Der Wanderer
In the midst of success, he was visited by Giovanni Basadonna who offered to instruct Formes in the 'true old Italian method'. Formes studied seriously with him for three years, improving the evenness of colour in his voice, learnt musical theory with Simon Sechter, and met elderly musicians who had known Mozart or Beethoven. His interest in Schubert Lieder was developed, singing privately with Liszt on one occasion: he often sang 'Der Wanderer'.