The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here is the most rare record I own. It is the 1903 International Zonophono recording of Un Bacio Ancora by Enrico Caruso recorded in Milan. It was the first of seven songs recorded in that session. These records are really hard to find and I feel lucky to finally own one. The record starts pretty noisy, but things clear up some right away and Caruso's voice and even the piano and pretty well recorded. I had heard this record on a CD, but there is nothing like hearing it live.

“Un Bacio Ancora” by Enrico Caruso 1903

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

https://youtu.be/gMb9bDs-tcU

These announced records (the Zonophone and Pathé) also let us hear what is likely the speaking voice of Sig. Caruso, as it is considered to be so by authorities and also by Caruso's son Enrico Jr.