Bruna Castagna (1897-1983) was an Italian contralto, active in Europe and America, and a notable artist at the Metropolitan Opera. She sang a wide repertory including Verdi, Wagner and concert works.

In the Pristine catalogue she appears in Toscanini’s Beethoven Missa solemnis and in Verdi broadcasts with Jussi Björling, Zinka Milanov and other major singers.

Castagna’s voice was dark, firm and richly coloured, with the authority needed for contralto and dramatic mezzo repertory. She brought depth to ensembles without losing profile.

Her recordings preserve a substantial singer from the interwar and wartime operatic world. Castagna’s sound has the colour of old walnut and the grip of iron underneath.