Philadelphia La Scala Opera Company

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The Academy of Music in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia La Scala Opera Company (defunct) was an American opera company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was actively performing at the Academy of Music between 1925 and 1954. In 1955 the company merged with the Philadelphia Civic Grand Opera Company to form the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company.

History[]

Founded under the name La Scala Grand Opera Company, the company's first production was of Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata on May 4, 1925 with Josephine Lucchese as Violetta, as Alfredo, as Giorgio, and conducting. The company presented fifteen more operas during the 1925-1926 season including Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor (with in the title role, as Edgardo, and as Enrico), Giuseppe Verdi's Aida (with Alice Eversman in the title role and Bernardo de Muro as Radames), Verdi's Rigoletto, Cavalleria rusticana (with as Santuzza), and Pagliacci (with Nicola Zerola as Canio) among others.[1]

After its first season, was appointed General Manager and Artistic Director of the company in 1926. For the second season the company was renamed the Philadelphia La Scala Grand Opera Company which it performed under until 1938 when the company's title was shortened to the Philadelphia La Scala Opera Company. Pelosi served as director until his sudden death in a car accident in 1948.[2] He was succeeded by who served the company as General Manager and Artistic Director for the rest of its history.[3] Carlo Moresco was the company's primary conductor from 1950-1954.[1]

During its history, the PLOC typically presented 12 operas each year at the Academy of Music during its annual season, giving over 350 opera performances at the house by the end of its final season. The company's last season was the 1953-1954 which was cut short due to financial reasons. The company's last performance was of Georges Bizet's Carmen on April 29, 1954 with Gloria Lane in the title role, as Don José, as Escamillo, as Micaëla, and Moresco conducting. In November 1954 the company merged with the Philadelphia Civic Grand Opera Company to form the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company.[3][1]

Notable performers[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: Folder: Philadelphia La Scala Opera Company
  2. ^ "FRANCESCO PELOSI, 53, PRODUCER OF OPERAS". The New York Times. August 3, 1948. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "2 Opera Companies Report Merger Plans". The New York Times. November 16, 1954. Retrieved June 26, 2009.

External links[]

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