Did Caruso really sound like this? (Donna non vidi mai)

[MrCafiero]

Well, Rosa Ponselle said he could have passed as a dramatic baritone and no one would have known. Tom, I am not sure if you have the book by Favia-Artsay where she documented the correct speed at which all Caruso records were recorded, but if you don't you should get it. When you play them back at the right speed his voice is much heavier.

[Ruffiello]

What someone called "drags his notes" is actually known as portamento when moving downward, or portere la voce when moving from a lower note to a higher one. It was a fundamental part of legato singing in Italian music, not a flaw. It could be overdone, however.

[tomfroekjaer]

@Ruffiello Thanks for your well-founded clarification of "drags his notes". Makes perfect sense to me. I uploaded this, but I don't know much about singing at all. I just experience it. - And it sounds good to me. Full of emotion and life (despite it having been recorded more than a century ago).

[adamsgirlfriend1]

@tomfroekjaer -- My feeling here is that, not having been around at the turn of the last century, we can't possibly know how opera was performed. Recording itself was in its infancy, so some of what you're hearing can be blamed on technical issues. And again, as I said elsewhere, it's impossible to compare Caruso and Pavarotti -- a dramatic tenor and a lyric.

[retroflow44]

But Pavarotti also had the benefit of being recorded on modern equipment that Caruso did not. Caruso was dead before the actual use of electric recording in studios, let alone magnetic or digital. Electric was developed near the end of his life but not available until the latter 1920s. Meaning that any "restoration" or re-master is still going to be limited to the technology with which it was recorded and cannot really re-create what a live audience heard from Caruso.

[Fanucci34]

Comparing this guy to anyone is impossible since wax recordings aren't necessarily worth a crap. Bet he was a shite sight better in person.

[gauss2005]

Caruso, Gigli, and Bjoerling are the greatest tenors. They represent the best of the best for tenors.

[PlanetHellDj]

@gauss2005 don't forget Pertile

[Docdogs1]

Well firstly, Caruso is not a "clean" singer - he drags his notes and vibrato is not consistent. Some notes lack somewhat in pitch-tone - that is, it doesn't sound like 'singing' - partly shouting.

Secondly, Pavarotti has far more all-around USE of his voice than almost any other tenor I know: head notes that go into the sound board of the upper cranium, purer softer tones when needed - probably batter than the great bulk of celebrated tenors and of course sheer power when needed

[tomfroekjaer]

@Docdogs1 Honestly, why don't you just comment on Pavarotti ? He's the tenor of your liking, so why not just stick to making nice comments on Pavarotti uploads?

Caruso was not Pavarotti and should not be compared to him.

[Docdogs1]

@tomfroekjaer Yes; but one ever-tires of people just acting out tradition!!

That is, "Oh ... Caruso - you mean 'the Greatest'!!"Lol!!

Rubbish like that! Each of these guys are Unbeatable in their elements. Caruso could never achieve a Pavarotti - Pav covers the wide spectrum, plus his diction and his phrasing of the musical lines are virtually unsurpassed. Bjorling has his own Brilliance - much of it goes well beyond Caruso. Caruso does his things that the others can't do so well & many oth

[tomfroekjaer]

@Docdogs1 I think one should just accept that others have another opinions than oneself. Art is subjective. It's like what do you prefer? Strawberries or peaches?

[Docdogs1]

@tomfroekjaer Exactly what I was saying: Yes.

It can be determined by how one is affected by the vocal depth and power of a performer, whether one prefers a more 'musical' voice / rendition, whether one prefers a faster vibrato, or more sincerity of delivery, etc. etc.

Each of these Greats are unsurpassable in their own element - and appreciation of those elements depends entirely on what moves one person differently from another :)

[tomfroekjaer]

@Docdogs1 Yes, I think you said it. It's one's own emotional response that is important. The opinion of others is irrelevant.

[outtaker]

@Docdogs1 Let the dead rest in peace. Both worked hard. Both sang beautifully. Even though I dislike Pavarotti's voice, I know his singing spoke to others. Clearly both men were successes unparalleled. Acknowledge this and move in.

[Docdogs1]

@outtaker I'm sure if you read ALL my comments, you would see I have said much the same.

What i was originally objecting to was just more of the 'same' - pomp tradition and ceremony on Caruso being the greatest ... as more and more of us are beginning to realize, he may have been the greatest IF one is to measure his performance from certain aspects, but if one is to measure greatness from other aspects of music and the human being as a whole, others showed their superiority :)

[outtaker]

@Docdogs1 He was a marvel. His voice was proof, and while none ought make the boast that he was the greatest ever, none dared to say he was less than great. One cannot be subjective on the art of singing, that "each to his own"...singing is nothing less than the meeting of souls, for man, when e'er he honestly sings, is sending emotional messages...A man's personality goes into his singing. Also, the gift of voice is just that. We are given raw materials to work on. Caruso great instrument!

[qklq42]

@Docdogs1

Its just a pity that you compare singers and weigh them against each other. I only listen to all this thousant various voices from 1898 up till now and I enjoy their different artistry and taste. You cant compare the grande Caruso (with his voice like a golden church-organ) with the voice of the great Pavarotti (with his voice like a radieux silver trumpet.)

Hans NL

[Docdogs1]

@qklq42 Well Hans, I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking ur comments are quite some uneducated nonsense!! ... just a lot of Pomp ;)

[Docdogs1]

@qklq42 Hans, I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking your comments are somewhat uneducated Drivel!! ... just a lot of Fluff and Pomp!

[qklq42]

@Docdogs1

You are not the only one ? Where are the others ?

Hans NL

[Docdogs1]

@qklq42 Give it time ... and give it Place

You will discover the big wide world ;)

[SQUIRTHUNTER2]

@Docdogs1 Pavarotti was a lyric tenor, Caruso was a spinto tenor. They are not comparable

[qklq42]

@Docdogs1

Mon cher. You are infatuate to Pavarotti. It must be possible to open your ears for other singers. At least give it a try, and perhaps you can enjoy the music of thousands of other singers. It will enrich your life.

Your very best friend,

Hans NL

[jeffray1944]

Dahoodo DE babcha with the coochie coo in the background in that order

[rubestuh]

The voice sounds awfully dark for Caruso in 1909. But it's a great voice.

[GravitasEntoForte]

Bravo Caruso !! This is a spectacular of an early recording !!

Thankyou for uploading =)

[valdengo1]

...shocking and stunning...sounds like it was recorded in 2011.......

[Tenoroso1]

I think part of it is the strides they were making in recording technology at the time.

[ajamoros]

All I can say is WOW!

[Bjorlingmiracle]

Yes!! Now I can see why Jussi Bjorling modelled his renditions on a blend of Caruso and Gigli.

[tomfroekjaer]

@Bjorlingmiracle Yeah - they are the REAL three tenors, Caruso, Gigli, Björling, aren't they?

Caruso, of course, was the founder of the modern tenor.

[Bjorlingmiracle]

@tomfroekjaer

If Caruso indeed sounded like he does in this reconstruction, then yes I would say he was one of them. Gigli because of his mannerisms, is not really to my taste . If you insist on 3 tenors I would say Björling, Caruso and Di Stefano, in that order

[tomfroekjaer]

@Bjorlingmiracle For me it's Caruso, Björling and Gigli - in that order. All subjective, of course.

[Bjorlingmiracle]

@tomfroekjaer

Yes of course. How very lucky though that there seems to be at least one Tenor for every heart to enjoy.

[sheers123]

@Bjorlingmiracle Fore me,Gigli the greatest,his technique was faboules.

[Bjorlingmiracle]

@sheers123

You're right about his technique, and I respect your opinion, but to me all the sobbing and sighing in his performance, disturbs my experience; so much so that I can't truly appreciate the beauty of his voice.

[FabDN41]

@Bjorlingmiracle You are exaggerating things, and too much fixated in going around promoting JB directly and indirectly. Are you an YT vigilante?

[Bjorlingmiracle]

@FabDN41

Maybe I am but that's how I feel about. If that's exaggerated then so be it. No vigilantism here.

[FabDN41]

@Bjorlingmiracle And that is the way I feel too when I criticize Bjorling. But you and “Suffes” (and that maybe you under another name) come after me in a nasty way. So, now you are here debasing, without having been provoked, Gigli. YOU ARE JUST A VIGILANTE FANATICAL TROLL.

[Bjorlingmiracle]

@FabDN41

To each his own. I'm actually glad that most of the great Tenors, and make no mistake I do admit the greatness of Gigli, his voice especially in his youth was even to me one of the greatest. After all he was one of JB's 2 idols and who am I to question the judgment of MY idol. It's not my intention to debase anyone, nor am I seeking a quarrel. It's just that the singing of JB speaks directly to MY soul just as, I'm sure, others feel about Caruso or Gigli and the rest of the greats.

[voicemad]

Well, even if this is a technically "jazzed-up" version of the original, I still think it's very exciting.

[tomfroekjaer]

@voicemad Yes, it is "jazzed-up or speeded up", I'm sure.

The true voice of Enrico Caruso could not be captured by the primitive recording technique of the time.

But I think it was even more beautiful than what we hear here.

[voicemad]

@tomfroekjaer. I think the time is soon coming when the tecnicians can digitalise a pre-electric of say Ponselle and then her electric and many other singers who spanned both recording eras and then with a computer programme produce what might have been a Caruso electric. I live in hope. Thank you for your reply.

Brian

[Aetion]

@tomfroekjaer Exactly, we will never hear the real voice of this giant. I still remember my late Austrian German teacher telling me (she had heard Caruso live), that one could feel the vibration of his voice with the top of the fingers on the arm of the armchair! And the voice was beautiful, absolutely ravishing.

[tomfroekjaer]

@Aetion Thanks! Love live reports. Someone sent me an e-mail recently, quote:

"I am by now 72 years old. My grandfather told me about Caruso. That he heard him live in the Metropolitan Opera as Radames. That he could not sleep after that for some nights. That he decided to see and hear him again in that role because he thought to have dreamt. So he went to hear him once more. And that overwhelming experience lasted all his live."

[TXCrafts1]

this must be a master copy, no pressed duplicate would ever sound like this!!!

[Nello7]

It's a technique and delivery system that no one has been able to replicate since. Perfect chiaro scuro balance. The stillare is omnipresent and supple. Viva Caruso!

[SQUIRTHUNTER2]

The sound of the voice of Enrico Caruso is incredible

[wattever333]

could it be a digital hybrid? a transformation, a filter.

[jussi2100]

Thank you for posting and promoting recordings by Caruso! Every recording is like a singing lesson.

[The99Gambo]

All three Super Greats: Caruso, Gigli and Bjorling, have tremendous versions of this. Wonderful posting. Thank you

[Turandotopera]

Hi, all you opera lovers, have you ever heard Miguel Fleta ?. I don't know if there is a recording of him singing Donna non vidi mai, if anyone has one please, post it.

Please don't forget other great tenors since Caruso, just to mention a few: Di Stefano,

Del Monaco, Tucker, Massini, Giacomini, Aragall. Kraus, Gedda. Remember the MET's Renato Des Grieux was Richard Tucker

[MsRuthes]

I have a recurring dream. I am walking down the street when the heavens open & the whole world can hear Caruso singing "O' Paradiso." It is an incredible dream & it almost came true hearing this recording. Thanks so much for posting.

[SHICOFF1]

Imagine this in perfect modern sound? This is great sound for the time, especially his top stands out. Listen to that Squillo on top! The Fans of Caruso have a right to yell BRAVO!

[SHICOFF1]

Wonderful, really thrilling!

[voicemad]

I've heard the different enhancements over the years from the 30s orchestra dubbed-over to other attempts at bringing Caruso's voice nearer to us. This is astonishing and beautiful. I wonder what the engineers will be able to do in ten years time. I can say that I prefer this kind of recording to the scratchy 78s which were so uneven and where the artist had to move back and forward to suit keep the sound balanced. I apologise to the lovers of the original authentic 78s

[madisonelectronic]

I first bought some of the early 33 1/3 Lps with one of the new (1970s) voice restorations of Caruso recordings. Did they or anyone else ever play modern recordings of an artist into an original recording device and then attempt a restoration?

[voicemad]

@madisonelectronic This is an idea I've thought of many times. I think that some day quite soon the engineers will be able to completely restore the old artists by, as you suggested, doing the whole thing in reverse and using some kind of "comparative" method. This must be possible digitally

[edmicca]

My grandfather handpainted cars for a living in New York City. He painted Caruso's car and for payment he asked for two tickets to hear the master sing, one for himself, one for my grandmother.

[Kievest]

A brighter sound than I am used to with Caruso, but in it one can hear every nuance

and shading of this truly magical and emotionally expressive performance. No

detail or brilliant, touching turn of phrase is in the shadows. A great and powerful

statement to Heaven and the human heart! Thank you for posting and to ditogam

for sharing! Stupendous singing!

[tomfroekjaer]

@Kievest: we'll never really know how he really sounded live, Candace, But I know that the audience of the MET and other places, did not buy tickets for the next opera, but for the next performance of Enrico Caruso. I think he was just magic live, giving himself and his soul each time he performed. Each time for the audience a spiritual experience.

[Cojorbas06]

Evidentemente, nunca podremos saber realmente como sonaba Caruso, puesto que habría que oírle en el teatro. Pero en sus grabaciones, pienso que se a un artita, alguien que toma una pieza musical y la hace suya, dejando una versión personal e inigualable.

We never know how caruso voice sound, because we could not hear him live in stage, but we know that he was a great artist on his recordings.

[Cojorbas06]

Evidentemente, nunca podremos saber realmente como sonaba Caruso, puesto que habría que oírle en el teatro. Pero en sus grabaciones, pienso que se a un artita, alguien que toma una pieza musical y la hace suya, dejando una versión personal e inigualable.

We never know how caruso voice sound, but we know that he was a great artist on his recordings.

[BostonRimini]

Thank you for this recording. It is incredible, beautiful

[alber6161]

Sumptuos rendition..as always...

[bodiloto]

SUBLIME!!!!INEGUAGLIABILE!!!!!­IMMORTALE!!!

[ezev8logos]

es increible lo parecido que suena pavarotti, es casi la misma voz, casi la misma tecnica

[31operafan]

Um, someone must've messed with the recording speed. It's the same 1913 recording, but it's just sped up a tad.

[mauriciomille]

no one beats caruso...Nor pavarotti!

[RudySunseeker]

This track obviously presents a technically jazzed up Enrico Caruso, the tenor we know and love. Unfortunately it gets to be too much at times, destroying the beauty of his voice. Still, with all due accolade to the great singers Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras, the real Three Tenors remain Caruso, Gigli and Björling IMO. By the way, if you like, listen to Jussi Björling´s "Donna non vidi mai" from the 1960 Gothenburg concert just weeks before he died. I trust you won´t be disappointed.

[tomfroekjaer]

@RudySunseeker - for me too, Caruso, Gigli and Björling are the "Real Three Tenors." Just listened to Björling's 1960 recording: absolutely breathtaking!

[bradybraidz]

@tomfroekjaer Yes! They really are - no doubt in my mind!

[The99Gambo]

Yes Rudy, there have been absolutely terrific and gifted tenors who thrilled many audiences. These include Pavarotti, Corelli, Tauber and a dozen or so others of equal merit. Wonderful talent all. Giants indeed. But three stand out as 'Super Greats', the very rarest of rare talents: Caruso, Gigli and Björling. But even with Jussi Bjorling - the latest of the three, Victoria de Angles cautions us. Bjorling's voice, she note, was much more beautiful than the recordings he left.

[ydracomagusy]

This man was a master unto the art of being a tenor almost in a way a martial artist is. Let me explain. I'm a tenor and as a tenor we have to spend many years searching for the right placement for approaching these high notes. We listen to recordings and study them and follow the approach much like learning some complicated moves by step. However this man, like a true master, had no "approach." It is simply always there. This is true mastery of the tenor voice.

[Jextxadore]

This is one of the most powerful versions I've heard, albeit one of the most metallic. I guess the cleaned-up versions they put on CDs remove a lot of treble, which is a shame, because it makes it sound way too muted.

[yeahhhme]

beautiful. i think in real it sounded much warmer and of course less metalic. but we cant recover that sound from that prehistorical tapes ever i guess.

[tomfroekjaer]

I'm sure, Bernardoo, that he sounded much warmer in reality ... and giving all of his heart and soul. I guess that's why he has become such a legend.

[FISTRIG]

@yeahhhme THERE WERE NO "PREHISTORICAL TAPES" ALL ALL ALL OF CARUSO'S RECORDINGS WERE "DIRECT TO CYLINDER" OR "DIRECT TO DISC" THERE WERE NO MICROPHONES AND NO "ELECTRONIC" RECORDINGS UNTIL THE EARLY 1920'S. THAT IS WHY THERE WERE SEVERAL "TAKES" FOR MOST OF HIS RECORDINGS. THERE WAS NO WAY TO "CORRECT" A GIVEN RECORDING. EACH "TAKE" HAD TO BE ACCEPTED OR REJECTED ON ITS OWN MERITS, THEN THE CHOSE TAKE WAS USED TO MAKE THE MASTERS FOR PRESSING DUPLICATES AND THE OTHER "TAKES" DESTROYED

[AmhranaiAlainn]

The closeness of Caruso as Alain has expressed in other posts could also be a factor as to the different recording levels. Yes, perhaps the ardency of expression has caused the slightest push here or there, not enough to lose the sense of the phrase but to dampen the natural resonance of the voice on some words or even part of a word. If you could imagine standing a silk thread upright on the palm of your hand. That is how delicate the balance of the natural voice is. Then I think of McCormack.

[AmhranaiAlainn]

Bravo Enrico. I agree with others in this post about some points. Yes these days hype can make someone rich in even a few years until the game is up. Domingo, though, is really an insult to the art of singing. I have to say this, but he is either off his rocker or a slave to money. He will be making a 'world first' by singing a baritone role. Maybe he WILL pop something. Nature dictates your fach and to reveal ones true vocal beauty is to obey nature.

This man will never know it.

[cryozo]

Ahhh...... Beautiful.

[alainwilliam]

I may be make a mistake but there is just one recording of donna non vidi mai first recor number V 1087135 DATE FEB 1913 -at the harp Régis Rossini

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, I think you are right, Alain. I haven't been able to find any other Caruso recordings of Donna non vidi mai. Tom

[GermanOperaSinger]

This is the February 1913 recording of course, as Tom pointed out, there was no 1909 recording.

[CanadaPisces]

A wonderful Caruso recording! TY Tom!

[aaronsande]

Excellent recording quality! I've never heard Caruso like this...Incredible!

[VinylToVideo]

If you expect a 'caressing' rendition I think you're looking in the wrong place. Try Mingo (where's the Do?) if you can handle no high notes and a squeezed monochramatic voice with unclear diction; typical of many Spanish tenors. I on the other hand will stick with with the real tenors. Next on the playlist: Richard Tucker.

[tomfroekjaer]

No thanks, VinylToVideo :-) I'd much rather listen to the power of Caruso and Tucker - I was just trying to be understanding .... (with lpvcrcd).

[VinylToVideo]

Good I'm glad there's still a few around with taste!

[lpvcrcd]

We were commenting that Caruso didn't attempt this as smoothly as he could have,maybe holding back a littlle,. concentrating on the legato. His 1916 Pearl Fishers recording more of an example[I always like that recording] As far as Domingo goes ,he is a knowledgable musician but vocally you are as accurate as most in describing him. Host of tenors have been overlooked vocally by many new to vocal art, partly due to the hype/press many modern tenors receive,obscuring others from the past.

[GermanOperaSinger]

Caruso's legato may have been slightly compromised because of his ardent vocal delivery, but there is no doubt of his ability to sing beautiful legato, take his 1904 'Una furtiva' with piano for example, one of my favorite Caruso recordings for beauty. Domingo on the other hand is always running out of air and gasping with his terrible support and abominable breath control, and so his legato is even worse and he can't even do it right. Listen to his horrible rendition of this aria and you'll see

[GermanOperaSinger]

I tried to explain it logically on the Domingo post and some of his fanatics just flamed me, it's hard to reason with stupid Domingo fanatics, and you know they're stupid going in already as Domingo is their favorite tenor! Every time the man sings above a high G he sounds like he's popping a hemorrhoid, but that's another story. For beauty or 'caress' in this particular aria we can listen to Gigli's.

[lpvcrcd]

I never thought this was one his better recordings Instead of caressing it [which he could have done] he sings it like a Verdi tenor trying to sing over a chorus of 50 I guess he figured this is what the public expected And with that enormous voice it took effort singing the legato arias. He got to the top notes [this one included] asquickly as anybody About as thrilling an attack from one note to the next as you will hear when he explodes to the high A [or is that a B Flat?]

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, lpvcrcd. You're right about that. He could have easily carressed it, but I guess the public at the time demanded to hear the power of his voice. Caruso was an uneducated man, but with a good sense for business. - Still his voice was exceptional - even in these wanting recordings.

[CurzonRoad]

Although this is certainly an "electrical re-creation" like those made in the 1930s with added symphony orchestra, (which so-called purists object to), not finding this particular 1913 recording in "The Caruso Edition; The Complete Electrical Re-Creations" issued by Pearl. Is the speed perhaps just a tad fast? In any case very interesting & most enjoyable. THANK YOU!

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, Doug , this is certainly an "electrical re-creation" and I also think it is too fast. - So many attempts to recreate the power and spirit of that voice! Alas, we won't ever make it, even with our current technology. Regarding the quality/impact/spiritual communication of Caruso we'll just have to rely on the statements of (now all deceased) people who actually heard him sing live...

But we DO have these recordings that (at least for me) sends one to a world of beauty and simplicity.

[CurzonRoad]

You have earlier mentioned a Time Machine? Perhaps some day we may actually perform this magic, but until then as you say we DO have these very real treasures! THANK YOU!

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes ! Give us that Time Machine ! And let us experience that almost illiterate Neapolitan in all his glory !

And you are very welcome and thanks for reading all my "ravings" !

[lpvcrcd]

Tom. Seems to be in same key as the Gigli video[ to the right ] Often acoustic recordings seem slightly off because flutter crept into many of these performances [ i.e. speed never truly constant as we know today ].Obviously due to the recording systems used.Taking flawed first generation recordings and making copies from that cannot improve the performance.May degrade it.You can try cleaning up but you can't make something state of the art from rust. As you say Tom, "lucky to have these"

[rmm413c]

Caruso certainly did have a very powerful voice. I've read accounts of him singing to huge, huge crowds outside (including in bullrings) and still being heard. I'd like to see a current day opera singer try that without amplification (OK, maybe Guleghina could do it...).

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, rmm413c, he must certainly have had a very powerful voice. When recording with other singers he had to stand back not to overwhelm the others. For me personally it is not so much the power of the voice, but the emotion he conveys, that impresses me.

[rmm413c]

Tom, I agree. It's the emotion and intensity of his singing that most draws me to his voice. However, the power of the voice can often heighten the intensity of the performance, in my opinion. At any rate, it's too bad that he didn't live into the electrical recording era so that we could have better quality recordings of his singing. What a tragedy that he didn't live longer.

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, rmm413c. No doubt the power of a voice heightens the intensity of the performance - it also makes it seem effortless. I guess what I really meant to say was that the emotion carried and amplified by the power of the voice is what really get me about Caruso. Sorry for not being more specific.

And, yes, such a shame that he didn't live long enough to enter the electrical recording era (his illness, some claim (if not cancer...), may have been cured by penicillin.

[tenorenchanted]

OMG! Amazing....the thing about Caruso, that no other singer has done for me, is when I listen to his voice it takes me back a century ago and images come up in my mind like I've lived before...Thank you caruso...the Greatest Voice Ever!!!!!

[tomfroekjaer]

This is exactly what happens to me too!

...And maybe we did live then :-)

[tenorenchanted]

It gives me such an adrenalin rush when I hear this video...! By far unmatchable...he sounds like God casted onto earth one of His highest Vocal Angels. It sounds really supreme! Thank You!

[tomfroekjaer]

You can hear it and feel it and thus you - with your voice - have what it takes to become a great opera tenor yourself.

[65attila]

tomfroekjaer

To this day, it is hard to believe that a sound such as Caruso's exist- on primitive recordings, stereo recordings DDD etc.

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, John. Even these poor recordings tell the story of a voice that has not been paralled since. Like whim of Nature....

[65attila]

tomfroekjaer

-------------

Even with 50% of the overtones lost, Caruso's voice has got more than anyone else.

JOHN

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, John, I agree with you. I like that you just state it as you think (Caruso's voice has got more than anyone else) :-)

For me Caruso is also the ultimate tenor. He had everything: empathy, technique, power and the most important: the ability to touch the very soul of people who heard him sing. - Like the soprano Geraldine Farrar who writes in her biography that she, the first time she stood on stage with Caruso, couldnt sing as she had broken into tears from the beauty of his voice. - Tom

[billyguns2]

I once interviewed a 100 year ol lady who regularly went to the Saturday afternoon MET performances when she was young; she said that Caruso was a class apart from all the singers she ever heard, that his sound was overwhelming and beautiful beyond compare. The records can give us only a pale idea of what that phenomenon was, but this upload is the best Caruso document I've heard next to his L'AFRICANA cabaletta recording.

[tomfroekjaer]

Thanks, billyguns2, for your (hi)story of your interview of the lady who actually heard Caruso sing live. And yes, one sort of has to imagine how he really sounded....

[tomkellycartoons]

Beautiful! I feel like I'm in the room! When I get very quiet, Caruso just calls me to himself. When you get that E Lucevan le stelle, could you share it with me, too?

Or post it? :) :) :) ;) :):)

[tomfroekjaer]

...Catching up. Yes, I've uploaded it (click on my username).

[ShawDAMAN]

This is indeed one of the best recordings of him I've heard, it almost sounds different! Really great, the power comes through wonderfully.

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, it has more depth than other restorations - seems closer to how he sounded

Only his voice was, as GermanOperaSinger mentions, probably somewhat darker.

[65attila]

When my grandfather who had luckily heard Caruso livefirst heard ithe best recordings of Caryso at the time @1950s- he said they did Caruso no justice. Maybe this would be better.

[tomfroekjaer]

Imaging having a grandfather who heard Caruso live .... lucky you! - I'm sure this recording is a bit better than other recordings. I've heard, but still about 50% of the overtones are lost.

[Pawelp]

Damn listening for the 5th time or so.. this is even better than that E Lucevan I have.. I'm sure he sounded like this. What a beautiful and rich timbre... so gorgeous.

[tomfroekjaer]

Yeah, I think it's pretty close to how he really sounded.

Except that the technique at the time of course was incapable of capturing the full range of overtones and nuances.

[migocefire]

Q grande...

[Pawelp]

I have a e lucevan le stelle that is also much better restored, his squillo is amazing

[tomfroekjaer]

Could you post it, Pawelp? Would be great!

[Pawelp]

I'm a bit out of time ...can I e-mail it to you? And you can post it.. just credit me, hahaha

[tomfroekjaer]

Certainly! I'll give you e-mail shortly.

[GermanOperaSinger]

The last Bb on this one is about the closest I have ever heard his voice resemble the firsthand descriptions. Infinite colors of beauty and passion just blossom from his throat, and the power, yet ease of the sound production! Skip to 2:04 and hear what I mean! Now perhaps imagine that sound with even more squillo and power and perhaps we get a sense of what the sound was like live. Even so with this recording Caruso still beats all other tenors who have sung this role, or the aria at least!

[GermanOperaSinger]

One more thing I forgot to add is that the real Caruso most likely sounded darker than this also. But with a little bit of imagination and relatively good records like this one, we can almost 'hear' the true Caruso sound in our heads! Just imagining the voice, a powerful sense of emotion grips my soul!

[tomfroekjaer]

I know exactly what you mean. I must have listened to this about 15 times with tears in my eyes. Surrealistic in its beauty....

[amalek80]

He certainly sounds a lot clearer than normal in this recording, and regardless of which date is correct, it's not even a later recording.

[tomfroekjaer]

Yes, I think it's about the best restoration I've heard till now.