Sergio Franchi discography

Sergio Franchi discography
RCA Victor Recording Artist
Studio albums	33
Live albums	2
Compilation albums	9
EPs	4
Singles	26
Soundtrack albums	1
Original Cast	1
Collaboration	3

The discography of Sergio Franchi, the Italian-American tenor (1926–1990),^[1] consists of a total of thirty-five albums: Two live albums, and thirty-three studio albums (USA and Italy). The studio albums are further identified as collaborations (soundtracks, opera, & original cast), and nine are compilation albums (USA and Italy). The Live category included a LP album (1965) and a CD album (released posthumously) of selected songs extracted from Franchi's twenty-four Live TV appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.^[2] This discography also includes thirty (one single recorded on two labels) single and EP albums recorded or released in various venues.

Sergio Franchi's American debut album, Romantic Italian Songs, was released on October 6, 1962 and had reached a peak position of seventeen on the Billboard 200 albums chart by the end of the year. The following year three of his albums hit the charts, while Romantic Italian Songs continued at number thirty-three. Our Man From Italy peaked at number sixty-six, and Broadway—I Love You! peaked at number one hundred and three on the Billboard 200. Also in 1963, Franchi recorded an album of duets with the Metropolitan Opera star, Anna Moffo: The Dream Duet peaked at position number ninety-seven on the Billboard 200. In 1965 Sergio Franchi once again had multiple albums on the Billboard 200. Live At The Coconut Grove peaked at number one hundred fourteen early in the year (recorded late in 1964, but released in 1965). His Christmas album, The Heart of Christmas (Cour' Di Natale) was his second best performance peaking at number twenty five.^[3] It charted again at number one hundred eight in 1967. Eight years after his 1990 death, (and thirty-six years after its first release) Sergio Franchi's American debut album, Romantic Italian Songs, (re-released as a CD in 11-97) reached a peak position on the Billboard 200 at number one hundred sixty-seven in 1998.^[3] Many of his studio albums (and several of his singles) were selected for Special Merit and Spotlight awards by Billboard magazine (see Notes below).

Sergio Franchi's Christmas album contained two very notable original songs: "Buon Natale (Christmas in Rome)" written for him by his first musical director, Neil Warner; and the title song "The Heart of Christmas (Cuor' Di Natale)" written by Anthony Velona. Since his death, RCA has released these two (and other Franchi Christmas songs) on dozens of collaboration albums not listed here.^[3][4]

Studio albums (LP)

Four of these original LP albums have been re-mastered and reissued on CDs. [See CD section below]

• US Peak Positions for Albums as listed on Billboard 200^[3]

Notes

1. ^ Billboard International Spotlight Album 1962^[5] While Franchi's debut album peaked at #17 on Billboard's Pop charts before the end of 1962, it remained on Billboard's Pop charts for eight weeks. It still ranked #33 on January 19, 1963.^[6] As a Classical Red Seal recording, a February 16, 1963 Billboard Survey of Best Selling Classical Records revealed that Franchi's album was #4 in Classical Album Sales..after Horowitz, Tchaikovsky, & Bartok albums.^[7] When re-issued as a CD late in 1997, the album peaked again at #167 on the Pop Charts (September 5, 1998). Eleven editions were published between 1962-1998. Album was issued in UK as RCA SF-7527.^[8] It was Issued in Italy as Un Nuovo Grande Tenore, Sergio Franchi, RCA Italiana LPM-10124.^[9] Another 1962 issue in Japan (RA-2146).^[10] Issued in Argentina (1962) as Canciones Romanticas de Italia.^[11] Issued in Canada as LSC-2640.^[12] Issued in Germany as LSC-2932:^[13] Issued in New Zealand as RPL-2932:^[14] Issued in France as Chansons Romantiques Italiennes, RCA Red Seal 450.556-5.^[15] Reissues in 1997 and 1998 account for eleven editions.
2. ^ Billboard Special Merit Pick 1963^[16] Franchi's second album peaked at #66 on February 9, 1963, and was ten weeks on the Pop charts as of April 13, 1963. Including the US issue, RCA issued eight editions of this album. Issued in UK as RCA RD-7556;^[17] issued in Canada as LSC-2657;^[18] issued in Japan (RA-2163);^[19] issued in Argentina as Muestro Hombre De Italia; Issued in Australia (RCA Red Seal L1632):^[20] Issued in Brazil as LM-2657:^[21] Issued in France as Chante L'Italie.^[22] As a result of Franchi's record sales and popularity, Billboard announced that Seeburg's Little LP Library was now using 7" LPs of his recordings for Jukebox programming.^[23] This was historically important 50 years ago. Before the advent of boom-boxes, Walk-a-Man's, and MP3 players, (and before the decline of jukeboxes in the 1970s;) Jukeboxes were as important as car radios for listening to popular music away from home. See, eg.^[24]
3. ^ Billboard Spotlight Album 1963^[25] Billboard Breakout Album 1963^[26] This RCA Victor Red Seal album had spent nineteen weeks on Billboard's "150 Best Sellers" chart and ranked #120 as of June 15, 1963. A month later it peaked on the Pop Charts at #103.^[27] Also issued in Canada. RCA announced that this Dynagrove recording would now be available for International distribution in 36 countries in the fall of 1963.^[28] RCA featured Sergio Franchi's vocal artistry to entertain their international affiliates and distributors at their 11th annual best buys sales meet that year.^[29]
4. ^ Billboard Pop Spotlight Album 1963^[30] Billboard Breakout Album 1963^[31] This Red Seal album peaked on the Pop charts at #97 on December 28, 1963. The popularity of these two artists singing together was a factor in the Metropolitan Opera selecting Sergio Franchi for the featured tenor role of Alfred in a recording of their popular English production of Die Fledermaus.^[32]
5. ^ Billboard Pop Spotlight Album 1964^[33] This album marked Sergio Franchi's move from RCA Victor's Red Seal Label to Black label in active pursuit of the Pop market. Also issued in Germany as LSP-2943.^[34]
6. ^ Billboard Spotlight Album 1965^[35] While starring in his Broadway musical, Sergio pays tribute to Richard Rodgers. Also issued in Canada as LSP-3365.^[36]
7. ^ Billboard Christmas Spotlight Album 1965^[37] Peaked at #25 in 1965. Charted again on Billboard 200 at #108 in 1967.^[38]
8. ^ Billboard Pop Special Merit Album 1966^[39] La Dolce Italy contains some memorable Neapolitan selections. Also issued in Canada as LSP-3500.^[40]
9. ^ Billboard Pop Special Merit Album 1967^[41] As per the liner notes, "Sergio Franchi Spins Magic with Romantic Melodies of Love."
10. ^ Released February 10, 1968. Album also issued in Canada as LSP-3933.^[42]
11. ^ Per liner notes, "RCA Studio B, NYC," although this venue is in Nashville, and thought to be an error.
12. ^ Full title was Con Amore Sergio - From My Private Collection.
13. ^ Sergio Franchi's last album contains six songs never before recorded by him, including the winning song from the 1988 Sanremo Festival.

Live albums

This section contains two live albums: Sergio Franchi's 1965 Live recording (LP), and a 2008 CD issued posthumously by Sofa Entertainment from the archives of The Ed Sullivan Show.

• US Peak Positions for Albums as listed on Billboard 200^[3]

Notes

1. ^ Billboard Pop Spotlight Album 1965. Billboard's Spotlight review States that Franchi's Live album captures "the electricity that radiates from this performer."^[43] Recorded October 25, 1964; Released January 30, 1965. Billboard Breakout Album 1965^[44] Peaked at #114 on April 17, 1965.
2. ^ Some different tracks than DVD.

Collaboration albums (LP)

Since Sergio Franchi's death in 1990, RCA/BMG has released several of his Christmas songs on dozens of collaboration albums.^[3] Several of these collaboration albums are incorrectly listed by Allrovi.com as primary studio albums.

This collaboration album named Buon Natale - Christmas in Italy was released by Four Corners (FCL 4223), and contained four songs (Christmas carols) recorded by Sergio Franchi in Italy. The other album carols are by un-related artists. These same four Sergio Franchi Christmas carols were also contained on the 1965 Durium compilation, Buon Natale which contained twelve Franchi songs.

The 1965 Original Cast Recording of Do I Hear a Waltz? was reissued in 1992 as CD on Sony #SK48206. The 1963 recording of The Great Moments From Die Fledermaus was re-mastered and re-issued in 1999 as CD on BMG #0902663468-2.

Notes

1. ^ This album of seventeen songs contains the same four Franchi recordings as the EP album of the same name. Also issued in Yugoslovakia under Yugoton label LPD-V-170.
2. ^ The Great Moments From Die Fledermaus is a Johann Strauss, Jr. operetta sung in English with Anna Moffo, Sergio Franchi, Rise Stevens, etc. The album's re-issue as a Cd is both a "surprise" ('great sound, but too short') and testament to the album's notability. Raymond Tuttle's review states that "Among the tenors, Sergio Franchi's tongue-in-cheek Alfred leaves the most lingering impression."^[45]
3. ^ Billboard Original Cast Spotlight Album 1965^[46] The album featuring Sergio Franchi and Elizabeth Allen was recorded by Columbia Records, courtesy of RCA. Although there was some controversy over the book, and problems between the executive principals...the Rodgers/Sondheim score, and the principal cast (Elizabeth Allen & Sergio Franchi) were usually always given high marks. See, eg.^[47] When it was re-mastered as a CD, a KeelanMusic review again gives a very favorable review to this Original Cast recording.^[48] A Client Review (4.1 out of 5 Stars) on Amazon.com calls it "one of the best original cast albums I've ever heard."^[49]
4. ^ The film soundtrack contains two songs performed by Sergio Franchi: "The Song of Santa Vittoria (Stay)" in English and nominated for Best Original Song at 1969 Golden Globe Awards.^[50] The album also contains a version of this same song with Italian lyrics written by Sergio Franchi.
5. ^ This soundtrack was reissued as a split release CD album with Ernest Gold's soundtrack of "On The Beach." This has resulted in some of Franchi's credits on "Santa Vittoria" being confused with credits from "On The Beach"...a movie made ten years before Franchi came to this country.

Compilation albums, USA (LP)

These compilation LP albums were primary reissues of previously recorded tracks. All of the songs/tracks are by Sergio Franchi. The album, This is Sergio Franchi continues to be incorrectly listed by Allrovi.com as a studio album. Franchi recorded his last studio album for RCA in 1968. This popular 1973 compilation was re-mastered and re-issued as a CD in 1988 as BMG #886972403328.

Notes

1. ^ This compilation was issued as a two-record LP album, and contained 20 songs.
2. ^ The 1988 re-issue of the popular 1973 compilation as a CD contained only 14 songs.
3. ^ Billboard Recommended Easy Listening LPs list.^[51] Album issued in Canada as CPL1-1232.^[52] Album also issued in Turkey as APL1-1232^[53]

Compilation albums, Durium (LP)

Three LP albums of Sergio Franchi's Italian recordings published in America are simply labeled as being recorded by Durium Records (active from 1935–1985) in Italy. These Italian recordings were released on three USA albums early in his career in America. No recording dates or original Italian album names were listed on the albums, but have been dated; production and musical credits are missing. These studio album recordings consist of 25 songs recorded in the Italian language.^[54][55][56] The 1965 compilation, Buon Natale, contains the four Franchi Durium Christmas recordings, and repeats eight other Durium recordings contained within the other three compilation albums. [As an important historical footnote, it should be disclosed that Durium, its parent company RCA Italiana, and RCA Victor were all acquired by BMG. Technically, BMG owns most (if not all) of Franchi's recordings produced before 1970. One exception would be any recordings produced in South Africa.]

Singles and EP albums

Promoted by RCA Victor as an album artist, Sergio Franchi never had a "hit single" on his American recordings. Many of his single and EP recordings were hits in the sense that they were singles from his hit Billboard 200 albums.

Sergio Franchi Disco Durium 1960

Durium label 45rpm (Italy, UK, Canada)

American labels 45rpm

Sergio Franchi, 1974 photo

Notes

1. ^ Franchi's first Durium recordings.
2. ^ Also issued as EPA 3207
3. ^ (If Two Glances Meet) Sergio Franchi credited with the lyrics.
4. ^ This single is from Durium collaboration album Santa Notte KL 117 per label information.
5. ^ Sergio Franchi's RCA audition selections, Wally Stott conductor.
6. ^ Billboard Special Merit Spotlight for new single release.^[59] Recorded before February 3, 1963 (per Billboard (Magazine) issue of that date.
7. ^ Billboard Four Star Single.^[60]
8. ^ Billboard Chart Spotlight.^[61]
9. ^ Billboard Chart Spotlight.^[62]
10. ^ Rare Franchi single with picture sleeve, issued in France.^[63]
11. ^ This song is parenthetically subtitled (the 'Bread' song) (Composer David Gates of "Bread") as a disambiguation note vs. the song of the same title composed by R. Hargreaves, S. Damerell, & T. Evans.
12. ^ Billboard Special Merit Spotlight for new single release.^[64]
13. ^ SG was Sergio Franchi's label- with Rooster emblem. Birth name was Sergio Galli (SG), and "Galli" means "rooster" in Italian. Franchi collected roosters.^[65]
14. ^ Vesti la giubba" with Disco background. Experimental. Arrangement by Benjamin F. Wright, Jr. Released by several labels.

Filmography (DVD)

• Performing before the advent of the internet, and before MTV made music videos a standard product for singers; the filmography of Sergio Franchi is notable for its poverty of published content: Only two DVD's have been made available to the general public. The most readily available is a Sofa Entertainment, Inc DVD collection of 13 songs and a comedy skit excerpted from Franchi's twenty-four appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show between 1962 and 1971. Sergio Franchi on the Ed Sullivan Show was issued posthumously.^[2]
• The only other known DVD came from Europe, and is not currently available. Shortly after Franchi emigrated to the United States, he completed a contract with German producers to appear on a music show filmed in Vienna.^[66] He subsequently appeared with Italian singer, Audrey Arno, and Israeli-born Carmela Corren (among others) in Sing, aber spiel nicht mit mir (1963, Kurt Nachmann producer).^[67]

List of CDs released posthumously

• 1988 This Is Sergio Franchi. BMG #886972403328. (Released before his 1990 death) Re-master and re-issue of 1973 compilation album.^{[cd 1]}
• 1992 Do I Hear a Waltz? Original Cast Recording. Sony #SK48206. Re-master & re-issue of 1965 LP.
• 1997 Romantic Italian Songs. RCA/BMG #09026-68902-24. Re-master & re-issue of 1962 LP debut album.^{[cd 2]}
• 1998 Romantic Italian Songs. Also re-issued by The Musical Heritage Society #514996W.
• 1998 The Beautiful Music Company Presents Sergio Franchi. BMG Special Products DMC 12137. New compilation from RCA LPs.
• 1999 The Great Moments From Die Fledermaus. BMG #09026-63468-2. Re-master and re-issue of 1964 collaboration LP.
• 1999 The Heart of Christmas (Cuor' di Natale). RCA/BMG #09026-63515-27. Re-issue and re-master of 1965 LP.
• ???? The Heart of Christmas (Cuor' di Natale). Also re-issued by The Musical Heritage Society.
• 2006 The Exciting Voice of Sergio Franchi. BMG# 09043-124531-21. Re-master and re-issue of 1964 LP.^{[cd 3]}
• 2006 Sergio Franchi Live! at The Coconut Grove. BMG# 09043-124531-21. Re-master and reissue of 1965 LP.^{[cd 3]}
• 2008 Sergio Franchi on the Ed Sullivan Show. Audio CD of Sullivan appearances by same name as DVD. Sofa Entertainment, Inc.

Notes

See also

• List of songs recorded by Sergio Franchi
• List of Operatic pop artists

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sergio Franchi.

• Official Website
• Sergio Franchi on IMDb
• Sergio Franchi on Discogs
• Sergio Franchi on MusicBrainz
• WorldCat Holdings for Sergio Franchi
• Library of Congress Audio Holdings for Sergio Franchi
• Sergio Franchi at TV Guide
• Sergio Franchi at Allmusic.com
• Sergio Franchi on Oldies.com