G&T Imported Master - Opera Rec. Question

[operabass78s]

Hello All; Before I launch into my question let me give a brief introduction of myself for those who may not allready know me.

My name is Tim, I am primarily a collector of early classical and jazz recordings, also of just plain odd recordings or anything that strikes me. Outside of my beloved recordings I am a singer and pianist and part of the wonderful Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus here in "sunny" Buffalo, NY

I come as a refugee from the Old Time Victrola Music Message Board; The leader there I'm quite sure is not in control of his mental faculties and is quick to silence any dissenting oppinions. I was reccomended to this place, this seems like a peaceful land with little if any raucous dissent and not much useless or radical political banter. I think I will call this board my new figurative "home"

Anyway....

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I've noticed these markings on certain black label G&T import opera discs. Oddly I have also seen this on a few Grand Prize Red Seals of domestic make. The selection from the opera is marked on the label as such:

Ernani (Verdi) Act II. No. 15
In arcion, cavalieri!
(To Horse, Ye Warriors)
Sala, Preve and La Scala Chorus
61175

Does anyone know is the "Act II. No. 15" evidence of a series or does it correspond with a marking in the score (I've noticed some early scores have the different solos and ensembles numbered as such)? I've noticed the label reference on imported discs of Ernani and Il Trovatore; and also of Louise Homer's recording of "Stride la vampa" (If it was a series it would make sense for Homer's recording to be substituted for the contralto who would have recorded it).

[maroongem]

Welcome, Tim! That's a good question regarding the No.15 on the G&T disc. I know that Italian Zonophono did that on their opera releases. I don't believe that particular selection was ever released on Victor Red Seal(either as a single or a double) nor do I know of a source of G&T listings. Perhaps someone here knows of a source.

Bill

[matty]

Hi Tim- it's gramophoneshane...
I've got an incomplete G&T discography. If you can give me the matrix number, I'll see if I have that section. It will depend on the prefix letter to the number. If it starts with"A" you're out of luck, but I've got "a to i" & a few others
If I've got it, I'll see if I can find a 14 etc

Shane

[pcc]

Hello -- the numbering _is_ part of a series; ERNANI was recorded more-or-less "complete" in Milan around 1905 (I think), though with multiple singers covering each of the principal roles. A number of the sides were released in the US as part of Victor's black-label foreign series, as was customary with Italian Gramophone Co. Victor releases, rather than as Red Seals. I've always thought the "down-marketing" was perhaps because a) to my ear the Italian sides are much more brilliantly -- almost brashly -- recorded than Victor's smooth-sounding domestic releases (the Italian sides can easily overload early Victor soundboxes,) and b) the performances may have been too vivid and perhaps uncontrolled-sounding to Victor execs than Victor's US studio recordings (especially in the orchestra, though I personally relish the hell-for-leather style Carlo Sabajno gets from the La Scala players).