Victor 12 inch Red Sea Record #88625 La Juive Tenor Solo Enrico Caruso READ THIS
$
29
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Description
Collectors, here is a REMARKABLE disc, Victor Red Seal One Sided 12 inch #88625, circa 1920. The legendary Enrico Caruso sings the tenor aria "Rachel, When the Grace of the Lord Entrusted Thee to Me" from the obscure (and still rarely performed) Halevy opera "La Juive", with orchestra.
There is a most interesting story about this performance, my information is from the book "The Golden Age of Opera" by Robert Tuggle. As Caruso aged, his voice "darkened" and he was able to sing the "heavier" tenor repertoire. So he learned and performed the opera "La Juive" (The Jewess), where he had the lead role as Rabbi Eleazar. This turned out to be the last new role he learned! Opening night at the Metropolitian Opera for this was November 15, 1920. There were complaints that Caruso's voice sounded "tired". In other performances that fall, he was in pain and his throat hemorrhaged while singing a different opera on December 11. He last appeared in La Juive on December 24. On Christmas, Caruso collapsed in pain, and doctors diagnosed pleurisy. He went home with his wife and daughter to Naples for operations and recovery. He reportedly was doing quite well in early July, 1921, but he died suddenly on August 2. So, December 24 was his final Metropolitan Opera performance. I included the book's picture of Caruso as Rabbi Eleazar for you to enjoy.
Caruso made his last recordings for Victor in September, 1920, I am pretty sure this aria was recorded at this time. I am not an opera expert, but his voice does not sound "tired" to me! He is singing to the rafters as usual, hitting the high notes with plenty of power! After I played the record on my Victrola XIV, my immediate comment was "WOW"!! The record is in overall excellent condition, there are some "popping" noises in about the first 20 seconds but limited surface noise. Given the opera and the cost of 12 inch records, I can't imagine this record sold well. I have never seen another one in over 40 years of collecting Victrolas and records. Add this great disc to your Victrola classical music collection!
Shipping to USA addresses only. $4.50 postage and handling fee, record will be carefully packed and shipped in a new box. Please pay within 24 hours of purchase and I will leave you positive feedback when I ship the record, your positive feedback appreciated!! See my store for other early 78s, I will combine shipping if you buy more than one, and thank for looking!!
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