Ramon Vargas - Rigoletto - act II cabaletta - 2001

[elreydeldo]

vaya, los que esperábamos el re natural nos hemos quedado esperando.

[sopranosd]

I have heard him in performance and was not terribly impressed, but this is terrific singing. Lovely color, wonderful sound. His voice sounds a little light fo Verdi, but it sure is dramatic.  All that breath! Bravo Ramon. And yes, he's much better than Villazon, who has tragically destroyed his voice somehow.

[PianistRonaldChow]

it the a note ! whats going on ~!! it the most special recording~!!

[danbar73]

Having seen a number of tenors on YT going for the high D in live perfs, I am not convinced that this pursuit has any merit at all, musically or dramatically. All of these brave tenors had to drop two measures of sustained high A to prepare for the D, a good chunk of Verdi sound. Most often, the result is not even solid. No amount of added embellishment can compensate for the two

measures omitted; it's just like adding insult to injury.

Even in the case of a supertenor who can produce a solid

[danbar73]

Even in the case of a supertenor who can produce a solid and sustained high D with the preceding two measures of sustained high A on one breath, the stunning result could affect the dramatic situation as well. Carrying the limp body of Gilda with that triumphal high D amounts to a blatant glorification of the abduction of the innocent,leaving the duke with no redeeming value at all. There are other spots where the tenor can show off his high notes : the high B's and high D flat in Addio,addio.

[tena2]

good thinking your: regads

[danbar73]

Thanks and best to you.

[Englishtenor2]

What's with the A at the end? It looks for a second as if he's going to attempt the D, thinks twice about it, and then forgets to drop the fifth - nice tone though! Good singing all through!

[novice1959]

Wonderful Vargas! Very well done!

[operareg]

I love it! Bravo Ramon, it put a smile on my face too.

[ness906]

esta muy bien el video

[BeniaminoGigli]

His singing is affluent,but it seems something are missing in his voice....I don't know how to say.

[oscarnotwild]

What exactly is missing? You cannot tell? Perhaps it is the vulgarity that some of the "in" tenors displayed in their singing?

[danbar73]

If one must judge Ramon Vargas on this 3-minute number in comparison with other YT versions, one must consider the fact that this cabaletta was part of the all-Verdi concert where RV superbly sang demanding arias and extended scenes with chorus and orchestra from seven Verdi operas: ALZIRA, MACBETH, DUE FOSCARI, RIGOLETTO, LUISA MILLER, MASNADIERI & ATTILA. The competition sang theirs early in Rigoletto, RV in the thick of things. His powerful, burnished sound and rhythmic vitality still prevail

[OettingerCroat]

what does it matter, the people in the audience loved the performance. yes there have been better performances from better tenors, but if this performance can put a smile on so many faces, Vargas is doing his job very well.

[ness906]

i agree. That is the most important.

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

Operafriend-What really ignorant is your lack of realization that the beautiful Italian repertoire is decimated by second class hispanic tenors.

[Operafiend22]

I can agree that Cura and Villazon are second rate, but Vargas and Florez (while not my favorite tenors, are better than anything coming out of Italy today. Who do you like...Licitra...Bocelli?

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

OperaFriend-I have seen Florez live, and he's a top notch tenore leggero. But I doubt his voice will darken gracefully. Vargas is a bit better than Villazon but he suffers more or less with the technical problems, although less.

[leadoffeohippus]

A "bit better"? I think Vargas is much better than R. Villazon, who's just turned into a disaster. Vargas' voice isn't that big, but I think he's pretty good.

[oscarnotwild]

Lictra is a Swiss-Italian tenor. We don't think Alagna is an Italian singer, do we?. I agree with your comments.

[flaze3]

there is nothing second class about Vargas! He's fantastic.

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

As if you would know the difference you 20 years old fiddlestick. I was going to opera, watching the Greats, well before your old many accidentally shagged your mum while she was ovulating. Now get lost.

[flaze3]

what do you want? A medal? Just because you've been to see a few operas doesn't mean you're a better judge of quality than me. Go fuck yourself, you pretentious twat.

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

What a clueless young fiddlestick you are. I'd suggest you think twice with your little brain before you open your mouth. You might perhaps say something that comes close to making sense. Now get lost.

[flaze3]

Stop calling me a fiddlestick: it's neither clever, nor original. Furthermore, I'd suggest you think twice before accusing ME of having a little brain. It's not my fault if you're too much of a fucktard to understand me.

Now bugger off, and look up the word 'hypocrisy'.

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

If you don't wanna be called fiddlestick then try to be a decent lad. Bugger is your daddy who missed your mommy's rear, and ended up shagging her up the cunny while she was ovulating. As a consequence and accidentally you're the end result. You're a little fiddlestick indeed. All you're missing is a certification as such! Now get lost!

[flaze3]

Ok...

1. I'm getting bored of your infantile repetition of pathetic playground chat; and 2. I can't be bothered to converse with someone absurd enough to call such a beautiful singer as Vargas second rate.

3. So shut up, please. You're an embarrassment to yourself.

[coloraturafan]

Flaze3, I agree 100% on all counts.

[flaze3]

thanks, dude

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

Look who's talking you little defective fiddlestick. Your parents should slap some common sense into you but would be a futile endeavor it seems. Some of us have seen a bit more opera over a time frame which exceed your insignificant 20 years of existence! Now get lost you little idiot.

[coloraturafan]

Okay, TheInquistive4ever, you are done. I don't know why you are filled with so many hateful feelings, but I am not going to let my videos become a forum for this type of conduct.

[flaze3]

Yeah, sorry about this, man. TI4E is an idiot and probably a troll. I'm done with him too.

[Mooorhe]

Bravo!

[torreshristoff]

@coloraturafan Gracias por poner a este tipo en su lugar y por subir los videos, sobre todo este de Vargas.

[flaze3]

bla bla bla... yes, you're an idiot. Everyone agrees you should go away. Thanks.

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

Operabuff-It is not nitpicking. That's what differentiates the greats from the rest. Furthermore, Vargas sounds throaty and hooted like most hispanic tenors.

[Operafiend22]

Don't be such an ass!

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

OperaFriend-Did you think of that all by yourself?

[Operafiend22]

Luckily I had your stupid and ignorant comment for inspiration!

[operabuff1]

I miss the D, but this is nitpicking. In all other ways an absolutely ravishing, exciting performance.Bravo!

[eddyarias2]

Excellent, another round of applause Vargas is impeccable.

[danbar73]

A superb and very exciting performance; I would have preferred ending in low D. However, this is a concert version and the singer is always allowed little liberties. I'll take a healthy, burnished A above the staff over a pinched high D anytime. In full performances of this opera, Vargas never used the ending here - always in low D as written. His vocal timber and colors suit the role perfectly .

[mjmacmtenor]

Very well sung, but I really don't like holding the A at the end. Better to resolve to the D (high or low).

[novice1959]

My goodness!!! This is terrific!

[ugolinifu]

That was an esplendide interpretation. Who cares about the high D (that is a horrible sound in a tenor voice)