Salvatore Baccaloni sings "Udite, o rustici" from L'Elisir d'amore.

Not all opera is tragic heroes and heroines, or star-crossed lovers. The comic tradition, especially in 19th century opera, is also strong. Salvatore Baccaloni (1900-1969) was the greatest of the buffo basses, and he had a very successful international career, making his debut at La Scala in 1926, Chicago in 1930, and the Met in 1940. He sang into his early 60's.. He was a superb comic actor, an excellent musician, and--perhaps unavoidably--a notorious scene-stealer! He enjoyed great popularity, and his willingness to accept small parts made him one of the highest paid performers in opera, as he was always working. Here is Dulcamara's famous aria from The Elixir of Love, in which he promises cures of all kinds for old age, mumps, hives, whooping cough, women's aging complexion, unrequited love (hence its importance in this story!) and anything else one can imagine . That's right, ladies and gentlemen. Now, for a limited time--and a limited time only--you too can have this magic elixir, and all for the ridiculously low price of not 30, not 20, but only ONE scudo.!

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Salvatore
• Baccaloni.
• L'Elisir
• d'amore.
• Udite
• rustici.
• comic
• opera
• buffo
• Donizetti

[sospello]

I have read he was quite a character and enjoy his recordings very much. Since he was apparently was, as you say, a great comic presence onstage, I only wish there were filmed examples of him in action in this excerpt. One of my favorite filmed footages of the "Udite" is the b/w one with Taddei and I think Baccaloni would be a treat to see performing Dulcamara.

[EdmundStAustell]

He was apparently wonderfu, from what I hear. Some other singers didn't like him too much, because he was notorious for stealing scenes:) I see him as kind of a Jackie Gleason type.

[racheleleeba]

I enjoyed this introduction to Baccaloni. Your sidebar comments are very entertaining, too.

[EdmundStAustell]

Thank you. Baccaloni was a lot of fun. Just his presence on stage would light things up. We all adhere most naturally to the Olympian heights of tragedy in opera, I suppose, but a laugh once in a while is good for the soul, not to mention one's sense of perspective:)

[sartrific]

Look at and listen to Terfel in Elvis/Dulcamare! Unsurppassed! In both acting and singing!

[EdmundStAustell]

@Firuzens I don't think I have a Pasquale with him in it, but I will take a look around. I DO have the aria "O wie will ich triumphieren, from Mozart's Abduction From The Seraglio, which is already posted. I'll have a look for the Pasquale.

[EdmundStAustell]

@Firuzens Thank you very much for an excellent comment. You nailed it! You describe his success exactly.

[EdmundStAustell]

He was a lot of fun, and a much needed comic presence--right straight out of the Commedia dell'arte tradition, which lies at the heart of a huge number of Italian operas.

[Bivolari]

A beloved singer and wonderful comedian. I have him in a L'Elisir air check from the Met with Sayao and Tagliavini. He leaps out of the speakers. So immediate, so wonderfully funny and so very human.