Enzo de Muro Lomanto - Spirto gentil

This week is encore week! Dead Tenors’ Society is showcasing previously featured artists in recordings never before heard on this channel. Enzo de Muro Lomanto (1902-1952) was born in Puglia as Vincenzo de Muro. When the young tenor began his career, it was suggested that he add “Lomanto“ to his surname in order to avoid confusion with celebrated Sardinian tenor, Bernardo de Muro. His debut, as Alfredo in La Traviata, took place in 1925 at the Teatro Communale in Cantanzaro. De Muro Lomanto's long association with La Scala began in 1928 with Tonio in Donizetti's Figlia del Reggimento. Essentially a lyric tenor with some of the qualities of a spinto, de Muro Lomanto specialized in the bel canto roles of Donizetti (Lucia di Lammermoor, Don Pasquale), Bellini (La Sonnambula, I Puritani) and Rossini (Barbiere di Siviglia), but also ventured into verismo territory with such operas as Adriana Lecouvreur, Tosca and La Bohème. In addition, the tenor sang the title role of Les Contes d'Hoffmann and created the tenor lead in the world premiere of Giordano's opera, Il Re at La Scala in 1929. De Muro Lomanto was a popular tenor on the operatic stages of Milan, Naples, Florence, Rome, Vienna, Bern, Paris, Melbourne and Barcelona and was also a gifted recitalist. He was married to the soprano Toti dal Monte in Melbourne in 1928, but caused quite a controversy by giving the Facist salute for the press on the steps of St. Mary's Cathedral. The marriage, sadly, did not last and the couple separated in 1932. Although plagued by a chronic pulmonary condition (probably emphysema), de Muro Lomanto continued singing well into the 1940s. Eventually, his condition compelled the tenor to curtail his performances and he passed away in Naples in 1952 at the age of only 49. Enzo de Muro Lomanto recorded dozens of sides for Columbia between the late 1920s and the early 1940s. They showcase an artist of impeccable taste and artistry, with a well developed sense of how to turn a phrase. All in all, a sadly underappreciated tenor whose recordings are well worth listening to. In this recording, de Muro Lomanto sings “Spirto gentil“ from Donizetti's La Favorita. This was recorded for Columbia Records in Milan in September of 1929.