Singers of Italian Opera - The History of a Profession - John (University of Sussex) Rosselli

Adelina Patti was the most highly regarded singer in history, and could earn nearly $5,000 a night, yet a minor comic singer would perform for the cost of his food and a pair of shoes to wear on stage. John Rosselli introduces all those singers, members of the chorus as well as stars, who have sung Italian opera from 1600 to the twentieth century.