Don Jose.[18] Castagna was replaced as Carmen later in the season by Janet Fairbank when the SCOC reached Chicago.[19] Other parts he performed with the SCOC in 1938 included Amonasro in Aida with Bianca Saroya in the title role,[20] and Germont in La traviata with Mary Henderson as Violetta.[21]

In 1941 he performed the role of Friedrich of Telramund opposite Rose Bampton's Elsa in Wagner's Lohengrin with the Chicago Opera Company.[22][23]

In February 1942 he performed at a meeting of The Verdi Club in New York City; a group founded and organized by Florence Foster Jenkins.[24] He performed with the Philadelphia La Scala Opera Company (PLSOC) at the Academy of Music as Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana in January 1942,[25] and as Conte di Luna in Verdi's Il trovatore with Bernardo de Muro as Manrico in March 1942.[26] On November 3, 1942 he created the role of Mr. Martini in the world premiere of Walter Damrosch's The Opera Cloak at the Broadway Theatre in New York City.[27]

In 1943 he returned to the PLSOC as Escamillo to Jennie Tourel's Carmen,[28] > and sang the part of Alfio under conductor Carlo Peroni.[29] That same year he returned to the SCOC as Ashton in Lucia di Lammermoor with Grace Panvini in the title role.[30] In 1944 he portrayed the title role in Rigoletto with the SCOC,[31] repeated the role of the Count di Luna,[32] and performed the role of Valentin in Faust with Eugene Conley in the title role.[33] In 1945 he performed the role of Alfio with the Chicago Opera Company with Ella Flesch as Santuzza.[34]

In 1946 he performed the role of Valentine in Faust with the SCOC with Mario Palermo in the title role,[35] and sand Escamillo to Coe Glade's Carmen with the same company.[36] In 1947 he performed the roles of Schaunard in La bohème and Tonio in Pagliacci at Carnegie Hall with Alfredo Salmaggi's opera company.[37][38] He was once again with the SCOC in 1949; notably portraying Sharpless in Madame Butterfly with Hizi Koyke in the title role.[39]

In 1952 he performed the role of Escamillo to Margery Mayer's Carmen for his debut at the New York City Opera under conductor Joseph Rosenstock.[40]

Personal life

On 2 August 1938 he married Maybelle Louise Iribe in Carson City, Nevada.[41][1] In 1939 he became a naturalized American citizen.[1]

Ballarini died at the age of 76 in Miami, Florida on 26 May 1979.[42][43]

References

  1. ^ a b c Istvan Balla-Ballarini in the California, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1888-1991
  2. ^ a b c Kutsch, K. J.; Riemens, Leo (2003). "Ballarini, Stefano". In Rost, Hansjörg (ed.). Grosses Sängerlexikon. Vol. Suvanny–Zysset. K. G. Saur Verlag. p. 225-226.
  3. ^ "Milan Enjoys a Varied Operatic Fare". The Musical Courier: 47. March 15, 1928.
  4. ^ "Budapest Opera Restages National Opus Successfully". The Musical Courier. March 14, 1936. p. 9.
  5. ^ "Ayer de tarde pasó por Montevideo el "Cap Polonio"". La Mañana. May 17, 1931. p. 3.
  6. ^ "PARA A TEMPORADA LYRICA DO COLON E DO MUNICIPAL: Passaram pelo Rio o barytono Stephan Ballarini e o maestro Roberto Kinsky". A Noite. June 29, 1933.
  7. ^ "Se Estrenara Mañana "Arabella" De Strauss". Critica: 19. August 15, 1934.
  8. ^ a b Enzo Valenti Ferro (1992). 100 años de música en Buenos Aires. Ediciones de Arte Gaglianone. p. 192-193.
  9. ^ "Tiene Interes la Velada Teatral". Crítica: 10. August 9, 1934.
  10. ^ "Estelle Liebling". The Musical Courier. November 28, 1936. p. 31.
  11. ^ "Wettergren Will Make Local Debut in "Carmen Friday". Wilmette Life. November 19, 1936. p. 76.
  12. ^ "Carmen in Philadelphia". Musical America. Vol. 57, no. 5. March 10, 1937. p. 13.
  13. ^ "Tosa—April 20—At Academy". Philadelphia Jewish Exponent. April 16, 1937. p. 11.
  14. ^ "RHEINGOLD' HEARD AT THE STADIUM". The New York Times. July 13, 1937. p. 22.
  15. ^ "Robin Hood Dell Presents Gala Offerings; Carmen Presented". The Musical Courier: 9. August 15, 1937.
  16. ^ "Civic Grand Opera in Butterfly". The Musical Courier: 11. January 1, 1938.
  17. ^ "San Francisco March Calendar Varried". The Musical Courier: 18. April 15, 1938.
  18. ^ Martha Stewart (February 9, 1938). "As We See It". Dallas Campus. p. 2.
  19. ^ "Janet Fairbank Wins Praise for Carmen Singing". Chicago Sunday Tribune. January 16, 1938. p. 16.
  20. ^ "San Carlo Fans are Treated to Excellent Aida". Chicago Tribune. January 7, 1938. p. 15.
  21. ^ "Verdi's Traviata Opens San Carlo Season of Opera". The Christian Science Monitor. September 8, 1945. p. 4.
  22. ^ Ruth Barry and Charles Quint (December 10, 1941). "Performances in English Enliven Chicago Opera Season". Musical America. p. 11.
  23. ^ "Rose Bampton's First Chicago Elsa A Success". Chicago Tribune. November 23, 1941. p. 20.
  24. ^ "Verdi Club Holds Meeting". Musical America. Vol. 62, no. 4. February 25, 1942. p. 30.
  25. ^ "Philadelphia: La Scala Gives Pair of Works". Musical America. 62 (2). January 25, 1942.
  26. ^ William E. Smith (March 10, 1942). "Philadelphia". Musical America. 62 (5): 20.
  27. ^ Olin Downes (November 4, 1942). "DOUBLE BILL GIVEN BY THE HEW OPERA; Damrosch's 'The Opera Cloak' Offered as Part of Program at Broadway Theatre". The New York Times. p. 26.
  28. ^ Gustav Klemm (January 15, 1943). "Baltimore: Resident Orchestra and Visiting Opera Hailed". The Musical Courier. p. 21.
  29. ^ Gene Laforet (June 1943). "The Critics Were Right". Stylus. Boston College: 53.
  30. ^ "San Carlo Opera Company End Engagement". Musical America. November 10, 1943. p. 25.
  31. ^ "Opera, Individual Artists on Denny Watrous Schedule". Campbell Press. March 2, 1944. p. 4.
  32. ^ "Grand Opera: Il Trovatore". The Varsity. LXIV. University of Toronto: 1. November 27, 1944.
  33. ^ Burns Mantle (ed.). The Best Plays of 1943-1944. Dodd, Mead & Co. p. 473.
  34. ^ Elsa Borowski (November 15, 1945). "Chicago Opera Feted". The Musical Courier. p. 14.
  35. ^ M.S. (June 1946). "Double Bill". The Musical Courier: 25.
  36. ^ "San Carlo Opera Company". Warren Times Mirror. March 13, 1946. p. 2.
  37. ^ "Popular Operas Close Carnegie Hall Series". The Musical Courier: 19. August 1947.
  38. ^ "The Touch of the Maestro". The Musical Courier: 17. July 1947.
  39. ^ "Hizi Koyke Stands Out as Butterfly". The Washington Post. August 5, 1949. p. 2B.
  40. ^ Q. E. (November 15, 1952). "Debuts and New Casts In Final City Opera Weeks". Musical America: 22.
  41. ^ Maybelle Louise Iribe in the Carson City, Nevada, U.S., Marriage Index, 1855-1985, Marriage Record Number 39741719
  42. ^ Stephan Ballarini in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
  43. ^ Stephan Ballarini in the Florida, U.S., Death Index, 1877-1998

Stefano Ballarini

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