MADAME EMMA EAMES AND SIGNOR DE GOGORZA DON GIOVANNI

[SENAFOREVER]

I don't care wether you could skate on the Nil or not, I think we have almost noone having Emma Eames maestria nowodays. Bravi and and thanks for sharing.

[AulicExclusiva]

A lovely, very "Victorian concert"-style performance, particularly Gogorza's famous legato. So much nicer than today's aluminum-plated "authentic" trash.

Eames was an American born in China. She was 'madame' in the operatic sense only. Emilio de Gogorza was a Spaniard born in Brooklyn. Why "Signor"?

[meltzerboy]

I read that Eames--as opposed to Melba--was an "ungrateful" Marchesi student. (Melba gave no credit to her previous teacher.) Do you know any more about this? Regardless, she has a beautiful tone and superior technique. Her voice has little vibrato and is somewhat cool, as was, reportedly, her acting; but not her personal life. I like her recording of Schubert's "Gretchen am spinnrade" in particular, except for the last note.

I suppose the title of "Signor" counterbalances that of "Madame."

[AulicExclusiva]

Eames did have a falling out with Marchesi, perhaps because she was never a good exemplar of the Marchesi method. A dark and somewhat heavy voice tempted her into singing spinto rôles like Elsa, Aïda, Santuzza and Tosca. The result is that she lost the easy, floating Marchesi touch. Her voice operated rather within a corset, especially up on top. She had a fine voice and left some great records, but she sounds past her prime on most of them.

[omtara]

Interesting to hear their tempo choices as well -- thanks!

[otterhouse]

Some very interesting example of 19th century "goat" vibrato... Thanks for uploading!

Rolf

[merrihew]

I found out recently that her early records were recorded at quite a bit less than 78.26 rpm. Playing at the correct speeds dramatically reduces that effect.