"Dispar, vision, che mi fu tanto cara; ah, da me dispar, vision" -- Schipa

Speranza

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Ah,
dispar,
vision,

che mi fu
tanto cara,

ah,

da me dispar,
vision,
ah, dispar,
vision, vision.


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This is Tito Schipa's first Gramophone recording (acoustic), made on 10 November 1913.

And, yes, this is also his first EVER recording.

This is "Renato"'s aria, sung in Italian.

In contrast to Schipa's 1934 recording of the same aria, Schipa's voice is much more youthful and delicate here.

However, his singing lacks the maturity which is present in the 1934 recording.

Schipa may not
have possessed Caruso's
vibrant blossoming overtones,

Gigli's caressing beauty,

Lauri-Volpi's thrilling top,

Martinelli's voice of steel,

but he did possess the ability to communicate with his voice.

And a perfect implementation of 'chiaroscuro' which is completely absent of any tenor singing today.

For that we consider him one of the three great Italian tenore di grazia (perhaps it's obvious who our other two choices are).

There is an interesting tale of Schipa's early training.

Tito's first teacher (when he was only about 17 or 18) would beat him if he was caught singing a popular Neapolitan song or operatic aria.

Schipa was forced to sing only vocal exercises and scales for several years.

The result?

Hear for yourself.

If only today's vocal instructors used this kind of training.