César Vezzani, “Pearl Fishers Romance”

César Vezzani (1888-1951) was born in Corsica but moved to Paris in 1908. He studied privately and made his debut at the Opéra Comique in 1911. He sang both French and Italian works. His ringing, powerful voice made him a natural for the heavier, verismo parts. Largely because of the degree to which WWI interfered with his life and career, he spent most of his career singing in Provnicial houses. He did not sing at the Paris Opéra, nor did he travel much. His life was not a particularly happy one, and he died in poverty in Corsica in 1951. While his French is extremely clearly pronounced and articulated, it is possible to say, I think, that his sense of style is more nearly dramatic Italian than elegant French. One can notice that his extreme top, for example, is quite driven, certainly greatly different from the mixed voice so popular with French tenors of the day, and before.