"Agnus Dei" by Georges Bizet sung by Enrico Caruso

[missgreeneyes56]

This is the only thing I've heard that shows off Caruso's voice. Fabulous! He sings with so much feeling and power. Note that the accompianist is completely with him.

He was a superstar then;just imagine him with modern recordings. The best *of bel canto, that it,(

[Amiduffer]

@missgreeneyes56 According to a biographer, he would wear out accompianists because of his perfectionism. He was fabulous.

[DJ2entertain]

Cassette or not,thank you so much for the effort. I still enjoiy it.

Wish we had then the recording tecnology we have today.

Maybe some comments would be different and more positive.

Caruso will always be dear to me, along with the rest of our great tenors, sopranos etc.

Viva la musica. Viva il bel canto.

[Amiduffer]

@DJ2entertain Yes, we can't imagine how many wonderful voices we've missed because Mr. Edison didn't perfect his recording machine. Caruso and the record seems to have been a match in heaven.

[bsdml]

Comment perusers will discover below a debate on whether Caruso sang this song in tune. What "tat" has failed to take into account, is that small cassette tape players tend to have less than perfect speed consistency, so if there is a note or two that come off as less than pure of pitch, it could very easily be the medium it's being played on, rather than the singer. Also, tat doesn't particularly care for the later Caruso in general.

[operalament]

thanks for the post, but this is very difficult to listen to.

[Amiduffer]

I posted it so as to get help with the titles on the cassette. If others enjoy it, well, thats good too. Can't complain if folks like to hear him, despite the poor quality of the medium. He's great to listen to. Having sung a little, one can appreciate his artistry and longetivity.

[tat1685]

The reason this is rarely heard is because it isn't very good. This is a strained, problem-filled voice. The voice that made him famous can best be heard in early recordings, particularly Leoncavallo's Mattinata with the composer at the piano. There his voice is young, fresh, and in tune. Even 1902 recording techniques can't hide the incredible talent this guy had.

[Amiduffer]

Little that he did is "bad". I would say that at his worst, he still sounds better than most singers in their prime even today. After reading his biography, you have to admire his dedication to his art, right up until the last.

[tat1685]

I didn't say it was "bad." I said it wasn't very good, and it isn't. He sings out of tune. It is, in fact, you who has now stated that he did some things that were "bad." I needn't read any biography to appreciate Mr. Caruso's talent and dedication. I will simply reiterate my point that his earlier recordings were far more indicative of the voice for which he is remembered.

[Amiduffer]

I do know, that in later recordings, he became much more of a perfectionist, and would wear bands out from the many takes that he required to insure that things were done correctly. I've got to listen to others to see if its "out of tune", which I can't imagine Caruso to allow to happen.

[organmaster1969]

Do you have a degree in music may I ask? Because I don't really think you know what you're talking about. There was not one note that was out of tune. I have perfect pitch so I would know.

[tat1685]

What degrees I hold and what you think of my comments are no more relevant than your perfect pitch. In fact, you would have to be nearly tone deaf not to hear how sharp he is at the very climax of the piece.

[organmaster1969]

I have a bachelor's degree in organ performance and music education and a master's degree in music education and graduated at the top of my class...you must be one of those idiots that plays or sings everything flat...you must be a flautist, a horrible singer, or a french horn player..

[tat1685]

Your foppish and insulting comments add nothing to the debate. Mighty words, I might add, coming from an organist who has never had to worry about intonation. Regardless, the guy sings out of tune on this recording. Feel free to continue your insults; don't expect any further response.

[madisonelectronic]

@tat1685 Go back to playing the skinflute.Thank you!

[tat1685]

Yeah, Shakespeare, I'll do that.

[GermanOperaSinger]

No, the reason this is bad is because the cassette is bad, and so is the video. I have the original transfer on both LP and CD and he sounds perfectly in tune singing this. This was recorded on 24 Feb. 1913; he also recorded 'parmi veder' from Rigoletto and 'donna non vidi mai' from Manon Lescaut on that day. He was in perfectly good voice. The quality of the video is poor, and the cassette is probably old and worn out. This is why he sounds bad here. The original transfer of this is excellent.

[Amiduffer]

Thanks for the confirmation. It is indeed an old cassette, bought for 50 cents at a thrift store. No telling how shoddy the dubbing.

[brucemichreb]

Gigli sang this at Carusos wake

[odhal2]

Intro destroy no joy. Caruso chicken version. Still tremendous

[UptownRed]

Agnus Dei - Bizet

[bedeliajo]

Agnus Dei, Qui tolis pecatta mundi misereri nobis

[eblackadder3]

Here is the entire contents of your tape: THE LOST CHORD, YOUR EYES HAVE TOLD ME WHAT I DID NOT KNOW, LOVE IS MINE, A DREAM, SANTA LUCIA, AGNUS DEI. L'ALBA SEPARA DALLA LUCE L'OMBRA, HOSANNA, TARANTELLA SINCERA, A VUCCHELLA, LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR: SEXTET- CHI MI FRENA IN TAL MOMENTO.

[Amiduffer]

Wow!! That is freaking awsome! Thank you very much! How did you know the contents? Do you have the booklet that came with it?

Bizet, huh? Pretty obscure recording.

[eblackadder3]

That is "Agnus Dei" by Bizet.

[lowell775126]

Schubert I beleive

[Amiduffer]

Schubert, wow. I gotta check this out.

[Amiduffer]

I checked out the Schubert versions here on YouTube, and they didn't sound like it. If you can find one, please provide a link.

[lowell775126]

A religious song - Agnus Dei...  What do I win Rod Roddy? hehehehe

[Amiduffer]

Do you have any more info such as the composer?

[kopkitty]

sorry...no idea! lovely song though! :)

[Amiduffer]

Thanks. Theres some smart cookies around here. So I'll probably get an answer soon.