This bargain CD compiles some of the finest 1940s recordings by three of the finest American operatic singers of that era. The artistes heard here all had in common the ability to sing the heavier operatic material as well as music drawn from the repertoires of popular and light music. It is these latter styles this compilation focuses on, and Richard Tucker (tenor) opens the disc with his readings of sunny Italian songs such as Torna a Surriento (Come Back to Sorrento), Lolita and O Sole Mio! (My Sunshine). Next up is the glorious baritone voice of Robert Merrill who performs, among other items, I’m Falling in Love with Someone and Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life from the operetta Naughty Marietta, and traditional songs such as Jonah and the Whale and Down to de Rivah. Last but not least, Jan Peerce (tenor) is heard putting his individual stamp on romantic fare including Woodforde-Finden’s Kashmiri Song, Grieg’s I Love Thee and Geehl’s For You Alone..

Richard Tucker (tenor)CCO
Torna a Surriento (Come back to Sorrento) (De Curtis; De Curtis)
Non ti scordar di me (Do not forget me) (Marischka; De Curtis)
Mamma mia, che vo sape? (Russo; Nutile) (Mother mine, what do you want to know?)
Lolita (Buzzi; Peccia)
Dicitencello vuie! (You tell her) (Fusco; Falvo)
Torna, piccina! (Come back, little one) (Bixio)
O sole mio! (My sunshine) (Di Capua)
La danza – Tarantella Napoletana (Pepoli; Rossini) (The dance – Arietta no.8 from “Soirée Musicale”)

Robert Merrill (baritone)RC
I’m falling in love with someone (from “Naughty Marietta”) (Herbert; Young)
Ah! Sweet mystery of life (from “Naughty Marietta”) (Herbert; Young)
Yours is my heart alone (Léhar; Smith)
Sylvia (Speaks; Scollard)
Trees (Rasbach; Kilmer)
Always (Berlin)
Jonah and the whale (Trad arr MacGimsey)
Down to de rivah (Trad arr MacGimsey)

Jan Peerce (tenor)WB
A dream (Bartlett; Cory)
For you alone (Geehl; O’Reilly)
I love you truly (Bond)JC
A little love, a little kiss (Silésu; Ross)
Kashmiri song (Woodforde-Finden; Hope)JC
I love thee (Grieg; Chapman)

Recorded in the 1940s

Orchestras:
CCOColumbia Concert Orchestra conducted by Alfredo Antonini
RCRuss Case & His Orchestra
WBOrchestra conducted by Warner Bass

Soloist:
JCJohn Corigliano (violin obbligato)

CDVS 1952