Enrico Tamberlik

Enrico Tamberlik (March 16, 1820 - March 13, 1889) was an Italian operatic tenor, particularly associated with heroic roles of the Italian and French repertories, noted for his powerful declamation and ringing top notes.

Born in Rome, Italy, some sources say that he might have been of Romanian descent and that his real name was Nikita Torna. He studied first in Naples with Zirilli and Borgna, then in Bologna with Guglielmi, and finally in Milan with De Abella. He made his debut in concert in 1837, and later appeared at the Teatro Apollo in Rome, as Gennaro in "Lucrezia Borgia" and Arnoldo in "Guglielmo Tell". He appeared at the Teatro Fondo in Naples in 1841, under the name Enrico Danieli, as Tybalt in "I Capuleti e i Montecchi", and during the 1842-43 season, made his debut at the Teatro San Carlo, under the name Enrico Tamberlik. He also appeared in Madrid and Barcelona.

In 1850, he made his debut at the Royal Opera House in London, as Masaniello in "La muette de Portici" and was to appeared there until 1869. He sang regularly at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg from 1850 until 1863, where he created the role of Alvaro in Verdi's "La forza del destino", on November 10, 1862. Hemade his first guest appearance at the Théâtre-Italien in Paris in 1858, and returned regularly until 1877.

He appeared at the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires in 1857, as Alfredo in "La traviata", and at the Academy of Music in New York during the 1873-74 season. He last appeared at the Royal Opera House in London in 1870 and at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1877. He toured Spain in 1881, and retired shortly after.

Tamberlik possessed a robust voice with ringing top notes (including a top C sung in full chest voice), his musicianship and handsome stage presence made him a superb interpreter of heroic roles, especially Jean in "Le prophète" and Manrico in "Il trovatore". Other notable roles included; Rossini's Otello, Arnold, Pollione, Arturo, Ernani, Robert le diable, Faust, Don Ottavio, Florestan, Max, Poliuto, Cellini, etc.

He died in Paris, France, three days before his 69th birtday.

ources

* "Grove Music Online", Elizabeth Forbes, July 2008.