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ANTONIO PAOLI - "Di quella pira" - Trovatore (Verdi) - gmmix
Tenore Robusto ANTONIO PAOLI (1871-1946) sings "Di quella pira" from Verdi's Il Trovatore on an early G & T 78 rpm disc # 025170. Paoli, who was a giant of a man, had one of the MOST POWERFUL voices of any tenor---EVER! All his recordings demonstrate that he sang with enomous passion. Paoli was known as "The King of Tenors." He is considered the first Puerto Rican to reach international fame in the musical arts. He very much wanted to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City but was prevented from appearing by Enrico Caruso who had great influence with the management and board of directors.
http://wn.com/ANTONIO_PAOLI__Di_quella_pira__Trovatore_Verdi__gmmix
ANTONIO PAOLI -- the greatest OTELLO -- "Esultate" tenor - gmmix
Tenore Robusto ANTONIO PAOLI (1871-1946) sings "Esultate," followed by "Ora e per sempre addio" from Verdi's Otello on an early G & T 78 rpm disc # 025172. Paoli, who was a giant of a man, had one of the MOST POWERFUL voices of any tenor---EVER! Known as "The King of Tenors," he is considered the first Puerto Rican to reach international fame in the musical arts. Antonio Paoli was born in Puerto Rico. After the death of his parents at age 12, he went to live with his sister in Spain, herself an established opera singer. Sister Amalia Paoli arranged for him to study voice, whereafter he made his major debut in 1899 at the Paris Opéra, as Arnold in Guillaume Tell. In 1902-1903 he belonged to an opera troupe assembled by Mascagni that toured the USA and Canada. He frequently toured South America and in 1920 spent a season in Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia. He had reat successes through Italy, South America, and the United States. He eventually returned to Puerto Rico to teach. He received an honorary pension from his native Puerto Rico. Antonio Paoli died of cancer in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on August 24, 1946, and was buried in the Puerto Rico Memorial Cementery of Isla Verde. On April 13, 2005 the remains of Paoli and those of his wife Adina Bonimi (who had died in 1978) were transferred to Ponce and buried in the National Pantheon in Ponce by the base of HIS STATUE. His only recordings were for G&T (HMV, Italian Victor) in Milan.
http://wn.com/ANTONIO_PAOLI_-_the_greatest_OTELLO_-_Esultate_tenor__gmmix
coloratura Marta Eggerth at age 90 - Kalman gmmix
Hungarian-born American singer-actress Marta Eggerth has maintained her performing career for over 70 years. Here we hear her sing "Que J'aime Paris." It almost defies belief, hearing her at 90, that she is, indeed, 90 years of age. Unlike most sopranos advanced in years, her upper register remains intact. Obviously, she's not afraid of the "high notes." She starred in over 40 films and recently performed a New York concert in 2007, aged 95. Born as Márta Eggerth on April 17, 1912 in Budapest, she began singing at age 11. Very popular in Europe, she and her husband (who both had Jewish mothers) were forced to flee Europe and settled in the United States. She appeared in MGM films but never achieved the fame she enjoyed in Europe. After her contract was not renewed, she and her husband, Polish actor-singer Jan Kiepura, moved to New York, where they reared two sons. She enjoyed a lengthy run opposite her now-deceased husband in The Merry Widow on Broadway. Eggerth is a whirlwind advocate for operetta, a lighter and more playful form of opera. "In opera, everybody dies. In operetta, everybody is flirtatious", says Eggerth of the art form that peaked in the 1940s but which has always been her signature calling card. A marvelous 2-CD set of Marta Eggerth's recordings, covering the period from 1932 to 2002, can be obtained from Patria Productions, Inc., PO Box 344, Littleton, NH 03561 This set was compiled by MARjan Kiepura, an impressivly talented pianist, who sometimes <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/coloratura_Marta_Eggerth_at_age_90__Kalman_gmmix
DAAB Xylophone - William Tell Fantasie -- Edison cylinder - gmmix
"Lone Ranger Theme Song" (Hi-O, Silver)- William Tell FANTASIE....Xylophone solo by Charles DAAB -- Edison Blue Amberol # 1730. This 4-minute cylinder---a potpourri of melodies from the overture to Rossini's opera, William Tell---is being played on an Edison AMBEROLA model 50, mahogany finish. Do a search for DAAB for more of his musicianship. Also check fuzzbear6240 for his DAAB posting. When xylophonist, pianist, etc., Albert Benzler decided to leave Edison in 1909 over "artistic differences," he recommended that his friend Charles Daab be auditioned for the job. Daab signed an agreement with Edison as a xylophone and bells recording artist on July 2, 1910. He quickly made three xylophone and two bells recordings on Edison two-minute wax cylinders. When Blue Amberol 4-minute cylinders made their debut in 1912, Daab was onboard. He remained with Edison until around 1916.
http://wn.com/DAAB_Xylophone__William_Tell_Fantasie_-_Edison_cylinder__gmmix
coloratura Elvira De Hidalgo -Carneval Espanola- CALLAS tchr - GMMIX
De HIDALGO sings from El Principe Carneval: Cancion Espanola -- by José Serrano, 1873-1941, a Spanish composer of operas and zarzuela. Coloratura soprano Elvira De Hidalgo was born at Valderrobres, Aragona, in 1892 and died in Milan in 1980. As an accomplished pianist, she appeared before the public at age 12. She went on to study singing in Barcelona and then traveled to Milan for vocal study with Raoul Vidal. She made her singing debut in Naples, singing in Barbiere di Siviglia in 1908 when only sixteen years of age. With her incredible agility, silvery sound and vocal extension, she was considered one of the finest coloratura sopranos of her day. She sang in principal opera houses of Europe and at the Met in 1910-191l and again from 1924 to 1926. De Hidalgo was highly acclaimed in Sonnambula, Lucia di Lammermoor, La figlia del reggimento and in Verdi operas, especially Rigoletto. She retired from the stage in 1932 and thereafter devoted herself to teaching. It was when a professor at the Conservatory of Athens that she was the teacher of MARIA CALLAS, her most famous pupil. De Hidalgo had a profound influence on Callas, which explains Maria's early interest in the florid bel canto roles. Elvira De Hidalgo recorded for Fonotipia and Columbia. You are listening to a Columbia disc dating back over 90 years. ALL her original recordings are considered rare.
http://wn.com/coloratura_Elvira_De_Hidalgo_-Carneval_Espanola_CALLAS_tchr__GMMIX
1920's - "Pussy Cat Rag" -- Halfway House Orchestra - gmmix
The New Orleans-based HALFWAY HOUSE ORCHESTRA plays "Pussy Cat Rag" for the Okey record company...recorded in New Orleans on Jan. 22, 1925. This is the first record the Halfway House Orchestra made! "Pussy Cat Rag," by Brunies, Cordilla & Marcour---three of the men in the orchestra, which comprised Albert Brunies, leader and cornet....Joe Loyacano, trumbone....Leon Roppelo, clarinet and alto....Charlie Cordella, clarinet and tenor....Mickie Marcour, piano....Bill Eastwood, banjo....and Leo Adde, drums. The leader of the Halfway House Orchestra is cornetist ALBERT BRUNIES, born 1900, who is seen in the 1910 photo in the video as a the tall kid, in the center, holding his cornet. The little boy to the right is Abbie's brother George who, as an adult, played trombone with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. The Halfway House orchestra recorded for two companies, Columbia and Okey....between 1925 and 1928. The HALFWAY HOUSE was a supper club located at the intersection of City Park Ave. and Pontchartrain Blvd. The club was about mid-way between New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain, thereby accounting for its name. It operated from 1914 to 1930, with ALBERT BRUNIES directing the house band between 1919 and 1928. This cut is from a CD I purchased in New Orleans in 1996. It's probably still available from Jazz Oracle Phonograph Record Co., 25 Queensgrove Rd., Scarborough, Ontario M1N 3A9, Canada.
http://wn.com/1920's__Pussy_Cat_Rag_-_Halfway_House_Orchestra__gmmix
Gloria Jean's CATS - "In and Out CAT SONG" - gmmix
Gloria Jean and her Furry Creatures. QUESTION: Where does a cat want to be? ANSWER: Opposite of where it finds itself! Listen carefully to the words of the "IN and OUT Song." They're really clever--and SO true. Be sure to see the OTHER video of "Gloria Jean's Cats"..."Cat, You Better Come Home." Yep, originally the cats seen in this video were all strays. The black and white Tuxedo cat--with perfectly balanced markings--is "Prancer." He's able to open every door in the house, even the antique ones! He opens, and the others all follow. The vocal rendition on this video is one of 20 found on "Songs of the Cat," a one-CD release by RCA Victor. This particular tune is performed by the popular "Prairie Home Companion" star, Garrison Keillor.
http://wn.com/Gloria_Jean's_CATS__In_and_Out_CAT_SONG__gmmix
DAAB - Xylophone -"Mocking Bird" EDISON BLUE AMBEROL - gmmix
"The Mocking Bird--Fantasia," composed by Winner & Stobbe, is played by xylophone soloist, CHARLES DAAB. The Blue Amberol 4-minute cylinder is # 1514. The phonograph is an Edison AMBEROLA model 50, mahogany finish. Do a search for DAAB for more of his musicianship. Also check fuzzbear6240 for his DAAB posting. When xylophonist, pianist, etc. Albert Benzler decided to leave Edison in 1909, he recommended that his friend Charles Daab be auditioned for the job. Daab signed an agreement with Edison as a xylophone and bells recording artist on July 2, 1910. He quickly made three xylophone and two bells recordings on Edison two-minute wax cylinders. When Blue Amberol 4-minute cylinders made their debut in 1912, Daab was onboard. He remained with Edison until around 1916.
http://wn.com/DAAB__Xylophone_-Mocking_Bird_EDISON_BLUE_AMBEROL__gmmix
Lucretzia Bori "Depuis le jour" (Louise) - Hendel House Victrola - gmmix
"Depuis le jour" from Charpentier's LOUISE, by Lucretzia BORI (1887-1960), is played on a Victor XIV, purchased in 1916 for $150. This Victrola is in the Music Room of the 1877-1897 HENDEL HOUSE at 746 Centre Ave., Reading, PA, one of three buildings owned by the Historical Society of Berks County, founded in 1869. The Society's main headquarters, 940 Centre Ave., has a like-new 1926 Victor Orthophonic Credenza. For more music videos and views of the mansion, type HENDEL HOUSE in the SEARCH box. For a slide show, type Hendel House on Google. This place has one of the few mahogony front-porch decks anywhere around. Charles Hendel, who enlarged and Victorianized the house, was a well-known hat-maker in Reading. His granddaughter, Marjorie Hendel-Perfect bought the house at auction in 2000 and donated it to the Historical Society of Berks County. For record collectors, the disc being played is an early Victor Electric #6561. For a more extensive look at Hendel House, there are 8 more views....if you access: www.berkshistory.org
http://wn.com/Lucretzia_Bori_Depuis_le_jour_Louise__Hendel_House_Victrola__gmmix
soprano LILLIAN BLAUVELT -- Jewel Song (Faust) -- 1905 -- gmmix
For whatever reason, the sound-level at the very beginning of the aria is anemic—but that problem passes quickly and you hear her in all her glory. Even though Blauvelt made 10 Victor recordings of nine different selections, it's somewhat surprising that her Victor discs are rarities. That said, the newest of the lot is 105 years old! Lillian Blauvelt (b. Brooklyn 1873 -- d. Chicago 1947) was as a popular opera singer in New York City in the first decade of the 20th century. Her voice was a lyric soprano with a very pure timbre and dramatic distinction. Her vocal range was from G to D. Lillian was a graduate of the National Conservatory of Music. She sang in concerts in New York City and Brooklyn prior to becoming the soprano of the West Presbyterian Church, 42nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in 1893. In January 1893 she sang the aria for Aida, from Act I, and the duet for Aida and Amneris from Act II, with Mrs. Luckstone-Myers, a contralto. The Sunday concert was held at Music Hall. She performed with the New York Symphony at Carnegie Hall. In the ninth season of Symphony Concerts for Young People,1904, the program was devoted to works by Bizet, Gounod, Verdi, and Richard Wagner. Blauvelt and Edward P. Johnson were soloists with the orchestra conducted by Frank Damrosch. Between Sept. 17, 1903 and Feb. 15, 1906, Blauvelt made 10 Victor records. She recorded the Jewel Song from Faust twice. It's unclear whether the discs were recorded in Philadelphia or <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/soprano_LILLIAN_BLAUVELT_-_Jewel_Song_Faust_-_1905_-_gmmix
1920s ALCOHOLIC BLUES -- Van Eps Banjo Orch. -- Everlasting cylinder 3480 -- Amberola III -- gmmix
"Alcoholic Blues" (Laska & Albert von Tilzer) was recorded c. 1920 by the Everlasting Record Company. This 4-minute unbreakable cylinder is much like an Edison Blue Amberol except that it is black and has no plaster inner core. Many cylinders of this brand play remarkably well. FRED VAN EPS---December 30, 1878 -- November 22, 1960---was a noted banjoist and banjo maker. The "Van Eps Recording Banjo" was a well-known model until 1930. Van Eps was born in Somerville, New Jersey and moved with his family to Plainfield, New Jersey in 1892. He learned to play the banjo and studied the phonograph cylinder recordings of Vess L. Ossman. In 1897 Van Eps was hired by Thomas Edison's National Phonograph Company in West Orange, NJ, working as a regular in studio engagements. Van Eps cylinder recordings, often remakes of Ossman tunes, sold well for Edison. Early ragtime banjo recordings by Van Eps included "A Bunch of Rags" (1900) and "A Ragtime Episode" (1902). He also recorded for a number of other companies, including Columbia (from 1904) and Victor (from 1910). In point of fact, he made recordings for virtually all companies. His group, the Van Eps Trio, recorded steadily from 1912 to 1922. He also led other groups, such as the Van Eps Quartet, the Van Eps Specialty Four, and the Van Eps Banjo Orchestra. In 1914, the latter group was one of the first to record for the American branch of the French Pathé Frères Company. In 1921, Orlando Kellum, inventor of the Photokinema sound-on <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/1920s_ALCOHOLIC_BLUES_-_Van_Eps_Banjo_Orch_-_Everlasting_cylinder_3480_-_Amberola_III_-_gmmix
coloratura CONSUELO ESCOBAR DE CASTRO - "A La Luz De La Luna" - Edison Diamond Disc - gmmix
"A La Luz De La Luna," by Anton, sung in Spanish, is performed by Mexican coloratura soprano Consuelo Escobar de Castro-AND HER HUSBAND, CARLOS CASTRO-- Edison Diamond Disc 76013. Consuelo sings solo on www.youtube.com Despite my best effort, I found little information on the soprano other than what Jesus M. Lopez. a noted record collector, emailed to me in July 2006. He wrote that she was a great opera star more than a Zarzuela singer. In 1919 she performed several operas at the Arena of the Plaza de Toros and the Teatro Esperanza Iris in Mexico. Together with Enrico Caruso, she was a leading singer of the Adolfo Bracale Opera Company. She performed in Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and South America—mostly in opera. Late 1940 she moved to Puerto Rico where she died and was buried. IN CLOSING, all the de Castro Diamond Discs in my collection were purchased new from dealer stocks. The Edison Laboratory Model phonograph playing the record also was bought new, in the crate, many years ago. Can ANYONE provide birth and death dates....or any other biographical information? NOT INCIDENTALLY, I know absolutely nothing about Consuelo's husband, Carlos. ALSO, for what it's worth, I purchased this Edison phonograph "new, in the crate," many years ago. HEAR CONSUELO SING A SOLO on another video: www.youtube.com
http://wn.com/coloratura_CONSUELO_ESCOBAR_DE_CASTRO__A_La_Luz_De_La_Luna__Edison_Diamond_Disc__gmmix
accordionist ANTHONY MONDE of Reading, PA Williamsport REPASZ BAND MARCH Edison Disc gmmix
ANTHONY MONDE plays Repasz Band March, on Edison Diamond Disc 51617, a 1901 composition on the disc-label credited to Chas. Sweeley, but the web-site of the Repasz Band of Williamsport (PA) states that perhaps Harry J. Lincoln was the creator. ( Access: www.lycoming.org ) Incidentally, Monde was well acquainted with John Hazel, the Repasz Band's director from 1907 to 1941, in earlier years a cornet wizard who appeared on Edison cylinders and at least one Zonophone disc. In any event, this recording was given to me by Mr. Monde, who also recorded for Columbia and Harmony---and made numerous fine home recordings in his studio on N. 4th St., Reading. Monde was a real eccentric and interesting in the extreme. MANY stories can be told about him, and as time permits, I'll add to this commentary. His age was a tightly kept secret—-to the extent that it wasn't given in his obit and does not appear on his tombstone—in the Schwarzwald Church Cemetery, along the Oley Turnpike in Exeter Twp., Berks County, PA. His wife commented that few knew how old he was. She smiled when telling me that he was decidedly older than she when they married, but he fibbed for so long that by the time he died, he was younger than she! Monde was born in Reading in 1903 and died locally in 1983. He invented his famous organette accordion, the likeness of which appears on his tombstone. Not incidentally, he wanted to be buried with his instrument. Undertaker Lutz tried every which way to honor the request <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/accordionist_ANTHONY_MONDE_of_Reading,_PA_Williamsport_REPASZ_BAND_MARCH_Edison_Disc_gmmix
Castrato ALESSANDRO MORESCHI - "Oremus Pro" - played on a Victor V - gmmix
Male soprano ALESSANDRO MORESCHI sings "Oremus Pro Pontefice" by Calzanera, as recorded for British Gramophone & Typewriter Co. and recorded in the Sistine Chapel by recording pioneers Fred and Will Gainsberg—in 1904. At that time, Moreschi was conductor of the Chorus of the Sistine Chapel, the Pope's personal chorus. THIS is a VICTOR single-sided red-seal disc #71015 which sold for $1.50. Professor Moreschi is remembered in musical history as the only Castrato of the bel canto tradition to make solo recordings. Actually, by 1904, few others survived and no other was "in a condition" to make solo records. Alessandro Moreschi (Nov. 11, 1858— Apr. 21, 1922) probably was "altered" around 1865, in keeping with the old practice of castrating vocally-talented boys well before puberty. Castration of young males was banned by Italian law in 1870. Moreschi's singing abilities became known to a former member of the Sistine Chapel choir who took him to Rome in about 1870. In 1873, when 15, he was appointed First Soprano in the choir of the Papal basilica of San Giovanni Laterano. Thereafter, he was auditioned by all members of the Sistine Chapel choir and appointed First Soprano there, a post he held for the next 30 years. WHEN MORESCHI JOINED the SISTINE CHOIR, there were still six other castrato members, but none was capable of sustaining this work's taxing soprano tessitura. Moreschi's star status sometimes seems to have turned his head: "His behavoir was often capricious enough <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/Castrato_ALESSANDRO_MORESCHI__Oremus_Pro__played_on_a_Victor_V__gmmix
Earl Oliver's JAZZ BABIES (Harry Reser's band) "Cows" - Fox Trot - Edison Diamond Disc - gmmix
"Cows," played by Earl Oliver's Jazz Babies on Edison Diamond Disc 51877---vocal refrain by Tom Howard, whose real name was Tom Stacks. Recording date was 11/5/1926. The band heard on this disc was, in actually, HARRY RESER'S. DENNIS PEREYA reports the following: (QUOTED) During the 1920s and 1930s, Harry Reser not only played in a number of bands, but also led his own groups using an amazing number of pseudonyms; Earl Oliver's Jazz Babies is one of them! His bands recorded an incredible number of tunes in a variety of styles, but the pop tunes and novelty songs appealed to a wider audience and are also among his best recordings. Harry Reser often arranged many of the songs that the bands recorded. Many of the better songs feature vocals by Tom Stacks, who was also the drummer on many of these sessions. His voice has been described as having "a built-in grin." Highlights of these recordings are Reser's banjo solos which show amazing clarity and technique, with a little jazz influence tossed in. The band most associated with Harry Reser was the The Clicquot Club Eskimos. This group was heard weekly on the NBC radio network from 1925 to 1935 and brought Reser a degree of fame. (QUOTE ENDS.) As noted on the Anthony Monde Diamond Disc video recently posted, I purchased this phonograph "new, in the crate" many years ago--for $15. Around the time I bought my Victor II "horn machine" at a local mission-store---for one dollar--- www.youtube.com ---one Saturday morning they had 6 <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/Earl_Oliver's_JAZZ_BABIES_Harry_Reser's_band_Cows__Fox_Trot__Edison_Diamond_Disc__gmmix
"La Guanchinanga" - 2-piano Mexican Rumba by Chester Wittell & Cedric Elmer - gmmix
On Sunday afternoon, May 22, 2011, ASHLEY HUYNH and CEDRIC NAGEL ELMER appeared together in Ashley's Senior Piano Recital at a studio of the Community School of Music and the Arts, located in Reading's GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 210 Washington St., Reading, PA Ashley Huynh--a senior at Wilson High School, near Reading--has been a longtime student of Cedric N. Elmer, who appears in this video with her. Mr. Elmer, a recognized and honored music educator, arranged "La Guachinango" for the two-piano arrangement heard in this video. He has a number of original compositions to his credit and is the author of two singularly fine books on Reading-Berks composers and performing musicians. Chester E. Wittell, composer and poet, was born on September 20, 1893 in the small hamlet of Cordelia in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His father, Morris A. Wittell, was a talented musician who encouraged Chester to learn music in his early childhood years. By the age of ten he had learned to play sonatas by Mozart on the piano. Though never formally trained, he had taken two years of piano lessons under Stanton Graybill, a local pianist from Lancaster City. At age 15 Wittell was a piano soloist in both the Lancaster and Reading Symphony Orchestras. In 1913 he moved to Reading where he began a career as a music teacher, pianist and composer. While still in his twenties, he played piano for the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. In 1934 Wittell founded the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/La_Guanchinanga__2-piano_Mexican_Rumba_by_Chester_Wittell_Cedric_Elmer__gmmix
COLORATURA Evelyn Scotney & G. Rimini -- Rigoletto "Piangi fanciulla" -RED record- gmmix
12-inch one-sided Vocalion disc # 52016 presents coloratura soprano Evelyn Scotney (1896-1967) and baritone Giacomo Rimini (1888-1952) in "Piangi fanciulla" from Rigoletto. This disc is presented through the courtesy of Philadelphia-area record collector JIM SHULMAN. The talking machine is a Victor II, the property of GMMIX. Scotney was born in Ballarat, Australia in 1896. Her voice was discovered by Melba on one of her Australian tours. Melba took the young singer with her to Paris and put her under the care of her own teacher, Matilde Marchesi. Scotney made her debut at Boston Opera in 1912, at 16 years of age, in Lucia. She sang at the Met from 1919 to 1921. Thereafter she devoted much time to the concert stage—until around 1935. Scotney had a coloratura voice trained entirely in the classic manner of the Marchesi school. Her VOCALION records were made between 1918 and 1923. She also made some acoustic and electric discs for HMV. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GIACOMO RIMINI was born in Verona, Italy, in 1888. He studied at the Verona Conservatory and made his debut there in 1910. He had many successes at the Chicago Opera with his wife, Rosa Raisa, whom he married in 1920. He continued in concert and opera until 1937 when he and Rosa opened an opera studio in Chicago. He died there in 1952. He created the role of Ping at La Scala—in the opera Turandot—where his wife sang the title role <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/COLORATURA_Evelyn_Scotney_G_Rimini_-_Rigoletto_Piangi_fanciulla_-RED_record_gmmix
Albert Da COSTA -- unusual high notes -- Puritani: Credea, Misera! -- Bellini - 1956 - gmmix
Metropolitan Opera tenor Albert Da Costa sings "Credea, Misera!" from Bellini's I Puritani. This posting is offered as something of a curiosity, NOT as a prime example of luscious bel canto vocalization. When this recording was made in 1956, then 28-year-old Da Costa (1927--1967) was described as "a six-foot four, 240-pound colossus." He started his career as a baritone and continued as such for four years at Julliard in NYC. He was first heard on the Metropolitan Opera Auditions of the Air as a baritone but, on the advice from the judges, changed to a tenor—and a season later was added to the Metropolitan's roster. Early on he sang Walter in Meistersinger. Next came appearances in Rosenkavalier, Parsifal, Magic Flute Boris Godounov, Siegfried, Norma, Lohengrin, and Walkure. Da Costa voice was described by Ultraphonic records as "one of enormous size but capable of a fine spun pianissimo. His range is the most extensive known in this century, encompassing the baritone register and soaring to a top "F" above high "C," the first to sing such notes since Rubini. AS AN EXHIBITION, tenor Da Costa has recorded the aria Credea Misera as written by Bellini for Rubini." On Nov. 8, 1967 Albert Lloyd Da Costa, 39, was killed when his car went out of control on a slippery stretch of road between Kolding and Vejle, in Jutland. Albert was driving with Jan C. Gerksen, a Dutch singer, to an opera engagement. Gerkson was injured but recovered completely. PREPARE YOUR SELF FOR THE HIGH NOTES!
http://wn.com/Albert_Da_COSTA_-_unusual_high_notes_-_Puritani_Credea,_Misera!_-_Bellini__1956__gmmix
coloratura soprano QUEENA MARIO 1896-1951 JEWEL SONG (Faust) 1936 -- gmmix
Queena Mario—in actuality Helen Tillotson from Akron, Ohio—who studied with Oscar Saenger and Marcella Sembrich was one of Sembrich's most successful pupils and later succeeded her on the faculty of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Despite the fact Queena sang 345 performances with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC, between 1922 and 1938, she never made a single commercial recording! The few examples of her voice are from 70+year-old fragile acetate discs, mostly made from radio programs. Accordingly, the sound that survives leaves something to be desired. Sorry! But as someone once said, "Stale beer is better than no beer at all!" Frequently, she sang with the likes of Martinelli, Easton, DeLuca, and Telva. During her career, Queena sang all the standard coloratura roles and a number of lyric soprano leads. She died in New York City.
http://wn.com/coloratura_soprano_QUEENA_MARIO_1896-1951_JEWEL_SONG_Faust_1936_-_gmmix
BALLIN' the JACK (Smith & Europe) 1914 fox trot -- National Promenade Band -- Edison #2480 -- gmmix
"Ballin' the Jack" as heard from a directly recorded Blue Amberol cylinder, which means the sound is very good. This selection has been revived numerous times, once or twice for movies. Balling the Jack is a US slang term meaning to go fast or make haste. Later, the meaning was expanded from just "dancing" to "having a great time." Around the same time the song came out, the expression was used by railroad workers to mean "going at full speed." It's not clear whether the dance or railroad reference came first. And, if that's not enough, it's also been used to describe operating a jackhammer. The phrase comes from the name of a lively 1913 ragtime popular dance. The lyrics to the tune are as follows: "First you put your two knees close up tight Then you sway them to the left, then you sway them to the right Step around the floor kind of nice and light Then you twist around and twist around with all your might, Stretch your loving arms straight out into space, Then you do the Eagle Rock with style and grace. Swing your foot way 'round then bring it back. Now that's what I call Ballin' the Jack."
http://wn.com/BALLIN'_the_JACK_Smith_Europe_1914_fox_trot_-_National_Promenade_Band_-_Edison_#2480_-_gmmix
Claudia Novikova - "Ah, quel dîner!" - tipsy song - Péricole
This is the Tipsy song from Offenbach's La Périchole—in Russian--as you've NEVER heard it before...by CLAVDILA (Claudia) M. NOVIKOVA (1895-1968). COMPARE THIS "drinking song" to this one... www.youtube.com In the operetta, Perichole has given in to a marriage that she doesn't want, so to fortify herself for the ceremony, she gets herself drunk. The man she loves is locked up downstairs in the dungeon. While this rare Novikova recording has been known about and discussed for years, few owned a copy of it. Those lucky enough to have the disc often played it for guests as something of "a party record." This rendition, and the "Song of the Laugh" from Sidney Jones' operetta, THE GEISHA, made her quite famous. It's the reason she's still vividly remembered four decades after her death. Novikova was a leading singer of operetta, light opera, and opera. She was an excellent vocalist with a technique firmly based in the classical tradition, having studied with the great contralto, Eugenia Zbruyeva (1869-1936). Novikova began her career as an actress with the Red Agitprop Train. She switched to operetta when 25 and was engaged by the theater in Odessa. She left there after two years to sing in the Hermitage Theater in Moscow. In 1926 she joined the prestigious Moscow Operetta Theater where she remained until her retirement from the stage in 1958, at the age 63. Novikova's voice was clear and beautifully focused. She was a very expressive singer, and her ability to sound <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/Claudia_Novikova__Ah,_quel_dîner!__tipsy_song__Péricole
TRIX SISTER -- Josephine Trix -- "Bless Her Little Heart" - gmmix
"Bless Her Little Heart" (by P. Denniker) is sung by Trix Sister JOSEPHINE TRIX (1898-1992) on an Edison Bell Electron disc #0197—probably made in late 1927. Piano accompaniment is by Irwin Dash. Older sister Helen (1886-1951, real last name Yeiser) began recording in 1906 for Victor, Zonophone, Edison, Everlasting Cylinder, etc. Helen, an alto, was in the early days an Ada Jones sound-alike. After Josephine graduated valedictorian of Newmanstown High School (Lebanon County, PA, class of 1916), the beautiful young soprano and dancer went to live with Helen in NYC. As a sister act in vaudeville and reviews, they were an immediate success and set sail for England in Nov. 1919 to appear in "The League of Nations," one of the largest reviews ever taken to London. In Feb. 1926, Josephine secretly married Edward Greenfield of Philadelphia. He was a vaudeville star known as Eddie Fields. The two met in London. Sister Helen was enraged! Headlines in all the papers reported that The Trix Sisters act had split up. Soon thereafter, Josephine beame the singing sweetheart of London and began making a few records on her own, all of which are exceedingly rare. Helen ALWAYS piano- accompanied the act, and wrote many of their songs. That Irwin Dash accompanies the song presented here must have steamed Helen to no end. The two later reunited briefly, for business purposes, but things were never the same. There was a THIRD Trix Sister, Alma (1890-1980), who was a nightclub singer in NYC who <b>...</b>
http://wn.com/TRIX_SISTER_-_Josephine_Trix_-_Bless_Her_Little_Heart__gmmix
1920s "Lucky in Love" (Good News) George Olson's Orch. - Orthophonic Victor - gmmix
From the Broadway show GOOD NEWS by De Sylva, Brown, and Henderson, George Olsen and His Music plays "Lucky In Love" - Orthophonic Victor 20872. Vocal refrain by Bob Bolger, Fran Frey, and Bob Rice. The original Broadway production, directed by Edgar MacGregor and choreographed by Bobby Connolly, opened on Sept. 6, 1927 at The 46th Street Theatre, where it ran for 557 performances, which was a very successful run, as few if any Broadway shows had reached 500 performances since 1919's Irene. The cast included John Price Jones as Tom Marlowe, Mary Lawlor as Connie Lane, Gus Shy as Bobby Randall, and Inez Courtney as Babe O'Day. Donald Oenslager designed the production's sets. GMMIX is well aware that some may question playing a 1927 Orthophonic on a Victor V horn machine, but the sound-box---rebuilt by Wyatt Markus--- reproduces most types of recordings surprisingly well. Accordingly, this video is presented to show what kind of reproduction can be obtained from a horn machine with a high-quality Exhibition-style sound-box.
http://wn.com/1920s_Lucky_in_Love_Good_News_George_Olson's_Orch__Orthophonic_Victor__gmmix
