CLAUDIA MUZIO 1934 OPERATIC RECITAL LA MAMMA MORTA 78

$

25

WEEK 4 of 4 weeks of great auctions

IMPORTANT:

PLS READ BELOW for INCREASED SHIPPING CHARGES due to Ebay Policy

I AM HAPPY COMBINE MULTIPLE SHIPMENTS.

IF YOU WIN MULTIPLE ITEMS DO NOT USE EBAY CHECK OUT in order for me to get you low combined postage. Send me an invoice request instead.

I am currently selling a series of great Richard Wagner and classic European 78 rpm orchestral recordings on all the great European labels:

This famous set M 259of 4x 12" Columbia 78 rpm records are CLAUDIA MUZIO's ONLY ELECTRIC Operatic Arias ever to be released in the US. Of the precious few 20 electric sides she waxed in Rome in 1934/35 the year before her death (However there is a second Columbia green label album with some of her songs and oratorio that's also a MUST for every collector - see my other auctions)

These four records that I am selling in my auctions imported by Columbia after her death are her only electric operatic recordings that were ever issued in the US. Something to treasure:

Forza del Destino: Pace Pace

La Traviata: Addio del bel Passato:
This side is incredible. The first half of the record she reads the letter of Pere Germont and you get a glimpse of her as a speaking actress. Absolutely unbelievable. When she then starts the slow Addio you hear hear breaking apart and it breaks your heart.

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Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta (this is unbelievable and puts Callas to shame)

La Boheme: Mi Chiamano Mimi

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My favorite Side:
Mephistopheles(Boito) L'Altra Notte in fondo mare.

First a note: A singer who tries this aria needs to have a good upper extension and a firm bottom to the voice. Farrar tried once (on a 1906 Berlin G&T and couldn't) Alda could do it beautifully.

Now Margarete sits in prison and sings about how she drowned her newborn baby this slow song is full of dread in minor key and then come these extreme up and down scales that have to sound like unconscious outburst of emotion free of artifice. This is not a coloratura piece but just emotions set in music. What can I say Muzio is incomparable. At the end you are deeply disturbed about the state of mind of the protagonist.
This is a piece of superb singing and highly disturbing emotional impact.

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Rarely performed: L'Arlesiana by Cilea: Esser Madre e un inferno (To be a mother is hell) - Bizet wrote the incidential music to the play L'Arlesienne Cilea the opera a rather bloodthirsty story from the south of france.

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And just to prove a point the two great Bellini Arias:
Norma - Casta Diva /Sonnambula - Ah non credia mirarti

CONDITION: Records are in BETTER THAN EXCELLENT conditon. Album is great and solid with a small damage at the right hand side of front

How can one even try to put into words the phenomenon of Claudia Muzio.

The greatest singer-actress of her time (think about Callas without the histrionics and a much better voice)

The best evidence is when you read from other singers of her time: there are always singers and then there is MUZIO on a godess-like pedestal. Singers and audience alike always went gaga over her passionate impersonations of the famous opera heroins.

To present a quote from my favorite website - cantabile-subito.de where you will also find soundfiles:

The tenor Giacomo Lauri-Volpi wrote of Muzio “singing with that unique voice of hers made of tears and sighs and restrained interior fire.” The best years around 1930 were probably her best precisely the years in which she did not record! Between 1924 and 1934 there is a ten-year gap. The missing period would seem to be the very one in which her interpretations had matured while her voice was still in prime condition. The early records may lack the intensity and creativeness of her later recordings and in the famous Columbias one is aware of some physical limitations (uneasy high notes flatness mannerisms in style and enunciation vowels!) but there is a pathos an inner committment and charm in her singing that is immensely moving and touching. Only a few sopranos equalled her in this aspect of emotional involvement.

To learn more about Muzio read the delightful accounts of Muzio's companion May Higgings in Following a Star (opens a pdf file)

http://www.mrichter.com/opera/files/follstar.pdf#search='Claudia%20Muzio%20Higgins'

Unfortunately because of personell politics she never had a big career at the Met but excelled in Chicago and San Francisco. That in part prevented her from a major recording career.

We are fortunately enough that someone put her performance of Act I Tosca at the 1932 opening of the new built SF opera house on disc. Other than that precious little has Muzio recorded: There are a smattering of early Pathes some great 1920 Edisons (on auction now) then nothing for a long time and then a year before her death about 20 sides recorded in Rome (in auction now).

Unbelievable as it is Muzio did not record after 1920 and only a year before her death in 1934/35 did she record a few electric sides in Rome.

 Quick NOTE ON GRADING AND SHIPPING:

As you can see from my feedback, I try hard to earn your POSITIVE FEEDBACK and FIVE STAR RATINGS.

If for any reason your transaction was NOT SATISFACTORY, pls contact me and I will work something out with you. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE A REASON TO GIVE ME A NEGATIVE RATING or a LOW STAR RATING.

Quick note on grading:

The Grade (Excellent to Fair, I don't give Mint) refers to the WEAR of the record. Any other defects are stated separately, when prefaced with "HOWEVER" or "BUT" they will be significant.

When I listen to a record, I may also give it an aural grade (again E to F), and make a SUBJECTIVE judgment of the pressing quality for hiss and surface noise.
"SUPERQUIET" is basically noiseless, like a vinyl pressing.
"VERY QUIET" is an exceptionally quiet record for a given pressing.
"Quiet" is a record that is a great example without undue noise for a give pressing.

These judgments are SUBJECTIVE and will depend one the styli, phonograph etc. you use on your own equipment.

Pls check my other auctions for more great records and phonograph items:

http://shop.ebay.com/carsten_sf/m.html

http://shop.ebay.com/carsten_sf/m.html

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Multiple item shipping: I am happy to combine items for shipment in one parcel.

If you win multiple items, pls send me an INVOICE REQUEST to calculate the correct postage. Ebay check out will not give you the multiple item discount!

Records will be packed safely between corrugated cardboard in a sturdy box with plenty of padding for safe shipment.

Shipment is usually Media Mail, unless another service is requested. Shipping is at your risk, I will be happy to insure items at your cost.

I charge actual postage plus a small fee for packing materials

As always, I guarantee your satisfaction. If you don't like the item, just return it, and I will refund the full purchase price.

If you are in the San Francisco area, I encourage pick-up in person.

EBAY NOW CHARGES 9% on all SHIPPING CHARGES
Also, USPS has increased postal rates. Since I am always shipping at cost, I am sorry to say that after keeping my shipping rates stable for 5 years, I unfortunately now have to increase the prices.

However, if you are interested in lowering you shipping cost, pls send me a message, and I may be able to arrange for better rates !!!

Here a quick breakdown of my costs, you see that due to the new Ebay policy you will pay anywhere from $.50 to $.80 in additional Ebay fees on the first record

US Domestic Shipping:

Here is a guideline for US Media Mail Shipping:

Prices below are for regular 78 rpm records. Up to about 5 records, I will ship Edison Discs for the same rates. Albums from Album Sets count as 1 record. Above that and for international shipments, it will be actual weight plus a small packing charge (1-3$ depending on size of shipment)

1 record: 4.75$

2 records: 5.75$

5 records: 7.50$

10 records: 9.50$

MANY MORE RECORDS: Don't worry. I safely ship 40 - 50 pounds of records double boxed in moving boxes, and even then Media Mail will probably not exceed 30$.

The numbers above include the 9% Ebay fee on shipments.
Pls ignore the automatically calculated prices on the ebay site, as I will weigh every parcel and charge based on actual weight.

Please send me a message if you would like to lower your shipping rates!

International Buyers:

All'attenzione degli acquirenti italiani:

ATTENTION TO ITALIAN BUYERS:

Due to rare problems with delivery in ITALY, I will NOT GUARANTEE delivery of parcels sent by US Postal Service First Class and Priority Mail. If you prefer secure delivery, I will be happy to quote you either Registered Mail or shipment by FEDEX

I am very happy to ship records worldwide.

Prices below are for regular 78 rpm records. For Edison Discs in  international shipments, it will charge for the actual weight plus a small packing charge (1-2$) - for small quantities, it will not be much different from the charge for regular 78s.

Pls contact me for a shipping estimate, or send me an invoice request after close of auction.

Be aware that US Postal Rates can be high. Here are some examples.

Your best bet is the Large Priority box, everything that fits into a 12"x12"x5 1/2" box up to 20 pounds ships for 60$ (35$ Canada) worldwide.

However, I can get competitive rates from FedEx and the US Postal service for any kind of parcel weight

Africa, Eastern Asia and Japan as well as Europe

1 record = 2 lbs $25 - $28

4 lbs = $37

20 lbs or all that fits into a 12"x12"x 5 1/2" box ((12" albums won't fit)= $60

I may be able to get some better FedEx rates.
Pls email with your address for an estimate.

Canada

1 record = 2 lbs $ 11 - $13

4 lbs = 22$
20 lbs or all that fits into a 12"x12"x 5 1/2" (12" albums won't fit)= $38
I may be able to get some better FedEx rates.
Pls email with your address for an estimate.

To estimate your shipment, pls go to

http://www.usps.com/tools/calculatepostage/welcome.htm?from=home_header&page=calculatepostage

My zip code is 94107.

Assume 1 pound per record plus 1 pound for packing.

AND AGAIN -THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST

As you can see from my feedback, I take great care in presenting, grading and shipping your items. I really want you to be happy with the purchase. If you feel that anything is wrong with the item or the shipping, contact me and we will work it out !!!

Pls contact me with your country, home town and postal code before bidding for an estimate.

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As always, I would appreciate any suggestions and corrections from you, pls contact me with any question.

Thank you very much, and good luck bidding !!!