Arthur Sullivan speaks about his reaction to a demonstration of Edison’s phonograph. Recorded on a wax cylinder on 5 October 1888.
(See page 11 for more information.)
Introduction 2
A re-enactment of Thomas Edison’s first recording using a replica of the 1877 phonograph.
(See pages 12–13 for more information.)
Enrico Caruso, Recitar!
Italian tenor Enrico Caruso sings the aria “Vesti la giubba” from Ruggero Leoncavallo’s 1892 opera Pagliacci. This 1904 recording was the first million-selling disc.
King Oliver
1923 recording of “Dippermouth Blues” by King Oliver’s band. Toward the end of the song we hear banjoist Bill Johnson yell, “Play that thing!” to cover for a missed drum solo by Baby Dodds. Subsequent recordings (By King Oliver and Others) recreated that improvised shout.
(See pages 25 and 88 for more information.)
Mark Katz demonstrates the feature called the Graduola on an early 20th century Aeolian phonograph.
(See page 21 for more information.)
Nellie Melba, Del cielclemente
Australian soprano Nellie Melba sings the aria “Del cielclemente” from Gaetano Donizetti’s 1835 opera Lucia di Lammermoor.
(See page 25 for more information.)
28 - Oscar Saenger Singing Lesson No. 20 for Tenors ~ Vocalise (1915)
Singing Lesson No. 20.Excerpt from the record accompanying Oscar Saenger’s 1916 manual, The Oscar Saenger Course in Vocal Training: A Complete Course of Vocal Study for the Tenor Voice on Victor Records.