Sergio Franchi ( , ; born Sergio Franci Galli; April 6, 1926 – May 1, 1990) was an Italian-American tenor and actor who enjoyed success in the United States and internationally after gaining notice in Britain in the early 1960s. In 1962, RCA Victor signed him to a seven-year contract and in October of that year Franchi appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and performed at Carnegie Hall. Sol Hurok managed Franchi's initial American concert tour.
Franchi became a headliner in Las Vegas, and starred in concerts and cabarets on several continents. His earliest ambitions and studies had been directed toward an operatic career, but he instead found his niche in popular and romantic music. Franchi performed musical comedies on stage, appeared on numerous television variety shows, and starred in a major motion picture. He became an American citizen in 1972. After gaining success, Franchi was a benefactor and philanthropist, donating his time and talent to many causes. For his longtime support of Boys' and Girls' Towns of Italy, he was posthumously awarded the title of cavaliere in the Order of Merit (Stella al merito del lavoro) by the Italian Government.
Early life in Italy
Sergio Franci Galli was one of three children born to a Neapolitan father and Genoese mother.Solt, Andrew (Producer). Sergio Franchi. Sergio Franchi on The Ed Sullivan Show. Sofa Entertainment, n.d., DVD. Sergio, Mirella, and Fausta (17 years younger than the elder siblings) were all born in the region of Lombardy. This includes Milan, Cremona, and the smaller village of Codogno – where he was born. Some geographical over-simplifications resulted in listing Franchi's birthplace as Cremona, and Fausta's birthplace as "near Milan".Russell, Gloria (June 30, 2007). "A new look for an old inn." The Westerly Sun. Westerly, RI. Because the family also lived in Cremona, Franchi called both Codogno and Cremona his "hometown" at different periods in his life.Mancini, Joseph (February, 1982). "Sergio Franchi," Attenzione, Vol. 4(2), pp. 50-53. (Palucci Publications, New York) (Italian-American journal) Franchi stated for the record several times in later life that his birthplace was Codogno in the province of Lodi.Moorehouse, Rebecca (August, 1983). "A theatregoer's notebook: Latins are tender lovers." Nine Playbill, 46th St. Theater, I(11). New York City. ISSN 0745-9076. (p.12, Codogno is Sergio's hometown)"Ask the Globe." (May 1, 1999). The Boston Globe, Boston, MA. (Sergio Franchi born in Codogno, Italy)Christy, Marian (September 30, 1983). "Sergio Franchi: From Italy to Las Vegas." The Boston Globe, Boston, MA. An uncle who owned a vineyard in Alassio, on the Italian Riviera, was instrumental in family life on various occasions.
As a child, Franchi sang for the family with his father, who played the piano and guitar. At age ten, he sang a comic role as a hunchback in a school play. Young Franchi formed a three-piece band at age sixteen to earn pocket money, and then later sang with a male vocal group in local jazz clubs. But, in spite of his musical talents, he soon followed his father's wishes that he pursue a career in engineering. Franchi pursued, but did not finish this training.Brown, Carol (September 11, 1983). "Sergio Franchi takes over in Nine." The Day, New London, CT. The senior Galli had been a successful businessman who owned several shops, but lost all of his assets during World War II and the German occupation. After the war, he became friendly with a Captain in the South African medical corps who was stationed nearby. He soon followed the officer's suggestion that South Africa would be a land of more opportunity, and he immigrated to Johannesburg.Sergio Franchi Souvenir Program,(Raydell, New York,1974) The family followed in 1947 (Fausta was four years old)Chilvers, Garth & Tom Jasiukowicz (1994). History of Contemporary Music of South Africa, Part 1 (Toga Pub., Braamfontein, South Africa) when Franchi completed his compulsory military service at age twenty-one.
Career
Early career in South Africa When the family arrived in Johannesburg, they found that the senior Galli, a skilled wood craftsman, had established a successful furniture factory. Young Franchi began using his skills as an architectural draftsman and worked for his father as a designer of commercial and industrial interiors. He also began singing in informal concerts of Italian music. His voice attracted growing attention. Hearing him sing, one of the principals of the Johannesburg Operatic and Dramatic Society (JODS) tracked him down and offered him the leading role in The Gypsy Baron. (Franchi's sister Dana Valery played one of the children.) Speaking little English at the time, he learned the role phonetically. Franchi's debut was well-received, and was soon followed by leading roles in Pink Champagne (Die Fledermaus in English)(1953), The New Moon (1954), and The Vagabond King (1955).Woolfson, Malcolm (1992). But the Melody Lingers On: The Inside Story of the Johannesburg Operatic and Dramatic Society--Its Shows, Personalities, Triumphs, and Tribulations (Perskor, Johannesburg). . Johannesburg's once-thriving local opera season had collapsed after WWII, and it was not possible at this time to earn a full-time wage as a singer.Roos, Hilde (2010). Opera Production in the Western Cape: Strategies in Search of Indigenization. Doctoral Dissertation, (Stellenbosch University). (Chapter 1 was especially valuable for reviewing the history of opera in South Africa).Bob Borowsky Biography(Contemporary of Franchi in Johannesburg operas) Retrieved December 31, 2011.
Alessandro Rota, a successful operatic tenor in the Southern Hemisphere, came from Cape Town to Johannesburg in 1955 and helped form The National Opera Association. Rota began making a difference by producing operatic concerts, full acts from operas, and then full opera productions.Sani, Gabrielle (1992). History of the Italians in South Africa, 1498-1989. (Zonderwater Block, South Africa)Malan, J. Pierre (1986). South African Music Encyclopedia, Vol. 3. Human Sciences Research Council. (Oxford University Press) Under Rota's tutelage, Franchi's voice matured, and he expanded his vocal range and technique. About his first experience with the fledgling opera company in a production of Carmen, Franchi later stated this initial experience was a disaster: He sang the tenor part in Italian, the baritone sang in Russian, and the soprano sang her role in French. The company quickly matured and Rota placed Franchi in leading tenor roles in at least two successful full opera productions – Puccini's Madama Butterfly in 1957, and then Verdi's La traviata in 1959. Some references also list Franchi singing lead performances in Verdi's Rigoletto and Puccini's La boheme.Sergio Franchi on Songs of Italy Internet Radio; retrieved March 21, 2012Stan Walker. Un Nuovo Grande Tenore, Sergio Franchi (Italian Edition of Romantic Italian Songs). RCA Italiana #10124, 1962, LP, liner notes.
Sometime after the 1956 London production of Grab Me a Gondola premiered, Franchi performed in a Johannesburg stage production of the musical, and made his very first recording with the cast.London Production of Grab Me a Gondola Retrieved January 3, 2012.
With these experiences, Franchi returned to Italy, aspiring for more opportunities to become an opera singer. While on a performing tour of South Africa, Beniamino Gigli had heard Franchi sing and had encouraged him and his family in this regard. In 1959 Franchi made an important contact with an English agent, James Gilmore, who encouraged Franchi to meet with him if he came to London.Christy, Marian. "The two lives of Sergio Franchi", The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, October 18, 1983.
Return to Europe Franchi had some success when he was leaving Italy in 1959, such as being among the 10 finalists in a La Scala competition with 250 other singers.Sergio Franchi. Sergio Franchi Sings. Durium Records/The Decca Record Company Limited, London, 1960, 45rpm EP. Liner Notes. He was also offered the role of Cavaradossi in Tosca, which he played in a minor opera house. Looking back in 1983 about hoping to make it in Italian opera, Franchi stated that he didn't think he was in his right mind: "I was a dreamer." At the time he believed he was doing well, so he sent for his wife and children. However employment opportunities ceased, and within a year Franchi was broke.
Franchi then looked for work in Italy while his wife and children remained in South Africa. He began recording with Durium Records for the popular market, having hits with "more mio" and "I tuoi occhi verde." An album of Italian songs and several EPs and singles in Italy, London, and Canada followed (these recordings were eventually released for American audiences.) As a result of his personal appearances and recordings, Franchi began drawing enough attention to become tracked on Billboard.Steinman, Sam'l. (December 12, 1960). "International Music: Italian Newsnotes", Billboard, New York. In early 1960, Franchi played the role of Janni in the short-lived London production of The Golden Touch. His singing performance received favorable reviews.Ganzl, Kurt (1986). British Musical Theatre, Vol.2. (Oxford University Press, pp. 765-66); His London agent, James Gilmore, arranged several TV appearances for Franchi, and that work (and political changes in South Africa) allowed him to return to his family in London.
Franchi then made several appearances on ATV's Startime.Steinman, Sam'l (July 25, 1960). "International Music: Italian Newsnotes." Billboard, New York. And then, during a two-week engagement at the London Palladium,Sergio Franchi on Palladium Variety Retrieved January 3, 2012. he made two TV appearances on Sunday Night at the London Palladium; a show that launched the career of many performers, and the most popular TV show in Britain.Sunday Night at the London Palladium Retrieved January 19, 2012 Franchi's second Palladium TV show led to a series of events that launched Franchi's American fame. Viewing his performance that night was Norman Luboff, who alerted RCA Victor about him. A recording audition was arranged via two taped selections sent to New York.
With RCA approval, Luboff facilitated Franchi's signature on an exclusive seven-year recording contract.Wedge, Don (June 2, 1962). "Britain/Record Business." Billboard, New York. RCA Victor issued his records on the prestigious Red Seal label."RCA Victor signs Sergio Franchi to Red Seal pact", Billboard, August 18, 1962. He soon recorded his first RCA Victor album, in London. Plans for an American tour also soon followed."New Recordings/Classical", Billboard, October 6, 1962.
Success in America
1960s
Franchi arrived in New York on September 25, 1962.Sergio Franchi. "Broadway – I Love You!" RCA Victor, 1963, LP, Liner Notes. RCA Victor had begun a heavy promotional campaign to launch his American career, concurrent with the release of his debut album.Dewar, Cameron (October 20, 1962). "Boston." Billboard, New York. (Intro party at Boston Sheraton)"Victor gives all in build-up of Sergio Franchi." (October 6, 1962). Billboard, New York. Franchi made his American television debut with an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on October 14, 1962; and his Sol Hurok concert debut at Carnegie Hall on October 21, 1962. Singing the full length of the concert without a microphone, a New York reviewer commented on Franchi's "big, healthy voice", his penchant for ad-libbing, and his ability to establish instant rapport with his audience.H.K. (October 22, 1962)."Franchi in debut with song concert." The New York Times, Carnegie Hall debut