Una Furtiva Lagrima - Enrico Caruso 1904 and 1911

[MrGer2295]

SUBLIME!!! Thank you my friend for sharing this Wonderful video of Great Performance of ENRICO CARUSO (1873-1921).

[thedukeofjazz]

love the popcorn in the recording

[psyxysp]

I really like the 1904 recording. Where did you get it? I've been searching for a cd that has this version on it, but I haven't found it.

[tomfroekjaer]

@psyxysp This is from "Naxos The Complete Caruso." the 1904 version is found on vol.2.

Google these:

CARUSO, Enrico: Complete Recordings, Vol. 2 (1903-1906)

RCA The Complete Caruso

Prima Voce The Early Recordings with Enrico Caruso

Digital restoration with modern orchestration (see my upload) - google:

Enrico Caruso the digital comeback

Best regards, Tom

[tomfroekjaer]

@psyxysp Forgot one. It's also available on the soundtrack to the Woody Allen film "Match Point"

[psyxysp]

@tomfroekjaer I didn't know that. Thanks!

[Nello7]

The 1904 recording, in my opinion, is the single greatest recording of singing in the history of recording. Yes, I realize that it is a bold statement to make, but if one can recognize just how prescient Caruso was in his intent of emotional output and fluidity of technique, you can realize that this was a once in a lifetime achievement. Not to mention, this was sung in ONE TAKE!!!!!

[tomfroekjaer]

@Nello7 I tend to agree with you that the 1904 recording may be the greatest recording of the tenor voice ever made.

[wiseroldfart]

@Nello7 I said as much on the remastered 1904 recording I heard before finding this one. Even thought the remastered job doesn't do Caruso's voice justice, I realized that it was the single best performance I've ever heard by a tenor. I believe this is what Bel Canto singing was meant to be. Though not perfectly sung, it's a masterful display of complexity and raw talent.

[OperaFanCantor]

Tom, thank you very much for that very interesting comparison. The legendary 1904 remains hands down my personal favorite. I also prefer the much slower tempo of 1904: 4:33 of singing versus 3:38 in 1911.

[TheVerdiBaritone]

Although Bjoerling is my favorite tenor and Alfredo Kraus is is an exemplar of lyric singing, I prefer the 1904 Caruso recording to any other I've heard.

[EsteNoEsUnSujeto]

Caruso es el mejor!!! en todos los tiempos

[nadaniente115a]

Great singing! Purity of the voice, keeping it simple and direct, yet intense! Thanks, tomfroekjaer!

[Kentoo48]

Thanks Tom for the comparison. I prefer the second recording.

[tomfroekjaer]

You're welcome, Kentoo48.

Did Wunderlich record this??

[Kentoo48]

Yes he did Tom Its on site here.. check my videos

[tomfroekjaer]

Thanks - the tricky translations. Listened and he's great.

[IlgruppoDiDocci]

Fantastico. Caruso è chi presenta il cambio del piano per l'arpa

[racheleleeba]

It's amazing how after a century his voice still communicates like no one else's ever.

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, I've been wondering about this too.

Is it - like the old Greek philosophers and the Indian wise men claimed - that time doesn't really exist for the spirit?

[ShawDAMAN]

Fantastic, thanks!! You know my favorite has been the 1904 recording (and one of my favorite renditions of the piece ever) but I may reconsider now! He sounds more lyric in the 1904 but considerably darker, more powerful in the 1911-

both great.

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, till now my favorite definately has been the 1904 version, but the 1911 certainly has some powerful, mezmorizing quality...

[ShawDAMAN]

the second recording here does an unusually good job of capturing his timbre and the power of his voice. particularly 6:13 onward- wow! gives you a glimpse of what we are missing! If only all Caruso recordings were that good- a recording of "Come un bel di di maggio" I recently heard sounded like it was made underwater!

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, unfortunately one often has to 'add' one's own vision/imagination to how he really sounded. Some recordings/restorations are better than others and this of the 1911 recording is pretty good. - Gives one an idea of why people were willing to pay the equivalent of $1,000.- to hear him sing in a single performance.

[tomfroekjaer]

@ShawDAMAN: a bit delayed answer ....The 1911 was the version used in Woody Allen' film "Match Point" from 2005....

[escotoeric]

Not to be a gay, but i finished watching that movie and i have a very good ear, the 1904 recording was the one used in that movie..you probably just got confused or something..

[tomfroekjaer]

@escotoeric: yes, you are right ! Just listened to soundtrack and it is indeed the 1904 version. Don't know why I got it mixed up :-)

[lidoazzurro]

GRANDIOSO!!!!!è poco

Danke

[tomfroekjaer]

You are welcome. Another great Neapolitan tenor that never will be forgotten! Maybe the greatest of them all...