Gino Penno

Gino Penno (1920-1998) was an Italian tenor, who enjoyed a short but brilliant career in opera in the 1950s.

Penno was born in Felizzano, Italy, and studied with Ettore Campogaliano. 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 theVerona 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 February 8, 1998, aged 77.

He can be heard on a few radio broadcasts from RAI, notably Ernani and Attila, opposite Caterina Mancini, and Macbeth, with Callas.