Enrico Caruso sings “Triste Ritorno!” on Gramophone Monarch Record 052153, recorded on December 30, 1906. <br /><br />In the U.S. it was issued as Victor 88048.<br /><br />This is a song composed by Richard Barthélemy, who was the tenor's piano accompanist. Caruso recorded two compositions of his accompanist, both with orchestral accompaniment: “Triste Ritorno!" and "Adorables tourments" (this latter was recorded in 1908).<br /><br />In his 1925 memories, Barthélemy wrote that he was Caruso's "professor, répétiteur, accompanist, and friend for fourteen years."<br /><br />Richard Barthélemy lived from 1869 to around 1937. He came from French stock and was born in Smyrna. He received his musical education at the conservatory of San Pietro a Majella in Naples. <br /><br />His book is titled Memories of Caruso. It was published in 1979 in an edition of 500 copies (Plainsboro, New Jersey). It was translated into English by Constance S. Camner.
