1810–83, Italian

The Italian tenor and one-time army officer Giovanni Mario played the title role in Meyerbeer’s Robert le diable at the Paris Opéra in 1838 and in 1843 was the first to sing Ernesto in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale at the Théâtre Italien. Mario Cavaliere di Candia, to use his real, aristocratic, name, had good looks, elegance, an attractive stage presence and a voice of great sweetness and expressiveness. After his debut, Mario travelled the opera world receiving great acclaim for his extensive repertoire of roles: these included Rossini’s Otello, Count Almaviva in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia and Manrico in Verdi’s Il trovatore. Mario sang in London at the Haymarket (1839–46) and Covent Garden (1847–71), in St Petersburg (1849–63 and 1858–70), in New York in 1854 and in Madrid in 1859 and 1864. His voice lasted and lasted, despite his fondness for cigars, and he did not retire until he was over 60.

Introduction | Early Romantic | Opera
Personalities | Heinrich Marschner | Early Romantic | Opera
Houses & Companies | Paris Opéra | High Romantic | Opera