| Biography | Opera Singer. The Italian baritone was born in Naples on January 30, 1841, the son of a general and descended from the noble DeMurcia family of Spain. As a youth, Guiseppe studied the cello but, because his voice attracted attention, he was placed with outstanding singing teachers. After earning laurels in Europe he was brought to America in 1874. In 1883, as a member of the Henry Abbey Opera Company, he was important enough to be included in the cast at the opening dedication performance at the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York. Five years before his death he and his wife, the former contralto Helen Campbell, opened a music school in Philadelphia.
The singer's unmarked grave was discovered in 1964 by local opera enthusiast, Leopold Saltzman, music critic for the Sons of Italy Times. It was through his efforts and those of Mr. John Palumbo that a memorial stone was dedicated to Del Puente |