Puccini speaks.

This is the only known recording of Puccini's voice, recorded February 1907, shortly before his departure from New York, after having worked on several productions of his works there.

"My heartfelt thanks, dear Mr. Viafora, for all your kind words. I am really deeply grateful to the great public of New York for the very enthusiastic welcome they have given my operas. I accept your wishes for a safe journey, and conclude by cheering: America Forever!"

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Puccini
• Italy
• Composer
• America

[sjpbrooklyn]

And, of course, "America Forever" is the exchange between Lt. Pinkerton and the American Consul, Sharpless, in Act I of Madama Butterfly.

[chainstoking]

@sjpbrooklyn

Thank you, I did not know that.

[in15ter]

Grazie . . .

[Barbapippo]

@largolegato Ohhh, what a witty reply.... after all, one could not expect any better from someone capable of such idiotic and racist an equation as Puccini=Italian=Mafia...

[largolegato]

@Barbapippo "look like" is better than "really are", like you

[Barbapippo]

@largolegato and you look like an idiot...

[seriousfuno]

Que rifon!

[largolegato]

He looks like godfather~~~ :)))

[VoceCorale]

@VoceCorale I would like to end by pointing out what some of the comments have already said: Puccini's way of speaking here is very emphatic, it's a speech, it's not Italians' normal way of speaking.

[VoceCorale]

@VoceCorale And here's my translation (I hope it's not that bad):

"I would like to thank with all my heart the distinguished Mr. Viafora for his kind words. I am really grateful to New York's great audience for its enthusiastical reception of my operas. I accept your wish of bon voyage and end by saying aloud: America forever!"