Bentonel’li

Joseph (rightly Benton), klahoma; tenor; grad. Okla. State Univ.; studied with Jean de Reszke in France, coached operatic réles in Italy for three years, and made début at Bologna as Alfredo; sang in Italian theatres, also in Austria, France, Belgium, and Holland; mem. Chicago Op. Co., 1934-5, singing with this company in latter year leading tenor réle in Am. prem. of Respighi’s ‘‘La Fiamma,” also with Philadelphia Orch. in its stage prod. of Gluck’s ‘‘Iphigénie Aulide’’; concert tour in U. S.; audition with Met. Op. Co. was followed by sudden call two days later to take place of indisposed tenor as Des Grieux in “‘Manon,’’ 1936, which he sang with succ. and was engaged as regular mem. of company.