Pollione Ronzi

Pollione Ronzi (before 1835 – after 1912) was an Italian operatic tenor, composer, conductor, and voice teacher. He sang roles at many important opera houses in Italy, including La Scala in Milan.[1] In 1867, he was heard at the opera house in Livorno as Egidio in Errico Petrella's La contessa d'Amalfi.[2] In 1871, he sang the role of Rodrigo in Gioachino Rossini's Otello at the Teatro Regio di Torino.[3] In 1874, he became manager and conductor at the Teatro Manzoni in Milan.[4] In 1876, he sang in recital alongside soprano Ida Corani with Clara Schumann serving as their accompanist in the Royal Philharmonic Society's concert season in London.[5] He had sung in orchestral concerts with the RPS a year earlier under conductor William Cusins.[1]

As a composer, Ronzi is best known for his operas. His first opera, Gastone di Anverse, premiered at the Teatro della Pergola in Florence in the autumn of 1853.[6] This was followed in 1854 by Buon Gusto which was first performed at the Teatro di San Carlo.[7] His opera, Dea, premiered at the Vienna State Opera on 4 August 1894.[3] In the early 20th century, he was active as a voice teacher in Naples and Milan. His notable pupils included soprano Isa Kremer[8] and tenor Franco De Gregorio.[9]