Scotti, Antonio

Scotti, Antonio, celebrated Italian baritone; b. Naples, Jan. 25, 1866; d. there, Feb. 26, 1936. He studied with Ester Trifari- Paganini in Naples. He made his operatic debut in Naples (March 1889) as Cinna in Spontini’s La Vestale, then sang elsewhere in Italy, Russia, Spain, and South America. He made his London debut at Covent Garden on June 8, 1899, as Don Giovanni, and appeared in the same role with the Metropolitan Opera in N.Y. (Dec. 27, 1899). He remained with the Metropolitan for 33 years; made his farewell appearance on Jan. 20, 1933. He also toured in America with his own company. He possessed great histrionic ability, and was especially noted for his dramatic roles (Scarpia, Rigoletto, Falstaff, Don Giovanni, and lago).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

Scotti, Antonio (b Naples, 1866; d Naples, 1936). It. baritone. Opera début Naples 1889 (Cinna in La Vestale). Sang for 9 seasons in It., Sp., Russia, and S. America. Débuts: La Scala 1898; CG 1899, singing there regularly until 1910; Amer. (Chicago) 1899; NY Met 1899–1933. First Scarpia in London and NY. At Met he sang 832 perfs. of 36 roles, being heard frequently as Scarpia, Sharpless, Falstaff, Iago, and Rigoletto. Managed and financed touring opera co., 1919–23.