“ ‘A ZITA CUNTIGNOSA” recorded at Victor Records

One hundred years ago today … “ 'A Zita Cuntignosa” (“the Beautiful Maiden”) an Italian song in traditional vocal duet (coppia voccia) style, was recorded at Victor Records. Click the image to listen.

The singers are listed as simply Guglielmo Voccia and Carolina Voccia–but either the “voccia” is a transcription era or these were incredibly aptly named singers. It was composed by Luigi Canoro (also seen as "Canaro," "Canore," and "Canori" in Victor ledgers–he changed the spelling to Canoro in 1921, according to the  Discography of American Historical Recordings ) 

It was conducted by Nathaniel Shilkret, music director at Victor, a former child prodigy, child of Jewish Lithuanian immigrants. 

– Jonathan Goldman, April 15, 2021

TAGS: music, Italian, immigrants, recording