Francesc Viñas facts for kids
Francesc Viñas i Dordal (born March 27, 1863 – died July 14, 1933) was a famous Spanish opera singer. He was a tenor, which means he sang with a high male voice. People also knew him by his Spanish name, Francisco Viñas, and his Italian name, Francesco Vignas. He was especially well-known for singing in the operas of Richard Wagner. He even sang in the very first performance of Wagner's opera Parsifal that happened outside of the special Bayreuth Festival in Germany.
A Young Singer's Journey
Francesc Viñas was born in Moià, a small town near Barcelona, Spain. When he was 23 years old, he started taking singing lessons. He studied at the Barcelona Conservatory with a teacher named Gonzalo Tintorer Latour.
A main conductor from the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Juan Goula, heard Viñas sing. He was very impressed. Goula told Viñas to learn the main role in the opera Lohengrin.
Opera Debut and Success
Viñas made his first opera performance at the Liceu on February 9, 1888. He sang the role of Lohengrin. This role became one of his most famous performances.
Another Spanish tenor, Julián Gayarre, was in the audience that night. He was also known for singing Wagner's operas. Gayarre was so amazed by Viñas's performance that he gave Viñas his own Lohengrin costume.
Soon, Viñas was invited to sing in other opera houses in Spain and Italy. In just three years, he sang the role of Lohengrin 120 times! He performed at the Teatro Regio in Turin in 1890. In 1891, he sang at Milan's famous La Scala opera house. Both times, he performed as Lohengrin.
Francesc Viñas was married to an Italian opera singer named Giulia Novelli. She was a mezzo-soprano, which is a female singer with a middle voice range. She lived from 1859 to 1932.
Legacy
In 1963, a special singing competition was started in Francesc Viñas's honor. It is called the Francisco Viñas Singing Contest. This contest helps new singers show their talent.
