Pur Dicesti / (Lotti) / Adelina Patti (1843-1919) / accompanied by Landon Ronald / Recorded: December 1905 at Patti's residence, Craig-y-Nos Castle in Wales / Speed: between 73-74 rpm
LYRICS (in Italian):
Pur dicesti, o bocca bella,
Quel soave e caro sì,
Che fatutto il mio piacer.
Per onor di sua facella
Con un bacio Amor t'aprì,
Dolce fonte del goder, ah!
(English translation)
Beautiful mouth, at last you have spoken
That gentle, lovable \"yes\"
That makes my joy complete
In his own honor
Love has opened you with a kiss,
O sweet fountain of pleasure
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ITEM: To reduce blasting a soft needle has been used with a rebuilt Victor No. 2 reproducer (apologies to purists) on a vintage Victor V phonograph machine. The record, as can be sonically determined, is in a markedly lesser condition than a mint or even excellent copy. The William R. Moran discography of Patti's recorded legacy places turntable speed at 73.47 rpm, which has been attempted, though stability therein is not always a certainty with the old mechanisms. A microphone has been placed inside the horn, backed with foam rubber, to muzzle the sounds of passing traffic (revving engines, the occasional horn, not to mention police, ambulance and fire sirens... comical at times). Lastly, there has been no digital filtering. The gold standard for digital sound transfers remains in the hands of the professionals.
