The Irish tenor John McCormack is widely regarded as one of the finest singers of the 20th century, rivalling other early greats like Enrico Caruso. From his early years in Irish church choirs, he graduated to training in Milan, and gave his first performance at Covent Garden in 1907, returning regularly until 1917. He also became extremely popular at New York's Metropolitan Opera, where he sang until 1918, also becoming an American citizen. He had a highly distinctive voice, and was renowned for his diction and breath control, that enabled him to sing 64 notes in one breath in the aria from Don Giovanni "Il Mio Tesori". He turned to recitals rather than grand opera, and, with his sweet tone and marvellous feel for a song, became one of the great balladeers of his time. He recorded prolifically from 1904 through to 1942, not long before his death in 1945, spanning the eras of cylinder, acoustic and electric recording. This great value 120-track 6-CD collection comprises material from his earliest acoustic recordings for Odeon in 1906, through acoustic recordings for HMV and Victor into the 1920s, and then electric recordings for the same labels up to 1942. It encompasses examples of his work across the range of operatic pieces, Irish songs, wartime favourites, and popular songs and ballads, including all the 70 or so titles which featured in the sheet music best-sellers of the era, presented in chronological order.

Tracklist:

The Boys Of Wexford
Trottin' To The Fair
Killarney
Il Flor Che Avevi A Me(Flower Song From 'carmen')
Una Furtiva Lagrima (From L'elisir D'amore')
Come Back To Erin
The Minstrel Boy
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
Annie Laurie
When Shadows Gather
Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'ali (From 'lucia Di Lammermoor')
The Snowy Breasted Pearl
I Hear You Calling Me
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms
I'm Falling In Love With Someone
Indiana Moon
Mother Machree
Macushla
Del Tempio Al Limitar (In The Depths Of The Temple - Duet From 'the Pearl Fishers')
Take, Oh Take Those Lips Away
The Wearing Of The Green
Silver Threads Among The Gold
The Rosary
Thank God For A Garden
Off To Philadelphia
Where The River Shannon Flows
I'll Sing Thee Songs Of Araby
Molly Brannigan
The Foggy Dew
Mother O' Mine
The Low Backed Car
Goodbye
A Little Love, A Little Kiss
Nearer My God To Thee
Eileen Alanna
Say 'au Revoir', But Not 'goodbye'
Lullaby From 'jocelyn'(Angels Guard Thee)
Ave Maria
Ave Maria (From 'cavalleria Rusticana')
Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere
My Wild Irish Rose
Mary Of Argyle
It's A Long Way To Tipperary
Somewhere A Voice Is Calling
Come Into The Garden Maude
Adeste Fideles
Serenata
A Little Bit Of Heaven
Panis Angelicus
Kathleen Mavourneen

UPC: 824046750824
Label: Acrobat
Release Date: 6.10.16
Format: CD

John Mccormack - Collection 1906-42 (2 CD)