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Titta Ruffo

Titta Ruffo (9 June 1877 – 5 July 1953), born as Ruffo Cafiero (double forename) Titta, was an Italian operatic baritone who had a major international singing career. Known as the "Voce del leone" ("voice of the lion"), he was greatly admired, even by rival baritones, such as Giuseppe De Luca, who said of Ruffo: "His was not a voice, it was a miracle" (although not often published is the second part of De Luca's conclusion "which he [Ruffo] bawled away..."), and Victor Maurel, the creator of Verdi's Iago and Falstaff. Maurel said that the notes of Ruffo's upper register were the most glorious baritone sounds he had ever heard (see Pleasants, cited below). Indeed Walter Legge, the prominent classical record producer, went so far as to call Ruffo "a genius".

Birth and Death Data: Born June 8, 1877 (Pisa), Died July 5, 1953 (Florence)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1905 - 1929

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal, speaker

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-12620 10-in. 11/17/1912 Deh vieni alla finestra Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-12621 10-in. 11/17/1912 Buona Zazà, del mio buon tempo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-12622 10-in. 11/17/1912 Alla vita che t'arride Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-12623 10-in. 11/17/1912 Non penso a lei Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-12658 10-in. 2/15/1929 Suonno'e fantasia Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-12658 10-in. 11/27/1912 Suonno 'e fantasia Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-12659 10-in. 3/22/1926 Visione Veneziana Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-12659 10-in. 11/27/1912 Visione Veneziana Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-12660 10-in. 11/27/1912 Zaza, piccola zingara Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-12661 10-in. 11/27/1912 Il balen del suo sorriso Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-12662 10-in. 11/27/1912 O de' verd' anni miei Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-14267 10-in. 1/5/1914 Aime fanciullo ancora Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-14268 10-in. 1/5/1914 Voila donc, la terrible cité Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-14269 10-in. 1/5/1914 E suonan le campane Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-14272 12-in. 1/8/1914 Si pel ciel Enrico Caruso ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (tenor and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-14273 12-in. 1/8/1914 Enzo Grimaldi Enrico Caruso ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (tenor and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-14274 10-in. 1/7/1914 Brindisi : Fin ch' han dal vino Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-14275 10-in. 1/7/1914 El guitarrico Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-14278 12-in. 1/7/1914 Credo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-14279 12-in. 1/7/1914 Sei vendicata assai Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-14517 12-in. 2/26/1914 Aman lassu le stelle Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-14518 10-in. 2/26/1914 Tremin gl'insani del mio Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-14519 10-in. 2/26/1914 Oh che m'importa? Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-14520 10-in. 2/26/1914 Resta immobile Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-15888 12-in. 4/13/1915 I due granatieri Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-15889 10-in. 4/13/1915 Rammenta i lieti di quando Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-15890 10-in. 4/13/1915 Serenade Mephistopheles Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-15891 10-in. 4/14/1915 Cantabile di Scarpia Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-15892 10-in. 4/14/1915 Urna fatale del mio destino Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-15893 12-in. 4/14/1915 Dio possente Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-15894 10-in. 4/14/1915 All 'erta, marinar! Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-15895 12-in. 4/14/1915 Eri tu? Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor CVE-23945 12-in. 2/25/1926 Largo al factotum Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-23945 12-in. 4/19/1920 Largo al factotum Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-23946 12-in. 4/19/1920 Monologo : Pari siamo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor CVE-23947 12-in. 2/18/1929 Adamastor, re dell'acque Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-23947 12-in. 4/20/1920 Adamastor, re dell'onde profonde Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-23948 12-in. 4/20/1920 Era la notte Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-24109 10-in. 2/18/1929 Sei morta nella vita mia! Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-24109 10-in. 5/13/1920 Sei morta ne la vita mia! Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-24110 12-in. 5/13/1920 Brindisi : O vin, discaccia la tristezza Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with piano, harp, and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-24111 10-in. 5/13/1920 Munasterio Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-24112 10-in. 5/13/1920 Novembre Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with piano and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-24113 10-in. 5/13/1920 Pagliacci : Prologue Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with harp and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-24620 12-in. 10/11/1920 Cantabile de Rysoor Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-24621 10-in. 10/11/1920 Son sesant'anni Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor CVE-24622 12-in. 2/18/1929 Nemico della patria? Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-24622 12-in. 10/11/1920 Nemico della patria? Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with piano and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-24623 12-in. 10/11/1920 O casto fior Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-25212 12-in. 4/13/1921 O de' verd' anni miei Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-25213 12-in. 4/14/1921 Dunque ho sognato? Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-25214 10-in. 4/13/1921 Querida Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-25215 10-in. 4/13/1921 Lo vedremo, o veglio audace Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-25216 12-in. 4/15/1921 O tu bel astro incantator Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with piano and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-25217 12-in. 4/15/1921 L'onore! Ladri! Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-25950 10-in. 1/12/1922 El relicario Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-25951 10-in. 1/12/1922 Brindisi Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-27022 10-in. 10/12/1922 Quand' ero paggio Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-27023 10-in. 10/12/1922 Arioso Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-27024 10-in. 10/12/1922 Porter song Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-27025 10-in. 10/13/1922 Perjura! Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-27026 10-in. 10/13/1922 Mephistopheles' serenade Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-27749 10-in. 4/11/1923 Chanson de la Touraine Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-27750 10-in. 4/11/1923 Elegie Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with cello and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-27750 12-in. 4/11/1923 Elegie Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with cello and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor C-27751 12-in. 4/11/1923 Toreador song Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-29034 10-in. 11/27/1923 Lolita Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-29035 10-in. 11/27/1923 Le credo du paysan Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-29036 10-in. 11/27/1923 Santa Lucia Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with mandolin and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-29037 10-in. 11/27/1923 Lakmé, ton doux regard se voile Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-29038 10-in. 11/27/1923 Marechiare Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-31694 10-in. 1/21/1925 Cubanita Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-31695 10-in. 1/21/1925 Tarantella Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-31696 10-in. 1/21/1925 Mia sposa sarà la mia bandiera Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor B-31699 10-in. 1/21/1925 Chitarra abbruzzese Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with mandolin, guitar, and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor CVE-34918 12-in. 2/26/1926 Pagliacci : Prologo, part 2 Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor CVE-37319 12-in. 12/17/1926 Solenne in quest'ora Beniamino Gigli ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (tenor and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor CVE-37320 12-in. 12/17/1926 Ah, Mimì, tu più Beniamino Gigli ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (tenor and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor CVE-37321 12-in. 12/17/1926 Enzo Grimaldo Beniamino Gigli ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (tenor and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-49960 10-in. 2/15/1929 E canta il grillo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-49961 10-in. 2/15/1929 Il gitano re Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-49966 10-in. 2/18/1929 Chanson de Touraine Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-50959 10-in. 3/20/1929 Torna a Surriento Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 459aj 12-in. 9/2/1912 O monumento! Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 461aj 12-in. 9/2/1912 Pescator, affonda l’esca Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 462aj 12-in. 9/3/1912 Pagliacci : Prologo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 463aj 12-in. 9/3/1912 Largo al factotum Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 464aj 12-in. 9/3/1912 Dai canti d'amore (Canzone) Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 467aj 12-in. 9/3/1912 Pagliacci : Prologo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 545i 12-in. approximately Oct. 1906 Piangi fanciulla Maria Galvany ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 546i 12-in. Oct. 1906 Dita alla giovane Maria Galvany ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 550i 12-in. approximately Oct. 1906 Le minaccie, i fieri accenti Emanuele Ischierdo ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (tenor and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 791c 12-in. October 1906 Largo al factotum Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 792c 12-in. October 1906 Dio possente Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 1312½c 12-in. 1907 Nega se puoi la luce Maria Galvany ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 1315c 12-in. approximately Oct. 1907 Brindisi Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 1318c 12-in. 1907 Per me giunto è il dì supremo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 1328½c 12-in. 1907 Dunque io son? Maria Galvany ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 1329c 12-in. Fall 1907 Monologo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 1330c 12-in. 1907 Pari siamo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 1341c 12-in. approximately Oct. 1907 Prologo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 1911ah 10-in. 9/3/1912 'Torna a Surriento Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 1912ah 10-in. 9/3/1912 Maria, marì Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 02535v 12-in. 10/15/1912 Deh! Non parlare al misero Guiseppina Finzi-Magrini ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 2728f 12-in. 11/21/1908 Là ci darem là mano Graziella Pareto ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 2732f 12-in. 11/23/1908 Come il romito fior Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 2733f 12-in. 11/23/1908 Lassù in cielo Graziella Pareto ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 2735f 12-in. 11/24/1908 Cortigiani, vil razza dannata Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with chorus and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 2736f 12-in. 11/25/1908 Cancion del toreador Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra and chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 4727h 10-in. Oct. 1906 Veglia o donna Maria Galvany ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 4730h 10-in. Oct. 1906 Si, vendetta Maria Galvany ; Titta Ruffo Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 4733h 10-in. approximately Oct. 1906 Miei Signori Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone z6933f 12-in. 12/24/1912 Vien, Leonora, a piedi tuoi Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 9059b 10-in. approximately October 1906 Il balen del suo sorriso Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 9060b 10-in. approximately October 1906 Di Provenza al mar Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 9214e 10-in. 11/21/1908 E la mia dama Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 9215e 10-in. 11/23/1908 E canta il grillo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 9217e 10-in. 11/24/1908 Per me ora fatale Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with vocal chorus and orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 9224e 10-in. 11/25/1908 Meriggiata Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 9228e 10-in. 11/26/1908 Tu sola a me rimani, o poesia Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 9229e 10-in. 11/26/1908 Non penso a lei Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 10548b 10-in. 1907 Ma tu sfiorata di rugiada gentil Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 10549b 10-in. 1907 Disse il saggio Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 10897b 10-in. 3/21/1905 Spettro santo Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 10898½b 10-in. 3/21/1905 Spettro infernal Titta Ruffo Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 10900½b 10-in. 1907 Di geloso amor sprezzato Emanuele Ischierdo ; Titta Ruffo ; Fosca Titta Vocal duet (tenor and baritone), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 10906b 10-in. 1907 Suoni la tromba intrepido Titta Ruffo ; Andrés de Segurola Vocal duet (baritone and bass), with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Gramophone 17467u 10-in. 10/15/1912 Apparizione dello spettro [Angels and ministers of grace defend us] Titta Ruffo Recitation speaker  
Gramophone 17468u 10-in. 10/15/1912 Essere o non essere [To be or not to be] Titta Ruffo Recitation speaker  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Ruffo, Titta," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/101957.

Ruffo, Titta. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/101957.

"Ruffo, Titta." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/101957

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