- Published on
I'm delighted to announce that, hot on the heels of its February 2015 release Mario Lanza: Greatest Operatic Recordings, the UK-based company Sepia Records has released two more outstanding Lanza CD compilations. They are: Greatest Operatic Recordings, Volume Two and My Italian Soul, a collection of Neapolitan and Italian songs.
Each disc has been compiled by Armando Cesari, Vincent Di Placido, Lee Ann Cafferata, and yours truly. (Please note, by the way, that none of us has any financial interest in these CDs.) Our goals were to compile the best of Lanza's remaining operatic recordings and create the definitive Lanza Neapolitan/Italian Song collection. Prepare to be impressed by the quality of these discs, each of which includes new-to-CD material and superb artwork.
Vince and I supplied the recordings for the discs, drawing from the best-available vinyl, acetate and reel-to-reel sources. These were then remastered by Sepia's sound engineer, Robin Cherry. Some of the commercial recordings featured here, such as "Dicitencello Vuie" and "L'Alba Separa dalla Luce l'Ombra," actually sound better than ever before. There are also some beautifully restored rarities, including the thrilling Royal Variety Show performance of "E lucevan le stelle" and a recently discovered (alternate) 1945 test recording of "Mattinata." "Agnus Dei" has also never sounded better.
The two CDs are available now for £9.39 each (including international postage) directly from Sepia Records' UK outlet, ProperMusic.com. And for those who prefer the more expensive Amazon option, the CDs are also available from all of its outlets.
Mario Lanza: Greatest Operatic Recordings, Volume Two
Each disc has been compiled by Armando Cesari, Vincent Di Placido, Lee Ann Cafferata, and yours truly. (Please note, by the way, that none of us has any financial interest in these CDs.) Our goals were to compile the best of Lanza's remaining operatic recordings and create the definitive Lanza Neapolitan/Italian Song collection. Prepare to be impressed by the quality of these discs, each of which includes new-to-CD material and superb artwork.
Vince and I supplied the recordings for the discs, drawing from the best-available vinyl, acetate and reel-to-reel sources. These were then remastered by Sepia's sound engineer, Robin Cherry. Some of the commercial recordings featured here, such as "Dicitencello Vuie" and "L'Alba Separa dalla Luce l'Ombra," actually sound better than ever before. There are also some beautifully restored rarities, including the thrilling Royal Variety Show performance of "E lucevan le stelle" and a recently discovered (alternate) 1945 test recording of "Mattinata." "Agnus Dei" has also never sounded better.
The two CDs are available now for £9.39 each (including international postage) directly from Sepia Records' UK outlet, ProperMusic.com. And for those who prefer the more expensive Amazon option, the CDs are also available from all of its outlets.
Mario Lanza: Greatest Operatic Recordings, Volume Two
1. Cilea: L’Arlesiana. Lamento di Federico. Recorded 13 July 1955.
2. Scarlatti: L’honestà negli amori. Già il sole dal Gange. Performed at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 16 January 1958. Constantine Callinicos, pianist.
3. Lanza warming up his voice. Recorded in Rome, September 1958.
4. Verdi: Rigoletto. Questa o quella. Recorded 15 May 1950.
5. Verdi: Rigoletto. Parmi veder le lagrime. Recorded 29 May 1950.
6. Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore. Una furtiva lagrima.Recorded 15 May 1950.
7. Verdi: La traviata. Parigi, o cara. With Frances Yeend, soprano. Performed at the Hollywood Bowl, 28 August 1947.
8. Puccini: La bohème. O soave fanciulla. Details as for track #7.
9. Leoncavallo: La bohème. Testa adorata. Recorded 9 May 1952. Source: radio broadcast acetate.
10. Rimsky-Korsakov: Sadko (adapted Mercer). Song of India. Recorded 17 June 1953.
11. Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana. Bada, Santuzza, schiavo non sono! With Marina Koshetz, soprano. Recorded 17 October 1950.
12. Verdi: Il trovatore. Sconto col sangue mio. With Lucine Amara, soprano. Recorded 19 August 1950.
13. Puccini: Tosca. Qual occhio al mondo. Recorded 13 July 1955.
14. Puccini: Tosca. E lucevan le stelle. Performed at Hollywood Bowl, 28 August 1947.
15. Giordano: Andrea Chénier. Un dì all’azzurro spazio. Details as for #14.
16. Leoncavallo: Pagliacci. Un tal gioco. Details as for #9.
17. Leoncavallo: Pagliacci. Vesti la giubba. Recorded 17 July 1950. Source: RAI broadcast, La Mia Vita per il Canto, 11 October 1959.
18. Verdi: La forza del destino. O tu che in seno agli angeli. Recorded 6 June 1950.
19. Verdi: Aida. Celeste Aida. Recorded 5 May 1949.
20. Verdi: Aida. Gloria all’Egitto. With chorus; Gian Giacomo Guelfi, bass-baritone; and unidentified soloists. Recorded September 1958.
BONUS TRACKS
21. Unknown Aria. Private recording, 22 May 1944. Pianist unknown.
22. Giordano: Madame Sans-Gêne. Questa bocca tua profumata e pura. Home rehearsal, 1952. Pianist Constantine Callinicos.
23. Puccini: Tosca. E lucevan le stelle. Performed at the London Palladium, 18 November 1957. (Royal Variety Show performance)
24. Bizet: Carmen. La fleur que tu m’avais jetée. Recorded 8 April 1950.
25. Ponchielli: La gioconda. Cielo e mar. Recorded 21 March 1952. Original radio broadcast acetate.
2. Scarlatti: L’honestà negli amori. Già il sole dal Gange. Performed at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 16 January 1958. Constantine Callinicos, pianist.
3. Lanza warming up his voice. Recorded in Rome, September 1958.
4. Verdi: Rigoletto. Questa o quella. Recorded 15 May 1950.
5. Verdi: Rigoletto. Parmi veder le lagrime. Recorded 29 May 1950.
6. Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore. Una furtiva lagrima.Recorded 15 May 1950.
7. Verdi: La traviata. Parigi, o cara. With Frances Yeend, soprano. Performed at the Hollywood Bowl, 28 August 1947.
8. Puccini: La bohème. O soave fanciulla. Details as for track #7.
9. Leoncavallo: La bohème. Testa adorata. Recorded 9 May 1952. Source: radio broadcast acetate.
10. Rimsky-Korsakov: Sadko (adapted Mercer). Song of India. Recorded 17 June 1953.
11. Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana. Bada, Santuzza, schiavo non sono! With Marina Koshetz, soprano. Recorded 17 October 1950.
12. Verdi: Il trovatore. Sconto col sangue mio. With Lucine Amara, soprano. Recorded 19 August 1950.
13. Puccini: Tosca. Qual occhio al mondo. Recorded 13 July 1955.
14. Puccini: Tosca. E lucevan le stelle. Performed at Hollywood Bowl, 28 August 1947.
15. Giordano: Andrea Chénier. Un dì all’azzurro spazio. Details as for #14.
16. Leoncavallo: Pagliacci. Un tal gioco. Details as for #9.
17. Leoncavallo: Pagliacci. Vesti la giubba. Recorded 17 July 1950. Source: RAI broadcast, La Mia Vita per il Canto, 11 October 1959.
18. Verdi: La forza del destino. O tu che in seno agli angeli. Recorded 6 June 1950.
19. Verdi: Aida. Celeste Aida. Recorded 5 May 1949.
20. Verdi: Aida. Gloria all’Egitto. With chorus; Gian Giacomo Guelfi, bass-baritone; and unidentified soloists. Recorded September 1958.
BONUS TRACKS
21. Unknown Aria. Private recording, 22 May 1944. Pianist unknown.
22. Giordano: Madame Sans-Gêne. Questa bocca tua profumata e pura. Home rehearsal, 1952. Pianist Constantine Callinicos.
23. Puccini: Tosca. E lucevan le stelle. Performed at the London Palladium, 18 November 1957. (Royal Variety Show performance)
24. Bizet: Carmen. La fleur que tu m’avais jetée. Recorded 8 April 1950.
25. Ponchielli: La gioconda. Cielo e mar. Recorded 21 March 1952. Original radio broadcast acetate.
Mario Lanza: My Italian Soul
1. Mamma Mia, Che Vò Sapé? (Mama, What Do You Want to Know?) (Nutile-Russo)
2. Rimpianto (Regret) (Toselli’s Serenade) (Toselli-Silvestri)
3. ’A Vucchella (Little Mouth) (Tosti-D’Annunzio)
4. Torna a Surriento (Come Back to Sorrento) (E. De Curtis-G. De Curtis)
5. La Danza (The Dance) (Rossini-Pepoli) Introduced by Lanza
6. ’O Sole Mio (My Sunshine) (Di Capua-Capurro)
7. Tu Ca Nun Chiagne! (You Who Do Not Cry!) (De Curtis-Bovio)
8. Santa Lucia Luntana (Santa Lucia Far Away) (Mario)
9. Fenesta Che Lucive (The Window That Used to Shine) (G. Cottrau-Paolella)
10. Dicitencello Vuie (You Tell Her) (Falvo-Fusco)
11. ’O Surdato ’Nnammurato (The Soldier in Love) (Cannio-Califano)
12. Voce ’e Notte (Voice in the Night) (De Curtis-Nicolardi) With RCA Italiana chorus.
13. Canta Pe’ Mme! (Sing for Me!) (De Curtis-Bovio)
14. Comme Facette Mámmeta? (How Did Your Mother Make You?) (Gambardella-Capaldo)
15. ’Na Sera ’e Maggio (One Evening in May) (Cioffi-Pisano)
16. Passione (Passion) (Tagliaferri-Valente-Bovio)
17. Senza Nisciuno (Without Anyone) (De Curtis-Barbieri)
18. Vaghissima Sembianza (Very Vague Semblance) (S. Donaudy-A. Donaudy)
19. Serenata (Serenade) (Bracco-Caruso)
20. Pour un Baiser (For a Kiss) (Tosti-Doncieux) Sung in French.
21. Luna d’Estate (Summer Moon) (Tosti)
22. L’Alba Separa dalla Luce l’Ombra (The Dawn Divides the Darkness from the Light) (Tosti-D’Annunzio)
23. Ideale (Ideal) (Tosti-Errico)
BONUS TRACKS
24. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) (Bizet) Sung in Latin. Live recording
25. Mattinata (Morning) (Leoncavallo) Previously unreleased (newly discovered recording)
Recording information: #1: Recorded May 5, 1949. #2: June 6, 1950. #3: February 23, 1951. #4: June 30, 1955. #5: June 28, 1955. #6: September 1958. #7-16: December 1958. #17-23: June 1959. #24: July 24, 1948. #25: June 1945.
1. Mamma Mia, Che Vò Sapé? (Mama, What Do You Want to Know?) (Nutile-Russo)
2. Rimpianto (Regret) (Toselli’s Serenade) (Toselli-Silvestri)
3. ’A Vucchella (Little Mouth) (Tosti-D’Annunzio)
4. Torna a Surriento (Come Back to Sorrento) (E. De Curtis-G. De Curtis)
5. La Danza (The Dance) (Rossini-Pepoli) Introduced by Lanza
6. ’O Sole Mio (My Sunshine) (Di Capua-Capurro)
7. Tu Ca Nun Chiagne! (You Who Do Not Cry!) (De Curtis-Bovio)
8. Santa Lucia Luntana (Santa Lucia Far Away) (Mario)
9. Fenesta Che Lucive (The Window That Used to Shine) (G. Cottrau-Paolella)
10. Dicitencello Vuie (You Tell Her) (Falvo-Fusco)
11. ’O Surdato ’Nnammurato (The Soldier in Love) (Cannio-Califano)
12. Voce ’e Notte (Voice in the Night) (De Curtis-Nicolardi) With RCA Italiana chorus.
13. Canta Pe’ Mme! (Sing for Me!) (De Curtis-Bovio)
14. Comme Facette Mámmeta? (How Did Your Mother Make You?) (Gambardella-Capaldo)
15. ’Na Sera ’e Maggio (One Evening in May) (Cioffi-Pisano)
16. Passione (Passion) (Tagliaferri-Valente-Bovio)
17. Senza Nisciuno (Without Anyone) (De Curtis-Barbieri)
18. Vaghissima Sembianza (Very Vague Semblance) (S. Donaudy-A. Donaudy)
19. Serenata (Serenade) (Bracco-Caruso)
20. Pour un Baiser (For a Kiss) (Tosti-Doncieux) Sung in French.
21. Luna d’Estate (Summer Moon) (Tosti)
22. L’Alba Separa dalla Luce l’Ombra (The Dawn Divides the Darkness from the Light) (Tosti-D’Annunzio)
23. Ideale (Ideal) (Tosti-Errico)
BONUS TRACKS
24. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) (Bizet) Sung in Latin. Live recording
25. Mattinata (Morning) (Leoncavallo) Previously unreleased (newly discovered recording)
Recording information: #1: Recorded May 5, 1949. #2: June 6, 1950. #3: February 23, 1951. #4: June 30, 1955. #5: June 28, 1955. #6: September 1958. #7-16: December 1958. #17-23: June 1959. #24: July 24, 1948. #25: June 1945.
As far as improvements to the sound are concerned, I would say that, for the most part, these recordings (particularly those drawn from the "Mario!" and "Caruso Favorites" albums) are more warmly reproduced than on existing Sony/BMG CDs. That nice "mahogany" vinyl sound---as Lindsay Perigo described the sonic quality of Sepia's first volume of operatic recordings (released earlier this year). If you like that kind of sound, then you'll appreciate these CDs.
As a bonus, most of the non-commercial recordings on these discs, including the brief Tosca outtake from Serenade, sound better than I've heard them before.
But I think the most important thing about these CDs is that they *consistently* present Mario Lanza in top interpretative form.
Cheers,
Derek
P.S. Armando, Vince, Lee Ann and I do not have any financial involvement with these CDs. These two projects were simply a labour of love for us.
The two new McGovern/Sepia releases are preposterously good. I intended to do my usual track-by-track review, but part-way through Greatest Operatic Recordings Vol. 2 I just threw my pen in the air and decided simply to wallow. It seemed fatuous to be applying mere words to these musical miracles. Especially startling were Una Furtiva Lagrima and Parmi Veder le Lagrime. Yes, we've heard them before a million times on CD and vinyl, but here they have somehow taken on a heart-stopping quality I had hitherto missed. The former is sung quadruple forte throughout, an outrage that, as McGovern observes in his excellent liner notes, would "induce apoplexy in critical circles"—but is no less irresistible for that. Oh to have overheard the discussions in which that approach was settled upon! The explosion of sound on "m'ama" will assuredly induce floods of tears among the susceptible (such as I). The sequel to GOR Vol. 1 is littered with such gems, all mixed up so that without the sleeve listings a listener would have no idea what was coming next. There's even Mario's E Lucevan le Stelle performed before the Queen; its thunderous climax makes one appreciate anew why Her Majesty was moved to proclaim, "Mr. Lanza, I had no idea human lungs were capable of producing such volume!" Yet the inner logic behind the compilation is such that as the last glorious B-flat of Cielo e Mar rings out (the Coke version at last!) one feels one has arrived at the finish line, completing an emotional marathon in which "runner's high" has been constant and overwhelming. I e-mailed Derek to say, "Please, put some clunkers in next time! I can't take all these stunners, one after another!"
The companion release, My Italian Soul, takes one on another such marathon, but the "high" is tinged—nay, drenched—with poignance. Dr. McG, Armando Cesari and Vince di Placido spared no effort or expense in their quest for the very best copies of each and every selection taken from the LPs originally titled Mario! and Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favourites, both from the final chapter in Mario's life. In some cases, accurate speed had to be restored, having been compromised in several official RCA releases. With proper pitch intact and the annoying sandy quality of yore virtually eliminated (extreme compliments again to Sepia's Robin Cherry), a seemingly throw-away item like Luna d'Estate has become a mini-masterpiece, a model of nimbleness of voice and clarity of diction. Tracks many of us already thought were mini-masterpieces have become quite excruciatingly sweet-yet-sad—in Vaghissima and L'Alba, for example, you'd swear Mario was bidding us goodbye and part of him was already in another dimension.
The CDs will be available soon from Amazon, and are already available (at lower price) from sepiarecords.com. Be in quick! They are so good they are immoral. Secure your copies before they are declared illegal!
[http://www.solopassion.com/node/10065#comment-124043]
I'm glad to have stumbled across this site - and delighted to see these new CDs I've got them on my amazon wishlist for next time I'm in the US and could pick them up.
Don't know if you remember, but we had exchanged emails a while ago, 10 years ago (!) on the Mario topic, of course, and on a book I'm writing about tenors. They were good conversations. Yes, still writing it, off and on all this time - life got in the way and upended just about everything. But I'm refocused and working on it full time (retired early from my stressful day job and moved from California to South America).
Would love to reconnect, if you like - presume you can see my email. I'm also on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ either as Martha Hart or ML Hart. Lots of twists and turns in this Book That Won't Let Go Of Me story!
All best,
Martha
There's just one problem: your email address isn't visible at my end. Would you mind dropping me a quick line via the Contact Us form on the "About Us" page? You'll see it in the main menu.
Cheers,
Derek
All of Lanza's recordings are listed in this site's Discography:
http://www.mariolanzatenor.com/discography.html
Felicitaties voor al het mooie werk. Gustave (Belgische M.L.vrienden)