In RA format
Pontiggia studied at the conservatory in Milano (not far from his hometown), and Milano was also where
he made his 1950 debut (at the Teatro Nuovo). His career took place primarily in Italy: Piacenza, Torino, Fenice in Venice, Arena di
Verona, La Scala (almost every year from 1966 to 1981), Genova, Bologna, Maggio musicale in Florence, Modena, Pisa; but also in
Amsterdam, Rotterdam or at the Bregenz festival.
Until about 1962, he sang also main roles: Duca, Nemorino, Almaviva, Elvino, Ernesto, but also Werther. Then he was exclusively a
comprimario for the rest of his long career (into the 1980s): Simpleton, Pedrillo, Goro, Spoletta, the four servants in Contes
d'Hoffmann, Basilio in Nozze di Figaro, Altoum, Mastro Trabuco, Parpignol...
After his death, the city of Seregno (where he lived most of his life) named a street after him.
Reference 1: Kutsch & Riemens; reference 2: City of Seregno Facebook page
Picture source
I wish to thank Paolo Cavassini for the recording.
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