Silent film clips of Luisa Tetrazzini singing - 1925 & ca. 1940

[00:00] On March 10, 1925 early British wireless radio station 2LO presented Italian coloratura soprano Luisa Tetrazzini in concert from their studio at Marconi House. I believe her accompanist is Ivor Newton. While we know something of her programme that day, it’d be difficult to guess what she’s singing in these tiny snippets, taken from various moments throughout. [00:44] During a presumably British interview, Tetrazzini sings an extract of “Ah, fors’è lui“ from La traviata. Just for fun, I’ve attempted to semi-synch a little of her 1908 recording of the same phrases. ..................................... This channel is primarily about vocal emission—aural examples of basically correct singing, correct impostazione—chiaroscuro, vowel clarity, firm and centered pitch, correct vibrato action, absence of throatiness or thickness, sounds free from constriction and from the acoustic noise that accompanies it—with occasional video examples that demonstrate what the body, face, mouth, jaw, and tongue look like when used with correct impostazione—the vocal emission of the one and only Italian school. Caveat: I’m biased in favor of baritones and baritone literature, but if you want to learn about and listen to all the greatest singers in the old-school tradition, explore this spreadsheet (voice parts are separated by tabs): #Sopranos #BelCanto #Opera