Alessandro BONCI "Cielo e mar" - Victor talking machine

Bel canto tenor Alessandro Bonci (1870-1940) sings "Cielo e mar" ("Heaven and Ocean) from Ponchielli's opera LA GIOCONDA on 12-inch tri-color-label Columbia # A6479. Bonci was born and died near Rimini. After study in Pesaro, he made his debut in Parma in 1896. The following year he was engaged to sing at La Scala, where he made his debut in Bellini's I PURITANI. In the early years of the twentieth century he was regarded as CARUSO'S ONLY SERIOUS RIVAL, excelling in roles demanding lightness, agility, and ELEGANCE, rather than the heavier and more dramatic parts. After some appearances at Covent Garden, he scored a great success in New York in 1906, singing in I Puritani at the opening of Oscar Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera House on 34th Street. For the next three seasons he transferred his activities to the Metropolitan where he sang 14 different roles in 65 performances.
He served in the Italian Air Force in World War I. Immediately thereafter, he returned to the Met in 1918-1920--and then appeared at the Chicago Opera for the 1920-1921 season. From then on, he performed only occasionally. After 1925, Bonci entered partial retirement, devoting himself primarily to teaching in Milan; he died in Viterbo in 1940. In the older repertory, he excelled by virtue of the sweetness of his tone and the finish of his phrasing. THE TALKING MACHINE seen in the video is a Victor 2, purchased around 1906.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• gmmix
• Bonci
• Columbia
• Ponchielli
• Gioconda
• Victor
• talking
• machine
• bel
• canto
• opera

[meltzerboy]

As you state, Bonci had an elegant tenor voice, eminently suited for the older, bel canto repertoire. Caruso was trained in the bel canto tradition, but his singing became more powerful and strenuous as he adapted to the verismo style. I would say, among Italian tenors, Bonci's style resembles that of Anselmi. Schipa's and Gigli's tenore di grazia were of a later generation, and Schipa's singing was preferred to Bonci's by Galli-Curci (herself part of a later generation of bel canto stylists).

[gmmix]

Significant commentary. Thank you for this.

[hobo197]

its funny how acoustics give u a better impression of the voice than cds!

[gmmix]

There's a great fullness apparent on the actual

disc. Comparing Ponselle's electric Casta Diva

played on an Orthophonic Credenza as opposed to the CD version is an eye-opener.

[BMessemer]

Thank you for introducing me to this fantastic voice!

[gmmix]

Thanks for your feedback. This is what YouTube does best. I've been introduced to many such gems and significant entertainers within the last several months.

[Cantormatis]

I love his mustache, as well as the voice. 

[malamutet]

Il grande Bonci era nato a Cesena e non a Rimini. Grazie per questi video.

[quakercub]

I agree 100%!

[edisonphonographs]

Is that the same victor 2 that you bought for a dollar?

Thanks

[meltzerboy]

You're very welcome. I think changes in singing styles and what generates them is an interesting study, not only for historical purposes, but also for revealing opera (and music, in general) as a dynamic, evolving means of expression, which is not stagnant.

[aulavocal]

ele está mostrando o dedo do meio? O_o

[JussiTM23]

Would be so kind as to post this recording?

[tHEnOOSEsWING]

I enjoy your videos, particularly the tenors. I look forward to more of your great historical 78's and your wonderful video footage content. Thank you gmmix.