Elegant Portrait of Italian Tenor Enrico Schipa & Wife

This photograph captures the renowned Italian tenor Enrico Schipa and his wife on January 15, 1925. Taken by the Bain News Service, the image represents a significant moment in the life of Schipa, who was one of the leading opera singers of his time, famed for his performances at major opera houses worldwide. His rich, lyrical voice made him a celebrated figure, particularly in the operatic works of composers like Puccini and Verdi, shaping the landscape of early 20th-century opera.

The technique used to create this image was known as glass plate photography, a prevalent method during this era. This format provided high detail and clarity, allowing photographers like those at Bain to document significant cultural figures with remarkable precision. Schipa’s connection to the era’s cultural scene is encapsulated in this snapshot, reflecting not only his personal life but also the artistic vibrancy of the 1920s.