Eraclito Bagaggiolo by Bergamasco

Eraclito Bagaggiolo (1825-?); Italian bass.

He made his debut about 1855 and performed in Italian provincial towns (Bologna, Bescia, Asti, Parma and Turin). In 1865 he made his debut in Milan at "La Scala" as Bartolo in Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia". In that same year he created both the roles of The Ghost and The First Grave-digger in Faccio's opera "Amleto". In 1867 he made his debut in London at Covent Garden as The Grand Inquisitor in the English première of Verdi's "Don Carlos". Until 1878 he returned every season for guest appearances at Covent Garden. His most memorable roles were Walter Furst in "Guillaume Tell", Oroveso in "Norma", Giorgio in "I Puritani", Raimondo in "Lucia di Lammermoor", Baldassare in "La Favorita", Silva in "Ernani", Count Walter in "Luisa MIller", Sparafucile in "Rigoletto" and Ramfis in "Aïda". In 1872 he sang at the première of Poniatowski's opera "Gelmina" the role of Frater Giovanni; the opera was by the composer dedicated to Adelina Patti who performed the title-role of Gelmina. In 1869 he made a guest appearance at the Imperial Opera in St. Petersburg as The Grand Inquisitor in "Don Carlos".