1. Alessandro Moreschi (the only recorded true castrato) [Wikipedia] The Castrati were men who were forcibly castrated at an early age in order to ensure that they would not experience the hormonal changes of puberty that lead to the lowering of the male voice. This meant that as adult men they sang like a modern soprano (they retained their boy soprano voices). After the Catholic Church ensured that all nations banned the practise, Pope Leo XIII took the remaining Castrati into the care of the Sistine Chapel Choir to guarantee them a quiet life (at the time they had become the subject of ridicule). Moreschi is the only castrato to be recorded solo. In this recording he is over 50 years old and had lost much of the quality of his voice - nevertheless the resulting recording is incredibly eerie.
Play / Download the mp3 (1.5mb)
2. Mado Robin - highest recorded sung note [Wikipedia]
This amazing French singer has the highest recorded note. She was able to hit the D4 above middle C. You must listen to the whole song - the last note is unbelievable! Put your crystal in a safe place!
Play / Download the mp3 (2.5mb)
3. Florence Foster Jenkins - worst singer [Wikipedia]
Believe it or not, Florence managed, despite being famously awful, to sell out an entire concert at Carnegie Hall. She had many admirers (among them Enrico Caruso). This has to be heard to be believed. As a particular point of interest, after she recorded this song, she told the sound engineer that no second try was needed as it was perfect. See for yourself. (She is singing Queen of the Night by Mozart, incidentally).
Play / Download the mp3 (3.4mb)
4. Pope Leo XIII (first recorded Pope - 1903) [Wikipedia]
Pope Leo XIII (patron of Moreschi) was the first Pope in history to be recorded. He was the 256th Pope and reigned from 1878 - 1903 and is probably most famous as the Pope who declared Anglican religious orders invalid (ie, he said Anglican priests and Bishops are laymen). He also strongly promoted the study of the Bible in the home and was known as the Pope of the People. In this recording he chants the Ave Maria (Hail Mary).
Play / Download the mp3 (712kb)
5. Lord Hawhaw (William Joyce) - executed for treason [Wikipedia]
William Joyce (or Lord Hawhaw has he more well known) was a fascist politician who worked for the Nazi’s during the war as a propagandist. His distinctly “posh” English accent is the cause of him receiving his mocking nickname. Joyce broadcast propaganda from radio stations in Berlin, Hamburg, and Luxembourg. Whilst it was not illegal to listen to his broadcasts in England, it was frowned upon. Nevertheless his recordings were very popular with the public as a source of amusement. He became a hated and ridiculed figure. He escaped after the war but an English soldier overheard him talking at a cafe and recognised his voice. He was arrested and executed for treason. This recording is a snippet of one of his propaganda broadcasts and it begins with his signature “Germany calling, Germany calling”.
Play / Download the mp3 (400kb)
more ; http://forum.ragezone.com/f10/top-10-incredible-recordings-298814/
Play / Download the mp3 (1.5mb)
2. Mado Robin - highest recorded sung note [Wikipedia]
This amazing French singer has the highest recorded note. She was able to hit the D4 above middle C. You must listen to the whole song - the last note is unbelievable! Put your crystal in a safe place!
Play / Download the mp3 (2.5mb)
3. Florence Foster Jenkins - worst singer [Wikipedia]
Believe it or not, Florence managed, despite being famously awful, to sell out an entire concert at Carnegie Hall. She had many admirers (among them Enrico Caruso). This has to be heard to be believed. As a particular point of interest, after she recorded this song, she told the sound engineer that no second try was needed as it was perfect. See for yourself. (She is singing Queen of the Night by Mozart, incidentally).
Play / Download the mp3 (3.4mb)
4. Pope Leo XIII (first recorded Pope - 1903) [Wikipedia]
Pope Leo XIII (patron of Moreschi) was the first Pope in history to be recorded. He was the 256th Pope and reigned from 1878 - 1903 and is probably most famous as the Pope who declared Anglican religious orders invalid (ie, he said Anglican priests and Bishops are laymen). He also strongly promoted the study of the Bible in the home and was known as the Pope of the People. In this recording he chants the Ave Maria (Hail Mary).
Play / Download the mp3 (712kb)
5. Lord Hawhaw (William Joyce) - executed for treason [Wikipedia]
William Joyce (or Lord Hawhaw has he more well known) was a fascist politician who worked for the Nazi’s during the war as a propagandist. His distinctly “posh” English accent is the cause of him receiving his mocking nickname. Joyce broadcast propaganda from radio stations in Berlin, Hamburg, and Luxembourg. Whilst it was not illegal to listen to his broadcasts in England, it was frowned upon. Nevertheless his recordings were very popular with the public as a source of amusement. He became a hated and ridiculed figure. He escaped after the war but an English soldier overheard him talking at a cafe and recognised his voice. He was arrested and executed for treason. This recording is a snippet of one of his propaganda broadcasts and it begins with his signature “Germany calling, Germany calling”.
Play / Download the mp3 (400kb)
more ; http://forum.ragezone.com/f10/top-10-incredible-recordings-298814/
