Cesare Formichi

Cesare Formichi (15 April 1883, Rome - 21 July 1949, Rome) was a prominent Italian operatic baritone, particularly associated with the Italian repertory.

Formichi studied in Rome with Pio Di Pietro and in Firenze with Vincenzo Lombardi, and made his debut in December 1907 at the Teatro Olimpia in Bologna as Lescaut in Manon. He went on to appear in Italy's leading opera houses, including La Scala in Milan. Soon, he was accepting a string of engagements to sing outside Italy, notably in Saint Petersburg (in 1912), Buenos Aires (in 1914), Paris (in 1922), Monte-Carlo, Vienna, and London (in 1924).

He sang as first baritone at the Chicago Opera from 1922 until 1932. He sang in Berlin in October 1933 with the Italian opera conducted by Ettore Panizza. He went with a troupe of singers from La Scala on a tour of France in 1935, and later organized opera seasons in London.

Notable roles of his included Ashton, Rigoletto, di Luna, Amonasro, Iago, and some Wagner parts sung in Italian (Klingsor, for example). Formichi possessed a big, rich-toned, important sounding voice which can be heard on the numerous acoustic and electrical recordings which he made during the peak of his career. Many of these recordings have been re-released on CD.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 15, 1883 (Rome), Died July 21, 1949 (Rome)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1904 - 1927

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal

Notes: Listed on some Columbia disc labels as Secare Formichi or S. Formichi.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 98119 12-in. 2/5/1924 Nemico della patria Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 98120 12-in. 2/5/1924 Credo Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11167 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Di Provenza il mar il suol Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11169 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Il balen del suo sorriso Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11174 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 O monumento Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11175 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Prologo Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11176 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Dio possente dio d'amore Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11177 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 O tu bell'astro Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11195 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 O de' verd'anni miei Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11196 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Alla vita che t'arride Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11198 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Quest' assisa Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11210 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Sei cosí bella Cesare Formichi Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11286 10-in. between 1903 and 1914 Minnie, dalla mia casa Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11288 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Miei signori Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11289 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Il credo Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11290 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Quando ero paggio Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11291 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Brindisi Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11292 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Come il romito fior Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11295 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Piangi fanciulla Maria Alessandrovitch ; Cesare Formichi Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11296 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Se vendetta Maria Alessandrovitch ; Cesare Formichi Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11297 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Lassù in ciel Maria Alessandrovitch ; Cesare Formichi Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11298 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Rivedrai le foreste imbalsamate Teresina Chelotti ; Cesare Formichi Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11299 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 In armi ora si desta il popol nostro Teresina Chelotti ; Cesare Formichi Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11300 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Mira d'acerbe lagrime Teresina Chelotti ; Cesare Formichi Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11301 10-in. between 1903 and 1914 Mira d'acerbe lagrime Teresina Chelotti ; Cesare Formichi Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11306 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Pescator, affonda l'esca Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo and chorus, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11307 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 O sommo Carlo Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra and chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11451 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 É grave il sacrificio Ida Cattorini ; Cesare Formichi Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11452 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Prendi...quest'è l'immagine Angelo Bendinelli ; Ida Cattorini ; Cesare Formichi Vocal trio (soprano, tenor, and baritone) vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11457 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Sei splendida e lucente Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11460 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Ella verrà Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11473 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Brindisi Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11494 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Gran concertato finale Egidio Cunego ; Cesare Formichi ; Dolores Frau ; Giovanni Martino ; Lia Moglia Vocal quintet (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, and bass), with vocal chorus and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11495 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Gran concertato finale Egidio Cunego ; Cesare Formichi ; Dolores Frau ; Giovanni Martino ; Lia Moglia Vocal quintet (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, and bass), with vocal chorus and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 11498 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Di Napata le gole Egidio Cunego ; Cesare Formichi ; Lia Moglia Vocal trio (soprano, tenor, and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41750 10-in. between 1904 and 1919 Gia mi dicono venal Cesare Formichi Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41754 10-in. approximately 1904-1915 Da quel di Magda Dorini ; Cesare Formichi Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41755 10-in. 1904 or later Tu sei Ernani Egidio Cunego ; Magda Dorini ; Cesare Formichi Vocal trio (soprano, tenor, and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41756 10-in. 1904 or later Di geloso amor sprezzato Magda Dorini ; Cesare Formichi ; Giuseppe Oppezzo Vocal trio (soprano, tenor, and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41821 10-in. approximately 1904-1914 Sora mia Cesare Formichi Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41822 10-in. approximately 1913 Nutata 'e sentimento Cesare Formichi Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41824 10-in. approximately 1904-1914 Suspiranno Cesare Formichi Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41841 10-in. approximately 1913 Marechiare Cesare Formichi Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41849 10-in. between 1904 and 1919 Se tu m'ami Andreina Beinat ; Cesare Formichi Vocal duet (mezzo-soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 41856 10-in. 1904 or later Canto notturno Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 42383 10-in. between 1910 and 1919 Toreador song Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with chorus and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 70536 10-in. between 1920 and 1923 Agnus Dei Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 70552 10-in. between 1920 and 1923 Pro peccatis Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74769 12-in. 1916 Pari siamo Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74771 12-in. 1916 Cortigiani vol razza dannata Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74772 12-in. 1916 Figlia i...mio padre i... Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74773 12-in. 1916 Deh non parlare al misero Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74779 12-in. 1916 Gia da tre lune G. Caiani ; Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Giuseppe Taccani ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74780 12-in. 1916 Chi è mai Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74781 12-in. 1916 Bella figlia dell'amore G. Caiani ; Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Giuseppe Taccani ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74782 12-in. 1916 E' l'ami? La donna e mobile Vincenzo Bettoni ; Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Giuseppe Taccani ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74783 12-in. 1916 Quel vecchio maledivami Vincenzo Bettoni ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (tenor and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74784 12-in. 1916 Un di, se ben rammentami G. Caiani ; Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Giuseppe Taccani ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74785 12-in. 1916 Tutte le feste Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74786 12-in. 1916 Della vendetta alfim Vincenzo Bettoni ; Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74787 12-in. 1916 Solo per me l'infamia Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74788 12-in. 1916 Ch'io gli parli Luigi Baldassare ; Vincenzo Bettoni ; Carlo Bonfanti ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Giuseppe Taccani ; Teatro alla Scala Coro ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal quintet, with orchestra and chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74789 12-in. 1916 Gran nuova! Gran nuova! Luigi Baldassare ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Giuseppe Taccani ; Teatro alla Scala Coro ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal trio, with orchestra and chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74790 12-in. 1916 M'odi ritorna a casa Vincenzo Bettoni ; G. Caiani ; Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Giuseppe Taccani ; Teatro alla Scala Coro ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal quintet, with orchestra and chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74791 12-in. 1916 Partite? Crudele! G. Caiani ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Giuseppe Taccani ; Teatro alla Scala Coro ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal trio, with orchestra and chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74793 12-in. 1916 Gualtier maldè Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with chorus and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74794 12-in. 1916 Zitti zitti Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Coro ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with chorus and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74795 12-in. 1916 Larà, Larà Luigi Baldassare ; G. Caiani ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Coro ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal trio (soprano and 2 baritones), with vocal chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74796 12-in. 1916 Mio padre Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Coro ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with chorus and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 74797 12-in. 1916 Compiuto pur quanto Ines Maria Ferraris ; Cesare Formichi ; Lorenzo Molajoli ; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A892 10-in. between May 1923 and October 1925 Voilà donc la terrible cité Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A893 10-in. between May 1923 and October 1925 Hélas, enfant encore Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A895 10-in. between May 1923 and October 1925 Légende de la sauge Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A896 10-in. between May 1923 and October 1925 Maudite à jamais Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A940 10-in. between May 1923 and October 1925 Ella verra Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A941 10-in. between May 1923 and October 1925 Gia! mi dicon venal Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A942 10-in. between May 1923 and September 1925 Di Provenza il mar Cesare Formichi ; Hamilton Harty Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A947 10-in. between May 1923 and October 1925 Prologue Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A948 10-in. between May 1923 and October 1925 Prologue Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) A960 10-in. between May 1923 and September 1925 Signor? Va, non ho niente Fernando Autori ; Cesare Formichi ; Hamilton Harty Male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) WAX2744 12-in. either April or May 1927 Te deum Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo, with vocal chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) WAX2747 12-in. either April or May 1927 Oasis and finale, 3rd act Cesare Formichi ; Grace Holst Vocal duet (soprano and baritone) vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) WA6121 10-in. either August or September 1927 D'une prison Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia (U.K.) WA6122 10-in. either August or September 1927 Obstination Cesare Formichi Baritone vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Formichi, Cesare," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104309.

Formichi, Cesare. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104309.

"Formichi, Cesare." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104309

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