Tito Schipa

No, that's not a sparkling wine from the former Yugoslavia, it's the name of one of Italy's greatest tenors. Schipa is almost unknown today (unless you're an afficianado of operatic singing), but in his prime...

Listen to track 9, recorded when Schipa was 37 years old and probably at or near his best. Listen to his agile, ringing voice, with its overtones of sweetness. Listen -- and weep with joy.