Gianni Poggi

Gianni Poggi (October 4, 1921 - December 16, 1989) was an Italian tenor, particularly associated with the Italian repertory.
Born in Piacenza, Poggi studied first with Valeria Manna, and later in Milan with Emilio Ghirardini. He made his debut in Palermo, as Rodolfo, in 1947. He 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.

He also sang at all the major opera houses throughout Italy, notably in Florence in 1955, in a revival of Donizetti's Dom Sebastien.

He was a regular guest at the Vienna State Opera from 1959 to 1964, also appearing at the Berlin State Opera and Monte Carlo Opera. He made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1955, and sang there for two seasons.

He attempted the role of Lohengrin first at Arena of Verona and fourteen years later in his home town, Piacenza, in 1963, (both sung in Italian). He retired from the stage in 1969, his last role being Faust of Boito's Mefistofele.

Poggi had a fine spinto tenor voice, occasionnally inclined to hardness, enabling him to sing lyric and dramatic roles. He can be heard on several recordings, notably La traviata, opposite Renata Tebaldi, La favorite, opposite Giulietta Simionato, La Gioconda, opposite Maria Callas, Un ballo in maschera, La bohème and Tosca, all opposite Antonietta Stella.