Bruna Castagna

Bruna Castagna (Bari, October 15, 1905 – Pinamar, July 10, 1983) was an Italian mezzo-soprano.

Biography Castagna was the daughter of Luigi and Maria Catacchio, and studied piano in Milan prior to turning to singing as a career. She debuted at the Teatro Communale in Mantua in 1925, singing the role of Marina Mniszech in Boris Godunov by Modest Mussorgsky. That same year she began appearing at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, singing such roles as Zita in Gianni Schicchi, Bersi in Andrea Chénier, the shepherd in Tosca, Anciana in L'amore dei tre re, and Amelfa in The Golden Cockerel. 1925 also saw her bow at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. There she would go on to perform a variety of roles, both major and minor; she would also take part in the world premiere of Il Dibuk of Lodovico Rocca in 1934. and at the San Francisco Opera, and sang as well in Latin America. Castagna retired in 1945 and settled permanently in Argentina.

Discography Verdi – Aida – Cigna, Martinelli, Castagna, Morelli, Pinza – Dir. Panizza – Metropolitan, live 1937 ed. Myto Bellini – Norma – Cigna, Martinelli, Castagna, Pinza – Dir. Panizza – Metropolitan, live 1937 ed. GOP Verdi – Messa di requiem – Milanov, Kullman, Castagna, Moscona – Dir. Toscanini – New York, live 1938 ed. Archipel Ponchielli – La Gioconda – Milanov, Martinelli, Morelli, Castagna, Moscona – Dir. Panizza – Metropolitan, live 1939 ed. Myto Rossini – Petite Messe Solennelle – Ginster, Kullman, Castagna, Warren – Dir. Barbirolli – Carnegie Hall, live 1939 ed. Guild Verdi – Aida – Milanov, Gigli, Castagna, Tagliabue – Dir. Panizza – Metropolitan, live 1939 ed. EJS/Lyric Distribution Verdi – Messa di requiem – Milanov, Castagna, Bjorling, Moscona – Dir. Toscanini – Carnegie Hall, live 1940 ed. Melodram Verdi – Un ballo in maschera – Bjorling, Milanov, Castagna, Svèd, Andreva – Dir. Panizza – Metropolitan, live 1940 ed. Arkadia/Myto/GOP Verdi – Aida – Martinelli, Roman, Castagna, Warren, Pinza – Dir. Panizza – Metropolitan, live 1941 ed. Cantus Classics Verdi – Il trovatore – Bjorling, Greco, Castagna, Valentino, Moscona – Dir. Calusio – Metropolitan, live 1941 ed. Cetra/Arkadia Verdi – Un ballo in maschera – Martinelli, Roman, Bonelli, Castagna – Dir. Panizza – Metropolitan, live 1942 ed. EJS/Eklipse Verdi – Rigoletto – Weede, Reggiani, Landi, Moscona – Dir. Panizza – Metropolitan live 1942 ed. Bongiovanni Verdi – Aida – Milanov, Castagna, Martinelli, Bonelli, Cordon – Dir. Pelletier – Metropolitan, live 1943 ed. Cetra/GOP/Cantus Classics Ponchielli – La Gioconda – Roman, Jagel, Warren, Castagna, Moscona – Dir. Cooper – Metropolitan, live 1945 ed. Gala Verdi – Il trovatore – Baum, Milanov, Warren, Castagna, Moscona – Dir. Sodero – Metropolitan, live 1945 ed. Walhall