Caruso singing the bass aria. "Vecchia Zimarra". La Bohême. Puccini.

Side 1. "Why Caruso recorded the coat song" by Frances Alda and Wally Butterworth.

Side 2. "Vecchia Zimarra" (The coat song) La Bohême Act 4--Giacosa & Illicia---Puccini.

Enrico Caruso. HMV DL 100. February 1916.

This is undoubtedly an interesting and historical recording. Caruso was, of course, a tenor but the aria "Vecchia Zimarra" from the opera La Bohême is for a bass who sings a song of farewell to his old coat. Here is one version (in précis) of how Caruso happened to sing this aria, as told by Frances Alda on the reverse side of the record.

During a performance of La Bohême in Philadelphia, Segurola, the bass, who was about to sing the "Coat song" (Vecchia Zimarra) turned to Caruso and whispered "I've lost my voice". Caruso replied, "You just stand still and move your lips and I'll sing it for you". And so, with his back turned to the audience, Caruso sang the aria for Segurola. The latter then acknowledged the cheers from the audience who did not realise that it was Caruso who had in fact sung.

Many thanks to Roger Mackey for the loan of this rare record and description.

EMG Xb Oversize Gramophone. EMG two-spring soundbox. Burmese thorn needle.