Mattinata (Leoncavallo)
Encyclopedia
NOTE: There are actually three (3) songs called "Mattinata," each set to its own words. This article details the second song. The three are:
first line - "Mary, tremando"
words - anonymous
music - Tosti
date - 1897
first line - "L'Aurora, di bianco vestita"
words - Leoncavallo
music - Leoncavallo
date - 1904
first line - "Spandono le campane"
words - d'Annunzio
music - Respighi
date - 1909
(the present day HMV
). Composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo
in 1904, this song was dedicated to Enrico Caruso, who was the first to record it in 1904 with the composer at the piano. Ever since, this piece has become a concert favourite. More than a half-century later this song was recorded by Italian-born tenor Sergio Franchi
on his American-debut album, Romantic Italian Songs, (RCA Victor Red Seal, 1962). In only three months, Franchi's album of mostly Neapolitan favorites songs placed number seventeen on the Billboard Top 200. Thirty-six years later (eight years after Franchi's death) the same album placed number one hundred sixty-seven on the Billboard 200
.
- Mattinata
first line - "Mary, tremando"
words - anonymous
music - Tosti
date - 1897
- Mattinata
first line - "L'Aurora, di bianco vestita"
words - Leoncavallo
music - Leoncavallo
date - 1904
- Mattinata
first line - "Spandono le campane"
words - d'Annunzio
music - Respighi
date - 1909
Leoncavallo's Mattinata
Mattinata (English: Morning) was the first song ever written expressly for the Gramophone CompanyGramophone Company
The Gramophone Company, based in the United Kingdom, was one of the early recording companies, and was the parent organization for the famous "His Master's Voice" label...
(the present day HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
). Composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Ruggero Leoncavallo
Ruggero Leoncavallo was an Italian opera composer. His two-act work Pagliacci remains one of the most popular works in the repertory, appearing as number 20 on the Operabase list of the most-performed operas worldwide.-Biography:...
in 1904, this song was dedicated to Enrico Caruso, who was the first to record it in 1904 with the composer at the piano. Ever since, this piece has become a concert favourite. More than a half-century later this song was recorded by Italian-born tenor Sergio Franchi
Sergio Franchi
Sergio Franchi was an Italian tenor.Franchi was born in Cremona, Italy. His father wanted him to become an electrical engineer, so he studied both music and engineering simultaneously. The family moved to South Africa in 1952, where Sergio worked part-time as a draftsman, while continuing to study...
on his American-debut album, Romantic Italian Songs, (RCA Victor Red Seal, 1962). In only three months, Franchi's album of mostly Neapolitan favorites songs placed number seventeen on the Billboard Top 200. Thirty-six years later (eight years after Franchi's death) the same album placed number one hundred sixty-seven on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.
Libretto
Italian
L'aurora di bianco vestita
Già l'uscio dischiude al gran sol;
Di già con le rosee sue dita
Carezza de' fiori lo stuol!
Commosso da un fremito arcano
Intorno il creato già par;
E tu non ti desti, ed invano
Mi sto qui dolente a cantar.
Metti anche tu la veste bianca
E schiudi l'uscio al tuo cantor!
Ove non sei la luce manca;
Ove tu sei nasce l'amor.
Ove non sei la luce manca;
Ove tu sei nasce l'amor.
Recordings (Youtube)
- Giuseppe di Stefano
- Jussi Björling
- Enrico Caruso
- Beniamino Gigli
- Mario Lanza
- Alfredo Kraus
- Luciano Pavarotti
- José Carreras
- Andrea Bocelli
- Joan Sutherland