Mattinata (Leoncavallo) Mattinata (Leoncavallo) "Do not confuse with songs of the same name by Ottorino Respighi and Paolo Tosti." Mattinata (; English: "Morning") was the first song ever written expressly for the Gramophone Company (the present day HMV). Composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo in 1904, this song was dedicated to Enrico Caruso, who was the first to record it in 1904 with the composer at the piano. Ever since, this piece has become a concert favourite. More than a half-century later this song was recorded by Italian-born tenor Sergio Franchi on his American-debut album, "Romantic Italian Songs" (RCA Victor Red Seal, 1962). In
Enrico Caruso prominent Neapolitan singers taught by Lombardi were the baritones Antonio Scotti and Pasquale Amato, both of whom would go on to partner Caruso at the Met, and the tenor Fernando De Lucia, who would also appear at the Met and later sing at Caruso's funeral. Money continued to be in short supply for the young Caruso. One of his first publicity photographs, taken on a visit to Sicily in 1896, depicts him wearing a bedspread draped like a toga since his sole dress shirt was away being laundered. At a notorious early performance in Naples, he was booed by a