Mario Ancona & Enrico Caruso - Pearl Fishers duet 1907

[chuckobrien]

the importance is in the musicality and legato of the singing. The size of the voice is not the point.MUSICALITY. The legato of JB and RM is not challenged by any other duo. It doesn't exist!

[MrCafiero]

@chuckobrien Yeah, I don't agree that Bjorling and Merrill had it better than anyone else. Caruso is a master as was Ancona.

[llynfach]

Christ, that Caruso could sing a bit, couldn't he!!

[martythetickler]

@llynfach Many say he is the greatest singer who ever lived.

[4444marla]

Yes, Comparison is not possible with this different style of singing and early recording.So why do it? Caruso was great, Bjorling and Merrill, also...... but a different time period and one thing in this recording is certainly evident, emotionality and musicality. Caruso has recordings that show his voice much better than this one.

[MrCafiero]

@4444marla Time period has nothing to do with it.  You don't change singing because of time period. Singing at a very high standard should be of utmost importance regardless. Björling's voice was much, much smaller than Caruso. There is no comparison.

[Ailsa72]

Thank you for your work in unearthing music that I would never have had the opportunity to hear otherwise. Gigli's acting is strange, so, second time around I am listening, with my eyes closed. Yes I can hear how Bjorling was influenced by Gigli At first De Luca's and Gigli's voice do not seem to mesh but in the declaration of friendship, no matter what, they come together.

[Nev266]

Such a silky sound, from soooo many years ago.

[SHICOFF1]

I remember hearing Kraus a few times, even at his Chicago American debut and in his roles with the orchestra not blasting I had no problem hearing him , but no he did not have a big voice of course, very light and well used. He sang Boheme in a run and never again cause the 3rd act was too much for his type of voice, but in more lyric roles I enjoyed him. On recording they can make Donald Duck sound big and now they can and do amplify voices. I heard Tagliavinni, small but very beautiful.

[SHICOFF1]

@jhb134 First I have to agree with Cafiero here. Never compare a tenor like Jussi or Bergonzi with a dramatic, MDM or a Spinto like Tucker. Lyric Spinto voices like Bergonzi/JB record well but when I heard MDM and RT in house they sounded not just bigger but MDM sounded way better, then on Studio or even some live rec. If you never heard them I can't give an example.Tucker's top was as rich as the middle with Squillo, big sound. I will not compare too JB, CB or LP. They record better.

[MrDrk999]

wtf is this .. a contest? both are fantastic if you want to compare

mario del monaco e lucevan le stelle

[MrCafiero]

@MrDrk999 Yeah and I think it is stupid to compare lyrics to dramatics or spinto tenors anyway. And Björling had a small voice.  You cannot even compare it to Caruso or Del Monaco.

[SHICOFF1]

JB WAS IN THE BERGONZI AND PAV. MODE OF LYRIC TENOR'S POWER WISE AND NEVER HAD A REALLY BIG SPINTO VOICE BUT HE HAD POINT ON TOP AND GREAT LOW NOTES. PERFECTION OF TECH. BUT NOT A BIG VOICE AS SOME OF HIS FANS INSIST. He recorded well, MDM and Tucker had better sound live. JB NEVER SANG ROLES NOT good FOR HIM ON STAGE, LIKE SAMSON.FORZA, CALAF etc. He was for me a great Recitalist and basic lyric tenor who had a great sound from early on. His Romeo and Boheme where among his best roles.

[jhb134]

@SHICOFF1 - Interesting; you say that del Monaco and Tucker sounded even-BETTER, in live performances. Can you give examples? Thanks!

[SHICOFF1]

@jallfjallf YES I AM A FAN OF JB. I HEARD JB ON STAGE,1958, ALSO TUCKER OFTEN, DEL MONACO IN 1959 AND CORELLI ALLON STAGE,JUST TO NAME A FEW, INCLUDING DI STEFANO AND BERGONZI AND MANY MORE IN HOUE. I PREFER JB AND MERRILL IN THIS STUDIO REC. TO ANY OTHER REC. OF IT BUT JB DID NOT HAVE A REALLY BIG VOICE IN HOUSE. MY GRANDFATHER HEARD JB OFTEN. HE HEARD CARUSO 3 TIMES ON STAGE. HE LIVED TOO TELL ME ABOUT IT. HE DIED IN 1980 AT AGE 100, CLEAR OF MIND. CARUSO HAD THE LARGER VOICE LIVE.

[SteveB357]

You hear two giants playing with each other. Yes, they are stylistically different from JB & RM, but it was a different time, and they so dominated their field. The fun they had, in this piece is apparent.

[Bjorlingmiracle]

I know Caruso was one of Jussi's great idols, and I may be declared a moron for this, still I can't for the life of me make myself even LIKE, much less enjoy Caruso's voice. It sounds to me like he's got something stuck in the throat that will not allow the beauty of his notes out.

[Erdrick345]

@Bjorlingmiracle WEll, I will declare you a moron, as you like. Caruso had finesse, power, tenderness and conveyed great emotion. Bjoerling is a favorite of mine and ranks behind Caruso with Gigli as the greatest tenors of all time. Jussi was well aware of Caruso's greatness and tried to emulate his style and approach to arias in his interpretations.

[Bjorlingmiracle]

@Erdrick345

Well my friend I'm well aware of the subjectivity of likes and dislikes when it comes to Opera singers so I'll just surmise that you're otherwise wired that I am. My ears and brain are totally atuned to the voice of JB. That's why I put him in a class of his own. Seeing that Caruso was the favourite of Jussi's I respect him greatly; he just doesn't DO anything for me. Jussi on the other hand puts me in a religious mood whenever I hear him and he moves me to tears .

[diarci]

Bjorling's voice was not "small" but it was not huge in volume. What he had was an intensity of sound that penetrated right through and over evry other voice on the stage. Causo is superb here, but we can never compare accurately (and what do comparisons matter anyway?) because the accoustical recordings of the time were not capable of picking up subtleties - of the middle voice especially. From a standpoint of pure pleasure, I prefer Bjorling and Merrill.

[1079walter]

Sorry, but I can't understand anyone comparing this recording to Bjorling and Merrill. Caruso sounds strained and Ancona is sliding all over the place! Not to mention the fact that they rarely actually sing TOGETHER, and at the end, Enrico is so sharp it hurts my ears! Jussi and Robert are beyond compare with their version of this magnificent duet.

[LogicalKlingon]

Some of these comments remind me of geeks arguing about which computer platform is superior. Get a life! In every generation of singers and musicians there are those noteworthy ones who shine. Give them their due! The great ones will always be remembered for what they did, but don't knock those who revere them by emulating the greats! If they are any good at all, cheer them on!

I'm a performer myself, so I know what it like to be compared to the best, good or bad.

[CD122344]

Truly a wonderful recording and Caruso's singing is really "clean" and his phrasing is wonderful.

[richardpetty1000]

beautiful absolutely beautiful bring a tear to my eye

[ciroalb3]

one wonders how many rehearsals they had before committing it to wax? The plan or trajectory of the whole is so perfect

[badpdx]

I can't remember who wrote it, but somewhere I read that Jussi's lower and mid-range was not exactly small, but was slightly dead acoustically. In other words, it didn't carry or resonate as well as some singers. However, when he reached high A, B or C, the voice was crystal clear and as focused as a laser beam, and would cut through every other sound in an auditorium.

[Beekeeper911]

Ancona and Caruso are so beautifully blended in this wonderful duet. What gives more special appreciation is that this 1907 recording expresses their magnificent voices despite the early recording technology. Additionally, these artists provided a more unique interpretation, considering that they could not just pull up recordings of other versions to analyze. That this stands the test over a century of time speaks to magnificence of their skill and performance.

[schlusnus]

It's interesting to note that all major opera critics and all major tenors seem to agree that Caruso wasundeniably the tenor .

His commanding voice and such range despite early recordings......are just superior.

He also lived in a time of very civil humans...alas sadly lacking these days. !

[happywealthyme]

I have to admit that the blending of these voices is perfection.

[pgiuser]

This is Jussi and Meril.

[jallfjallf]

Since I'm a Swede I will not easily admit that just exactly the size of Björlings voice was less than Carusos. Of course its hard to judge since recordings with Caruso are so old, but people who heard both said that the tone, the volume, the hight, the power was no less for Björling. But he was, as Swedes normally are considered colder, while Caruso was more dynamic.

This recording is absolutely fantastic. Far better than Jussis and Merrils. Especially when Caruso and Ancona sings together.

[MrCafiero]

@jallfjallf That just really is not true that Björling had the same size of voice. I know you are a Swede, but Caruso's voice was much, much bigger. Even Jerome Hines said he was in shock at how small Björling's voice was. And he sang with him. That was never said of Caruso. And people who heard both said Caruso's voice was much larger, including Rosa Ponselle.

[jallfjallf]

@MrCafiero Well, how do you measure size of voice? Is there any truths in a thing like preferences for singers? If you listen to the old recordings of Caruso, despite the sound quality, he is dynamic, charming, playing with his voice. Jussi, as Pavarotti put it, sang like moonshine...

As for Rosa Ponselle, it's not likely that a protegé of Caruso would allow anyone getting close. But Hines gets me interested. Where did he comment Jussi's voice as small?

[lhbbstar34]

@MrCafiero it doesnt matter. They were both good singers. I doubt you ever heard either of them sing live. Recordings and live performances are two different things, but the recording of this duet with Caruso/Ancona and Byorling/Merrill are both excellent in my opinion.

[MrCafiero]

@lhbbstar34 But you did? I know many who did. The end.

[federic017]

@jallfjallf Bel commento ...Lo condivido..grazie...saluti

[MrSammyscroll]

The power of Caruso's voice is evident in his high notes....absolutely thrilling....I love them all, just glorious voices.......

[CStage2]

What a marevlous talent experienced by that generation of opera fans!

[Issiteasy]

Thank you so much!

[The99Gambo]

Beniamino Gigli and Guiseppe De Luca also provide a great rendition to sit alongside the fantastic Bjorling/Merrill version. This Caruso/Ancona recording is relatively primitive acoustically but still shows the wonderful ability of the two singers.

[hobo1975]

@The99Gambo there is a video of gigli and deluca on youtube singing this!

[RickManchester]

caruso once said that the strain of singing opera was like shitting through the mouth! well i can hear what he means! bjorling forever!!!!

[MrCafiero]

@RickManchester Björling was often compared to Caruso, but had nowhere near the size of voice of Caruso.

[ciroalb3]

@RickManchester he was not so vulgar. He told a vocal student that in the morning you push down, when you sing, you push up.

[MrCafiero]

@ciroalb3 Push up what exactly?

[ciroalb3]

@MrCafiero the voice through the head or the "mask" as singers call it.

[MrCafiero]

@MrCafiero Unfortunately, Jean de Reszke made up the term "mask singing" and it has caused many problems in the voice world.

[madisonelectronic]

@MrCafiero Fortunately it caused Marilyn Horne no problems despite mentioning it.

[hobo1975]

@MrCafiero he did exactly make up this stupid term and so many followed it,you can find it in his book.singing is everywhere not just the sensations in the mask,which are superficial sensations and not resonance as in vocal amplification.

[bodiloto]

Un secolo fa i solisti cantavano cosi !

Insuperabili !***************infiniti !

[XaKLi]

Love it.

[stevevandien]

Gorgeous. Just curious,Cafiero; do you know when this was recorded?  I'd guess between 1906 and '12 --

[stevevandien]

DUH.  Just saw the date; forgive my asking:) --

[cryozo]

Well, you were right. ;D

[vstasov]

Ecstatically beautiful. Thank you.

[madacus2]

thank you! nothing more

[schlusnus]

Hi Meltzerboy . I enjoy your comments and immediate

knowledge, especially Bjorling saying "close to Caruso

Ancona" I can truly believe it.

I'm sure these greats must have been great characters

off stage aswell. imagine the fun they must have had

and Oh! to travel with them.

[jacquesurlus]

Ars longa, vita brevis

[CanadaPisces]

A lovely blending of two great singers!

Thank you Cafiero and Paul!

[paulostroff99]

A,most as great as the Bjoerling/Merrill or the Gigli/De Luca. Bravo! Bravo!

[billyguns2]

Enshrined in this ancient recording is one of the greatest duet recordings ever made; Caruso and Ancona are perfectly matched. I love their use of portamento, a technical device, not aesthetic taste, ruined forever by the vocally ignorant Riccardo Muti. We are fortunate that men's voice, unlike women's, recorded so well this long ago.

[meltzerboy]

Riccardo Muti ruined portamento singlehandedly?

[billyguns2]

Yes, and all the sycophants, wannabees, and artists he hired who consented to his lunacy.

[meltzerboy]

Merrill tells the story that when he and Bjorling recorded the duet, Bjorling turned to him and said let's try to get it as close as we can to the Caruso-Ancona recording. Obviously, for good reason!

[jussibjor]

bjorling /merrill did a very good job but this is out of this world in my opinion

[meltzerboy]

I love the Bjorling-Merrill recorded series of duets, especially the one from Pearl Fishers. Another collaboration you might try, if you're not already familiar with it, is the Gigli-De Luca duet recordings, which are also superb.

[MrCafiero]

He also tells the story about that recording that Bjorling wanted to be able to sing right into the mic because Merrill's voice could totally overpower him. Bjorling had a great voice, but it was a fraction of what Caruso had.

[meltzerboy]

Probably Bjorling had a different take on that story!

[MrCafiero]

Well, the conductor and recording engineers were there too. The video is on youtube somewhere with Merrill talking about it. It is pretty commonly known that Bjorling had a small voice. Even Hines said he was disappointed the first time he sang with him on stage because of it.::)

[meltzerboy]

I never heard Bjorling live but have read that his voice was not so large in the opera house--about the size of a typical lyric tenor and certainly nowhere near the size of Caruso's. I'm just not so sure Bjorling would have admitted he had a smaller voice than Merrill's, and is likely to have described the event differently compared to Merrill's account.

[AulicExclusiva]

Unless it was totally obvious.

There is no doubt that Merrill had a considerably more powerful voice than Bjœrling. Merrill sang the entire Verdi dramatic baritone repertoire and held his own with the likes of Tucker, Corelli, Del Monaco, Vinay, Penno, or McCracken. Anybody who heard Merrill go head-to-head with Tucker in the big Forza duet knows that he had a bigger voice than Bjœrling.

[meltzerboy]

Agreed. I heard Merrill in the opera house (and in Central Park) several times, and the only baritone in my experience who could compare in terms of sheer power was Cornel MacNeil. Of course, I'm not talking about recordings of Ruffo, Stracciari, and so on.

[8x8MaVerick8x8]

@meltzerboy Also it's important to remember recording tech - Merrill probably had a larger fundamental tone (likely anyway for a baritone compared to a tenor). Björling would have been counting on overtones in the house. In a recording situation, however, fundamental matters when you're sitting near a microphone and bellowing into it...

[MrCafiero]

@8x8MaVerick8x8 BUt Merrill was not near the mic when recording. Björling was. And that just points to the fact his voice was much smaller. Certainly Del Monaco would not have had that problem nor would Gigli.

[8x8MaVerick8x8]

@MrCafiero Yes, yes. Fair enough. I'm not disputing the voice was smaller. I'm just pointing out the Björling's strength was the construction of the overtones in his voice, not the sheer size of the voice. I won't deny that in certain repertoire, a larger fundamental tone is essential (heavy Puccini, Verdi, and of course Wagner and Strauss), some of which Björling sang. Still, having the overtone rather than heft was his strength where others, had larger voices and less perfect overtones.

[MrCafiero]

@8x8MaVerick8x8 What big voices does have have better overtones than? Any great singers have squillo or "properly produced overtones". He had that, but just a small voice. Del Monaco had tremendous overtones. Much more than he did. And much more F1. So did Caruso, Masini etc.

[8x8MaVerick8x8]

@MrCafiero Indeed, they're all great voices. I love Del Monaco (I don't love Caruso and confess I'm not familiar with Masini, but more because of the recording technology than because of the voices. I wish I could hear them better). I just know that the voice scientists (I am not one). Always laud the perfection of Björling's formants. That does NOT mean others weren't GREAT too. I just know that Björling was lauded for his tremendous cut. I never heard any live, as, sadly, I was not alive.

[MrCafiero]

@8x8MaVerick8x8 Yes, but they all had great singer's formant. Not just Börling.  His lack of size in the house was disappointing to many including Jerome Hines.

[wells23456]

sublime

[Kievest]

Unsurpassed!! Thank you.

[petrof4056]

A-W-E-S-O-M-E !!

[rico1357]

Beautiful, What else can I say.