Alessandro Amodio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alessandro Amodio (1831 — 22 June 1861[1]) was an Italian baritone who had an active international career as an opera singer from 1852 until his death from yellow fever nine years later in 1861. After making his debut at the Teatro di San Carlo at the age of 21, he spent the next four years performing roles at opera houses in Italy, including La Fenice in Venice, La Scala in Milan, the Teatro Goldoni in Livorno, and the Teatro del Giglio in Lucca. He first came to the United States in the late spring and summer of 1855 with the Max Maretzek Italian Opera Company with whom he portrayed Count di Luna in the United States premiere of Giuseppe Verdi's Il trovatore at the Academy of Music in New York City on May 2, 1855.
After further performances in Venice, he was engaged by brothers Maurice and Max Strakosch to perform with their touring opera company in cities throughout the United States, including performances in New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia in 1856. He remained active as a performer in operas in cities throughout the United States and South and Central America for the next five years. He notably reprised the role of the Count di Luna on February 25, 1857 for the grand opening of the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.