Jose Mojica (rare opera?)

[Bill]

Hi folks,

I just got a diamond disc today of Jose Mojica singing a couple of operatic songs that I can't seem to find any information on. In fact, I found some lists of songs he sang, and none of them have these songs listed. They are: "Una Furtiva Lagrima"and "Lolita".

They're on paper labels; index numbers are 1099 and 1100.

Any info would be appreciated.

[wifijeff]

Una furtiva lagrima is one of the most famous tenor arias there is, from Donizetti's Elisir d'amore. The Mojica diamond disc is 82344, coupled with Lolita by Buzzi-Peccia, that doesn't ring any bells with me at all, but he googles out to be an Italian singing instructor and song writer who died in the US in 1943.

Jeff

[Bill]

"Una furtiva lagrima is one of the most famous tenor arias there is"

Believe me I know! I'm not a big opera fan at all, but Pavarotti's version of this would bring tears to anybody's eyes. Mojica's version is great too though.

Anyhow, I just looked at Ward Marston's CD: "Three Edison Tenors", and he does indeed have Mojica's recording of Una Furtiva Lagrima on there. I guess Lolita must not have been an opera song. Like you, I don't know much about that one except to say that it isn't very good.

Anyhow, since Marston released one of the songs on CD, I guess it isn't that rare after all.

[maroongem]

Bill,

As an addendum, your record was coupled on June 21 1926 and was released in late Aug. 1926. Edison released 18 DDs with Mojica on one or both sides. 12 were on Edison's Spanish & Cuban series.

[Bill]

Thanks for the info. I'm a new S-19 owner--my first DD player--and I'm gradually learning about what's out there.

[peshy]

Jose Mojica -
I was under the impression he was a Mexican.
Quite a famous and popular opera tenor.
His handsome good looks won him roles in the movies.
He turned his back on his career in later life to become a Franciscan monk.
His auto biography was "A Sinner I"