In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Enrico Caruso

Born: 1873. Died: 1921. Lived in: Italy

Enrico Caruso (February 25, 1873 - August 2, 1921) was an Italian tenor. He sang to great acclaim at the major opera houses of Europe and North and South America, appearing in a wide variety of roles from the Italian and French repertoires that ranged from the lyric to the dramatic. Caruso also made approximately 290 commercially released recordings from 1902 to 1920.

Caruso was the first recording star in history, who sold more than a million records with his 1902 recording of 'Vesti le gubba' from 'Pagliacci' (Clowns) by 'Leoncavallo'. His voice had a combination of the full baritone-like character with the smooth and brilliant tenor qualities. His range was broadened into baritone at the expense of the higher tenor notes, Caruso never sang the high C, and often transposed in order to avoid it. He was a master of interpretation, having a rare gift of portamento and legato, and a superior command of phrasing. His legendary 1904 Victor recording of 'Una furtiva lagrima', by Gaetano Donizetti is used in many film soundtracks.

Enrico Caruso : Voices of the Opera Series

Enrico Caruso rose from a childhood of poverty in Naples to become the first great tenor and superstar of the recorded era. His fearlessly pure, lyric vocalism and heartfelt acting still come through, even on the scratchy old recordings. This collection of arias and songs associated with the tenor includes an interesting biography, an article about his artistry, and notes on the signature Caruso interpretation of each aria, followed by standard vocal/piano editions of all the arias. This collection affords a careful musical consideration of a legendary artist.

Songlist: 'A vucchella (Tosti), Addio, fiorito asil from MADAMA BUTTERFLY (Puccini), Amor ti vieta from FEDORA (Giordano), Celeste Aida from AIDA (Verdi), Che gelida manina from LA BOH?ME (Puccini), Cielo e mar! from LA GIONCONDA (Ponchielli), Core 'ngrato (Cardillo), Dai campi, dai prati from MEFISTOFELE (Boito), E lucevan le stelle from TOSCA (Puccini), Ideale (Tosti), L'alba sep?ra dalla luce l'ombra (Tosti), La donna e mobile from RIGOLETTO (Verdi), Santa Lucia (Cottrau), Una furtiva lagrima from L'ELISIR D'AMORE (Donizetti), Vesti la giubba from I PAGLIACCI (Leoncavallo)