Bernardo de Muro

Bernardo De Muro (November 3, 1881 – 27 October 1955) was a Sardinian operatic tenor.

Biography

Bernardino de Muro was born on November 3, 1881, in Tempio Pausania, Sardinia, to Antonio Maria and Jeanne-Marie Demuro. His father was a small landowner. Bernardo's formal education ceased at primary school. Initially self-taught, he began singing in a café in Tempio. Moving to Rome, he participated in a competition for admission to the Conservatory of St. Cecilia in 1903. He studied under A. Sbriscia and Alfredo Martino. His operatic debut was on May 12, 1910, at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome, performing in Cavalleria rusticana by Mascagni. He received flattering reviews for this performance. In the next few years he performed in Madama Butterfly, L'Africaine, Carmen, and further performances of Cavalleria rusticana. Although he was long a star at La Scala, he was largely unknown to American audiences until he began to tour there. His continued career carried him to such places as the Solis in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1916, the Dal Verme in Milan (performing Mefistofele), the Hippodrome, and The Dell Oferice Grand Opera Company of New York (performing Aida).

In 1942 he was committed to the Philadelphia La Scala Opera Company where he portrayed Manrico in Il trovatore at the Academy of Music. Later years By 1935 De Muro was forced to cancel performances due to ill health. Recognized as Tempio's most famous son, his body was brought back to the place of his birth, and he was buried under a pyramid of his own design.

Singing style His singing was reported to be resonant and clear with a robust tone, but pinched in the head-notes.

Partial discography

Aida (His Master's Voice DA171; Victor 949) – recorded May 22, 1922 Andrea Chénier (His Master's Voice DB 553; Victor 6387) – recorded March 1, 1912 (His Master's Voice DB 553; Victor 74376; Victor 6380) – recorded March 1, 1912 Carmen Ho nome Escamillo (with Roberto Janni) (His Master's Voice DB 554; Victor 6385) – recorded May 17, 1920 (His Master's Voice DB 372; Victor 6422) (His Master's Voice DB 560; Victor 6386)

The Bernardo De Muro Museum is housed within the Palazzo degli Scolopi, also located in Tempio Pausania, Sardinia.