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It’s encore week! Dead Tenors’ Society is showcasing a collection of previously featured vocalists in recordings never before heard on this channel. Tito Schipa (1888-1965) was a tremendously gifted lyric tenor whose five decade career encompassed opera, concert, film, recording, radio and TV. Born Raffaele Attilio Amedeo Schipa in Lecce on December 27, 1888 (although his birth was not registered until January 2 of 1889 to delay his eventual military service), he showed early promise as a singer and began studying privately at the age of 11. Schipa’s earliest musical experiences included soloing with his church choir and singing in the children’s chorus of local productions of Carmen and La Bohème. Following a brief period at a local seminary, the young singer returned to music, beginning studies with Alceste Gerunda. During his five years under Gerunda’s tutelage, Schipa not only solidified his vocal technique but learned composition as well. His operatic debut took place a little over a mo
