Canzoni Napoletane - Neapolitan Songs, Volume 1

[goodboybuddy1]

Dear Tom, I've heard that Caruso marked notes for vowel color in his scores.I would be very interested in seeing them as this would give a clue as to his ides of shaping or mixing vowels. If you listen closely, he is very particular about the color of every vowel. Gigli was also a fine colorist (usually! LOL). Do you happen to know if there is any way to see these scores, or facsimiles. Also,I just noticed the amazing phrasing of Santa Lucia. He makes it feel very nautical! Thanks, James

[31operafan]

@tomfroekjaer: Caruso was the one who made these Neapolitan songs so well-known to listeners. :)

[klokheten]

Once again you present that must allow anyone with a decent interest for distinguished singing to listen. So many people today refuse to listen to the great recordings of the past and therefore miss exceptional historic treasurys like these recordings of Caruso

sing neapolitan songs as noone else. What enormous dignity,for example,he puts in "Tu sei l´ímpera dell´armonia. A man that really means what he is singing. So much love and passion in his neapolitan songs! Excellent sound. Thank you.

[tomfroekjaer]

@klokheten: I thank you Bent! When you make a comment, I'm instantly alerted. I know that you know what you are talking about. And I can be sure that it always is a positive, constructive comment.

[klokheten]

@tomfroekjaer It is a pleasure to take part of this important discussion and I admire your work very,very much. We have similar opinions.

Thanks for your kindness.

[tomfroekjaer]

@klokheten: just noticed that I spelled your name as if it was Danish (Bent, instead of Bengt...). Sorry.

I absolutely agree with you: these are not idle, unimportant discussions, but discussions that define the difference between good singing and devine singing - and who belongs in the category of divinity.

Divinity for me is extreme presence, "being" what you are singing - and of course a good voice too.

[tomkellycartoons]

Yikes! I've only been practicing the first two stanzas...more learning ahead! But, this is such a fine recording. The level of technology does not bother me at all. I can close my eyes and just "be there." Wonderful! I admire his subtle pauses and, of course, the way he effortlessly holds those notes...heaven to hear, fun to try to emulate. Thank you, Tom!

[tomkellycartoons]

Ha! I was getting on YouTYube and was thinking, "I haven't seen any postings by Tom lately," and...there you were! Irina's one-word comment it perfect: "luxury!" This is one song I practice with....not sounding like Enrico, sadly enough, but...I keep trying!

[tomfroekjaer]

@LordMgls: no, I had them as mp3. Probably from archive org details Caruso_part2. You'll have to add slashes etc. to that as YT will not accept links in messages.

[aaronsande]

Mario del Monaco spoke in an interview about what is required to sing Neapolitan songs properly...the intensity and passion that must never let up, singing with all your power from beginning to end. I can think of no better tenor than Caruso to embody those concepts! Bravo!

[tomfroekjaer]

@aaronsande: Interesting. Maybe del Monaco actually described Caruso's way of singing them - it being the standard created by him

[aaronsande]

@tomfroekjaer Possibly. At first, I thought he was speaking generally, but he might have had Caruso in mind. Most tenors do =D

[tomfroekjaer]

@aaronsande: I'm sure he spoke generally - but possibly having Caruso in mind (just my idea....). I think he also says that it is more difficult to sing Neapolitan songs than arias ?

[aaronsande]

@tomfroekjaer I believe that is how he begins the statement: that Neapolitan songs are more difficult to sing than arias, yes.

[tomfroekjaer]

@aaronsande: yes, he does mention that these songs are quite difficult to sing.

...But please don't pay too much attention to my comments. I'm quite biased when it comes to Caruso - just fixed ideas (making others wrong/I'm always right, etc.)....

[irina4447]

luxury !!!!

[Aetion]

Thanks, Tom, it's wonderful. I can't but second to Roberta's and LordMgls's comments. Who is singing “la provenza il mar” at the end? Is it sort of an offer? "Who listens to Caruso's two songs, gets an extra aria for free"? :-)

Not necessary actually, since the songs are magnificent!

[tomfroekjaer]

@Aetion: are you sure you didn't have Verdi running in another window? I've listen through a few times and can't hear "la provenza il mar" - but it would have been funny indeed :-)

[Aetion]

@tomfroekjaer Dear Tom,

I am so sorry. Probably you are right. Verdi must have come from some other window.

[tomfroekjaer]

@Aetion: well, your joke WAS funny :-)

[Aetion]

@tomfroekjaer Thanks for your understanding, Dear Tom. The only thing I can't still understand is why Verdi came in through … the window like a thief. Wasn’t there any door? :)

[tomfroekjaer]

@Aetion: maybe you had Verdi running in an other instance (window) of your browser (Internet Explorer ?). That would account for it (two instances of Internet Explorer playing at the same time and the Verdi aria just coming to the end ...).

[Aetion]

@tomfroekjaer Yes, Tom, I obviously had another window open at the same time and Mr. Verdi came uninvited though. He should behave himself !!

Mange tak for din bekymring. Næste gang jeg vil lukke vinduerne.

[racheleleeba]

A million thanks, Tom. For me, Caruso's Santa Lucia has always been my favorite song. I've listened to it to alleviate anxiety, sadness, etc. He never fails to soothe by taking me away to the radiant, temperate Mediterranean.

[tomfroekjaer]

@racheleleeba: what a wonderful comment, Roberta ! Thank you! Don't really know what else to say than he has the same effect on me - and of course in this song he REALLY sings from the HEART (not that he otherwise doesn't, but here he for sure does...).

[LordMgls]

Noone could sing Santa Lucia like Caruso. The way how he sung is just....WOW It is very neapolitan - very popular -, but still, religious and prayer. Even Elvis sung it imitating Lanza, who wonderfully had done it after Caruso.

And then comes Core 'ngrato - one of my neapolitan favourites. For me, the eternal version. Just phenomenal. Outstanding. Damn these copyrights who forced Macciboma to remove the original post.

Which remasterations are these? Santa Lucia sounds wonderful!

[tomfroekjaer]

@LordMgls: I actually don't know exactly when these restorations were done, but I think sometime in the 1930ies. They are very close to the original 78's.

Copyrights: every time I upload a Caruso recording, I immediately get an automatic message from YT saying that this maybe the copyright of Sonic Records/ Warner Brothers, etc. But recordings done before 1920 cannot be copyrighted and Caruso did not record anything after 1920, so I guess I'm quite safe ....