La Donna E Mobile - 8 versions (Part 1 - 1st 4)

In two parts, I'm posting eight versions of La Donna E Mobile from Verdi's Rigoletto. Last year, I posted the Caruso version and its been viewed over 250,000 times with 239 comments. None of the other 500 or so postings I've done comes anywhere close - even other Caruso recordings. A mystery to me. Anyway here are eight pre-War versions. On this posting I'll list them all with their individual times and recording info. I'll comment on them on the 2nd Part. Sorry about the rough start on the Fleta but it begins again and is complete. My camera has been acting up.

1. Jussi Bjoerling-HMV('37) 2:07
(1911-1960)
2. Giacomo Lauri-Volpe-HMV('33) 2:37
(1892-1979)
3. Giov. Martinelli-Victor('27) 2:13
(1885-1969)
4. Miguel Fleta-HMV('24) 2:36
(1897-1938)
5 Flor. Constantino-Col.('09) 2:33
(1869-1919)
6. Tito Schipa-Victor('25) 2:00
(1888-1965)
7. Benamino Gigli-HMV('34) 2:07
(1890-1957)
8. Enrico Caruso-Victor('08) 2:12
(1873-1921)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bjoerling
• Lauri-Volpe
• Martinelli
• Fleta
• Verdi
• Rigoletto

[mazzone1]

You sure you have the speed right for the Lauri-Volpi? The pitch seems to change during the record.

[merrihew]

Yes, I noticed that too but the turntable was spinning at a constant speed. I played it several times with the same result. Since this is an electric, I assumed 78.26 rpm.

[mabuo16]

It seems Lauri Volpi's disc is played a semi tone lower. Thus his sustained notes sound wobbling too. I really do not think he sang semi tone transferred down because he could sing high c'''s early 50s too. All in all, the turntable turns a bit slower so even Bjorling sounds say 1/4 tone lower...

[pgalvi87]

i dont think your needle is weighted correctly

[pippomelodrammatico]

Beside the speed problems and the pitch changing during the record, i think that this is the hmv version of 1942

[AulicExclusiva]

1) Bjœrling, golden-toned and about as seductive as a high school geography teacher. He goes up on the words.

2)Something wrong with the Lauri Volpi reproduction. Off-center pressing?

3)Martinelli, as usual a bit strangulated but full of poise and charisma. Perfect enunciation, really aristocratic. I love this.

4) Fleta obviously cared less what the words are saying. He rattles it all off as though it were a s-l-o-w sports march. But I love the wacko flamenco cadenza at the end. Olé!

[kmillard]

Fleta truly was awesome and was chosen by Toscanini to be the first Calaf in Turandot. Too bad few people have heard of him partly due to his relatively short life.

[ElPiconeroalCognac]

If Lauri-Volpi recorded this in '33, he would have been 41. He sounds a lot older than 41 here.

[ElPiconeroalCognac]

Bjorling's voice in his 30s to Lauri-Volpi's in his 70s? :D

[transformingArt]

Wow! This is the most interesting posting I have ever seen in your channel. Thank you for million times for this!