Donizetti: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 1

On this CD:

1. Allegro for piano in F minor
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

2. La ricordanza: adagio sentimentale, for piano in E flat major
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

3. Allegro vivace for piano in G major
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

4. Allegro for piano in C major No. 1
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

5. Larghetto for piano in A minor ("Una furtiva lagrima")
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

6. Presto for piano in F minor
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

7. Larghetto for piano in C major
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

8. Allegro for piano in C major No. 2
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

9. Adagio e Allegro for piano in G major
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

10. Due motivi del celebre Maestro Päer messi in suonata, for piano
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Pietro Spada

Tracks:

Germania - Studenti, Undite
Germania - Ah, Vieni Qui ... No, Non Chiuder Gli Occhi
Regoletto - Qusta O Quella
Aida - Celeste Aida
Manon - O Doice Incanto (Il Sogno)
L'Elisr D'amore - Una Furtiva Lagrima
Mefisofele - Giunto Sul Passo Estremo (Epilogue)
Mefisto Fele - Giunto Sul passo estremo (Epilogue)
Tosca - E Lucevan Le Stelle
Iris - April La Tuna Finestra (serenata)
Mefistofele - Dai Campi, Dai prati
Fedora - Amorti Vieta (Acc. By Composer)
Aida - Celeste Aida
La Gioconda - Cielo E Mar!
I Pagliacci - Vesti La Giubba
Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana - O Lola (Siciliana)
Non T' Amo Piu
La Mina Canzone
Adriana Lecouvereur - No, piu nobile
Luna Fedel
Un Bacio Anchora
Luna Fedel
L'elisir D' Amore - Una Furtiva largima
Tosca - E Lucevan Le Stelle
Germina - No, Non Chiuder
Rigoletto - La Donna E Mobile
Cavalleria Rusticana - O lola (siciliana)

Customer Reviews:

Ignore the primitive recording, listen to the performances........2002-03-13

If you are interested in hearing the documents that launched the gramophone (or phonograph) as a serious recording medium, rather than a toy, then this is the disc to listen to. Of course, 100 years ago, the recording and reproducing process was very primitive, and current digital processing capabilities cannot really compensate for that. But, except for one very poor edit, the transfers from the original 78rpm discs are excellent.

Ignoring the recording deficiencies, what you can hear are marvelously enthusiastic performances by the greatest tenor ever to make records.

Simple as that.

Nevermind the quality of sound, listen for the music.......2000-10-16

This is a sturdy collection of songs, with the most famous pieces of the period (1902-1903, but the sound quality is lacking.The songs are recorded before the age of digital everything, the popping and cracking of the tracks could add charm or ruin the cd-depending on taste. Yet, the songs are incredibly beautiful and are worth a listen.

Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 1: 1921-25

Average customer rating:

gigli in his prime

Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 1: 1921-25

Manufacturer: Romophone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 3: 1929-32
Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 2: 1926-28

ASIN: B000001S3Y
Release Date: 1996-01-01

Tracks:

Mefistofele: Dai Campi, Dai Prati
Tosca: Recondita Armonia
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle
Mefistofele: Giunto Sul Passo Estremo
La Gioconda: Cielo E Mar!
La Favorite: Spirto Gentil
Faust: Salve, Dimora Casta E Pura
Iris: Apri La Tua Finestra
Tu Sola
Santa Lucia Luntana
I Million D'Arlecchino: Notturno D'amore
Le Roi D'ys: Vainement, Ma Bien Aimee
I Pagliacci:Vesti La Giubba
Serenata
Andrea Chenier: Un Di All'azzurro Spazio
Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Tosca: O Dolci Mani
L'Africana: O Paradiso

Tracks:

Loreley: Nel Verde Maggio
Romeo Et Juliette: Ange Adorable
Romeo Et Juliet: Ah, Ne Fuis Pas Encore
Canto Del Cigno
Martha: M'appari
Paquita
Fumiculi, Funicula
Povero Pulcinella
Sentinella
Sto Penzanno 'A Maria
Come, Love With Me
Mandulinata A Napule
L'eliser D'Amore: Quanto E Bella
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tombe Degl'avi Miei
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tombe Degl'avi Miei
Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'aliLucia Di Lammermoor:
Good Bye, Marie
Quanno 'A Femmena Vo'
Maria, Mari

Customer Reviews:

gigli in his prime.......2001-04-21

Gigli went to US in 1920, having made some tonally beautiful but poorly acted acoustics for 'HMV'. Linking to his appearance at the Met, 'Victor' began a long association of recordings both acoustic & electric, and this album from Romophone is the 1st of 3 dealing with this period. Gigli's tone developed to its full during these recs, parallel with some intrusive bad vocal habits - nobody needs to use aspirates at all, and certainly not to the degree of Gigli. The mix on the album balances opera & song. He was one of the best interpreters of Neapolitan songs, having a more ringing style than Schipa and a more affectionate style than Corelli; perhaps di Stefano was a natural successor? On several tracks he has magnificent partners (e.g. Rethberg, Pinza). Some alternative takes are offered, which provide little extra knowledge about the singers, but make things complete. In summary: attractively toned, Italianate singing, if you can ignore his bad habits. The Obert-Thorn transfers are clear, but can sound oversharp with clinical-sounding hardware plus silver-based cabling.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Recordings

The Complete Recordings, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1
Enrico Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 4
Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 12
Enrico Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 10

ASIN: B00004WMWW
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

Tu Non Mi Vuoi Piu Bene
Tosca - E Lucevan Le Stelle
Les Huguenots - Qui Sotto Il Ciel
Rigoletto - Questa O Quella
Rigoletto - La Donna E Mobile
L'Elisir D'Amore - Una Furtiva Lagrima
Aida - Celeste Aida
Tosca - Recondita Armonia
Tosca - E Lucevan Le Stelle
Cavalleria Rusticana - Siciliana
Pagliacci - Vesti La Giubba
Manon - II Sogno: Chiudo Gli Occhi
Mattinata
I Pescatori Di Perle - Mi Par D'udir Ancor
Don Pasquale Serenata - Com'e gentil
Carmen - Il Fior Che Avevi A Me
Les Huguenots - Bianca Al Par Di Neve Alpina
La Gioconda - Cielo E Mar!
Cavalleria Rusticana - Brindisi
Martha - M'appari Tutt'amor
La Boheme - Che Gelida Manina
Faust - Salut, Demeure Chaste El Pure
Il Trovatore - Di Quella Pira
La Favorita - Romanza: Spirito Gentil, Ne' Sogni Miei

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Recordings.......2002-01-26

Despite what anyone else says, the Naxos transfers and reissues of Caruso's complete recordings are wonderful! They seem to have taken GREAT care to ensure only the finest quality, and after purchasing vols 1 and 2 in this set, I can say that they do. And (unlike the other reissues by Pearl and RCA) the price is unbeatable! I highly suggest that any Caruso fan or vintage record buff pick up a set of these CDs.

Enrico Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 10

Average customer rating:

Caruso for a song.
Number Ten and Counting; And Simply the Best Caruso on CD

Enrico Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 10

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 12
Enrico Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 11
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 9
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 8
Enrico Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 6

ASIN: B0000BX5KY
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Album Description

When complete the Naxos Historical Caruso edition will constitute the complete cycle of all Caruso's recordings issued in chronological order, thus enabling the artistic development of this great artist to be followed in detail. In 1919, shortly after the period covered by this CD, Caruso was to celebrate his twenty-fifth year, yet in these recordings there is no sign of strain or wear on the voice at all, only the brilliant sounds that made Caruso world-famous and the first real operatic star of the gramophone.

Customer Reviews:

Caruso for a song........2004-03-15

In the liner notes provided with this CD, you will read that opera patrons during the years these recordings were made sometimes paid the equivalent of $1,000 to attend a Caruso performance. Modern marketing, Naxos, and restoration engineer Ward Marston allow us to hear 77 minutes of Caruso recordings for merely a fraction of this cost.

Doyen of reviewers J Scott Morrison has already given Volume 10 of the Naxos Complete Recordings of Enrico Caruso series a rave review, so I shall add only a few comments. Regarding track identification: the composer Faure to whom Track 1 is attributed is not Gabriel but the less well-known French composer J B Faure (1830-1914). The Tchaikovsky item in Track 4 is his Op 6, No 5. The starry quartet and sextet items (2 takes of each) are the ones to go for in the Caruso discography. They are (almost) debut recordings for his compatriot Amelita Galli-Curci, one of the few singers whose voice, like Caruso's, was wonderfully well caught by the acoustic recording process.

Number Ten and Counting; And Simply the Best Caruso on CD.......2003-11-08

Naxos, praise be, is issuing all of Caruso's known recordings in the order in which they were recorded. In this, the tenth of the series, we have reached the era which, for some of us, is the ne plus ultra as regards Caruso's depth of musicianship and richness of voice, 1916 to early 1917. Not long afterward his health began to ebb. But in this time period his tenor voice was at its most baritonal, his breath control inhuman, and his musicianship scrubbed of it earlier vulgarity. I know there are those who revel in the latter, but I'm not one of them. We also get several alternate takes that were not issued on 78 at the time of their recording--one of the opening of the Quartet from 'Rigoletto' that only goes to the point where the mezzo enters, another of the complete Lucia 'Sextet' with Amelita Calli-Curci, Giuseppe de Luca and Marcel Journet among others.

Of special interest here are the selections sung in French--with excellent diction, it must be said--Tchaikovsky's 'Pourquoi?,' and Lensky's aria from 'Eugène Onegin' (gorgeous!), as well as Godard's 'Chanson de Juin,' Saint-Saëns's 'Vois ma misère, hélas' from 'Samson et Dalila.' Best of all are the two arias from Bizet's 'Pearl Fishers': 'De mon amie, fleur endormie,' and especially an absolutely stunning 'Je crois entendre encore.'

Other highlights: the full Quartet from 'Rigoletto' with Galli-Curci, Flora Perini, and de Luca; 'M'appari' from Flotow's 'Martha' with a final B-flat that will knock your socks off (and SO much better than the version he recorded more than ten years earlier).

Fauré's 'Sancta Maria' sounds Italian, I must say. 'Santa Lucia' is just a tad hokey. But Caruso's own 'Tiempo antico' is delightful. Andrea Chenier's 'Come un bel di di maggio' is sung with delicacy, grace and ardor. There are a couple takes of a ditty ('L'alba separa dall luce l'ombra') by Tosti and another couple of popular songs by Castaldon and De Crescenzo.

Finally, two takes of an aria I'd never heard before from Anton Rubinstein's 'Nerone,' 'Ah! lumière du jour.' Caruso's trumpet-like high notes are really something here.

I've acquired all but two of the previous Caruso CDs on Naxos. I've also had earlier transfers of some of the material and I have to say that Naxos and their miracle man, Ward Marston, are doing an amazing job of presenting cleaned-up yet true-sounding transfers. Evviva!

TT=76:59

Tracks:

Tosca: Recondita Armonia
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
I Millioni D'Arlecchino: Notturno D'amore
Serenata
Serenata
Torna, Amore
Stornelli Marini
Santa Lucia Luntana
Rondine Al Nido
La Forza Del Destino: Solemne In Quest'ora
La Boheme: O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni - Beniamino Gigli/Titta Ruffo
La Gioconda: Enzo Grimaldo, Principe Di Santafior! - Beniamino Gigli/Titta Ruffo
Mefistofele: Dai Campi, Dai Prati
Addio A Napoli
Mefistofele: Giunto Sul Passo Estremo
La Boheme: O Mimi, tu Piu Non Torni
La Forza Del Destino: Solemne In Quest'ora
O Bei Nidi D'amore
I Pescatoridi Perle [Les Pecheurs De Perles]: Del Tempio Al Limitar [Au Fond Du Temple Saint] - Beniamino Gigli/Giuseppe De Luca

Tracks:

La Gioconda: Enzo Grimaldo, Principe Di Santafior! - Beniamino Gigli/Giuseppe De Luca
La Giocondo: Enzo Grimaldo, Principe Di Santafior! - Beniamino Gigli/Giuseppe De Luca
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tombe Degl'avi Miei
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Giusto Cielo, Rispondete - Beniamino Gigli/Ezio Pinza/Metropolitan Opr Chor
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'ali
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tombe Degl'avi Miei
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Giusto Cielo, Rispondete - Beniamino Gigli/Ezio Pinza/Metropolitan Opr Chor
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'ali
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento? - Beniamino Gigli/Amelita Galli-Curci/Louise Homer/Angelo Bada/Giuseppe De Luca, Ezio Pinza
Rigoletto: Bella Figlia Dell'amore - Beniamino Gigli/Amelita Galli-Curci/Louise Homer/Giuseppe De Luca
Rigoletto: Bella Figlia Dell'amore - Beniamino Gigli/Amelita Galli-Curci/Louise Homer/Giuseppe De Luca
Cavalleria Rusticana: Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante 'Brindisi' - Beniamino Gigli/Metropolitan Opr Chor
La Traviata: De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti
Mignon: Ah, Non Credevi Tu [Elle Ne Croyait Pas]
Mignon: Addio, Mignon, Fa Core [Adieu, Mignon, Courage]
L'Africana [L'Africaine]: O Paradiso [O Paradis]
Voce'e Notte
Canta Pe' Me

Customer Reviews:

A must have!!.......2001-06-01

Beniamino Gigli was one of the finest Tenors of all time. That being said, this set offers some of the best work the great Tenor ever recorded. Real standout renditions here are all of the duets recorded with Baritone and friend Giuseppe De Luca, the two lovely arias from Mignon, O Paradiso (rivaled only by Bjoerling and Lanza), Lucia selections (pretty much the entire final scene of the last act), and the Neapolitan selections (such as Toselli's hauntingly beautiful "Rimpianto"). The duets with Ruffo are interesting, but without the subtlety and finesse the same selections with De Luca possess. All three of the Romophon sets of Gigli's Victor recordings are prizes indeed (the third volume being only 1 CD), but this is, in this reviewer's humble opinion, the best of the three. Treat yourself to some truly fine singing and purchase this set now, before it goes out of print.

MAGNIFICENT COLLECTION!!!.......1998-09-22

A WONDERFUL COLLECTION BY WHOM I CONSIDER, THE GREATEST TENOR OF ALL TIME (EXCLUDING CARUSO). HEARING BOTH THE PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED TAKES OF THE DE LUCA/GIGLI DUETS IS SIMPLY A PRIZE, AS WELL AS, THE PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED TAKES OF TOSSELLI'S SERENADE (RIMPIANTO). A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE WHO APPRECIATES GREAT SINGING. GIGLI'S VOICE IS SIMPLY BREATHTAKING HERE. THIS IS GIGLI IN HIS GLORIOUS PRIME.

MAGNIFICENT COLLECTION!!!.......1998-09-22

Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 3: 1929-32

Average customer rating:

The Italian tenor voice of rare beauty - Gigli in his prime.

Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 3: 1929-32

Manufacturer: Romophone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 2: 1926-28
Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 1: 1921-25

ASIN: B000001S40
Release Date: 1996-01-01

Tracks:

Notte Lunare
Marta (Martha): M'appari (Ach! So Fromm)
La Gioconda: Cielo E Mar!
I Pescatori Di Perle (Les Pecheurs De Perles): Mi Par D'Udir Ancora (Je Crois Entendre Encore)
I Pescatori Di Perle (Les Pecheurs De Perles): Mi Par D'Udir Ancora (Je Crois Entendre Encore)
L'Elisir D'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima
Se
Musica Proibita
Carmela
Vecchio Ritornello
Occhi Turchini
Mamma Mia, Che Vo Sape?
I Lombardi: Qual Volutta Trascorrere - Elisabeth Rethberg/Ezio Pinza
I Lombardi: Qual Volutta Trascorrere - Elisabeth Rethberg/Ezio Pinza
Attila: Te Sol Quest'anima - Elisabeth Rethberg/Ezio Pinza
Attila: Te Sol Quest'anima - Elisabeth Rethberg/Ezio Pinza
Marta
Quisiera Olvidar Tus Ojos
Eres Tu
Triste Maggio
Chanson Hindoue

Customer Reviews:

The Italian tenor voice of rare beauty - Gigli in his prime........2001-03-27

There are at least three good reason for recommending this CD. Firstly, the years represented in this CD probably saw Gigli in his prime. Eager to communicate, and aware of the emotional content of each item, he has the Italian tenor voice of rare beauty. Unfortunately, these were also the Depression years, and even a best-selling artist like Gigli was invited into American recording studios on only three occasions in 1930 and never in 1931. Everything he recorded for Victor from 1929 to 1932 is here.

Secondly, the quality of the Mark Obert-Thorn restorations brings these items before us in best possible condition. To collect vintage Gigli recordings is to know that recent reissues have frequently been disappointing. The voice, in these recent reissues, is often both ill-focused and hard-edged. A comfortable listening experience is assured here.

Thirdly, this selection offers several previously unissued takes. Unpublished takes of the Bizet aria and the two Verdi trios are provided. In each case, a first take was unissued.

Tracks:

'Finch'han Del Vino'
'Forier Di Morte...O tu Bell'Astro (Wie Todes Ahnung)'
'Se Dell'imen La Dolce Cura'
'Deh, Vieni Alla Finestra'
La Mantilla
Occhi Di Fata
Ancora
'Deh, Non Plorar'
'Largo Al Factotum'
'Dio Possente, Dio D'Amor (Avant De Quitter Ces Lieux)'
'In Questo Suoio... Ah, L'Alto Ardor'
'Or Limpida M'Appare'
'Oh De'Verd'Anni Miei'
'Da Qual Di Che T'ho Venduta'
'Alla Vita Che T'Arride'
'Lo Vedremo, O Veglio Audace'
'Lo Vedremo, O Veglio Audace'
'Vieni Meco, Sol Di Rose'
'O Sommo Carlo'
Don Giovanni: Alfin Siam Liberati...La Ci Darem La Mano
'Povero Lionello...Il Mio Lionel'
'A Tanto Amor;

Tracks:

'O Lisbona'
'Eri Tu, Che Macchiavi'
'Su Queste Rose'
'Perche Tremar?'
'Si Puo?... Un Nido Di Memorie'
'Avrei Sul Mio Petto'
'Ah! Tutto Il Cor E Qui!'
'Come Il Romito Fior'
Le Soir
'Amour, Amour'
'Tre Sbirri, Una Carrozza...Te Deum'
'O Vin, Discaccia La Tristezza [O Vin, Dissipe La Tristesse]'
'D'Acqua Aspergimi'
'Allor Che Tu Coll'estro'
'O Santa Medaglia...Dio Possente, Dio D'amore'
'Ah Per Sempre Io Ti Perdei'
'D'Acqua Aspergimi'
'D'Acqua Aspergimi'
'Son Cifre...Bella E Di Sol Vestita'
'Bel Sogno Beato'

Amazon.com

Operaphiles in search of the lost art of the bel canto baritone will find a virtual holy grail in the form of Mattia Battistini. Born in 1856, he is the oldest singer of his generation who recorded extensively in his prime. In contrast to the emphatic, overt emotionalism typical of verismo singers, Battistini spins out effortless, lavishly decorated lines, sustained by virtue of prodigious breath control. Introspective phrases are embellished by unexpected accents and flamboyant, dynamic surges, best exemplified in a 1906 group of Ernani excerpts. Highlighting the 1902 Warsaw recordings are a snappy yet restrained "Largo al factotum" and Wagner's song to the Evening Star from Tannhaüser, sung in mellifluous Italian. Romophone's transfers auger well for what promises to be the definitive Battistini edition. --Jed Distler

Average customer rating:

Caruso and colleagues, 1914-1916.

The Complete Recordings, Vol. 9

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Enrico Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 11
Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 12
Enrico Caruso: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 10
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 8
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00009VGCY
Release Date: 2003-07-15

Tracks:

Brindisi: Libiamo, Libiamo
Sento Una Forza Indomita
Hantise D'Amour
Parle-Moi De Ma Mere
Parle-Moi De Ma Mere
La Mia Canzone
Pecche?
Cielo Turchino
Ingemisco
Angelo
Si Vous L' Aviez Compris
Les Deux Serenades
La Procession
Ah! Tout Est Bien Fini!; O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere!
Luna D'Estate
'O Sole Mio
Faiblesse De La Race Humaine!...Inspirez-Moi, Race Divine
Mia Sposa Sara La Mia Bandiera
Ah, La Paterna Mano
Vecchia Zimarra
Cantique De Noel

Customer Reviews:

Caruso and colleagues, 1914-1916........2004-03-06

I'm not sure if Caruso admirers will rush to secure a copy of this ninth volume in the complete Naxos reissue series, but I can report that there are many great recordings here and not a few rarities.

One of the latter is the so-called "Coat Song" from Puccini's "La Boheme". According to one of the great stories in the annals of opera performance, Caruso agreed to sing this two minute piece in Act Four for his bass colleague whose voice had by then petered out during a performance at Philadelphia. With the bass miming and Caruso with his back to the audience the trick was successful. Caruso agreed to sing it again for a recording soon after, not for general issue but for distribution amongst friends. Another rarity is a "Carmen" duet he recorded in 1914 with Francis Alda. Two takes are here: one issued for the first time, the other not issued until the 1960s.

John McCormack was meanwhile achieving great sales with recordings in which he teamed with the violinist Fritz Kreisler. Two tracks here, featuring rare items not attempted by McCormack and Kreisler, have Caruso teamed with violinist Mischa Elman.

Tracks:

La Partida
Rigoletto: Gualtier Malde... Caro Nome
Rigoletto: Bella Figlia Dell'amore
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento
Romeo Et Juliette: Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve
Home, Sweet Home
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Il Dolce Suono
Rigoletto: Caro Nome
Manon Lescaut: C'est L'histoire Amoureuse
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Lakeme: Dov'e L'Indiana Bruna - 'Bell Song'
La Partida
Little Birdies
Caro Mio Ben
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Una Voce Poco Fa
Dinorah: Ombra Leggiera - 'Shadow Song'
La Sonnambula: Ah! Non Credea Mirarti
Martha: The Last Rose Of Summer
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Non So Piu
Little Dorry

Tracks:

Air And Vars
La Perle Du Bresil: Charmant Oiseau
I Puritani: Qui La Voce... Vien, Diletto
Crepuscule
La Capinera
Rigoletto: Piangi, Piangi, Fanciulla
Rigoletto: O Mia Gilda... Lassu In Cielo
La Traviata: Dite Alla Giovine
La Traviata: Imponete! Non Amarlo, Ditegli
La Traviata: E Strano... Ah, Fors' E Lui
La Traviata: Follie!... Sempre Liebera
Messaggero Amoroso
When Chloris Sleeps
Lo, Here The Gentle Lark
Lez Filles De Cadiz
Mignon: Io Son Titania
Don Pasquale: Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere
La Sonnambula: Sovra Il Sen La Man Mi Posa
La Sonnambula: Come Per Me Sereno
La Traviata: Addio Del Passato
Villanelle
Clavelitos

Customer Reviews:

Of all the Galli-Curci CD reissues, I put this one first........2001-02-09

Of all the Galli-Curci CD reissues, I put this one first. Romophone seems to have reissued her complete recorded output, in superb Ward Marston productions, but this set, comprising her 1916-1920 recordings, shows her best qualities. Don't be deterred by the early dates. Galli-Curci's voice was recorded by the acoustic process more successfully than almost any other singer of her era. She continued making records until 1930 but by then her glory days had passed.

On one day in 1917 she made three recordings, two of which are her greatest. They are the arias from "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" (Track 16) and "La Sonnambula" (Track 18). Also included in this reissue is her participation in the "Rigoletto" Quartet and the "Lucia di Lammermoor" Sextet (two takes) with an ensemble including Caruso, with whom she sang only two performances in stage, and several duets with the baritone Giuseppe de Luca, a frequent partner at the Met.

So what are "her best qualities", referred to above, and do they merit the considerable outlay necessary to buy this 2 CD set? Vocal agility is the most remarkable. A bird-like trill is executed beautifully and easily, in both an upper and lower register. All sounds fall easily on the ear. Galli-Curci was one of the great gramophone coloraturas. Here are 43 of her recordings, cleanly and faultlessly projected, available at merely a fraction of their original purchase price.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

I'm Your Dance Instructor [CD-single]

Premieres for Clarinet

Palm Court Encores

Ron Miles Trio

Scorpion King (Score) [Soundtrack]

Phone Prankster

Roger the Engineer [Import]

Temperamental, Pt. 2 [CD-single] [Import]

Remember

Russian Gourmet

On the Spot

Piquetes y Lamentos: Grandes Exitos

Romeo & You

Switched-On Brandenburgs, Vol. 1

Mock Tudor