The late 19th Century was the heyday of the drawing-room ballad, when families and friends entertained each other with a wide range of songs. Sir Paolo Tosti was one of the most successful composers of such music, alongside his contemporaries Pietro Mascagni and Stefano Donaudy. Naturally, the subject of most of these charming songs is amore: love longed for, gained and lost; sweet lips, sparkling eyes, warm arms and cold hearts. Italian tenor Stefano Secco and pianist David Abramovitz enjoy distinguished international careers.