Luisa Tetrazzini (1871–1940), perhaps the greatest coloratura soprano of the century, made her operatic début in 1890. She travelled with various opera companies throughout South America before making her US début in San Francisco in 1905. Her London début in Covent Garden came two years later, and in 1908 she became a member of the Manhattan Opera. Nicknamed the ‘Florentine Nightingale’, Tetrazzini was idolised by the public and fêted by royalty; a number of culinary dishes were even named after her. Her interpretations project a sparkling joy and vitality which are vividly captured on her records. This 2-CD set contains Tetrazzini’s complete Victor recordings which were made during her glorious years in New York. Virtually all the great coloratura arias from Lakme, Dinorah, Mignon and Sonnambula are included, as well as her five rare Zonophone recordings from 1904.