Vida Ferluga
(March 17, 1895 - (?) 1924)
The Mezzo-soprano Vida Ferluga, an Italian singer of Slovenian descent, was born on March 17, 1895, in Opčine (it. Opicina). Her first music teacher was her father, Štefan Ferluga, a choirmaster and composer. She studied singing at the Pesaro Conservatory. In 1916 Leoncavallo chose her to perform in the premiere of his opera Goffredo Mameli on April 27 at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, which he himself conducted. Still very young, Ferluga performed all over Italy, as well as in Spain and Portugal. She sang with some of the most renowned Italian singers of the time, such as Beniamino Gigli, Eugenia Burzio, Cesira Ferrani, Giuseppe De Luca, Giuseppe Danise, Ester Mazzoleni etc. Here is an excerpt from an article that appeared in Rivista Teatrale Melodrammatica reporting on a concert performance given in 1923, where she shared the stage with Gigli, de Luca and Caterina Gobbi:
“/.../ Signorina Vida Ferluga entered the stage with a white rose in her hand. This distinguished singer has been known to us for some time. She possesses vocal means worthy of much regard - it can be thus safely said that a career is awaiting her. Upon singing the popular arioso from Samson and Delilah and the scene from Trovatore, the audience applauded Ferluga with true ardour. She was required to sing an unscheduled piece and chose a romance by maestro Pietro Cimarra, who accompanied her very well on the piano.”
Arguably, her most successful role was Carmen. In Milan, Ferluga auditioned for Arthur Toscanini and was to be engaged at the La Scala Opera House, however she died of typhus in 1924 before having had the chance to perform there. We can hear her voice in excerpts from Verdi’s Rigoletto, where she sang the roles of Maddalena and the Countess of Ceprano (with Fernando de Lucia). The recordings were made between 1915 and 1918.
some significant roles:
- Cristina (Leoncavallo: Goffredo Mameli)
- Azucena (Verdi: Il trovatore)
- Carmen (Bizet: Carmen)
- Ulrica (Verdi: Un ballo in maschera)
- Adalgisa (Bellini: Norma)
- Amneris (Verdi: Aida)
- Laura (Ponchielli: La Gioconda)
- Maddalena (Verdi: Rigoletto)
- Leonora (Donizetti: La favorite)
- Brangäne (Wagner: Tristan und Isolde)
a selection of recordings
Giuseppe Verdi: Rigoletto (conductor Salvatore Sassano, The San Carlo Opera Orchestra Naples).
A letter by Vida Ferluga to Senatore Borletti, an important businessman, politician, philanthropist, art collector and patron of Teatro alla Scala, written shortly before her audition there. He forwarded it to Angelo Scandiani, the general manager of the Scala and a very accomplished singer himself (wonderful Scandiani recording).
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original text
Napoli 7.3.1924
Teatro San Carlo
Illustre Commendatore
in seguito alla Sua squisita gentilezza mi permetto inviarLe da Napoli mie notizie artistiche.
Ho debuttato come Brangania in Tristano, indi Margherita nella Dannazione e da ultimo mi sono presentata come Carmen. In tutte e tre le parti tanto disparate ho conseguito un sincero e schietto successo - fra poco eseguirò Azucena in Trovatore che è la parte mia prediletta e poi Etra nella Fedra, come pure con molta probabilità Dalila in Sansone.
Perseverando nello studio trovo sempre qualche miglioramento in me ed ho fede che colla guida della valorosa mia maestra Edvige Ghibaudo, tenuta in molta considerazione dal Maestro Toscanini, io possa fare una bella impressione al grande maestro al mio ritorno a Milano nei primissimi di maggio.
Una Sua parola può essermi di sommo giovamento per esser tenuta presente fra i candidati della futura stagione.
Unisco alcuni articoli dei giornali locali napoletani.
Col pensiero riconoscente rivolgo a Lei e gentilissima Signora i migliori saluti e distinti assegni.
devotíssima
Vida Ferluga
Trasmetto all'ingegnere Scandiani per notizia.
Senatore Borletti
translated text
Naples March 7, 1924
Teatro San Carlo
Distinguished Commendatore
in response to Your exquisite kindness, I allow myself to send You my artistic news from Naples.
I made my debut as Brangäne in Tristan, followed by Margherita in the Damnation, most recently I have performed the role of Carmen. In all three parts, so diverse from one another, I achieved genuine and forthright success - soon I will be singing Azucena in Trovatore which is my favorite part, then Etra in Fedra and very likely Delilah in Samson.
With persevering study I keep finding improvements in myself and I have faith that with the guidance of my esteemed teacher Edvige Ghibaudo, who is held in high regard by Maestro Toscanini, I can make a good impression on the great Maestro on my return to Milan in the first days of May.
It would be most helpful if You could put in a good word for me, in order for me to be kept in mind among the candidates for the next season.
I’m sending some articles from the local Neapolitan newspapers as well.
With cherishing thoughts I send my best regards and wishes to You and Your kindest Lady.
Your devoted
Vida Ferluga
Forwarding to ingegnere Scandiani.
Senatore Borletti
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