The Italian baritone Mario Ancona (1860–1931) was one of the leading Italian baritones at the turn of the century. The rôle of Silvio in Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci was expressly written for him. After appearing with Melba, Calvé and DeLucia in London, Ancona travelled to New York where he made his début with the Metropolitan Opera in 1893. He later became a member of the Manhattan and Chicago Opera Companies. According to John Steane, ‘the production of [Ancona’s] voice is so easy and free-throated, the tone so full-bodied and even, that he affords an enjoyment rarer than one fancies’. Ancona’s Victor recordings, all of which are included here, established the baritone’s reputation as a recording artist. This CD presents the singer in a wealth of arias (as well as duets with Caruso, Journet and Abott) from operas by Bellini, Donizetti, Leoncavallo, Verdi, Gounod and Meyerbeer.