Bolognini, Ennio, 1893-1979

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1893 - 1979

Biography

Ennio Bolognini (18193-1979) was a prominent cellist.

Ennio Bolognini was born in 1893 in Buenos Aires. His father was an amateur cellist and a close friend of the conductor Toscannini, who became Ennio's godfather. Bolognini started his musical studies with his father and then with Jose Garcia. When he was fifteen he won first prize in a Spanish/American cello contest, and was awarded a cello made by Luigi Rovatti. While still a teenager he had the opportunity to perform "The Swan," with Saint-Saens himself at the piano; and the Richard Strauss cello sonata, also with the composer.

In 1923 Bolognini immigrated to the United States. Apart from his talent as a cellist, he was an excellent guitarist, a champion boxer, and a licensed airplane pilot. He flew his own private plane, and was once a professional stunt flyer. He co-founded the American Civil Air Patrol, and trained cadets to fly B-29 bombers in World War II. He was principal cellist of the Chicago Symphony. He moved to Las Vegas in 1951 and founded the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra. Casals praised Bolognini as the greatest cello talent he had ever heard in his life. Feuermann said that Bolognini was a better cellist than Casals, Piatigorsky or himself.

Ennio Bolognini died in 1979.

Citation:

Internet Cello Society website, viewed May 24, 2011 (Ennio Bolognini; b. 1893 in Buenos Aires; Bolognini studied with his father and Jose Garcia; won first prize in a Spanish/American cello contest, aged 15; given a fine cello made by Luigi Rovatti; performed "The Swan" with Saint-Saens and the Richard Strauss cello sonata wih Strauss; immigrated to the United States, 1923; excellent guitarist, champion boxer, licensed airplane pilot, professional stunt flyer; co-founded the American Civil Air Patrol, and trained cadets to fly B-29 bombers in World War II; principal cellist of the Chicago Symphony; moved to Las Vegas in 1951; founded the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra; Casals praised Bolognini as the greatest cello talent; Feuermann said that Bolognini was a better cellist than Casals, Piatigorsky or himself; d. in 1979)

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Ennio Bolognini papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 7856

Scope and Contents

Collection contains scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, letters, personal papers, membership cards, sketches, ephemera, fliers, programs, scores, photographs, and other materials relating to Ennio Bolognini's musical career, 1847-1979.

Dates: 1847-1979

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Ennio Bolognini photographs

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS P 507

Scope and Contents

Collection includes photographs of Bolognini, together with family and friends. Also includes negatives--some nitrate and some acetate--to correspond to some of the photographs. Most of the photographs are Kodacolor prints and gelatin silver prints. Dated approximately 1900-1979.

Dates: approximately 1900-1979