Enrico Caruso - Ah, la paterna mano (Macbeth) 1916 - O hell-kite!

[tomfroekjaer]

Thank you very much for helping to keep the legendary voice of Caruso alive ! Great transfer !!

[lechimenta]

O figli, o figlio miei! Da quel tiranno tutti uccisi voi foste, e insiem con voi la madre sventurata! Ah, fra gli artigli di quel tigre Io lasciai la madre e i figli? Ah, la paterna mano non vi fu scudo, o cari, Dai perfidi sicari che a morte vi ferîr! E me fuggiasco, occulto voi chiamavate invano Coll'ultimo singulto, coll'ultio respir. Ah! trammi al tiranno in faccia, Signore, e s'ei mi sfugge Possa a colui le braccia del tuo perdono aprir.

[ciroalb3]

Caruso had something else that few if any tenors had, that ability to swell a note. Listeners often mentioned this. It is so characteristic of his style, who else has the vocal reserve?

[BelSoggiorno]

@ciroalb3

Thank you for the comment.

Yes – le brac _ _ _ cia  – Caruso tended to attack his high notes like that, he would cover the note at first and then open it up later.

Regards, B.

[meltzerboy]

While the eminent critic William J. Henderson thought Jean de Reszke the greater artist, he could not deny Caruso's having the greater voice. And Herman Klein flatly stated that Caruso was the greatest tenor he had ever heard. The nobility of tone, color, legato phrasing, and style place Caruso in the forefront of all recorded singers. Even at this latter stage of his career, his vocal attributes are striking. Thanks for posting!

[meltzerboy]

@meltzerboy Further, when Robert Merrill was asked which singer inspired him and which he enjoyed listening to, he unhesitatingly named Caruso rather than a former legendary baritone.

[CurzonRoad]

@meltzerboy

There are moments here, as in certain other Caruso recordings when, some nine years before electrical reproduction, the still all-acoustic process sounds very close, almost eerily intimate. This very wonderful recording confirms that Caruso's voice was well suited to the otherwise primitive system. Thank you BelSoggiorno for posting, and thank you Nate for sharing!

[BelSoggiorno]

@CurzonRoad

Thank you for the comment and information. I'm pleased you enjoyed the recording. It has become a favorite of mine.

Regards, B.

[BelSoggiorno]

@meltzerboy

So glad you enjoyed this recording. And thank you for all the kind comments and encouragement.

Regards, B.