Thank heavens for the existence of this recording, your kindness in posting it, for Craxton's marvelous accompaniment, and for Melba's still-lovely voice.
Thanks for this precious posting but canI suggest you never play that record with that old heavy head and stylus. Please find a modern, lightweight electronic pick up. The record is too valuable!
See my posting "In defense of an orthophonic". This record is not that rare and is in less than perfect condition, otherwise I would have played it "Modern". When I post rare or mint records I use modern equipment.
There is a 1/2 hour interview with Blainey on the web about the book . Thanks for the tip. I just ordered it. In the US, the title is "The Marvelous Melba".
There are 8 LaBoheme excerpts from a 1926 live performance. She made 2 commercial electric discs: Clair de Lune; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (the 2 that I have on 78); Un Ange Est Venu and Dita Alla Giovine frpom Traviata. I have them all on LP.
Hi pax41! This is a revelation for me. Just as I thought, no choirboy/foghorn effect on this one. She still had a beautiful pure voice, even at the age of 65. Thanks for the info, and thanks merrihew for posting. If either of you have any more electronic Melba recordings I should love to hear them.
Rodger, I think out of the three versions this is still my favorite. The pianist on this one is the best out of the three. Thanks again for sharing this.
There is another post of this same recording on YT. I think it must not be from the original 78. The piano tones are much brighter on your recording and even the voice. It sounds good but this one is still better.
My favourite mélodie recording, bar none. The unique character of Melba's voice, her absolutely individual phrasing, related to the way she breathes, everything is wonderful and unrepeatable.
I can't stop listening to this piece Roger! I don't care about her aging voice, it is still done with great care and the piece is so beautiful. Is there an early recording done by her on this piece?
That haunting, floating, nearly vibrato-less line is so beautiful. It's almost hypnotic, and was very typical of the era. I for one miss it. (I'll probably make somebody mad saying this), but after the Italian verismo screaming started, roughly in the 40's and 50's, it was addio per sempre to that kind of floated sound. Any soprano singing at 65 today is likely to have vibrato so wide it is a wobble, just from the intense, dark, high volume singing that has become the operatic norm.
I am so happy that I could find this version sung and not the Debussy. I sung this in school and loved it ever since, and she sounds heavenly... I cannot compare.
I've read that the electrics were unpublished test pressings. Other early Golden Age singers made a few electrics: Garden, Ruffo, Stracciari, Schumann-Heink, de Gogorza, Galli-Curci (as late as 1936), Louise Homer...
this so beautiful and timeless, i havent hered this song sung like this in such a long time ... thnak you for posting it
iice123 9 months ago
How beautiful and limpid her voice was. The celebrated Singers of today at 30 should sound so good
SusanSusaw 1 year ago
Nothing beats schellak.
suzettegm 1 year ago
Thank heavens for the existence of this recording, your kindness in posting it, for Craxton's marvelous accompaniment, and for Melba's still-lovely voice.
Noshirm 2 years ago 2
Che meraviglia il tutto caro Gianluca . Inutile aggiungere di più . Ti auguro una buona domenica ..
Walter
Pugacevv 2 years ago
Thanks for this precious posting but canI suggest you never play that record with that old heavy head and stylus. Please find a modern, lightweight electronic pick up. The record is too valuable!
ttellerx 2 years ago
See my posting "In defense of an orthophonic". This record is not that rare and is in less than perfect condition, otherwise I would have played it "Modern". When I post rare or mint records I use modern equipment.
merrihew 2 years ago
oh my gosh! i never heard of her and listening to such a sweet voice is bliss! she has power and tenderness and clarity. thanks for posting!
hangout2007 2 years ago
Thank you for this little treasure one can hear at 65 that she was indeed one of the greatest singers of all time.
I am Melba by Ann Blainey is an excellent biography just released and well worth reading.
Thank you
expatmartin 2 years ago
There is a 1/2 hour interview with Blainey on the web about the book . Thanks for the tip. I just ordered it. In the US, the title is "The Marvelous Melba".
merrihew 2 years ago
Roger did she make any other electrics? If so, do you have them?
pax41 2 years ago
There are 8 LaBoheme excerpts from a 1926 live performance. She made 2 commercial electric discs: Clair de Lune; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (the 2 that I have on 78); Un Ange Est Venu and Dita Alla Giovine frpom Traviata. I have them all on LP.
merrihew 2 years ago
I had someone post a comment on my video and told them you had at least one. You might want to post the Swing Low, would like to hear it. Thanks
pax41 2 years ago
Hi pax41! This is a revelation for me. Just as I thought, no choirboy/foghorn effect on this one. She still had a beautiful pure voice, even at the age of 65. Thanks for the info, and thanks merrihew for posting. If either of you have any more electronic Melba recordings I should love to hear them.
dinastein44 2 years ago
Merrihew said she recorded Swing Low, Sweet Chariot on an electric.
pax41 2 years ago
Rodger, I think out of the three versions this is still my favorite. The pianist on this one is the best out of the three. Thanks again for sharing this.
pax41 3 years ago
I agree
merrihew 3 years ago
There is another post of this same recording on YT. I think it must not be from the original 78. The piano tones are much brighter on your recording and even the voice. It sounds good but this one is still better.
pax41 3 years ago
My favourite mélodie recording, bar none. The unique character of Melba's voice, her absolutely individual phrasing, related to the way she breathes, everything is wonderful and unrepeatable.
AulicExclusiva 3 years ago
I can't stop listening to this piece Roger! I don't care about her aging voice, it is still done with great care and the piece is so beautiful. Is there an early recording done by her on this piece?
pax41 3 years ago
Do you have another version of this with the vocal by a female? I would be interested in hearing it.
pax41 3 years ago
That haunting, floating, nearly vibrato-less line is so beautiful. It's almost hypnotic, and was very typical of the era. I for one miss it. (I'll probably make somebody mad saying this), but after the Italian verismo screaming started, roughly in the 40's and 50's, it was addio per sempre to that kind of floated sound. Any soprano singing at 65 today is likely to have vibrato so wide it is a wobble, just from the intense, dark, high volume singing that has become the operatic norm.
stefakamelpash 3 years ago
Even singers in their 20's and 30's are developing a wobble. Listen to my recent posting of Sara Scuderi at age 87. NO WOBBLE.
merrihew 3 years ago
No signs of ageing, some of the most intune singing I've heard from those old soprano recordings from turn of the century, absolutely lovely.
agnellodei 3 years ago
Gorgeous!
rjw0886 3 years ago
Nellie Melba's voice is as enchanting as a Siren's.
bjnboy 4 years ago
melba's voice is a classic!
ryoko79 4 years ago
I am so happy that I could find this version sung and not the Debussy. I sung this in school and loved it ever since, and she sounds heavenly... I cannot compare.
nic2001pounds 4 years ago
Beautiful!
dahnbi 4 years ago
I'll be singing this piece in a month...thanks so much for posting...it's really cool to hear a legend like Melba essay this mélodie.
KaminaOne 4 years ago
This is impressive!
kspm01 4 years ago
She made 2 electric discs in 1926 and her farewell concert in England in 1926 was recorded electrically.
merrihew 4 years ago
I've read that the electrics were unpublished test pressings. Other early Golden Age singers made a few electrics: Garden, Ruffo, Stracciari, Schumann-Heink, de Gogorza, Galli-Curci (as late as 1936), Louise Homer...
merrihew 4 years ago
Wow...Superb!
transformingArt 4 years ago
what a treat! thank you.
zciweslab 4 years ago