(Rare!) Francesco Tamagno & Unknown Baritone - 'Si Pel Ciel' from 'Otello' (1903 Unissued)

Very Rare, and historically invaluable record. Francesco Tamagno and unidentified baritone singer (possibly an amateur, some suggests the tenor's brother Giovanni) sings the famous duet, 'Si Pel Ciel' from Verdi's "Otello". It is very interesting as Tamagno had created the title role for "Otello", and although his voice surely past his prime, he still sounds magnificient.

The recording itself doesn't sound so well, as the original metal stamper is deteriorated after 106 years, and the vinyl pressing is certainly not the perfect match for those 'archaic' recordings.

The recording was never released nor ever known to any collectors before 2006, when the Historic Masters pressed a vinyl copy of the record as a part of their Tamagno release. I don't have the record, but fortunately, I know a Japanese collector who has the whole set, and he kindly allowed me to post the recording on YouTube. So, enjoy the voices from 106 years ago!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Francesco
• Tamagno
• Unknown
• Baritone
• Si
• Pel
• Ciel
• Otello
• Verdi
• 1903
• Unissued
• 78rpm
• Phonograph
• Gramophone

[gerardbedecarter]

Thanks for uploading this!

[mrrk]

sounds as if the running speed is too fast. By the time Tamagno made his recordings his top notes had gone and the famous recordings were transposed down.

[gmmix]

How wonderful that this recording was preserved for posterity. Thanks for this posting.

[qklq42]

Do I hear the nervous timbre and the great voice of Pasquale Amato ?

Hans NL

[vivalamusicavieja]

While the original master is not in good condition, recording sounds very good, I think the pressing in vinyl sounds better than the shellac, since being a softer material captures better the waves from the metallic master. Sorry for mi english. Greetings.

[edosalp]

Mr, Japanese Collector, all the human beings are so gratefull for that !!!!!

[ezev8logos]

es increible poder escuchar la voz que eligio el propio verdi para este rol.

uno puede ver el gusto que tenía el maestro

[CosmoPrimo1]

The baritone could not be Scotti, as he was performing in La Fille du Regiment in NY on 7 February 1903, and in Ernani in Philadelphia on the 10th, the time-frame when this (and most of the others) was recorded at Tamagno's villa in Italy. The baritone in the recording does not sound completely comfortable with what he is singing, so I am inclined to agree that it was Francesco's brother, Giovanni (who, apparently, arranged the sessions with G&T).

[josemuso1]

@nickditoro .Definitely not Scotti, but what an invaliable jewel this is, many tks for posting it!

[nickditoro]

The baritone reminds of Antonio Scotti. Iago was in his repertory, and he was recording in 1903.