Once upon a time, Mr. Edison had a recording company. Then Mr. Edison left the rights to his company’s recordings to the National Park Service, and they put those recordings into the public domain. So go over to archive. org’s oldtime section and enjoy!
“Star Light, Star Bright” from Wizard of the Nile by Victor Herbert. Sung by J.W. Myers. 1896.
“Mattinata” by Ruggiero Leoncavallo, the first song composed especially for the gramophone. Sung by Caruso and accompanied by Leoncavallo.
“Gnadigenarie” from Robert le Diable by Giacomo Meyerbeer. Sung by Frau Emilie Herzog. 1902.
Duet (“Ah! o cuor, dono funesto”?) from La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli. Sung by Paola Koraleck and Preste Benedetti. 1911.
(Constantino died in a hospital for the destitute in Mexico City, after apparently having drunk and quarrelled his way out of a career. Great voice in these recordings, though.)
“Ah, Si Ben Mio” from Il Trovatore by Verdi. Sung by R. Martin. 1912.
“Celeste Aida” from Aida by Verdi. Sung by Florencio Constantino. 1911.
“Du Susse” from the operetta Schuetzenliesl. Sung by Ludwig Arno. 1908.
“Over There” Song by George M. Cohan. Sung by Enrico Caruso in English and French.
“Ride of the Valkyries” from Die Walkure by Wagner. Performed by the American Symphony Orchestra. 1921.
“William Tell Overture” (part 2) from William Tell by Rossini. Performed by Sodero’s Band.