Selections recorded 1908-1919.
Enrico Caruso is still considered the most famous operatic tenor of the 20th century. He was certainly the highest paid, and most adored singer of his time. In this fascinating recording, remastered, of course, from 78 rpms, Caruso is showcased in a series of short excerpts.
The power and beauty of his voice is evident even in these very early recordings. Spanning from 1908 through 1919, the disc captures Caruso in concert with other famous singers of the day, including Guiseppe de Luca, Luisa Tetrazzini, Geraldine Farrar, and Amelita Galli-Curci. Walter B. Rogers, Josep Pasternack, and Gaetano Sconamiglio conduct.
There are some unusual, rarely heard selections by Antonio Gomes and Friedrich Flotow, for example, as well as excerpts from the standard repertory. All in all, this is a fine compilation, a "blast from the past," as it were, that gives the listener much pleasure.