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When Paoli was a young lad, his parents would often take him to operas at "Ponce's Teatro la Perla". Once he saw a performance by Italian tenor, Pietro Baccen , and since then he knew what he wanted to do when he became an adult. His parents were very supportive and guided him during his youth. They enrolled him in a school of "voice" directed by Ramon Marin. In 1883, when Paoli was only 12 years old, both his parents died and he went to live with his sister, Amalia, who was living in Spain and who herself was a singer.
In 1884, Amalia helped Paoli to obtain two scholarships from her Majesty Queen Maria Christina, Queen Regent of Spain. Paoli started his studies at the "Royal Monasterio del Escocial" and in 1897Events January 1 Brooklyn, New York merges with New York City. January 4 A British force is ambushed by Chief Ologbosheri, son-in-law of the Oba of Benin. This leads to a Punitive Expedition against Benin. February 2 The Pennsylvania state capitol is dest, he went to study at the "Academia de Canto La Scala" in Milan, Italy. In 1899Events January events January 1 End of Spanish rule in Cuba. January 1 Queens and Staten Island merge with New York City. January 3 The first known use of the word " automobile", in an editorial in the New York Times''. January 6 Lord Curzon becomes a vic, he debuted in Gioacchino RossiniGioacchino Antonio Rossini ( February 29, 1792 — November 13, 1868) was an Italian musical composer who wrote more than 30 operas as well as sacred music and chamber music. His best known works include Il Barbiere di Siviglia The Barber of Seville , and W's opera " William TellWilliam Tell is an opera by Gioacchino Rossini. The libretto was written by Etienne de Jou and Hippolyte Bis based on Friedrich Schiller's Wilhelm Tell''. It was first performed in Paris on August 3, 1829. The original version was in French but it is ofte" in Paris, France.
By 19001900 is the common year starting on Monday. see link for calendar) For the film, see 1900 (film). Events January January 1 Nigeria becomes British protectorate January 2 John Hay announces the Open Door Policy to promote trade with China. January 2 Chicag, Paoli was making appearences in the " Covent Garden in London . Among his performances were the operas " Lohengrin" by Richard Wagner and Verdi's " Il Trovatore". He performed in countries such as, Argentina, Russia, Poland, Egypt, Palestine, Hungary, Belgium, Cuba, Chile, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Canada and the United States.
Paoli was awarded The Cross of St. Mauricio medal by the Czar of Russia Nichlas II and in 1907, he was also condecorated by Carlos I of Braganza. Paoli was the first opera artsit to record an entire opera when he recorded " Clown" by Ruggiero Leoncavallo. He was appionted "First Tenor" by "La Scala", in Milan, Italy. In 1912, he sang again in the opera "Lohengrin" in Vienna and recieved a standing ovation from the Autro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph.
In 1917, when WWI broke out in Europe, Paoli returned to Puerto Rico. He wanted to sing in the " Metropolitan Opera House in New York, but, his competitor, Enrico Caruso, who was part owner, opposed. Paoli eventaully lost his fortune (2 million dollars) in bad investments and was forced to become a professional boxer in order to earn an income.
In 1922, Paoli started giving voice lessons and together with his sister, Amalia, established a school. Paoli helped produce the " Othello" at the Municipal Theater in San Juan. In 1934, the Puerto Rican legislature honored Paoli by renaming the Municipal Theater "The Paoli Theater" and they also gave him a life-time pension.
Antonio Paoli died of cancer in San Juan on August 24, 1946.
The Music Conservatory for which he worked so hard to establish was finally realized shortly after his death. In San Juan's "Centro de Bellas Artes" there is a 1,883 seat "Antonio Paoli Festival Hall". A book about Paoli was written by Jesus M. Lopez, titled "Antonio Paoli: El Leon de Ponce" (The Lion of Ponce).