Franco Corelli in 1981 NJ Gala "A la barcillunisa"!

[jaypenn123]

does anyone know the circumstance of this performance? was it for an event, fundraiser, etc? my understanding was that Corelli was quite retired by the time he was 60...

[CotaDangelo]

In the book of Marina Boagno "Franco Corelli. Un uomo, una voce" said that the wife of Jerome Hines, Lucia, who organized the Annual Dance of the New Jersey State Opera insisted Franco to participate there. Finally, he accepted the offer supported by Bergonzi, who heard him and found that Franco's voice was in a very good shape. The first concert in Newark (April 25th, 1981) was honoring Licia Albanese and Jerome Hines. That day sang also Tagliavinni, Rossi Lemeni, Zeani, and Hines himself.

[CotaDangelo]

It was in 1980 June 8th, the first appearance of Corelli in front of public after almost 4 years (he sang in Torre del Lago (Puccini's home), La boheme, August 10th, 1976). That day, thanks to Lucia Hines, he sang just 2 songs l'ultima canzone and la barcillunisa. And next year he had those 2 glorious concert at Newark (April 25th and July 9th). Just "niun mi tema' from the last concert is here in youtube, I think...

[jaypenn123]

@CotaDangelo thanks very much!

[pieritlyon]

The Grand Master Franco Corelli with his magnificent performances and unchanging, powerful and beautiful voice. Thank you very much "pboston242

[ikmarchini]

The pianist was Alfredo Silipigni, music director of the NJ State Opera. Not sure why any necks would be broken.

[cleanears]

i was there and franco demonstrated to all that teh voiuce was fine! mio dio!!!! where have they all gone???!!! i never liked carreras or domingo. luciano's voice was a lyric tenor that he pushed out of proportion thanks to the microphone... he did have a good techniqie though. but franco...

[TOMMUC1]

I have 10 of them- also copies of copies, but usable at least.

[poivriere]

Maybe it's the more intimate venue here, but he certainly appears incredibly more comfortable, relaxed, and open in his presentation than he did in clips of the Tokyo concerts done ten years earlier.

[songsofscarlet]

i swear he just felt like retiring... because as this video shows, he certainly didn't retire in '75 because his voice was in decline, because he sounds amazing here 6 years LATER!!!! Thank you for posting this!!!!

[TOMMUC1]

I'm surprised he had the music- it was from a very old collection of Sicilian songs, real ones, gathered in the 19th century in many Sicilian villages. The scores all burned in the old Casa Ricordi in a tremendous fire, and few people have them. I only own about 5 or 6 of them.

[Moffolover]

Well, I'm not very surprised - he was Italian.

[Pertile23]

I have the music. It seems to be a copy of a copy of copy. But it's quite readable.