(Rare!) Giacomo Puccini and His Wife Making a Speech (1907)

The Italian composer, Giacomo Puccini, and his wife makes a short speech in Italian.

This is the only known recording of Puccini's voice recorded on February 21st, 1907, shortly before Puccini's departure from New York, where he was also supervising productions of several of his operas at the MET. The composers voice was preserved in this single-sided 78rpm recording entitled "La voce di Puccini" made by the Columbia Phonograph Company (matrix number 1420-1).

Since I don't understand Italian, I don't know what Puccini and his wife want to tell the listeners(except Puccini's remarks of "America Forever!"). Anyone who can understand Italian might help me to understand their words.

(Added 10-04-17)
Here's the translation provided by "1970Frenzy". Many thanks for collaboration.

Puccini says:

I thank, with all my heart, to the distinguished Mr. ? for kind words He said. I am grateful to the beautiful New York audience for the enthusiastic response that they have given to my works. I accept the well wishes for a safe voyage and I finish by yelling: America Forever"!

His wife:
I'm happy for the honours bestowed upon my husband and I want to thank and say goodbye to everyone, especially to the american women that were so kind to us.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Giacomo
• Puccini
• and
• His
• Wife
• Speech
• Recording
• Edison
• Cylinder
• 1907
• Rare
• Material

[postinoboy]

"With all my heart I thank the distinguished Mr. VIAFORA for the kind words and I am really grateful to the general public in New York for enthusiastic reception of my work, I accept the good wishes of the term travel and shouting:" AMERICA FOREVER "! (I translated the Italian words in English using google translator. I am Italian but I know little English, sorry)

[BNCCNL]

how strange they speak italian without tuscan accent.

[gonzalojosevb]

... "Con todo mi corazón doy las gracias al distinguido señor Viafora por las amables palabras pronunciadas. Estoy muy agradecido al público en general en Nueva York por la entusiasta acogida a mis operas Acepto los mejores deseos de viaje y termino gritando: América por siempre! .

[foerster]

penso sia un falso. Anche l'accento di puccini non quadra molto, e il servilismo.

[kosboot]

Giovanni Viafora was a newspaper photographer and cartoonist. He was the compiler of Caruso's published caricatures.

[voltape]

Ringrazio con tutto il cuore l'egregio signor Piazzola? per le gentile parole pronunziate. Sono veramente grato al gran pubblico de New York per le accoglienze tanto entusiastiche che ha fatto alle

Accepto l'augurio del bon viaggio e finisco America Forever.

I am a Peruvian and don't know much Italian, but I have recognized most of what he said.

[archer1949]

Awesome!

Viva Il Maestro!

[MouYijian]

He thanks Mr Viafora, I guess someone who took care of him and his wife during their stay in NY. Viafora is a quite common surname in Southern Italy. Puccini's wife added: "I myself would like to say that I am happy for the honours you bestowed on my husband, and I express my greetings and my warm thanks to everyone, and especially to those kind American ladies who have been so nice to us".

[ipmoic]

Puccini's Italian is impeccable--he could be a radio announcer--what a lovely voice! He says:

" I thank, with all my heart, the the distinguished Mr. ? for his kind words. I am very grateful to the wonderful New York public for the very enthusiastic response that they have given to my works. I accept the well wishes for a safe voyage and I finish by yelling: America Forever"!

It sounds better in Italian.......

[spannerworks1]

i do not speak the lingo but nice to hear hte great man and the misses

Richard ;-D