Leoncavallo: Zazà: “Mai più Zazà” by Alessandro Bonci 1907

[melvind]

Here we have a beautiful Fontopia record from 1907. Beautiful not just because it is in great shape, but because it contains a wonderful performance. The aria is hauntingly beautiful and sung very well. The opera Zazà was well known 100 years ago but not done much, if at all, today. This record is also great because the piano accompaniment is played by the composer Ruggero Leoncavallo. Leoncavallo is best known today for the opera Pagliacci.

A little interesting side note, Geraldine Farrar's farewell to the Metropolitan Opera in 1922 was in Zazà.

(Double-click the video above or click this link to watch the video on YouTube in HD.)

https://youtu.be/KwWB_Q5-iuI

The story in Zazà concerns the French music hall singer, Zazà, and her affair and subsequent decision to leave her lover, Milio, when she discovers that he is married. This aria which translates to something like "Nevermore Zazà" is Milio's lament over his loss of Zazà.

[Viva-voce]

Beautiful. One of Bonci's best recordings. Thanks Dan.

Steven