Content area
Full Text
Elwood A McKee
GARY A GALO(EDITOR)
Leoncavallo: Chatterton. Francisco Granados/Francesco Signorini (Thomas Chatterton), Francesco Frederici (John Clark), Ines de Frate (Jenny Clark), Annita Santoro (Young Henry), Giuseppe Quinzi-Tapergi (Giorgio), Francesco Cigada (Lord Kilford), Gaetano Pini-Corsi (Skirner), Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala conducted by Ruggiero Leoncavallo. Recorded in 26 parts May 1908 by the Gramophone Company, Ltd.
Leoncavallo: I Pagliacci. Antonio Paoli (Canio), Giuseppina Huguet (Nedda), Francesco Cigada (Tonio), Ernesto Badini (Silvio), Gaetano Pini-Corsi (Beppe), Giusepped Rosci (A peasant), Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala conducted by Ruggiero Leoncavallo. 1. Recorded in 21 parts June 1907 by the Gramophone & Typewriter Company, Ltd. Marston 52012-6 (2 CDs, 157.3 min).
Stephen R. Clarke's liner notes state that, other than the eight rare sides by Francesco Signorini, only a single copy of the remainder of Chatterton is known to exist. Indeed, after more than 60 years of collecting and reading about records, this release made me aware for the first time that Leoncavallo had recorded his Chatterton substantially complete. The Italian-English libretto and the extensive liner notes, therefore, are an indispensable adjunct to the recording. The history of the opera as recounted in the notes makes it clear why and how the recording came to be made. Chatterton (written in 1876) was Leoncavallo's first opera. The composer arranged for, and invested in, its performance, but the producer absconded with the funds. In 1892, after years of penury, Leoncavallo achieved success with I Pagliacci and was able to become financially solvent. He was then able to produce a revised edition of Chatterton with modest success in 1896.
As...