Paolo Tosti (1846-1916) preferred to set the popular poets of his day, in English, French and Italian, with natural, singable melodies. Charm and suavity are Tosti’s trademark expressions. His songs swept through the parlours and salons of Europe, as he brought the salon song to a peak of aesthetic perfection. These songs were once the repertoire of every great Italian singer from Lauri-Volpi to Bergonzi, Caruso to Gigli. Their modern successors are no less committed to pursuit of beauty and pleasure in these songs above all.
