Italo Gardoni
(1821-1882)
The Italian tenor Italo Gardoni created Bothwell in Marie Stuart, Jonathan in David, and Leopold in Ame en peine.
The following report appeared in the Aberdeen Evening Express (31 March 1882) shortly after his death: 'The death is announced in Paris yesterday of the eminent operatic tenor, Gardoni, one of the last of a long line of vocalists of the pure Italian school. Signor Gardoni made his debut at the Paris opera in 1844 as Bothwell in Niedermcyer's "Marie Stuart," and during the following year he created the role of Don Sanche, in Balfe's French version of "L'Etoile deSeville." In 1847 he appeared for the first time at Her Majesty's Theatre. Alter a long and honourable career he retired, but on the loss of his fortune he reappeared in London seven or eight years ago. Signor Gardoni married a daughter of the celebrated bass Antonio Tamburini by his first wife Marietta Gioja.'
An obituary also appeared in The Era (1 April 1882): 'There are few modern opera-goers who have not been delighted with the exquisite singing of Signor Gardoni, who so frequently represented with great success the most popular tenor parts in the Italian operas. Signor Gardoni did not possess a powerful voice, but it had remarkable sweetness and delicacy, combined with unusual fluency. This latter quality made him very acceptable in the operas of Rossini, and few could so gracefully overcome the difficulties of such music as that assigned to the tenor in the Barbiere. Signor Gardoni had also great talent in rendering popular songs, and many of our readers will remember the charm of his singing in " La Mandolinata," which owing to his elegant rendering became the popular song of the day. Signor Gardoni had resided for many years in the Rue Tronchet, Paris, and it will surprise many, remembering how youthful he looked, to learn that he was in his sixty-second year when he died. He married the daughter of Tamburini, the famous baritone, and his widow and two daughters survive. At the musical service at the Madeleine on Wednesday Madame Albani and M. Faulre sang solos. Signor Gardoni was buried at Montmartre.