Mattia Battistini: King of Baritones and Baritone of Kings

Mattia Battistini (1856-1928) was an Italian operatic baritone, one of the last masters of the bel canto style, who came to enjoy favor with the Imperial family and nobility of Russia. This work, first published in French as Battistini, le dernier divo in 1996, is a celebratory biographical look at Battistini's career spanning from his Rome debut in 1878 to his death in 1928. The accompanying CD collects 19 tracks of Battistini singing works by Mozart, Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti, and others between 1902 and 1924. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)