Hipòlit

Hipòlit Lázaro Higueras

Barcelona , 13 de setembre de 1887
Barcelona , 14 de maig de 1974

Performer

Tenor

He studied music whilst working as a labourer and cart driver. In 1906 he debuted in Olot with Marina by E. Arrieta and in 1910 at the Teatre Novetats with La favorita by G. Donizetti. He moved to Milan where he continued his studies. After a short stay in England where he sang under the stage name of Antonio Manuele, he was engaged by Pietro Mascagni to perform at his opera Isabeau at the Teatro Alla Scala (1913). The same year he debuted at the Liceu, in 1918 at the Metropolitan of New York (where he was a rival to Caruso) and in 1922 at the Teatro Real in Madrid. He became one of the greatest voices of his time, highly valued for his timbre and vocal range. He premiered works by composers such as Mascagni (Il piccolo Marat, 1921), Giordano (El cena delle beffe, 1924) or Jordi Gaig (El estudiante de Salamanca, 1935). From 1944 onwards, he occasionally took on the artistic direction of the Gran Teatre del Liceu until he retired from the stage in 1950 and moved to Havana. In 1947 he published his memoires (Memorias) and a singing handbook (Mi método de canto).