"Lucia—Sextette (Chi Mi Frena—What Restrains Me?)"

[GermanOperaSinger]

All great voices but Caruso just sails over the rest of them. Nice sound, although the decorations in the room might interfere slightly with the acoustics?

[fuzzbear6240]

GermanOperaSinger, Thank you for watching. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I don't know about the lamps and other furnishings, but the curtains I have seem to help the sound of the VV-X. It is a small room for a Victrola.

Regards, J.

[AuthenticFeirce]

Really. I think Galli Curci voice really keeps up with him and mathces him excellently

[jucameron]

Reply to Braindame: Amelita had no children. In 1908 she married the Marchese Luigi Curci. They divorced in 1920 and she then married Homer Samuels, her accompanist. They remained together, based in Los Angeles, till his death. She died a couple of days after JFK was assassinated. At the time I was a student at Pomona College a few miles from where she lived but such was the fuss that her death went unnoticed in the local media. My father, a great fan of hers, wrote me about it from Scotland.

[rexxcarz]

I have been an "Amelita admirer" since I was a kid listening with my mom to her Caruso records in the 60's. Hear Amelita at her best when she sings "Una Voce Poca Fa" - the real test of a soprano. I really like Tetrazzini and Melba also. What a pleasure it would have been to have seen them live!

[jucameron]

This is my favourite version with that brilliant coloratura soprano Amelita Galli-Curci. As with Farrar, Callas and Moffa, her voice could not take the strain of a long career.But here at her prime in 1916, it was truly fabulous.

[fuzzbear6240]

Jucameron, (Sorry for the delay in responding.) Thank you for the comment and information. I'm pleased you enjoyed the recording. It has become a favorite of mine.

Regards, J.

[moldyapples]

Very cool, thanks for posting! I just picked up a nice copy of this today at Goodwill for 99 cents!

[fuzzbear6240]

Moldyapples, Congrats! It's a wonderful recording, enjoy it. This is on of my favorites. Thanks for the kind words. Regards, J.

[gypsycafe]

can someone let me know what the lyrics are to this aria

[comey717]

Very great recording. Though i can't understand how so many singers can stand around the horn to sing in the sextet is very unclear to me. how did they have space for all of them. Anyways i like the fresh sound it has How galli curci tones are produced. How sweet it sounds and they are comfortable and arent trying to undo each other. Lovely Record and in great shape. Sincerely Comey717

[fuzzbear6240]

Comey717, It was often a very large horn, I believe. Thank you for your very kind words. Regards, J.

[Braindame]

When I was a child and heard this recording my father told me the story ( maybe true? ) that the day she sang this with Caruso and Schippa, etc. She was told prior to entering the stage that she had lost both her husband and her son in the war.

True or not, this is the best Lucia Sexted I have ever heard.

Thanks for transporting me to my childhood!

Braindame

[fuzzbear6240]

Braindame, Fascinating story. I wonder if it's true. I'll have to ask around and see if anyone else ever heard that. It is a superb recording-one of the favorites in my humble collection. Glad you enjoyed it. Regards, J.

[comey717]

I dont think galli curci never had children.

[fuzzbear6240]

Comey717, A quick search appears to agree with you that the story is apocryphal. Thank you. Regards, J.

[khakis31]

I, too, have a Victor Red Label of the great Galli-Curci singing the sextet. I first heard it as a child and asked my Father who the soprano was and he told me about her. Even then I recognized the unique purity of her voice, devoid of distracting overtones. What a tragedy that recording equipment was so poor when she was at her zenith. The Victrola's heavy head will eventually ruin your recording, so I hope that you usually play it on a modern turntable. Thank-you for posting.

[fuzzbear6240]

Khakis31, I'm very glad you enjoyed the recording. It is a wonderful disc. A re-built 'Sound-Box' on a properly lubricated and leveled Victor machine used in conjunction with a new steel or fibre needle for every play will not appreciably harm a pre 1930's shellac disc. I think modern playback often deadens and introduces more hiss into acoustic recordings. I thank you for your concern-it shows you care about these old recordings-as I do. And thank you for the kind comment. Regards, J.

[mariagalvany]

wow they all sound great definitly galli curci though i cant hear the mezzo soprano .thank you very much for this is the best sextet around . do u have any more of galli curci

[fuzzbear6240]

Mariagalvany, I'm actually not much into Opera-but it's growing on me. I think I may have one or two other Galli-Curcis around. ;-) I'll see what I can come up with. So glad you enjoyed this one. Thank you for the kind words.

Regards, J.

[comey717]

wow i notice that galli curci can keep up with caruso and not let him drown her out since she was a song bird coloratura and could easily be outsung anyways this is the best lucia sextet ever thnxs for the upload

[fuzzbear6240]

Comey717, 'So glad you enjoyed it. It is truly an amazing recording. It is one of my most cherished discs. A wonderful gift from a friend. Regards, J.

[gmmix]

I agree with the comments above; it's a fine rendition, and we thank you for posting it.

Few records exist with Bada, and even fewer with Egener. Wonder how many opera buffs out there know their first names without going to a reference source...

[fuzzbear6240]

Gmmix, I'm very glad you enjoyed it. I sadly admit to have no idea who they are. But! At least I know I like them! Thank you for all the kind comments and encouragement. YF, J.

[gmmix]

What adds to the pleasure of hearing this is the great sound you've obtained from an obviously near-mint original and a superior Victrola. TRIVIA: Both Bada and Egener are all but unknown today but both had long careers at the Met...EGENER---1904, 1905, 1914 to 1933...and...BADA---1908 to 1938. Bada made a few cylinders; I don't think Egener made any solo recordings. That they appeared on Victor's most expensive disc tell us something!

[fuzzbear6240]

Gmmix, Thank you for the compliment. My little VV-X isn't exactly mint but it's well loved and cared for. This is a very clean record. A gift from a mutual friend. Those certainly seem very long careers from the little bits of music history I've picked up so far. YF, J.

[meltzerboy]

What splendid singing from all, especially Caruso and Galli-Curci! This is my favorite version of the sextet, bar none. One can hear why the eminent voice teacher Duval claimed that Galli-Curci, of all the lighter sopranos including Melba, Sembrich, Tetrazzini, and even Patti--all of whom he had heard in performance--had the best vocal emission and style. That first high note Galli-Curci sings is so freely emitted from the throat. And Caruso, even past his prime, is as incomparable as ever.

[fuzzbear6240]

Meltzerboy, I prefer this version over RS 10001 which I also have posted. I'm not educated in music appreciation, so I can't tell you why, but I agree-there's something ineffably pure about this recording. So glad you enjoyed it. Regards, J.

[zciweslab]

now THAT'S entertainment!

[fuzzbear6240]

Zciweslab, So glad you enjoyed it. I prefer this to Red Seal 10001. I can't tell you why, but something in this recording moves me. This is an amazing recording. YF, J.