The Slipped Disc daily comfort zone (272): Pavarotti sings Caruso (for real)
mainThe song, by Lucio Dalla, describes Caruso’s pain and longing in the last year of his life.
It was an Italian best-seller in 1986. Pavarotti recorded it in 1992 with its composer, an old friend of his.
He repeated it some years later with full orchestra and James Levine.
photo: pinterest
In Italy there s two Lucio, Dalla and Battisti. All the Italians and all the foreigners like me who love their songs have a favorite one. Outside of Italy Dalla is more famous without doubts but it realy seems that in Italy Battisti is more beloved today more than ever. And he was a genius.
I think his studio version from 1986 is the best, less operatic sounding (I did not immediately recognize his voice the first time I heard it on the radio while driving as one does (all the time) in Southern California). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJFI53qZ7xY
Yes, better, more natural. And the first comment under that video, will do everyone in completely…
But you can’t take away the irreplaceable live music experience for those there. A studio recording is always just pieced together and a document for posterity. But this was live, warts and all, and totally different that shouldn’t be compared to something done in 20,000 takes in a studio.
This appeared in my Google feed today…what a gift to me! Burn Natale!
This is so moving (and so true). Thank you very much for
posting. It seems to be from one of the grand outdoor concerts in Paris (Pavarotti/Levine)
Thanks also for the little photo of the artists at table —
pure Italy. Bravi a tutti.