Made at the end of 1931 in Milan, this recording of Boito’s Mefistofele was the first complete commercial recording and the only one to appear during the 78rpm era. Its cast included some of the finest singers then appearing at La Scala, under the baton of the renowned Lorenzo Molajoli, Italian Columbia’s house conductor who made twenty complete or abridged opera recordings for the company. The protagonist in the title rôle, Nazzareno de Angelis, was particularly admired for his portrayal of Mefistofele, a part he sang over five hundred times between 1906 and 1938. Not only was he considered one of the leading Italian basses of his generation but he possessed considerable stage presence.