Nazzareno De Angelis

Nazzareno De Angelis (Rome, 1881 – Rome, 1962) was one of the most distinguished Italian basses of the first decades of the twentieth century. Born and died in Rome, he spent almost his entire career at the major opera houses of Italy, South America and the United States.

His training began in childhood, when he sang in the choirs of the Sistine Chapel and the Cappella Giulia in Rome. He later studied with Giuseppe Fabbri and other teachers. He made his debut in 1903 at L'Aquila, in Linda di Chamounix, and in the 1906–1907 season he appeared at La Scala, Milan, in works such as La Gioconda, Tristan und Isolde and Aida. He returned to La Scala almost every year until 1914, and sporadically between 1918 and 1933.

Between 1909 and 1925 he performed at the leading theatres of South America and, in the 1910–1911 season, sang with the Chicago Opera. From 1911 until his retirement in 1938 he was a regular artist at the Rome Opera. His most celebrated roles included Norma, Mosè, Mefistofele, Die Walküre and The Barber of Seville, and he also took part in the premiere of Montemezzi's L'amore dei tre re in 1913.

According to contemporary sources, his voice was ample in volume and range, with a rich timbre that he shaded with great skill. As an actor he was vigorous, and as a phrasing singer he stood out for the breadth and expressiveness of his line, which earned him a reputation as the finest Italian bass between 1910 and 1930.