Sergio Franchi discography
The discography of Sergio Franchi, the Italian-American tenor (1926–1990), 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." 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. 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. 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. Studio albums (LP). Four of these original LP albums have been re-mastered and reissued on CDs. [See CD section below] 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. Collaboration albums (LP). Since Sergio Franchi's death in 1990, RCA has released several of his Christmas songs on dozens of collaboration albums. 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. 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. 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. 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.