Search - Francesco Tamagno :: Francesco Tamagno, The Verdi Tenor (1903-1905) - The Mythical Recordings

Tamagno: The first Otello sings a selection of arias

Gustavo Demarco | Buenos Aires | 12/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here we finally have a recording of exceptional historical value: The legendary Francesco Tamagno sings a selection of Italian opera arias. Tamagno was appointed by Verdi to sing the first performance of Otello. The selection of arias in this CD includes Otello's highlights (Esultate, Niun mi tema, Ora e per sempre addio...). They were recorded many years after the historical first performance, and Tamagno's voice was probably not at his best. The quality of sound is good for the acoustic technology of the time (1903-1905). One might guess if Verdi would have chosen Tamagno in case he had known Placido Domingo, Mario del Monaco, Ramon Vinay, Giovanni Martinelli, Jon Vickers, Carlo Cossutta or Jose Cura. But he did choose Tamagno and this recording allows the XXI century opera lover have an exact idea of how Verdi music sounded at the time of Verdi. Every Verdi lover should go through such an exciting experience."