Alessandro BONCI "Cielo e mar" - Victor talking machine

[Cantormatis]

I love his mustache, as well as the voice.

[edisonphonographs]

Is that the same victor 2 that you bought for a dollar?

Thanks

[meltzerboy]

As you state, Bonci had an elegant tenor voice, eminently suited for the older, bel canto repertoire. Caruso was trained in the bel canto tradition, but his singing became more powerful and strenuous as he adapted to the verismo style. I would say, among Italian tenors, Bonci's style resembles that of Anselmi. Schipa's and Gigli's tenore di grazia were of a later generation, and Schipa's singing was preferred to Bonci's by Galli-Curci (herself part of a later generation of bel canto stylists).

[gmmix]

Significant commentary. Thank you for this.

[meltzerboy]

You're very welcome. I think changes in singing styles and what generates them is an interesting study, not only for historical purposes, but also for revealing opera (and music, in general) as a dynamic, evolving means of expression, which is not stagnant.

[quakercub]

I agree 100%!

[malamutet]

Il grande Bonci era nato a Cesena e non a Rimini. Grazie per questi video.

[aulavocal]

ele está mostrando o dedo do meio? O_o

[tHEnOOSEsWING]

I enjoy your videos, particularly the tenors. I look forward to more of your great historical 78's and your wonderful video footage content. Thank you gmmix.

[cuoredoro1]

bonci was a great singer..

[Esceha57]

O couse I've rated this antique document with 5***** Be very carefull.

Cor

Netherlands

[belcantomania]

Uno dei tenori più grandi della storia.grazie

[hobo197]

its funny how acoustics give u a better impression of the voice than cds!

[gmmix]

There's a great fullness apparent on the actual

disc. Comparing Ponselle's electric Casta Diva

played on an Orthophonic Credenza as opposed to the CD version is an eye-opener.

[BMessemer]

Thank you for introducing me to this fantastic voice!

[gmmix]

Thanks for your feedback. This is what YouTube does best.  I've been introduced to many such gems and significant entertainers within the last several months.

[rupepill]

Bonci's post WWl return to the Met several years before Caruso's illness-enforced retirement and death would suggest that the great Neapolitan made no apparent, or at least no successful effort to bar tenor colleagues from joining the Met roster of singers. Bonci's 1928 Columbia recording, made when the tenor was a few years short of sixty, shows why the laughs he so elegantly interpolated into the ensemble 'E scherzo od e follia' from Il Ballo In Maschera were accepted by Verdi himself.

[JussiTM23]

Would be so kind as to post this recording?

[fuzzbear6240]

Gmmix, very nice indeed. Thank you. YF, J.