Fernando de Lucia - Je crois entendre encore (1917)

Fernando de Lucia (1860-1925) was the last of the great 19th century bel canto tenors. Born in Naples, de Lucia began his musical studies as a double bassist at the Naples Conservatory. By age 19, however, he had switched his focus to singing and spent the next four years studying with Alfonso Guercia and Vincenzo Lombardi, among others. Following local concerts and recitals, de Lucia made his operatic debut with Casa Lombardi as Faust in Boito’s Mefistofele in December of 1884. The production was little more than a piano accompanied showcase mounted by Lombardi’s Naples studio, but it was attended by important critics and agents who saw promise in the young tenor. When the Teatro San Carlo found themselves in need of a Faust for a production of Gounod’s opera, de Lucia was recommended. Although the management was reluctant to work with a tenor who had never before set foot on the stage, desperation (as well as de Lucia’s willingness to sing for no fee!) won out and de Lucia made his official stage debut