Gino Penno, an exceptionally talented tenor, was a prominent figure in Italian opera during the mid-20th century. Gifted with a powerful voice and rich expressive nuances, Penno performed heroic and dramatic roles with great passion, captivating audiences in the most prestigious theaters around the world. Unfortunately, by the end of the 1950s, Penno had withdrawn from opera. The reason for the withdrawal is not known. This posting is all Verdi; please enjoy.
Verdi, Ernani, “O sommo Carlo”
Ernani
Io son conte, duca sono
di Segorbia, di Cardona…
Don Giovanni d’Aragona
riconosca ognun in me.
Or di patria e genitore
mi sperai vendicatore…
non t’uccisi… t’abbandono
questo capo… il tronca, o re.
Carlo
Sì, cadrà… con altri appresso.
Elvira (gettandosi ai piedi di Carlo)
Ah! Signor, se t’è concesso
il maggiore d’ogni trono,
questa polvere negletta
or confondi col perdono…
sia lo sprezzo tua vendetta
che il rimorso compirà.
Carlo
Taci, o donna.
Elvira
Ah no, non sia.
Parlò il ciel per voce mia,
virtù augusta è la pietà.
(Si alza.)
Carlo
(concentrato, fissando la tomba di Carlo Magno)
O sommo Carlo, – più del tuo nome
le tue virtudi – aver vogl’io,
sarò, lo giuro – a te ed a Dio,
delle tue gesta – imitator.
(dopo qualche pausa)
Perdono a tutti – (mie brame ho dome).
(guidando Elvira tra le braccia di Ernani)
Sposi voi siate, – v’amate ognor.
A Carlo Magno – sia gloria e onor.
Tutti
Sia lode eterna – Carlo, al tuo nome.
Tu, re clemente – somigli a Dio,
perché l’offesa – coprì l’oblio,
perché perdoni – agli offensor.
Il lauro augusto – sulle tue chiome
acquista insolito – divin fulgor.
A Carlo Quinto – sia gloria e onor. ecc.
Silva
Oh mie speranze – vinte, non dome,
tutte appagarvi – saprò ben io;
per la vendetta, – per l’odio mio
avrà sol vita – in seno il cor.
Canute gli anni – mi fêr le chiome;
ma inestinguibile – è il mio livor…
Vendetta gridami – l’offeso onor. ecc.
Carlo
Sarò, lo giuro – a te ed a Dio,
delle tue gesta – imitator.
A Carlo Magno – sia gloria e onor! ecc.
Verdi, Ernani, “Oh great Charles”
Ernani
I am a count, I am a duke
Of Segorbia of Cardona
Don Giovanni of Aragona,
May you recognize all in me
Now, I hoped to be the avenger of my father
I didn’t kill you, I offer you
My head . . .cut it off, oh king
Carlo
Yes, it will fall . . .with others soon to follow
Elvira
Ah! Sire, if the greatest of
All thrones is granted to you
Confound this humble dust
With your forgiveness
Let contempt be your revenge
Carlo
Quiet, woman
Elvira
(rising)
Ah, no, let it not be so;
Heaven has spoken through my voice
Pity is an august virtue
Carlo
(staring at Charlemagne’s tomb)
Oh, great Charles, more than your name
I wish to possess your virtues.
I swear it, I want to follow
Your example.
I shall pardon all
My desires, I have tamed
(Leading Elvira into Ernani’s arms)
Husband and wife may you be. Love each other always.
Glory and honor be to Charlemagne!
All
Glory and honor to Charles the Fifth
Let your name, Charles, be praised unto all eternity!
You, king merciful, resemble God
Because you cover the offense with oblivion
Because you forgive the offenders – praise!
The august laurel over your hair
Acquires unusual, divine brilliance
Glory and honor be to Charlemagne, etc.
Silva
Revenge shouts to me, my offended honor!
Oh my hopes defeated but not tamed
I will know well how to appease you.
The heart in my breast will have life o
Only for vengeance and for my hatred
My years have turned my hair white,
But inextinguishable is my rage.
Carlo
I want to follow your example, I pardon all . .etc.
Verdi, Simon Boccanegra, “Sento avvampar nell’ anima”
Gabriele
O inferno!… Amelia qui!… L’ama il
Vegliardo!… E il furor che m’accende
M’è conteso sfogar!… Tu m’uccidesti
Il padre… tu m’involi il mio tesoro…
Trema, iniquo… già troppa era un’offesa,
Doppia vendetta hai sul tuo capo accesa!
Sento avvampar nell’anima
Furente gelosia;
Tutto il mio sangue spegnere
L’incendio non potria;
S’ei mille vite avesse
E spegnerle potesse
D’un colpo il mio furor,
Non sarei sazio ancor.
Che parlo!… Ahimè!… Deliro!…
Ah! Io piango!… Pietà, gran Dio, del mio
Martiro!…
Cielo pietoso, rendila,
Rendila a questo core,
Pura siccome l’angelo
Che veglia al suo pudore;
Ma se una nube impura
Tanto candor m’oscura,
Priva di sue virtù,
Ch’io non la vegga più.
Verdi, Sijoion Boccanegra, “I feel flaming up in my soul”
Gabriel
Oh, hell! . . .Amelia here! . . .The old man loves her! . .
And the fury that inflames me
I’m forbidden to vent! . . .You killed
My father . .you stole my treasure . . .
Tremble wicked one . . already too much was obe offense,
You have provoked upon your head double revenge!
I feel flaming up in my soul,
A furious jealousy;
All of my blood could not
Put this fire out,
No, ah! I still wouldn’t
Be satisfied.
What am I saying! . . Alas . . .I’m raving,
I am weeping . . .Pity, great God on my torture! . . .
Merciful heaven restore
Her to my heart,
Pure as the angel
Who watches over her chastity;
But if an impure cloud
Sullies such innocence,
Deprived of her virtue,
I may not see her any longer.
Verdi, Macbetto, “Ah, la paterna mano”
Macduff
Ah, la paterna mano
Non vi fu scudo, o cari,
Dai perfidi sicari
Che a morte vi ferir!
E me fuggiasco, occulto,
Voi chiamavate invano,
Coll’ultimo singulto,
Coll’ultimo respir.
Trammi al tiranno in faccia,
Signore! e s’ei mi sfugge,
Possa a colui le braccia
Del tuo perdono apri
Verdi, Macbeth, “A father’s hand”
Macduff
Alas, a father’s hand was not there
To shield you, my dear ones,
From the treacherous assassins
Who put you to death.
And in vain you called on me,
A fugitive, in hiding,
With your last gasp,
With your last breath.
Lord, bring me face to face
With this tyrant, and if he escapes me
Let your merciful arms
Open to him.
Gino Penno
December 8, 1920 – February 8,1998
There is very little information available on Gino Penno, so I am using Wikipedia, which is something that I don’t like to do.
Penno was born in Felizzano, Italy, and studied with Ettore Campogalliani. After winning a singing competition, he entered the Scuola di Canto of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. While still a student, he sang a number of comprimario roles, and appeared in his first leading role in 1950, Floreski in Cherubini’s Lodoiska.
In the early 1950s, he became known throughout Italy, as a highly competent heldentenor, singing Siegfried at the Verona Arena and Lohengrin in Rome. He also partnered the new diva Maria Callas in Norma, Macbeth, Il trovatore and Medea, in various theatres in Italy.
In 1951, his career took an international turn. He appeared at the Paris Opéra, the Liceo in Barcelona, the Monte Carlo Opera, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Royal Opera House in London.
By the end of the 1950s he was gone from the international opera scene. The reason of his retirement is unknown, different sources adduce health problems, a loss of voice, or a wish for a career as a lawyer.
Penno died in Milan on 8 February 1998, aged 77.
He can be heard on a few radio broadcasts from RAI, notably Ernani (1951) and Attila (1951), opposite Caterina Mancini, and Macbeth (1952) and Medea (1953), both with Callas.
Penno lost his voice during a Trovatore at the Met in 1956. He was barely able to continue the performance. Though he appeared once more that season as a last minute replacement for Kurt Baum after the latter cancelled a Forza del destino following act two, it was the end of his American career and it would seem the end of his career on the major opera house circuit.
He seems to have continued in smaller opera houses in Italy for a few more seasons.