Aldo Protti

Aldo Protti (July 19, 1920, Cremona - August 10, 1995, Cremona) was an Italian baritone, particularly associated with the Italian repertory.

Protti studied in Parma, and made his debut in Pesaro, as Figaro, in 1948. He made his La Scala debut in 1950, as Amonasro, and sang there for many years.

He sang widely in Italy and Europe in the standard Italian repertory, winning the reputation of being "one of the most reliable baritone in the business". He made a belated debut at the Metropolitan Opera, as Rigoletto, at age 65.

He was particularly appreciated in Verdi roles, especially "Rigoletto", his greatest role, but also as Alfio, Tonio, Gérard, Scarpia, etc.

Protti had a fine voice, if lacking a bit in character, and can be heard in many recordings, notably: "Rigoletto", "La traviata", "Aida", and "Otello", the last two opposite Renata Tebaldi and Mario del Monaco.

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* "Grove Music Online", J.B. Steane, Oxford University Press, 2008.