10 Facts About Gianni Poggi

Gianni Poggi was an Italian tenor, particularly associated with the Italian repertory.

Gianni Poggi made his debut in Palermo, as Rodolfo, in 1947.

Gianni Poggi first sang at La Scala in 1948 and appeared there until 1965, his roles included: Riccardo, Enzo, Fernando, Edgardo, Duca di Mantua, Alfredo, Cavaradossi, etc.

Gianni Poggi performed in all of Italy's main opera houses, notably in Florence in 1955, in a revival of Donizetti's Dom Sebastien.

Gianni Poggi portrayed the role of Lohengrin at Arena of Verona in 1949 and in his home town Piacenza in 1963.

Gianni Poggi made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1955, in Rigoletto, opposite Robert Merrill and Roberta Peters.

Gianni Poggi returned for further performances in 1957: Rigoletto again, Tosca, La boheme, Lucia di Lammermoor, La traviata, and La Gioconda.

Gianni Poggi was a regular guest at the Vienna State Opera from 1959 to 1964, appearing at the Berlin State Opera and Monte Carlo Opera.

Gianni Poggi retired from the stage in 1969, his last role being Faust of Boito's Mefistofele.

Gianni Poggi had a fine spinto tenor voice, occasionally inclined to hardness, enabling him to sing both lyric and dramatic roles.