Tag Archives: phonograph

The Recordings of Enrico Caruso 1919 – 1920 The End

Written by Neil Kurtzman | 4th May 2009

This is the eighth and final installment of my cursory tour through the recorded legacy of Enrico Caruso. The last two years of Caruso’s recording life contained relatively few operatic numbers. As mentioned, there wasn’t much left for him to put to disc. In February of 1919 he got together with Giuseppe De Luca and…


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The Recordings of Enrico Caruso 1910

Written by Neil Kurtzman | 18th February 2009

Caruso made 25 recording in 1910. Here’s a selection, Solo, profugo, reietto, from Flowtow’s Martha that’s not “M’appari”. It’s almost never played today. Caruso was in splendid voice and makes a fine case for this rarity. The bass in Marcel Journet. The number also shows the tenor’s liberal use of portamento; tenors today are a…


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The Recordings of Enrico Caruso 1908 – 1909

Written by Neil Kurtzman | 2nd February 2009

More than a year separated Caruso’s last recording in 1907 from his first in 1908. In July he recorded (for the second time) the quartet from Rigoletto (Bella figlia dell’amore). His colleagues were Marcella Sembrich, Gina Severina, and Antonio Scotti. This recording finds him at the peak of his powers. Notice how the acoustic horn…


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The Recordings of Enrico Caruso 1905 – 1907

Written by Neil Kurtzman | 22nd January 2009

Caruso’s only recording session in 1905 took place in New York on February 27th. He recorded just five numbers. He was again accompanied only by a piano. Though still singing French arias in Italian, the two French selections are the most successful. Caruso’s vocal control was getting more secure. Still he fell back on falsetto…


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The Recordings of Enrico Caruso 1902 – 1904

Written by Neil Kurtzman | 14th January 2009

In the mid 1950’s RCA Records issued a deluxe compilation of many of Enrico Caruso’s recordings. The multi-disc set was enclosed in a faux leather case and contained a well illustrated booklet written (though not with strict accuracy) by the Met’s then assistant general manager Francis Robinson. Since purchasing that collection, I’ve been buying different…


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