Two wonderful early opera recordings by John McCormack

[melvind]

When I first discovered John McCormack all the records I saw were his later recordings of Irish and popular tunes. A little went a long way with me. He had a very nice voice but that type of songs just did not interest me too much.

But, his early career in England and the United States was in Opera. And, what opera recordings he made! The following are two of my favorites. His singing on The Flower Song is astonishing considering it was recorde just 5 years after he started voice study and one year after his debut in the United States. There are a couple of moments with stunning high notes that are unlike anything he recorded later in his career. And in the Mozart aria his breath control is really something. Pay attention to how long a phrase he can sing with one breath. A very well trained singer.

I know not everyone likes Opera, but if you think you don't care much for McCormack's records, take a few minutes and listen to where he started. It was a bit of a revelation to me when I first heard his opera records. And it gave me a new appreciation for his entire singing career over many decades.

The Flower Song from Carmen (sung in Italian instead of French) 1910

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

https://youtu.be/gnOZZyNi-8M

Il mio tesoro from Don Giovanni 1916

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

https://youtu.be/1gOBtHwViSg

[dennis]

His "il mio tesoro" is quite amazing!!!!!!!

[epigramophone]

His "il mio tesoro" is quite amazing!!!!!!!

Many collectors consider it the definitive recording of this aria. The way he sings that long phrase on a single breath has never been equalled.

[drh]

Worth noting, before he started recording for Victor/Gramophone, he made a series of recordings for Odeon, which appeared in the United States on OKeh. I have a few; all are the same sort of Irishy-ballady stuff for which he would be famous later ("I Hear You Calling Me," "Dear Little Shamrock," etc., etc.). I agree: a little of that material goes a long way with me, but I do enjoy his records of more "serious" fare.

[epigramophone]

In 1922 UK Columbia released a special 10.75 inch series on their Regal label numbered G5000 to G5006. These were re-issues of his 1906-1909 Odeon recordings.
The Regal re-issues were Irish ballads, but UK Columbia also re-issued some 12 inch Odeon operatic titles, including the Flower Song from Carmen coupled with Celeste Aida.

[drh]

In 1922 UK Columbia released a special 10.75 inch series on their Regal label numbered G5000 to G5006. These were re-issues of his 1906-1909 Odeon recordings.
The Regal re-issues were Irish ballads, but UK Columbia also re-issued some 12 inch Odeon operatic titles, including the Flower Song from Carmen coupled with Celeste Aida.

I'd forgotten about that. Yes, and I even have that record, catalogue no. 863. I have one more, no. 864, which couples Buzzi-Peccia's "Lolita" with the inevitable "I Hear You Calling Me," the latter accompanied by pianist Charles Marshall.

[Wolfe]

McCormack's first records were two minute cylinders for Edison-Bell in 1904.

[Inigo]

Hey, just the other day in Malvern, 100th year celebration of CLPGS, good fellow Eddie Dunn sold me that same Columbia McCormack of La Fleur and Celeste Aida for something like 3 pounds. I've noticed it has an engraved signature, as did Fonotipias and also some Columbias. Never realized this is originally an Odeon recording, pressed by Columbia.
I'll go and listen to it right now!
EDIT
Certainly is an Odeon recording. British Columbia pressing, no 863.

CARMEN - FLOWER SONG (Bizet) in Italian (speed 80). John McCormack, tenor w/orch
Columbia matrix number (indeed a control number) 74288 on the label.
Runout area:
74288 in raised letters at 6
84225 engraved letters at 12
Under the label, upside down, engraved (handwritten):
At 12:
Lxx 3138
a² (underlined)
52 W
At 6:
John McCormack (autographed)

IMG_20191009_234534.jpg

IMG_20191009_234559.jpg

AIDA - CELESTE AIDA (Verdi) in Italian (speed 80)
Columbia matrix number (control number) 74287 on the label.
Runout area:
74287 in raised letters at 6
84236 engraved letters at 11
Under the label, engraved (handwritten):
At 11:
Lxx 3173
a² (underlined)
At 5:
John McCormack (autographed)

IMG_20191009_234617.jpg

IMG_20191009_234636.jpg

Lxx are the original mx nos for ODEON 12" London recordings. The W in the first side looks like the engineer signature for Winkler, a well known German Odeon expert. The 52 and the other indications could be personal accounts for the daily work or whatever.
The second side has no expert mark. The lettering slightly different, and may or may not be made by Winkler...
I'm pretty sure the other two engraved face numbers 84225 and 84236 are Odeon face numbers.
I'll check later the Odeon information from Peter Copeland, Christian Zwarg (courtesy of GHT) and other sources to see if something is clarified.
Both sides have the recognisable Odeon fast feed screw 'empty' groove at ⅓, an invention to avoid piracy.

[Wolfe]

Hopefully not too O/T. Maybe of interest to a McCormack fan like myself.

This is a vid of Ward Marston discussing the recently released John McCormack "Complete Electrical Edition" - which I've actually been tempted to pick up before it goes OOP and likely higher in price on the used market. Mr. Marston plays a very early (1904) 7" inch G & T McCormack in the vid.

https://www.facebook.com/38865918814785 ... theatertoo.