On this day......

[epigramophone]

On 26th November 1963 the great coloratura soprano Amelita Galli-Curci passed away.
Her death received little publicity, overshadowed as it was by the assassination of President John F Kennedy.
Galli-Curci is my favourite soprano on record. Unlike some of the more strident sopranos of the verismo school, Galli-Curci's technique harks back to an earlier age. Her voice seems to float on the air, and to be effortlessly produced. I will be hearing her today.

[vintagetenor]

Thanks for sharing this. Although I'm not a fan of opera, I am a fan of Galli-Curci. From the perspective of this lowbrow, I will just state that she did amazing things with her voice.

[OrthoFan]

Many thanks for posting that. I see she was interred in San Diego -- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/913 ... alli-curci

[phonogfp]

Thanks for posting this, Epigramophone. You inspired me to add Galli-Curci's birth and death dates to the "On This Day in the History of Recorded Sound..." series that I post on the APS Facebook Page and a couple of Facebook groups. I have a personal reason for doing so...

I was probably 14 or 15 when I was playing Galli-Curci's Victor record of Memory Lane on a Victrola. My dad stepped into my bedroom to listen. Now, this was tantamount to Jupiter leaving its orbit. Dad was one of 7 kids, grew up during the Depression in abject poverty, with no father in the house, but with an unstoppable drive to better himself. (He eventually earned a PhD in his field.) Dad was baffled by a generation that had the time and resources to buy old phonographs and records, but to his credit he occasionally lent me the funds necessary to pursue my interest. But there was no appreciation of my hobby on dad's part. Until that moment.

"That's Amelita Galli-Curci," he remarked (this from a man who didn't know Billy Murray from Enrico Caruso). "I always liked her sweet voice." He stood there by the Victrola, listening to the entire record. Wow. Dad's family had an old Brunswick in the 30s, and when he wasn't working to support his brothers and sisters (dad was second-oldest), he enjoyed listening to music. And apparently, Galli-Curci's voice brought some beauty into the life of an overworked, malnourished boy. She will always have a place in my heart for that.

Thanks again,
George P.

[CarlosV]

Thanks for posting this, Epigramophone. You inspired me to add Galli-Curci's birth and death dates to the "On This Day in the History of Recorded Sound..." series that I post on the APS Facebook Page and a couple of Facebook groups. I have a personal reason for doing so...

I was probably 14 or 15 when I was playing Galli-Curci's Victor record of Memory Lane on a Victrola. My dad stepped into my bedroom to listen. Now, this was tantamount to Jupiter leaving its orbit. Dad was one of 7 kids, grew up during the Depression in abject poverty, with no father in the house, but with an unstoppable drive to better himself. (He eventually earned a PhD in his field.) Dad was baffled by a generation that had the time and resources to buy old phonographs and records, but to his credit he occasionally lent me the funds necessary to pursue my interest. But there was no appreciation of my hobby on dad's part. Until that moment.

"That's Amelita Galli-Curci," he remarked (this from a man who didn't know Billy Murray from Enrico Caruso). "I always liked her sweet voice." He stood there by the Victrola, listening to the entire record. Wow. Dad's family had an old Brunswick in the 30s, and when he wasn't working to support his brothers and sisters (dad was second-oldest), he enjoyed listening to music. And apparently, Galli-Curci's voice brought some beauty into the life of an overworked, malnourished boy. She will always have a place in my heart for that.

Thanks again,
George P.

Very touching account, George!

[phonogfp]

Thanks, Carlos. I have Galli-Curci's Memory Lane in a group of "special records" and I think of dad whenever I see it.

Dad was able to pursue his love of music later on, and in 1938 he even started his own dance band. The drummer was in charge - just like Phil Collins. Surely you've heard of "Johnny Paul and his Orchestra?!"

Dad used his part of the band proceeds to fund his way through college (it took him 11 years to earn his bachelor's degree - which usually takes 4). When the U.S. entered WWII, many of the band members were drafted, but dad, patriot that he was, enlisted. He was involved in training until 1945, when he was sent to fight on Okinawa and after the surrender was part of the occupation in Korea.

The poor guy was later drafted as a captain for the Korean War, where he served in intelligence in Germany. That was the only part of the war he couldn't talk about - he'd choke up, saying "It was awful." He came home from the service an alcoholic, but I'm happy to add that he spent the years 1954-1966 and 1978-1998 (when he died) sober. He was a great guy who had a number of bad breaks and struggled with demons for nearly all his life.

I guess antique phonographs and records must have seemed pretty shallow by comparison, but he still helped me when I needed it.

George P.

[JerryVan]

Thank you for sharing that George. May he rest in peace.

[phonogfp]

Thanks Jerry.

I do apologize for going all biographical, but at least it illustrates the memories and emotion that our records can sometimes elicit. I expect we all have certain records that remind us of someone, or of an earlier time in our lives.

It's a great hobby!

George P.

[CarlosV]

Your father may not have become a wealthy man, but certainly lived a rich and unique life, and you are rightfully proud of your heritage, George. Thanks for sharing.

[Inigo]

Thanks for sharing your experiences... it makes one think deeply...