Its symphonic Sundays again-time for a bit of light classical.
Fanny Jane Davis was born in New Zealand in 1879. She achieved fame as much for her colorful personality as for her performances with Caruso at the New York Met. In her early career, she sang in Gilbert & Sullivan productions in Australia in the 1890s and left for Europe at age 22 to study under Mathile Marchese of Paris who gave Francis her stage name. Alda debuted at the Opera Comique in 1904, appeared at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in 1906, and just 6 years after leaving Australia, performed for 2 years at Milan's La Scala. Alda had a 20 year peak in her career from 1910 - 1930 during which time she also made 140 sides for the Victor Talking Machine Co. Francis Alda died in Venice, Italy in 1952.
Mighty Lak a Rose was meant to mimic early African American dialect. The title and lyrics are the song of a mother looking at her new born son and comparing him to a beautiful strong rose. This record is in the US Library of Congress as an excellent example of early 20th century American song.
Victor 64038 is a single sided 10 inch red seal disc recorded in 1915. The label indicates that this single sided disc sold for $1 in 1915-several days wages for most families. Thanks again to the Gustav Groos Estate of San Antonio, Texas for allowing me the use of the entire Groos collection for a year to transcribe and exhibit to all who might be interested in early Americana songs.
