Paolo Damini

Paolo Damini created the role of Sparafucile for Verdi's Rigoletto in the world premiere at Teatro La Fenice, Venice, 11 March 1851 (profile picture).

Although Damini had been contracted to sing second baritone roles at the Venetian theater for Carnevale 1849-1851, he was so well received there that he also appeared several times as a substitute for the primo baritono assoluto. In this capacity Damini sang in a revival of I masnadieri and also appeared once in a revival of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor (as Enrico) in place of Varesi. (The Cambridge Verdi Encyclopedia, page 116-117)

• Profile picture in the role of Sparafucile in the world premiere of Rigoletto