Gaetano Fraschini

Gaetano Fraschini (16 February 1816 – 23 May 1887) was an Italian tenor. He created many roles in 19th century operas, including five composed by Giuseppe Verdi. His voice was "heroic ... with a baritonal quality, ... yet Verdi and Donizetti appreciated his ability to sing softly and with subtlety." An Italian biographer has pointed out Fraschini's role in extending the longevity of Donizetti's operas, while at the same time accelerating the ascent of Verdi's repertory. He was indeed the most prominent singer who facilitated the transition from Donizetti to Verdi. Fraschini sang over one hundred roles and Verdi placed him at the top of his favorite tenors' list and described him as a "natural Manrico" for his Il trovatore. Fraschini also played a pivotal role in the success of many operas by Pacini and Mercadante.

Born in Pavia on 16 February 1816, the second son of Domenico Fraschini and Grazia Cremaschi, Fraschini studied with Felice Moretti before debuting in his home town on 4 April 1837, at the Teatro dei Nobili Cavalieri, now known as Teatro Fraschini, singing the role of Lord Arturo in Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. A month later, as a comprimario, he sang the role of Hervey in Donizetti's Anna Bolena in the same theatre. In the same house he sang Iago in Rossini's Otello next to the legendary Giovanni David in the title role, in April 1838. The following month, on the same stage he sang in Donizetti's L'Esule di Roma. Bergamo's Teatro della Societa' secured him for the same role. He continued singing Donizetti, performing in Torquato Tasso in Bergamo in January 1839.

He returned to his home-town to sing in Mercadante's Gabriella di Vergy, also in Donizetti's Gemma di Vergy and Fausta. From July to September he was in Vicenza, where he sang in Mercadante's Elena da Feltre, Donizetti's Torquato Tasso and Roberto Devereux. To crown it all he sang Pollione in Bellini's Norma with Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis (his future wife) in the title role. In October he made his Venetian debut at the Teatro San Benedetto as Pollione and Roberto Devereux; the primadonna assoluta was Ronzi de Begnis.

On 28 March 1840 he made his debut at La Scala in Marino Faliero. Although his voice was excellent, his acting abilities left something to be desired and generated a few isolated boos. These were magnified by a review and hurt Fraschini so much that he vowed never to sing again at La Scala.

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