Celebrated buffo tenor Gaetano Pini-Corsi (1860-1935) came from a long line of singers, including his two uncles, baritone Giovanni Corsi (1822-1890) and tenor Achille Corsi (1840-1906), his cousin, soprano Emilia Corsi (1870-1928) and his older brother Antonio Pini-Corsi (1858-1918). There is a great deal of controversy regarding this artist’s lineage. While it is agreed that he was definitely from the same bloodline as the above-mentioned artists, there are various opinions as to exactly where he fits into the family tree. It has been suggested that he was the younger brother of Antonio and Gaetano and was born in 1879. Other references state that he was the cousin of the aforementioned Pini-Corsi brothers. It is most commonly accepted, however, that he was the son of Antonio Pini-Corsi and his wife Clorinda and was born in Bologna on Christmas Day, 1889.
The latter date, however, presents a few problems. Umberto’s only known recordings date from early 1904, which would make him 14 years old at the time. Even given that he was raised in a family of operatic singers, it is almost impossible to believe that a 14-year-old boy could possess such a developed voice, polished technique and accomplished artistry at such a tender age. In addition, the handful of surviving references to Pini-Corsi’s public appearances suggest a much earlier birthdate, making the year 1879 seem more plausible. One can only assume that the later year originated from a long forgotten typographical error that has been perpetuated over the decades.
Unfortunately, we know very little about this tenor’s life and career. Only a few press reports or mentions in reference works exist regarding Umberto Pini-Corsi. A Columbia Records catalogue from March 1906 mentions a certain “U. Pini-Corsi of La Scala” on the label’s list of operatic recordings. Although the tenor did make a handful of records for Columbia in 1904, it is quite possible that the catalogue is referring to Antonio Pini-Corsi, who also recorded for Columbia in 1904. The publication Ars e Labor Musica e Musicisti Rivista Mensile Illustrata reviewed his performance in Bach’s Ascension Oratorio in January of 1907, stating, “The Ascension Cantata by Bach, directed with great care by [Giuseppe] Gallignani himself and performed very well by Umberto Pini-Corsi, Antonietta Gennari, Egidia Pizzioli Bernardo Pozzoli, choirs and the orchestra. Mr. Giuseppe Cotrasi was at the organ and at the piano was Mr. Luigi Bianchi-Rosa.” Pini-Corsi is also mentioned in a January 13, 1909 edition of El Imparcial. The young tenor joined such luminaries as Rosina Storchio, Celestina Boninsegna, Graziella Pareto, Tadeuz Leliva and Titta Ruffo at Madrid’s Teatro Real for a concert benefitting the victims of the Messina earthquake. Two days later, La Correspondencia Militar reviewed the performance, commenting on the tremendous applause received by the tenor for his masterful performance of Tirindelli’s song “Portami via!”.
Apart from these few references, there is no information about this mysterious artist. It has been suggested that his promising career was cut short by the ravages of tuberculosis. While there is no corroborating evidence to support this, it is known that Umberto Pini-Corsi was pitifully young when he died in Nervi on April 3, 1911.
Umberto Pini-Corsi made only three recordings, all for the Columbia label in Milan in 1904. We hear a pleasing, well produced lyric tenor with an innate musicality and a very individual sense of artistry, seemingly dispelling the myth that these are the performances of a 14-year-old boy. Here, Pini-Corsi sings "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore.