Tito Schipa, the complete Victor recordings (1922-25) [Romophone 82014-2, 2CDs]

Arias and Duets from “I Pagliacci” (Leoncavallo); “Manon”, “Werther” (Massanet); “L’Elisir d’Amore”, “Lucia di Lammermoor”*, “Don Pasquale”*, (Donizetti); “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” (Rossini); “Martha” (Flowtow) “Mignon” (Thomas); “Lakme” (Delibes); “La Sonnambula”* (Bellini); “La Traviata”*, “Rigoletto”* (Verdi); “La Boheme”** (Puccini) Spanish and Neapolitan songs [various orchestras and conductors]* with Amelita Galli-Curci;**with Lucrezia Bori

This delightful two-CD set of Tito Schipa’s complete Victor recordings from 1922 to 1925 presents the inimitable art of the great “tenore di grazia” when he was at his peak. Schipa sang at the Metropolitan Opera and the Chicago Lyric Opera where he performed from 1919 to 1932. He also had great success in Italy, Spain and South America. Schipa very wisely restricted himself to a limited repertoire, staying within the “tenore leggiero” fach but also performing a wealth of Spanish and Neapolitan songs which judging from these beautiful performances were balm to his voice.

From the very first selection one cannot help but be captivated by the seductive charm of Schipa’s vocalism. His clear diction, aristocratic phrasing and pure formation of vowels are a lesson to all singers. Schipa’s voice pours out like molten lava in “Emigrantes” by Granadinas. “O Columbina” from “I Pagliacci” is painted with a silvery sheen. One is enraptured by the creamy mezza voce and filigree pianissimi of “Le reve” (here sung in Italian as “Chuido gli occhi”)

Schipa is partnered in duets from “La Sonnambula”, “La Traviata”, and “Don Pasquale” by the crystal, flute-like perfection of Amelita Galli-Curci. The captivating Lucrezia Bori joins Schipa in two deeply affecting scenes from “La Boheme.”

The excellent liner notes are by Alan Blyth. Ward Marston has done his customary superlative audio restoration work. This is one of the finest releases Romphone has produced to date and so receives my highest recommendation.
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