{"product_id":"18874-verdi-giuseppe-baccaloni-salvatore-serafini-lupo-enzo-large-original-bronze-bust-presented-to-salvatore-baccaloni","title":"[Verdi, Giuseppe. (1813–1901)] [Baccaloni, Salvatore. (1900–1969)] Serafini-Lupo, Enzo. Large Original Bronze Bust presented to Salvatore Baccaloni","description":"Impressive large bust portrait of the great Italian Opera composer, ca. 1950, with incised inscription on the left side by the sculptor to the Italian operatic bass, often regarded as the greatest buffo artist of the 20th century: \"A Salvatore Baccaloni \/ grande amico della commedia lirica \/ Enzo Serafini.\"  Mounted to a marble base, in very fine condition.  22.75 inches (57.8 cm.).\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr style=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003eRather amazingly, the skillful sculptor of the present bust was primarily known as a talented baritone himself. Born in Abruzzi, Italy, he studied in Naples and counted among his teachers Carlo Sebastiani, Leopoldo Mugnone and Adolph Block. He was soloist with the Sistine Chapel Choir at the age of ten and later made his operatic debut in the Teatro Bellini in Naples, in the opera 'Favorita.' Well known as an acting instructor, song and opera coach, he was Conductor and Stage Director of the Comic Opera Guild in New York and Professor at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music from 1947.  Serafini's portrait of his earlier coach, tenor Emilio Roxas,  accompanist and coach of many Metropolitan Opera Co. singers including Martinelli and Muzio, is reproduced in the 1922 Volume 85 Issue of the popular magazine 'A Musical Courrier' (p. 42). \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr style=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003eThe recipient of the present remarkable bust was\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e Italian operatic \u003c\/span\u003ebass\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003ebuffo\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e artist, and actor Salvatore Baccaloni. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003eHe sang for the first time at \u003c\/span\u003eLa Scala\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e, Milan, in 1926 and on the advice of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eArturo Toscanini\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e, decided to specialize in comic roles. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003eBaccaloni enjoyed a successful international career\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e, first appearing at the \u003c\/span\u003eMetropolitan Opera \u003cspan style=\"\"\u003eon 7 December 1940, where he performed regularly \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003euntil 1962. He often sang in \u003c\/span\u003ePhiladelphia\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e with a succession of opera companies from 1951 through to 1966, making his debut with the \u003c\/span\u003ePhiladelphia Civic Grand Opera Company\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e in 1951 in the title role of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci style=\"\"\u003eDon Pasquale\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e, his debut with the \u003c\/span\u003ePhiladelphia Grand Opera Company\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e in 1956, as Benoît\/Alcindoro in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci style=\"\"\u003eLa bohème\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e, and his debut with the \u003c\/span\u003ePhiladelphia Lyric Opera Company\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e in 1959, as Benoît\/Alcindoro.  It is likely that it was during that period in Philadelphia that Baccaloni and Serafini-Lupo, then teaching at the Philadelphia Conservatory, became friends.  The precise circumstances of the present remarkable hommage and gift remain unknown to us, but what a gift it was! \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"\"\u003ePlease note that professional packaging and crating will be required for this item, which weighs approx. 75 lbs, and will be invoiced separately to the buyer. Pickup in NY or Boston by arrangement is also possible. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46093697286303,"sku":"18874","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/4826\/7423\/files\/Verdi_18874_02.jpg?v=1722189762","url":"https:\/\/www.schubertiademusic.com\/products\/18874-verdi-giuseppe-baccaloni-salvatore-serafini-lupo-enzo-large-original-bronze-bust-presented-to-salvatore-baccaloni","provider":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}