Giacomo Lauri-Volpi - A Te O Cara (From I Puritani") free for downloading

Pure belcanto, pure art, pure imagination...

Pure magic..not human..he is wind surfing with his voice over the notes. Does he ever breath?

When Giacomo Lauri-Volpi stood before the orchestra and the single microphone in the Camden church studio of the Victor Company as he sang this second take of " A te, o cara" on January 16, 1928, he left posterity a prime example of bel canto as he had heard it from Alessandro Bonci, his model and inspiration. As he progressed to the middle of the aria, his voice resounded through the studio, leaving for posterity a recording that stands alone of this extremely challenging aria.

This is most refined and controlled singing !!! Lauro Volpi was renowned as a show off , who sometimes liked put his own musical interpretation to show off his outstanding vocal skill .

First, this is an incredible reproduction. You have an amazing playback instrument. - I can't say I've seen anything like it. Second, I am in awe of Lauri-Volpi. I have been listening to a lot of old masters. He reminds me of Caruso in the unhurried and crystal clear enunciation of the lyrics - you don't need to read the lyrics when you hear him - but the sheer melody and emotion - oh my! True greatness this. 

One of the greatest performances of this difficult aria I've heard.

A superlative interpretation which in my opinion has never been surpassed.. Apart from possessing a supremely beautiful voice, he sings with real imagination and the combination is irresistible. I heard him in the flesh and it was a large voice. with incredible squilllo which could cut through the loudest orchestral tuttis with ease.. His books are well worth reading even though one may not agree with all his views on colleagues..

I've found a treasure I never knew existed!

Lauri-Volpi sings so beautifully he breaks your heart. I so wish we had him when the technology had progressed!

I have no doubt why so many famous tenors of today and yesterday look to Maestro Lauri-Volpi as their inspiration!  The last of the great Belcanto tenors... the gold standard!  Thank you for sharing this sublime listening experience!  A timeless treasure to be sure!!