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Romano Ciaroff

Werther — Ah, non mi ridestar
I Pescatori di Perle — Mi par d’udire ancor

Fonotipia 92929 / 92930
Recorded in Milan, 1912 — 27 cm / 11" shellac

Two celebrated tenor arias by Massenet and Bizet, sung in Italian with orchestral accompaniment. An early recorded document of Romano Ciaroff’s international operatic career.

◆ Details

Artist: Romano Ciaroff, also known as Romano Ciaroff-Ciarini — tenor.

Titles: Werther — Ah, non mi ridestar / I Pescatori di Perle — Mi par d’udire ancor.

Composers: Jules Massenet / Georges Bizet.

Label: Fonotipia.

Catalogue numbers: 92929 / 92930.

Format: 27 cm / 11" shellac, 78 rpm, double-sided; acoustic recordings.

Recorded: Milan, Italy — 1 and 2 April 1912.

Language: Italian.

Genre: Classical.

Style: Opera / Operatic tenor.

Both labels specify “con accompagnamento a grande orchestra”. The French phonographic trade stickers are retained on the labels.

♫ Tracklist

• Side A — 92929: Werther — Ah, non mi ridestar
  Jules Massenet
  Italian version of “Pourquoi me réveiller”, from Act III.
  Recorded in Milan on 1 April 1912.
  Documented recording matrix: XPh 4819.
• Side B — 92930: I Pescatori di Perle — Mi par d’udire ancor
  Georges Bizet
  Italian version of Nadir’s “Je crois entendre encore”, from Act I of Les Pêcheurs de perles.
  Recorded in Milan on 2 April 1912.
  Documented recording matrix: XPh 4824.

The impassioned expression of Werther’s aria is paired with Nadir’s delicate recollection of a beloved voice. These Italian-language performances also reflect the international circulation of French opera in the early twentieth century.

◆ Personnel & historical background

• Romano Ciaroff — tenor.
• Orchestral accompaniment — orchestra and conductor unidentified in the consulted discography.

Romano Ciaroff-Ciarini (1878–1964), billed here as Romano Ciaroff, trained at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory before developing a career on Russian and European stages. His international appearances included Italian opera houses and Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu.

His Italian debut took place in Massenet’s Manon at the Politeama Genovese in December 1911. These Milan recordings followed only a few months later. The Liceu archives also document him singing Werther during the 1912–1913 season, providing a direct stage connection with the repertoire heard on this record.

Later in life he taught singing in Odessa. His Fonotipia recordings preserve the work of a singer whose career connected Russian vocal training with the Italian operatic stage.

◇ Technical details

Recording process: Acoustic.

Speed: 78 rpm.

Record size: 27 cm / 11".

Material: Shellac.

Configuration: Double-sided.

Reported stamped numbers: 92929 & 92930.

Recording matrices documented in the discography: XPh 4819 / XPh 4824.

Catalogue numbers: 92929 / 92930.

Company: SOCIETÀ ITALIANA DI FONOTIPIA — MILANO.

Recording dates: 1 April 1912 / 2 April 1912.

Recording location: Milan, Italy.

The XPh matrix references are supplied from the recording discography and have not been independently confirmed in the dead wax of this copy. The dates above refer to the recording sessions; the manufacturing date of this particular pressing is not established.

◆ Condition

Record condition: EX- — Very slight surface marks. Visually graded.

Labels: Both labels retain applied phonographic trade stickers, with ink markings on the stickers. Localised paper wear is visible around the spindle holes and label edges. Please refer to the photographs.

The signature-style markings on the labels are not offered as authenticated personal autographs. No playback assessment is supplied.

◆ Buy with confidence

• Photographs show the actual record offered.
• Visual condition and label details are described separately.
• Reported inscriptions are distinguished from researched recording matrix references.
• Careful handling and protective packaging suitable for fragile historical shellac records.

◇ Shipping

• Secure and robust packaging specifically suitable for fragile shellac records.
• Combined shipping available for multiple purchases.
• Airmail priority, insured, and tracking number provided.

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Historical Record Collection

We carefully select collectible records for music lovers, historical recording specialists, 78 rpm collectors, analog collectors and audiophiles. Particular attention is given to condition, accurate identification and historical significance.

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◇ Keywords

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