Enrico Caruso Santa Lucia

A digitally remastered version of the original recording from 20th of March 1916. I generally don’t like these remasterings as Caruso’s voice is often distorted, but this one is OK I think and more palatable for most listeners. For more Caruso info visit my website: Santa Lucia is a traditional Neapolitan song. It was transcribed by Teodoro Cottrau (1827-1879) and published by the Cottrau firm, as a “barcarolla“, at Naples in 1849. Cottrau translated it from Napuletano into Italian during the first stage of the Risorgimento, the first Neapolitan song to be given Italian lyrics. Its transcriber, who is very often credited as its composer, was the son of the French-born Italian composer and collector of songs Guillaume Louis Cottrau (1797-1847). The Neapolitan lyrics of “Santa Lucia“ celebrate the picturesque waterfront district, Borgo Santa Lucia, in the Bay of Naples, in the invitation of a boatman to take a turn in his boat, the better to enjoy the cool of the evening.