Born near Padua, Giovanni Martinelli (1885–1969) studied with Mandolini in Milan before making his operatic début as Ernani. He was invited by Puccini to sing the European première of La fanciulla del West in 1911, and made his Covent Garden début the following year. Following his American début in 1913, he joined the Metropolitan Opera where he remained for 30 years. His impeccable style, as well as remarkable legato and breath control earned him the praise of his contemporaries: McCormack admired the ‘fire and excitement’ of his singing, and de Luca described his voice as ‘golden in hue and so ingratiating in its warmth that it caressed the ear’. This 3-CD set of Martinelli’s complete acoustic recordings presents the tenor in his youthful prime. It includes a wealth of operatic arias, as well as duets with Emmy Destinn, Geraldine Farrar, Frances Aida, Rosa Ponselle, Giuseppe de Luca, José Mardones and Marcel Journet.