Bonelli studied at the Liceo Musicale in Piacenza. After two years, Bonelli went to Milano where he studied with several
maestri. Bonelli started his career with a concert in 1941, followed by appearances at the theatres in Asti and Novi Ligure.
During April 1943, Bonelli appeared in Tosca at Foggia, then due to the war Bonelli interrupted his activity until December
5th 1945, when he appeared in La bohème at the Municipale in Piacenza.
Bonelli returned to Piacenza in 1947 in Madama
Butterfly. During the same period, Bonelli appeared at the National Theater of Rijeka in Tosca, a work that Bonelli
repeated in Pula, Zagreb and Belgrade together with Cavalleria, Traviata, Werther and Faust.
Bonelli returned to Italy and
sang at Piacenza (Teatro all'aperto Colombaia in Tosca), Firenze (Teatro Comunale in Madama Butterfly), Catania (Lucia), and
Bergamo. In 1950, Bonelli appeared in Asti, Marseille, Lyon and at La Scala (Traviata, Oberto).
In 1951, Bonelli sang at
Fiorenzuola (Tosca, Bohème), and Villanova (concert). In 1952, Bonelli sang at Firenze (Pergola), Piacenza (Municipale in
Bohème) and at Codogno (Sociale). Bonelli moved to South America, where he spent two years in Peru and Argentina.
In 1957, Bonelli was in Yugoslavia, singing also in other East European countries and in Austria. Bonelli returned several times
to sing at Piacenza until 1964.
Thereafter, Bonelli stayed in Yugoslavia, until the end of 1973, when he retired.
Bonelli returned to Piacenza where he not only gave singing lessons, but also painted.
Reference: G. N. Vetro Le voci del Ducato, 1982
Picture source
