Antonio Paoli
Antonio Paoli | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 14 April 1871 |
| Died | 24 August 1946(aged 75) |
| Other names | "The King of Tenors" "The Tenor of Kings" |
| Occupation | Opera singer (tenor) |
| Years active | 1899–1917 |
| Awards | •AwardedThe Cross of St. Mauriciomedal by theTsar of RussiaNicholas II(1904) •DeclaredChamber Singer of the Courtby theQueen of SpainMaria Cristina de Habsburgo(1904) •Knighted into theOrder of Isabella the Catholicby theQueen of Spain(1904) •Knighted by thePrince of PortugalCarlos de BraganzaasHighest Knight of the Christ of Portugal and Singer of the Royal Chamber(1904) •DeclaredChamber Singer of the Courtby theEmperor of AustriaFranz Joseph(1906) •Decorated with theCross of Alfonso IIby theKing of SpainAlfonso XIII(1909) •DeclaredHonor Singer ofthe VaticanbyPope Pius X(1909) •Honored with the titleFavorite Son of Spainby theSpanish Crown(1910) •NamedSinger of the Royal Courtby theKaiserWilliam II of Germany(1911) •Honored with a protocol-breakingstanding ovationby theAustro-Hungarian EmperorFranz Joseph(1912) •KnightedKnight of the Italian Crown and Commandant of the Roman Peopleby theKing of ItalyVittorio Emmanuelle III(1920) •Awarded a permanent pension by theGovernment of Puerto Ricofor his fame and talent (1934) •The first operatic artist to record an entire opera when he participated in a performance ofPagliaccibyRuggiero Leoncavalloin Italy in 1907 |
Antonio Paoli(14 April 1871 – 24 August 1946) was aPuerto Ricantenor.At the height of his fame, he was known as "The King of Tenors and The Tenor of Kings." He is considered to be the first Puerto Rican to reach international fame in the musical arts. Paoli has been recognized as "one of the most outstanding opera singers of all time," and as one who had "one of the most lyric and powerful voices...superior even to his contemporary rival,Enrico Caruso."[1]
After spending his childhood in his birth city ofPonce,Paoli moved to Spain where, with the assistance of his well-connected sisterAmalia,he obtained a royalscholarshipto take singing lessons in Italy. After singing tostanding ovationcrowds in both Spain and Italy, Paoli made his grand debut inParis, France,where he was encouraged to perform on the highest levels of the world stage. Before the end of the 19th century and while Paoli was still in his twenties, he went on atourof Europe that earned him both popular acclaim, and imperial honors from princes, kings, and emperors.
Between 1900 and 1914 his career skyrocketed, with performances not only in Europe but also inthe Americas,the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. He performed inMoscow,Paris,London,Madrid,New York,Buenos Aires,Havana,Santiago,Milan,Rome,Naples,Barcelona,andVienna.[2]
When World War I forced the closure of all Europeanopera houses,Paoli made his living as a professional boxer. Unfortunately, he also lost his singing voice during this period. After the War ended, following medical advice and performing vocal exercises, Paoli regained his voice and returned to the international stage, in all the glory of days past. He performed in Europe, North and South America, and finally settled with his sister Amalia inSan Juan, Puerto Rico,where she had opened a singing school.
Paoli spent the last 20 years of his life teaching voice and singing in San Juan, while also working for the establishment of amusic conservatoryin that city. He would not see this last dream come true, because he developedcancerand died at age 75. He was buried in San Juan, but his remains were later transferred to amausoleumatPanteón Nacional Román Baldorioty de Castroin his birth city of Ponce.
Early years
Paoli (birth name:Antonio Emilio Paoli y Marcano[note 1]) was born inPonce, Puerto Rico.He was the son of Amalia Marcano Intriago, ofSpanishancestry, who was born on the island of Margarita,Venezuela,and of Domingo Paoli Marcatentti, aCorsican immigrant.Antonio Paoli's parents met inCaracas,and immediately fell in love. But Amalia's father, a rich landlord, opposed their relationship because of class differences. The young couple escaped to the Dominican Republic without getting married and later returned to Puerto Rico. They established themselves in the city ofYaucoand lived there for several years. Later they moved to Ponce, into a house given to them by Amalia's aunt, Teresa Intriago. It was located on Calle Mayor (Mayor Street), House No. 14. Paoli had two notable sisters,Olivia Paoli(1855–1942), who was asuffragistandAmalia Paoli(1861–1941), a notable opera soprano who together with her sister joined the Suffragist Social League and fought for the rights of Puerto Rican women.[3][4]
Ponce at the time was the financial and cultural capital of the island, and an ideal place to Paoli's development.[5]
When Paoli was young, his parents would often take him tooperasat Ponce'sLa Perla Theaterlocated a block from their residence. They saw a performance ofGiuseppe Verdi'sIl Trovatore,sung byItaliantenor,Pietro Baccei.At that moment, Paoli decided what he wanted to become. His parents were very supportive of his ambition and guided him on this route during his youth, enrolling him in a school of "voice" directed byRamon Marin.His sister Amalia was a soprano who performed at La Perla inEmilio Arrieta's opera,Marina.In 1883, when Paoli was only 12 years old, both his parents died. He traveled to Spain to live with his sister Amalia and study music and opera.[6]
Debut
Amalia was taking singing classes under Napoleon Verger. She was under the patronage of Isabel de Borbón, Princess of Asturias and sister of the King of Spain, Alfonso XII, In 1884, Amalia helped Paoli to obtain twoscholarshipsfrom her Majesty QueenMaría Cristina,Queen Regent of Spain.Paoli started his studies at theRoyal Monastery of El Escorial.He entered Toledo's Military Academy and in 1892 graduated with honors. He was assigned to the Queen's escort and named personal custodian and guard of the child King Alfonso XIII. Paoli wanted to continue singing and in 1897 went to study at the Academia de Canto La Scala inMilan, Italy.On 26 April 1899, he made his debut inGioacchino Rossini's operaWilliam TellinParis, France.Paris newspapers commented on Paoli's success and said, "We should declare Paoli the Tenor of France."[7]
World tours
Between 1900 and 1914, Paoli performed in Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. He performed in Italy,Luxembourgand in the United Kingdom, with performances inLondon,Scotland,Edinburgh,andBrighton,closing the year with concerts inCorsica(his father's homeland) andTurkey.In 1900, he married Josephine Vetiska, an Austrian, inVienna.
From 1901 to 1902, Paoli performed in the following countries:Argentina,Brazil,Canada,Chile,Colombia,Cuba,Haiti,Puerto Rico,Venezuelaand theUnited States.Paoli purchased a villa in Porto Cereso,Lugano, Italy,where his son Antonio Arnaldo was born. After singing for King Alfonso XII and the royal family in Spain, Paoli returned to the United States and sang in various cities, among them New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Albany, Providence, Grand Rapids, New London, Detroit, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Chicago.
In 1905, Paoli performed at the Grand Theatre du Conservatoire inSaint Petersburg, Russia.TheTsar of RussiaNicholas IIwas present during one of the performances. After inviting Paoli to perform at the royal Winter Palace, he awarded PaoliThe Cross of St. Mauriciomedal and bestowed upon him the titleCammer Sanger(Chamber Singer).
On 5 September 1907, Paoli held a private recital forPope Pius Xat theSistine Chapelin theVatican.That same year he was named as a "Singer of the Royal Court" byWilliam II of Germany.Paoli was the first operatic artist to record an entire opera when he participated in a performance ofPagliaccibyRuggiero LeoncavalloinMilan, Italy.He was selected in 1907 as the First Tenor in the main character, by a team of engineers and musicians which included Leoncavallo. The recording was arranged in the following manner; the musicians were placed at the end of the recording room and the back-up singers in a semi-arc in front of the gramophone, while Paoli stood alone 20 feet (6.1 m) away from the gramophone.
Paoli continued to perform around the world: in Greece, Palestine, Poland, Egypt, Spain and Italy, where he established his permanent residence. In 1910, the singer was signed as the First Tenor byLa Scala,Milan, the most prestigious opera company in the world at the time. Paoli received a contract to inaugurateTeatro Colón,inBuenos Aires,Argentina, where he sangOtelloandDi quella pira.He also performed in Russia, Poland, Egypt, Hungary, Belgium, Cuba, Chile, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Canada, and the United States.[8]
Boxing career
By 1914, just before the start ofWorld War I,Paoli lost his voice and all of the major opera houses in Europe were shut down. Paoli moved to Spain, a neutral country in the conflict, leaving his Italian properties unattended. By 1915, Paoli was without economic means as a result of his bad investments.[9]
In order to make a living, Paoli became a professional boxer. After a period of training in Spain, he moved to England to start his new "career." He was undefeated in his first five fights. He broke his right wrist on his sixth challenge, which ended his boxing career.[9]
Paoli sold his properties in Italy and acquired a small country house in Spain. He stayed for a few months with his brother Carlos in thePhilippines.Paoli was medically treating his vocal cords, but observers believed that his opera career was over. He continued his singing exercises with his sister Amalia, who had moved into his house in Spain.[9]
Comeback
In January 1917, Paoli returned to the stage and performed the operaSamson and Delilahat the Constanzi Theater in Rome.Elvira de Hidalgo,who later became the singing coach ofMaria Callas,recalled:[9]
"No one suspected that Paoli was coming back to the stage; we all knew that he had lost his voice. People were there to see him fail; I saw some guys with tomatoes and rotten eggs, ready to throw them as soon as Paoli made his first mistake. But when he came out singing his initial aria, the public went crazy and stood up in a standing ovation. Paoli's voice sounded like one of those trumpets that you expect to hear in theday of the final judgment.His debut was tremendous. He had to repeat twice every single aria that he performed that night, because the public furiously demanded it. He performed for seven consecutive nights with the theater at its maximum capacity. I attended every single function. Every night he sang better than the night before. I always dreamed to sing with Paoli, but I don't think my voice was good or strong enough to sing with him. I think he was the greatest tenor ever. "[10]
Paoli kept busy performing in Italy, South America, and the United States. He returned to Puerto Rico in 1923. At the time, his sister Amalia Paoli was residing in San Juan (in the ward ofSanturce) where she was running a singing school (Academia Paoli). Antonio conducted a few performances around the island and departed to sing at theBrooklyn Academy of Music,theManhattan Opera Houseand theMetropolitan Opera Housein Philadelphia. He had wanted to sing in theMetropolitan Opera Housein New York, but apparently his competitorEnrico Carusoopposed this. Some note that Caruso was a shareholder of the renowned opera house.[8]From the U.S., the tenor would visitCuraçao,Cuba, Colombia, Haiti andEcuador.
Last years
Even with this busy agenda, Paoli's financial situation remained strained. After living in New York City for almost the entire year of 1927, Paoli decided to return to Puerto Rico to live and work with his sister Amalia, and give voice lessons at the Academia Paoli. Paoli also helped produceOthelloat the Municipal Theater inSan Juan.[8]
For the next two decades Paoli's main concern was teaching at the Paoli Academy with Amalia. In 1928, the tenor performed Verdi'sOtelloin its entirety for the last time in San Juan. This was his last performance on stage. It took place at the San Juan Municipal Theater, known today as theTapia Theater.[9]
In 1935, the government of Puerto Rico named the San Juan Municipal Theater in his honor, changing its name toTeatro Paoli.[8][9][11]In 1929, his wife Josephine died and a year later he married Adelaida Bonini, fromRimini,Italy. He affectionately called her "Adina".[12]He gave his last singing performance in 1942, while commemorating the one-year anniversary of the death of his sister, Amalia Paoli. The service was conducted at the Chapel of theUniversity of the Sacred Heart(Santurce).
Paoli died ofprostate cancer,[13]in San Juan on 24 August 1946, and was buried in the Puerto Rico Memorial Cemetery inCarolina, Puerto Rico.On 13 April 2005, Paoli's remains, and those of his (second[14]) wife Adina Bonini (who had died in May 1978) were exhumed and reinterred in Ponce'sRomán Baldorioty de Castro National Pantheonand buried by the base of his statue.[6][13]The bust of Paoli at the Pantheon's rotunda is the work of Puerto Rican sculptor Gladys Nieves.[15][16]
Honors, accolades, and legacy
Antonio Paoli was the first Puerto Rican to gain international recognition in the performing arts. He gave 1,725 performances between 1888 and 1942, and interpreted Verdi'sOtello575 times.[9]To his credit, Paoli was also the first opera singer in the world to record an entire opera; he was part of a recorded performance ofPagliaccibyRuggiero Leoncavalloin Italy in 1907.[8]
As early as 1904, Paoli was awardedThe Cross of St. Mauriciomedal by theTsar of RussiaNicholas II,[8][17]andMaría Cristina de Habsburgo,Queen of Spain,declared PaoliCantante de Cámara de la Corte(Chamber Singer of the Court) and gave himLa Gran Cruz de Isabel la Católica(The Cross of Isabella the Catholic), whileCarlos de Braganza,Prince of Portugal,named himCaballero Comendador del Cristo de Portugal y Cantante de Cámara.[9]Just two years later, in 1906, the same title ofCammer Sanger(Chamber Singer of the Court) was given to Paoli byFranz Joseph,Emperor of Austria,[9]and in 1907 he was decorated byCarlos I of Braganza.[8]
In 1909, Paoli receivedLa Cruz de Alfonso IIfromAlfonso XIII,King of Spain,and was declared ’'Honor Singer of the Vatican'’ byPope Pius X.In 1910, he was honored with the title ofHijo Predilecto de España(Favorite Son of Spain), while in 1911,Wilhelm II,Kaiser of Germany,declared Paoli ’'Kammer Sanger of the Empire'’, and in 1912, Paoli received a protocol-breaking[11]standing ovationfrom theAustro-Hungarian EmperorFranz Josephwhen Paoli sangLohengrininVienna.[8]In 1920, the tenor was knighted byVittorio Emmanuelle III,King of Italy,making himCavaliere De La Corona Italiana and Commendatore Dell Popolo Romano(Knight of the Italian Crown and Commandant of the Roman People).[9]
Though he did not see it happen during his lifetime, Puerto Rico also built theMusic Conservatory,something for which Paoli had worked so hard to establish. This dream was finally realized shortly after his death. At the "Centro de Bellas Artes"in San Juan there is also a 1,883-seat" Antonio Paoli Festival Hall. "[8]San Juan'sMunicipal Theaterwas also renamed Teatro Paoli in his honor in 1935.[8]In recognition of his fame and talent, thegovernment of Puerto Ricoalso awarded Paoli a pension in 1934.[8]
In 1983, the non-profit "Paoli Award" was created. This award honors the effort, work, and success of outstanding professionals in the various arts and media, including music and recording, television, radio, written communication, fashion, and beauty.[18]Originally designated to recognize the outstanding achievements of Puerto Ricans, the Paoli Award has branched out internationally, and since 1992 it also includes Hispanics and Latin Americans from around the world.[18]
On 9 October 2009, the Government of the United States listedCasa Paoliin Antonio Paoli's hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico, in the U.S.National Register of Historic Places.The house, Antonio's childhood house in Puerto Rico, is Paoli's only remaining residencial structure in Puerto Rico.[19]
Among other honors bestowed on Paoli after his death are a music school named in his honor ( "Escuela Libre de Música Antonio Paoli" ), in the city ofCaguas, Puerto Rico,[20]and in his hometown of Ponce, there is a theater at theInteramerican University of Puerto Rico, Poncenamed in his memory,Teatro Paoli.[21]
Paoli has also been the subject of many books written about his life and influence. Included is the work byEmilio J. Pasarelltitled"Orígenes y desarrollo de la afición teatral en Puerto Rico"(Origins and development of the theatrical pursuit in Puerto Rico) where he describes the life of Paoli in detail.
Discography
| External audio | |
|---|---|
 You may listen to Antonio Paoli's "Di quella pira"hereonYouTube |
The following are part of Antonio Paoli's discography:[8]
- Antonio Paoli.(2000)
- Great Voices.(1999)
- Antonio Paoli in arias from Otello.(1998)
- Leoncavallo: Pagliacci.(1996)
- Serie Artistas Célebres No. 1: Edición del Centenario del Tenor Antonio Paoli.Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña(1971)
See also
Notes
References
- ^Juan Llanes Santos (11 August 2009)."National Register of Historic Places Registration: Casa Paoli"(PDF).National Park Service.Retrieved4 December2009.(19 pages, with maps and b&w historic photos and 5 recent color photos). Registration Form #2280 (NRHP# 09000769). Page 5.
- ^Socorro Gurón.Ponce, el teatro La Perla y La Campana de la Almudaina: Historia de Ponce desde sus comienzos hasta la segunda decada del siglo XIX.Ponce, Puerto Rico: Gobierno Municipal de Ponce. 1992. page 186-187.
- ^Lilliam Torres-Braschi.Olivia: Vida de Olivia Paoli Viuda de Braschi, 1855-1942.1979. p.160.ISBN978-844-990-312-0(in Spanish)
- ^Asociación de Periodistas de Puerto Rico.Dos siglos de periodismo puertorriqueño: II.Volume 2. Casa de Periodistas Editorial. 2006. p. 154.ISBN978-097-431-021-3(in Spanish)
- ^Juan Llanes Santos, Historian, and State Historic Preservation Officer, Certifying Officer. State Historic Preservation Office (San Juan, Puerto Rico). 11 August 2009. InNational Register of Historic Places Inventory-Registration Form - Casa Paoli.United States Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (Washington, D.C.) Page 5. Listing Reference Number 09000769. 12 August 2009.
- ^ab"PRPOP".Archived fromthe originalon 1 October 2009.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^Juan Llanes Santos, Historian, and State Historic Preservation Officer, Certifying Officer. State Historic Preservation Office (San Juan, Puerto Rico). 11 August 2009. InNational Register of Historic Places Inventory-Registration Form - Casa Paoli.United States Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (Washington, D.C.) Page 6. Listing Reference Number 09000769. 12 August 2009.
- ^abcdefghijkl"Music of Puerto Rico".Archived fromthe originalon 7 October 2019.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^abcdefghijJuan Llanes Santos, Historian, and State Historic Preservation Officer, Certifying Officer. State Historic Preservation Office (San Juan, Puerto Rico). 11 August 2009. InNational Register of Historic Places Inventory-Registration Form - Casa Paoli.United States Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (Washington, D.C.) Page 8. Listing Reference Number 09000769. 12 August 2009.
- ^Jesus M. Lopez.Antonio Paoli: El Leon de Ponce.Waterbury, Connecticut: Ediciones Liricas Puertorriqueñas, 1997. Page 469.
- ^ab"Antonio Paoli.Fundacion Nacional para la Cultura Popular ".Archived fromthe originalon 1 October 2009.Retrieved25 October2009.
- ^Casa Paoli's Web Site.Archived25 July 2011 at theWayback MachineRetrieved 28 May 2010.
- ^abLa Perla del Surnews weekly, 6–12 April 2005.
- ^Fundacion Nacional para la Cultura PopularArchived1 October 2009 at theWayback MachineRetrieved 28 May 2010.
- ^Fay Fowlie de Flores.Ponce, Perla del Sur: Una Bibliográfica Anotada.Second Edition. 1997. Ponce, Puerto Rico: Universidad de Puerto Rico en Ponce. p. 275. Item 1373.LCCN92-75480
- ^"Antonio Paoli: tenor de reyes y rey de los tenores."Patrimonio.Year 2 (January–June 1992) Issue 14. (Colegio Universitario Tecnológico de Ponce, CUTPO; Oficina Estatal de Preservacion Historica, OEPH).
- ^"PR Encyclopedia".Archived fromthe originalon 16 June 2010.Retrieved29 May2010.
- ^ab"PremiosPaoli.comXXX Aniversario de los Premios Paoli: Historia.".Archived fromthe originalon 2 October 2008.Retrieved26 July2010.
- ^Juan Llanes Santos, Historian, and State Historic Preservation Officer, Certifying Officer. State Historic Preservation Office (San Juan, Puerto Rico). 11 August 2009. InNational Register of Historic Places Inventory-Registration Form - Casa Paoli.United States Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (Washington, D.C.) Listing Reference Number 09000769. 12 August 2009.
- ^Casa Paoli
- ^VideoonYouTube.Retrieved 28 May 2010.
