In 1906, at the very end of her career, the legendary soprano Adelina Patti recorded several songs for the phonograph, which was then a new invention. One of the songs she chose was the sentimental ballad "Home Sweet Home," with music by Henry Bishop, which was extremely popular in the United States during the Civil War era.
Patti was in her 60s when she made this recording, her voice still strong and clear. As such, the recording is a rare memento of one of the great voices of the 19th century.
But there is a second reason to admire this recording, one that has to do with the 16th President of the United States.
In 1862, during the Civil War, Patti visited the White House and sang for Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Patti was then only 19, the daughter of an Italian musical family who had emigrated to the U.S., but already a well-known opera singer, having made her debut at age 16.
The Lincolns enjoyed hosting musical entertainments, which were often performed in the Red Room. Mrs. Lincoln told Patti, "I have wanted to see you--to see the young girl who has done so much, who has set the whole world talking of her wonderful singing."
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