Bolognini, Ennio, 1893-1979

Ennio Bolognini (1893-1979) was a cellist, boxer, and pilot in the United States.

Ennio Bolognini (1893-1979) 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.