Emilio de Bernis by Calzolari with autograph

Emilio de Bernis, born Emilio Broccardo (1842-1907); Italian baritone.
He participated in the campaigns under general Garibaldi and thereafter he was an officer in the regular army. In 1876 he debuted at the Teatro Sociale di Pordenone as Renato in Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera". In 1877 he had his first success –at the Teatro dal Verme in Milan- where he performed the role of Germont Père in "La Traviata". This resulted in appearances at the Teatro Politeama in Genoa and at the Teatro Municipale in Piacenza. In the season 1878/79 he was engaged at the Teatro Liceo in Barcelona and the season 1880/81 in Havana. In 1881 he also debuted at La Scala Milan in the opera "Il Guarany" by Gomes. In 1882 he made guest appearances in Berlin and Warsaw. In 1883 he made a tour through Guatemala. In the following years he continued his career mainly by performing in Italian theaters, making tours through South America and occasional guest appearances in other European cities (Nice, Lisbon). After his voice showed early signs of wear and tear he became a vocal teacher. He died suddenly at Ospedale Maggiore of Milan, where he was hospitalized for a surgical operation.

The dedication on the photo is for the baritone/tenor Augusto Brogi and is written and signed by Emilio de Bernis. The dedication reads as follows:

"Al celebre tenore A. Brogi
affettuoso ricordo dell'amico
E. De Bernis"