The Classical Store

The Italian tenor Enrico Caruso holds a unique place in musical history, as the first operatic singer whose recordings sold in millions, and who created an international reputation on the strength of these. Caruso's robust tone and musical sincerity made him both an ideal stage and recording artist, whose voice the primitive acoustic recording technology of the early twentieth century was able to reproduce with startling fidelity. The Naxos Historical Caruso edition constitutes the complete cycle of all Caruso's recordings issued in chronological order. In addition, the transfers have been immaculately undertaken by top sound engineer Ward Marston, unrivalled for his knowledge of the specialized world of acoustic opera recordings, and his rare ability to retrieve all of the music lying in the grooves of the original recordings. Naxos Historical's incredible price (12 CD'S FOR THE PRICE OF 10) puts this unique legacy of great singing within the reach of all music-lovers. This! complete cycle of recordings represents a major document in the history of sound recording, and one which no collector and enthusiast of great singing will wish to be without. "There is no series of vocal records that have a greater documentary value, that meant more to the development of the phonograph record, or that are as consistently capable of providing pleasure to lovers of great singing. ...One of the most significant recording industry events of the decade." Fanfare

Igor Gorin was born Ignatz Grünberg on October 26, 1904 in Grodek, Ukraine. Political unrest and anti-Semitism were rife, and the family eventually fled to Vienna, where he was introduced to Victor Fuchs, a former singer and faculty member of the Vienna Conservatory. In 1935 (the year Gorin applied for US citizenship) he secured two lucrative contracts; he also signed a contract with RCA Victor, recording for them in 1937. The discs were released on their budget series, but were so successful that all subsequent records were issued on the prestigious Red Seal label.