I saw this back in 1986 when it was broadcast on PBS and totally fell in love with this man's voice, but could never remember his name. I always wanted to know who he was and to hear him sing again. Thank you for this gift.
65Attila: I have heard a couple recordings of Warren and I have a little hard to believe that he had a big voice,and I have read a few descriptions from his time that say that he had a light and soft voice. Well there are some people that think that Bjorling had a small voice although he had a c greater than I´ve ever heard.Maybe it´s not very important, it´s music we are talking about, and not politics.
I'll have to amend the post below. I said Giorgio Zancanaro was the only baritone I ever loved "even more" than Sherrill Milnes, but then I just listened to Milnes sing this same aria and it's a dead even tie! They are both totally fabulous singing it.
I have wanted to hear this aria sung again by this fabulous baritone for so many year, but didn't remember his name. Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this.
He's the only baritone I've ever heard I loved even more than Sherrill Milnes, but only heard him that once in this production. Would loved to have heard so much more of him.
Toujours aussi élégant!On aimerait seulement entendre plus de conflits intérieurs et de pathos dans son interprétation.S'il se défend d'en faire trop comme nombre de ses compatriotes ,parfois il manque cette générosité.C'est trop maîtrisé,il n'y a pas de prise de risques.Mais sa grande intelligence fait qu'il ne tombe jamais dans la platitude.Un Monsieur.
Beautiful legato, tone, breath, and style! He always sings on his breath and the voice is always connected.... REAL Italian school singing.... we don't hear much of this anymore....
The most elegant YES I heard him in Carmen early as Morales. This was one of the wonders of Italian singing, his Verdi was beautiful as was his Bellini. The longs lines are superb, he makes this sound better than it really is.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
A fine singer , technique and interpretation, but given the unbelievable power in this music I can only think to how it doesn't add up to Milnes' '77 recording of this aria and opera with RCA. Mr. Milnes' emotion, choice of dynamics, and contrast(not vocal technique) make a giant in this piece against which others should be judged. This comment is not to the discredit of Mr. Zancaro's effort, but to the enlightenment of a superior interpretation.
This is the aria that started my love of Zancaro's interpretations. The way he sings everything is just so moving. And such technique. A true verdian baritone.
Igen,tizenöt évesen én is élveztem.Azon az estén Lella Cuberli volt Violetta.Eredetileg Mara Zampieri lett volna/hát,az sem lett volna piskóta!/,de megbetegedett.
I am so greatful to whoever posted this it has given me back the long lost desire to sing. Its simply beautiful. Technique and emotion steaming through each tone and phrase. Each note a biography each phrase a story, every hearing overwhelms me and fills me with joy. Bravo Giorgio singing has been defined :))))))
Love the way Zancanaro sings! Beautiful timbre, fabulous line, and secure placement in each part of the voice. His warmth is moving! Since I have never heard him live, I cannot comment on the size and weight of his voice in the house. However, he sounds like a model for every aspiring baritone today.
Tnx for the comments, enlightening - in view of yr live experience. And another great tnx for the tip re Il balen ... piece - no words, just ZANCANARO !! at his best.
I still count our blessings to have the net / U Tube and be able to relish the samples of great artists living and past.
Light for this role or not, this IS a beautiful, lush voice. The flavor is unique. (Hampson may be deeper, but lacks the lushness, so take your pick).
Actually, I didn't even like Hampson in the uniquely tempestuous performance of La Traviata Rizzi, Netrebko and Villazon. Again, he may have the lower register, but it does not sound as rich and emotional as Zancanaro. Even the aged Leo Nucci in the Solti, Gheorghiu, Lopardo recording is better.
bobsopera: There is NO opera by Verdi that I would want to hear Hampson sing. I left the performance of Boccanegra at the Met a few years ago. It was dreadful. And he really doesn't have the low register in the opera house. Or the top register for Verdi. Not trying to slam him as I heard a concert in Vienna of orchestrated Mahler songs that he sang that was simply wonderful. But that ain't Verdi! And recordings are very misleading.
p.s. bob: Listen to Zancanaro sing the treacherous tessitura of "Il balen" here on Youtube. It is astoundingly beautiful and technically perfect. If he didn't have quite the depth and power of a Warren, Bastianini or Merrill, ....... well, few do. But his elegance of line is not surpassed by any.
Ever since I discovered Zancanaro in Andrea Chenier, and this aria in particular, I have been hooked on him. I think he is an extraordiary baritone and grossly underrated. I can't understand that I never heard of him and I´ve been an opera fan for 30years. Unbelievable, since he not only sings, but acts as well, like Placido.
@Nanguyalai I feel the same way--I am a long time opera fan like you and for some inexplicable reason I never heard of GZ. A few days ago I saw some clips of him on You Tube (Trovatore) and now I'm hooked! Thank God for You Tube!
Esto es un baritono!!!!, Hampson or Hvor tienen que comer muchos muchisimos spaguettis y estudiar y escuchar hasta llegar a esta calidad de emisiòn e interpretación.
MrCafiero: Did you hear him in the house? Not too light for this part at all, though I agree it's on the "heavy" end for him. His strength was high flying tessitura as his passagio technique is absolutely perfect. But his voice was very well placed and I heard him sing "di Luna, Rodrigo, and Carlo in "Forza" and it carried beautifully. No, not Merrill or Bastianini, but not Hampson or Hvor. either!!
No, I did not hear him live, did you? I wish I would have, but then again I did not hear Protti, Warren, Merrill or Ruffo live either. I think he does this well, but ideally it should be sung by a true dramatic baritone alla MacNeil, Warren, Protti. He is very good.
If you read my post I'm not sure how you missed the fact that yes, I did hear him live, and in parts that he was well known for and delivered very well in.
Maybe not beefy but certainly not light! The sound poured out of him and the voice rode the orchestra with ease. It is seldom one hears a baritone that has such an even voice without any seams. Exquisite timbre and superb musicality. No over-dramatizing or cheap thrills. This is what God meant Italian Opera to sound like!
I agree the voice was not light and I heard him several times live. After saying that, I do think that Gerard is tad too "heavy" for his beautiful, full lyric. His Germont and Ezio in Attila, both of which I heard live, were absolutely perfect for him.
@Merrillmiller99 Then, by your definition you must be weak and stupid unless you do not consider it an insult to call someone stupid. And for sure, you do not know Mr. Cafiero.
@MrCafiero "Not quite as heavy as others" does not make the voice light. This voice shines with the freedom of a golden technique- a technique that holds with it the weight of magnificence. There is no lack of power in the voice that I can hear, though it would be hard to say without feeling the voice in person.
In my humble opinion, I do not find heavier better, and I believe that mentality is what the problem with male voices is today. Too much falsely covered wobble, too little freedom.
@MrCafiero Are you having a laugh? Warren had a light almost petite voice, and Merrill was too stupid to sing dramatic parts convincingly. All he did was to sing loud,( but he had a great musicality though.)
I have heard the same thing about Warren having a small voice and then others said his voice ws huge, Quite a paradox, I never heard him on stage so I have no independent judgment.
I love the quality of Giorgio Zancanaro's voice and the pathos of his interpretation.:
One of the best renditions I've ever heard. I particularly like Zancanaro because of the texture of his voice and because he is a very technical singer.....with Zancanaro you get the feeling that each and every note is placed where it should be and that he permanently knows what he is doing; he is not one of those singers who just sing without thinking about the technical issues. Beside these facts there is his intellectual interpretation and his really great "healthy" passagio and top notes.
I was actualy at Covent Garden when this was recorded and thats my "Bravo" right at the end of the aria, honestly! Just a point,maybe of interest.Julius Rudel the conductor was very unhappy with the beginning of the second scene in Paris after the revelution had taken place. It was being recorded for broadcast by the BBC TV, so 7 minuites into the scene, Rudel stopped and said lets start again!Poor Placido Domingo as Chenier looked surprised.BUT two mins later the opera started again!
@peterboldizsar MACCHE' TENORE ,GIORGIO E' UNO DEI POCHI BARITONI CHE NON APPARTENGONO ALLA SCUOLA DEL MUGGITO,E' UNA VOCE SENZA ARTIFICI. BRAVO GIORGIO,NON HAI MAI DELUSO (FORSE GLI INVIDIOSI) PIERO VISCONTI ROMA
Maravilla.
911fernan 2 months ago
I saw this back in 1986 when it was broadcast on PBS and totally fell in love with this man's voice, but could never remember his name. I always wanted to know who he was and to hear him sing again. Thank you for this gift.
TheSandyb16 6 months ago
65Attila: I have heard a couple recordings of Warren and I have a little hard to believe that he had a big voice,and I have read a few descriptions from his time that say that he had a light and soft voice. Well there are some people that think that Bjorling had a small voice although he had a c greater than I´ve ever heard.Maybe it´s not very important, it´s music we are talking about, and not politics.
Merrillmiller99 6 months ago
A truly fantastic performance that I can listen to several times in a row.
musicarius 6 months ago 2
Shit man, his scenic presence is as powerful as his voice. From now on I will stop singing lirically and take him as a rolemodel!
Merrillmiller99 8 months ago
One of the best interpretations.....
Grande Zancanaro!
caruso81 8 months ago 4
I'll have to amend the post below. I said Giorgio Zancanaro was the only baritone I ever loved "even more" than Sherrill Milnes, but then I just listened to Milnes sing this same aria and it's a dead even tie! They are both totally fabulous singing it.
TheSandyb16 9 months ago
I have wanted to hear this aria sung again by this fabulous baritone for so many year, but didn't remember his name. Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this.
He's the only baritone I've ever heard I loved even more than Sherrill Milnes, but only heard him that once in this production. Would loved to have heard so much more of him.
TheSandyb16 9 months ago
One of the last "Great one´s " , what a passionate interpretation !
ingriddoppler 9 months ago
Good production, first-rate sound --So much better than the current crop of baritones
vpo2g2 1 year ago
voglio farlo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ROMAYATENEA 1 year ago
Girogio is soooooooooooooooo wonderful. Yes I do love this.
georgerannie 1 year ago 2
I like... Great baritone..!
thonycg93 1 year ago
To my mind both singing and acting the best money can buy.
berlin194 1 year ago 5
Bravoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Espectacular!!!
guillecanaleja 1 year ago 2
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who on earth disliked this video? it must have been an accident.
nickcowie 1 year ago
who on earth disliked this video? it must have been an accident.
nickcowie 1 year ago
Toujours aussi élégant!On aimerait seulement entendre plus de conflits intérieurs et de pathos dans son interprétation.S'il se défend d'en faire trop comme nombre de ses compatriotes ,parfois il manque cette générosité.C'est trop maîtrisé,il n'y a pas de prise de risques.Mais sa grande intelligence fait qu'il ne tombe jamais dans la platitude.Un Monsieur.
abracadabranque 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
what is it with tenors singing baritone roles and arias?
marcellny 1 year ago
Hay otros intérpretes con más perfección técnica, pero con esa belleza de timbre, ninguno.
VidalHernando 1 year ago
Bravo, incomparable!!! una y otra vez LA VOZ MAS MARAVILLOSA QUE HE ESCUCHADO!!!
orejarota 1 year ago 4
We lost Bastianini too soon .. and then there was Zancanaro.
chengducat 1 year ago 2
Tenore mancato!
AtaGiacomini 1 year ago
haha! liquid gold is the perfect way to describe him. liquid hot magma gold. :)
rayer1000 1 year ago 4
bravo !
bodiloto 2 years ago 4
L'ultimo grande baritono verdiano.
31122051 2 years ago 12
This voice is incredible. I'd never heard of him until this and I'm blown away. I wish to sing like this someday.
Iareto 2 years ago 2
You and every baritone in the world.
nickcowie 2 years ago 2
FABULOUS.
Arashi110 2 years ago 8
Pasión, voz, técnica.
osvaldoutube 2 years ago 9
Beautiful legato, tone, breath, and style! He always sings on his breath and the voice is always connected.... REAL Italian school singing.... we don't hear much of this anymore....
timopragod 2 years ago 12
The most elegant YES I heard him in Carmen early as Morales. This was one of the wonders of Italian singing, his Verdi was beautiful as was his Bellini. The longs lines are superb, he makes this sound better than it really is.
jamesjmertins 2 years ago 9
This comment has received too many negative votes show
A fine singer , technique and interpretation, but given the unbelievable power in this music I can only think to how it doesn't add up to Milnes' '77 recording of this aria and opera with RCA. Mr. Milnes' emotion, choice of dynamics, and contrast(not vocal technique) make a giant in this piece against which others should be judged. This comment is not to the discredit of Mr. Zancaro's effort, but to the enlightenment of a superior interpretation.
slimyevan 2 years ago
Milnes superior to Zancaro?? I don't think so...
In what way?
where does Milnes have this kind of legato and perfect fraseggio?
Moreover I think both voice homogeneity and quality are in favour of Zancaro, not to mention technique.
The only thing left is interpretation and that's mostly a matter of personal liking.
Although i'll admit Milnes is quite a good performer when it comes to emotionality, I think this rendition in nothing less than superb...
PickBit 2 years ago 12
This is the aria that started my love of Zancaro's interpretations. The way he sings everything is just so moving. And such technique. A true verdian baritone.
Nanguyalai 2 years ago 10
It was a great pleasure to hear him in the role of Georges Germont in Csokonai Theatre in Debrecen,Hungary.He was very young in that year/1975/
calaf0911 2 years ago
Ez nagyon érdekes, nem is tudtam, hogy Zancanaro énekelt Magyarországon. Biztos remek lehetett.
operafan85 2 years ago
Igen,tizenöt évesen én is élveztem.Azon az estén Lella Cuberli volt Violetta.Eredetileg Mara Zampieri lett volna/hát,az sem lett volna piskóta!/,de megbetegedett.
calaf0911 2 years ago
Hát, Zampieri sem semmi. Igazán jó lehetett akkoriban Debrecenben operát nézni - hallgatni.
operafan85 2 years ago
WONDERFUL!!!!All baritones schould learningto singing to Zancanaro,s recording..-)
LeonoraPasiniani 2 years ago 3
A great singer. I enjoy this rendition as much as Bastianini's recording. Thanks for posting.
Vairguy09 2 years ago 7
I am so greatful to whoever posted this it has given me back the long lost desire to sing. Its simply beautiful. Technique and emotion steaming through each tone and phrase. Each note a biography each phrase a story, every hearing overwhelms me and fills me with joy. Bravo Giorgio singing has been defined :))))))
paulfbrady 2 years ago 9
I've died and gone to heaven. THANKS
gratecourt 2 years ago 18
Beautiful singing! So solid! Cool sound!
Escarpialetto 3 years ago 7
Wonderful-like liquid gold
berlinman46 3 years ago 19
Love the way Zancanaro sings! Beautiful timbre, fabulous line, and secure placement in each part of the voice. His warmth is moving! Since I have never heard him live, I cannot comment on the size and weight of his voice in the house. However, he sounds like a model for every aspiring baritone today.
legatofancier 3 years ago 5
Yes, love this recording. Domingo was at his best that night too! And that's John Dobson at the back as Incredibile...
Englishtenor2 3 years ago
What a beautiful technique! Sometimes covers the top vowels a bit much for me, but the tone is lovely, smooth and like velvet! Bravo!
Vairguy09 3 years ago 2
Tnx for the comments, enlightening - in view of yr live experience. And another great tnx for the tip re Il balen ... piece - no words, just ZANCANARO !! at his best.
I still count our blessings to have the net / U Tube and be able to relish the samples of great artists living and past.
bobsopera 3 years ago 4
Light for this role or not, this IS a beautiful, lush voice. The flavor is unique. (Hampson may be deeper, but lacks the lushness, so take your pick).
bobsopera 3 years ago
"Hampson may be deeper....."
No, Hampson sounds like a tenor compared to this baritone. Or compared to any real baritone!
izar1234 3 years ago 4
Actually, I didn't even like Hampson in the uniquely tempestuous performance of La Traviata Rizzi, Netrebko and Villazon. Again, he may have the lower register, but it does not sound as rich and emotional as Zancanaro. Even the aged Leo Nucci in the Solti, Gheorghiu, Lopardo recording is better.
bobsopera 3 years ago 3
bobsopera: There is NO opera by Verdi that I would want to hear Hampson sing. I left the performance of Boccanegra at the Met a few years ago. It was dreadful. And he really doesn't have the low register in the opera house. Or the top register for Verdi. Not trying to slam him as I heard a concert in Vienna of orchestrated Mahler songs that he sang that was simply wonderful. But that ain't Verdi! And recordings are very misleading.
izar1234 3 years ago 5
p.s. bob: Listen to Zancanaro sing the treacherous tessitura of "Il balen" here on Youtube. It is astoundingly beautiful and technically perfect. If he didn't have quite the depth and power of a Warren, Bastianini or Merrill, ....... well, few do. But his elegance of line is not surpassed by any.
izar1234 3 years ago 8
Ever since I discovered Zancanaro in Andrea Chenier, and this aria in particular, I have been hooked on him. I think he is an extraordiary baritone and grossly underrated. I can't understand that I never heard of him and I´ve been an opera fan for 30years. Unbelievable, since he not only sings, but acts as well, like Placido.
Nanguyalai 3 years ago 6
@Nanguyalai I feel the same way--I am a long time opera fan like you and for some inexplicable reason I never heard of GZ. A few days ago I saw some clips of him on You Tube (Trovatore) and now I'm hooked! Thank God for You Tube!
perpieta 1 month ago
Esto es un baritono!!!!, Hampson or Hvor tienen que comer muchos muchisimos spaguettis y estudiar y escuchar hasta llegar a esta calidad de emisiòn e interpretación.
Lavro504K 3 years ago
What an incredibly beautiful voice!
PromMex 3 years ago 6
Previous commet is mine.I didn't log out from my daughter's nick
mubald 3 years ago
I rember this in TV.Expecting Domingo as Chenier,discovered Zancanaro as Gerard
SoniaShady 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
much too light for this role
MrCafiero 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
If you think that, you'll LOVE Thomas Hampson in this role!
baritonoguapo 3 years ago
LOL! Touche!! LOL!!! Shame isn't it? To think that Merrill, Warren, Protti, Ruffo....all sang 0this role!;
MrCafiero 3 years ago 2
@baritonoguapo I know you must be kidding about that
Operaddict 1 year ago
Couldn't agree with you more mrCafiero. This is a light tenor sound in this role. we need men to sing this. Bastianini, Warren, Milnes.
marcellny 1 year ago
@marcellny ".....a light tenor sound....", you must be kidding!
MsBoccanegra 1 year ago 6
@marcellny Did you seriously just misuse the word 'light'?
MrOpera67 1 year ago
MrCafiero: Did you hear him in the house? Not too light for this part at all, though I agree it's on the "heavy" end for him. His strength was high flying tessitura as his passagio technique is absolutely perfect. But his voice was very well placed and I heard him sing "di Luna, Rodrigo, and Carlo in "Forza" and it carried beautifully. No, not Merrill or Bastianini, but not Hampson or Hvor. either!!
izar1234 3 years ago
No, I did not hear him live, did you? I wish I would have, but then again I did not hear Protti, Warren, Merrill or Ruffo live either. I think he does this well, but ideally it should be sung by a true dramatic baritone alla MacNeil, Warren, Protti. He is very good.
MrCafiero 3 years ago
If you read my post I'm not sure how you missed the fact that yes, I did hear him live, and in parts that he was well known for and delivered very well in.
izar1234 3 years ago
Oh yes, I did read that before. I am sure he was great.
MrCafiero 3 years ago
Maybe not beefy but certainly not light! The sound poured out of him and the voice rode the orchestra with ease. It is seldom one hears a baritone that has such an even voice without any seams. Exquisite timbre and superb musicality. No over-dramatizing or cheap thrills. This is what God meant Italian Opera to sound like!
iskenderuna 3 years ago 4
I agree, not light, but for me, ideally, not heavy enough for this either. On the other hand, 100X better than anyone today.
MrCafiero 3 years ago
I agree the voice was not light and I heard him several times live. After saying that, I do think that Gerard is tad too "heavy" for his beautiful, full lyric. His Germont and Ezio in Attila, both of which I heard live, were absolutely perfect for him.
izar1234 3 years ago
@MrCafiero Too light!! That is a riot! This guy is PERFECT for this part...the real deal in every way!
Operaddict 1 year ago 5
@MrCafiero IDIOT
AfroPoli 1 year ago
@AfroPoli Why do you call him an idiot? Only weak and stupid people insult other persons.
Merrillmiller99 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Merrillmiller99 Then, by your definition you must be weak and stupid unless you do not consider it an insult to call someone stupid. And for sure, you do not know Mr. Cafiero.
AfroPoli 8 months ago
@AfroPoli Who´s mr. cafiero? Is this the right forum to have a fierce debates? It´s music not politics!
Merrillmiller99 6 months ago
@MrCafiero LIGHT???
HAhahahhaahhaha....
caruso81 8 months ago 2
@caruso81 So you think he is as heavy a voice as Warren, Merrill, Ruffo, Granforte, MacNeil, Tagliabue, Molinari etc.?
MrCafiero 8 months ago
@MrCafiero "Not quite as heavy as others" does not make the voice light. This voice shines with the freedom of a golden technique- a technique that holds with it the weight of magnificence. There is no lack of power in the voice that I can hear, though it would be hard to say without feeling the voice in person.
In my humble opinion, I do not find heavier better, and I believe that mentality is what the problem with male voices is today. Too much falsely covered wobble, too little freedom.
tggold 8 months ago
@MrCafiero Are you having a laugh? Warren had a light almost petite voice, and Merrill was too stupid to sing dramatic parts convincingly. All he did was to sing loud,( but he had a great musicality though.)
Merrillmiller99 8 months ago
@Merrillmiller99
I have heard the same thing about Warren having a small voice and then others said his voice ws huge, Quite a paradox, I never heard him on stage so I have no independent judgment.
I love the quality of Giorgio Zancanaro's voice and the pathos of his interpretation.:
65attila 6 months ago
@caruso81 What do you mean "light"?
Merrillmiller99 8 months ago
One of the best renditions I've ever heard. I particularly like Zancanaro because of the texture of his voice and because he is a very technical singer.....with Zancanaro you get the feeling that each and every note is placed where it should be and that he permanently knows what he is doing; he is not one of those singers who just sing without thinking about the technical issues. Beside these facts there is his intellectual interpretation and his really great "healthy" passagio and top notes.
peterboldizsar 3 years ago 10
I was actualy at Covent Garden when this was recorded and thats my "Bravo" right at the end of the aria, honestly! Just a point,maybe of interest.Julius Rudel the conductor was very unhappy with the beginning of the second scene in Paris after the revelution had taken place. It was being recorded for broadcast by the BBC TV, so 7 minuites into the scene, Rudel stopped and said lets start again!Poor Placido Domingo as Chenier looked surprised.BUT two mins later the opera started again!
iduefoscari 3 years ago
@peterboldizsar MACCHE' TENORE ,GIORGIO E' UNO DEI POCHI BARITONI CHE NON APPARTENGONO ALLA SCUOLA DEL MUGGITO,E' UNA VOCE SENZA ARTIFICI. BRAVO GIORGIO,NON HAI MAI DELUSO (FORSE GLI INVIDIOSI) PIERO VISCONTI ROMA
mrodicalp 1 year ago 5