Ettore Bastianini

The Italian baritone Ettore Bastianini (1922 – 1967) owned one of the truly stupendous voices of the 1950s. A true matinee idol at the Met, La Scala, and the Vienna State Opera, as well as at Lyric, he dazzled Chicago audiences for five seasons. He was especially celebrated for Verdi repertoire, in which his unmistakable dark timbre, his dramatic intensity, and his overwhelming charisma made an overwhelming impact.

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Ettore Bastianini (title role, right) with Richard Tucker as the Duke of Mantua in *Rigoletto* at Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1962.

Photo: Nancy Sorensen

Ettore Bastianini (Rigoletto) and Gianna D'Angelo (Gilda) in *Rigoletto*,1962.

Photo: Nancy Sorenson

Leontyne Price (Aida) and Ettore Bastianini (Amonasro) in *Aida*, 1965.

Photo: David H. Fishman

Giorgio Casellato-Lamberti (Radamès), Leontyne Price (Aida), Ettore Bastianini (Amonasro), and Fiorenza Cossotto (Amneris) in *Aida*, 1965.

Photo: David H. Fishman

Giulietta Simionato (Azucena), Ettore Bastianini (Count di Luna), and Elinor Ross (Leonora) in *Il trovatore*, 1958.

Photo: Nancy Sorenson

Jussi Björling, Mrs. Björling, and Ettore Bastianini backstage at *Il trovatore*, 1958.

Photo: Chicago Daily News

Listen to Roger Pines's tribute to Ettore Bastianini

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Ettore Bastianini's roles at Lyric

Main photo: Giorgio Casellato-Lamberti (Radamès), Leontyne Price (Aida), Ettore Bastianini (Amonasro), and Fiorenza Cossotto (Amneris) in Aida, 1965. Photo by David H. Fishman.
Audio photo: Ettore Bastianini in Rigoletto, 1962. Photo by Nancy Sorensen.