Well, at first I thought: how sad that everyone must follow this, but then I thought, no... how wonderful to have someone show the way to what is possible.
@flicfan416 Yes, he WAS (being the role he was singing) and he was totally present as that role. An exceptional empathetic genious. Amazing that we can still hear it a century later. And this is not live ....
Is not only my opinion that M.D.M. was one of the greates opera singer ever....Just he likes to forse his voice.Singing with passion.......About Caruso -yes he is the first one,but after him are M.D.M,Franco Corelli and some others.
With all my respect Pavarotti was good but not like the old opera singers-thats all.NO MORE COMMENTS FROM MY SIDE,IF U UNDERSTAND ENOUGH FROM MUSIC OK,IF NOT IS YOUR PROBLEM NOT MINE.Wish u all the best!!!
He was at a bank in NY one time, and the teller didn't want to recognize his signature 'cause he didn't have any ID on him at the time, so he asked: "How can I prove to you that I'm Enrico Caruso?" The teller said: "Sing" hoping to catch a fraud; It said that he sang this very Aria "Recondita Armonia" Not only did they immediately recognized the signature, the customers and employees were privileged enough to hear that wonderful voice!
Two things: listen how Caruso maintains the knife edge of the ringing giro, even when the melodic line is relaxed. Secondly, he does not get the range of insane overtones that JB gets on "TOS-ka", but his "sai-TU" maintains the same trajectory. JB's "-TU" is georgeous, but he has to work at it. Don't get mad. I am just talking about the nuances of what are for me the two best. Caruso's consonants are better, also.
@45oldbear Well italian and swedish are two extremely different languages. JB had a swedish tounge so to speak, I still think he does a marvellous job (I have swedish ears though).
I really like Caruso because he is so effortless. But JB is the love of my life... I can really sense Caruso in his singing sometimes, I believe he studied him very very closely.
Recondita armonia di bellezze diverse!... È bruna Floria, l'ardente amante mia... E te, beltade ignota, cinta di chiome bionde! Tu azzurro hai l'occhio, Tosca ha l'occhio nero! L'arte nel suo mistero le diverse bellezze insiem confonde; ma nel ritrar costei il mio solo pensiero Tosca, sei tu,
I've listened to Corelli, Pavarotti, Björling, Domingo and other greatest tenors here one YT. All fantastic, but Caruso for me is in another league. This recording is more than 100 years old with miserable recording technique, but he hits me right where it matters the most: in my HEART!
The 6 dislikes must be tone deaf!! How could anyone who can hear not think this is the best ever, especially when one considers the recording techniques of his day. I am so thankful that we have these. I also think some of the re-recordings take something away fom his voice.
@champearson - imagine Caruso recorded on a modern sound desk, the technology of the time was basically singing into a megaphone... There just wouldn't be any comparisons to be made if this was recorded these days, his placement of sound is just simply perfect - Pavarotti was a great tenor (really should have stopped singing when he hit his 70's though) but Caruso was the master and I'm sure Pavarotti would be one of the first to say so
Magnificent!! What a voice! Thank God we have a recording this fine to enjoy what our ancestors took for granted. I haven't heard anyone sing this aria better!
domingo, kauffman, villazon and some others should learn how to singing from caruso, fleta, cortis, gigli, schippa, bjorling,bergonzi, kraus...thanksfully there is cd today for learning
@mistatomsom I find it funny how people use the word "flat" to mean out of tune. I agree pitch was his only problem, but it's mostly sharping, not flatting.
A problem with many of the Caruso re-issues is they start off with disks which are 80-100 years old and have varying degrees of wear; this one also has added reverb but definitely shows signs of a worn original disk.
This 'remastering' has been over-processed to give the voice a stentorean, grating boominess that thankfully it did not possess. I agree with the 'first, do no harm' minimalist philosophy of such digital sound remastering engineers like Mark Obert-Thorn and Ward Marston. They have restored Caruso and Bjorling without shaving off the sound in trying to 'clean' the track or boomily distorting the voice in trying to make it more dramatically powerful.
question... I know it will sounds stupid, but what made Caruso so famous? I am sorry but been a Pavarotti fan I really cant see anything special in Carusos voice. But I guess its because I am not educated enough to understand it. Can someone help me? Cause to me his voice sound too nasal and sometimes seems like he yells.
@RonaldBarone well, i've always been wondering what on earth was so special about caruso. i mean no one alive has heard him sing live, we can only judge him by those 78RPMs. i know that some of his colleagues thought he was the best singer ever, but i'm pretty sure that the human voice is in continuous evolution, as well as our way of listening to music, so generation after generation the aims are set higher and higher. i honestly believe caruso wouldn't make a chance amongst today's primi uomi.
@aidavdbrake: quite simple. Caruso was the founder of the modern tenor. He broke with the previous "bel canto" tradition (without really intending to). Without Caruso Pavarotti et. al. may have sounded quite lame/uninspired....
@aidavdbrake I don’t think that the aims are set higher and higher. How do you determine this, at least regarding opera? Do we have today the voices of the first half of the past century? What do you mean by “the human voice is in continuous evolution, as well as our way of listening to music" please? Are you talking in terms of zoology?
@Aetion I wasn't thinking in terms of zoology as much as in parallel with sports: top scores of (half) a century ago most of the time look pretty backward today. I really think, if Mozart could hear a good modern performance of one of his operas, that he would envy us for having such good instrumental and vocal technique and musicality.
@aidavdbrake The problem is that today don't have either good instrumental, or good vocal technique or musicality. Who are the today's instruments and techniques that could be compared with Ingeborg Halstein’s, just to pick up a name? Why would Mozart envy us? Who is the today's tenor who would replace Caruso, Gigli, Lauri-Volpi, Mario del Moinaco, Franco Corelli and many others? No, the standards they have put are that high, that today's mediocrities cannot even think of.
@Aetion Sorry, I admire Corelli for who he was, but I'm not a fan of his singing, and Gigli and Caruso... well, sorry, but no thanks. I am big a fan of Del Monaco's though and to a certain extent of Lauri-Vi's, but I don't see what makes them greater than Gedda, Giacomini, Araiza, Gösta Winbergh, Louis Lima, or more recent, Michael Spyres, Andrew Richards, Marius Vlad, or Tomasz Zagórski. If it's their name and fame, that would make Boccelli and Paul Potts the top tenors of our time, God forbid!
@RonaldBarone: I think you have some very sensible questions regarding Enrico Caruso. Luciano Pavarotti described Caruso as the origin of or the foundation for the modern tenor. Caruso broke with the prevalent (19th century) "bel canto" tradition of singing (beautiful voice, but no personal emotion). For Pavarotti, Caruso is the "base of the building" for later tenors (interview on my channel).
Listen to the YT recordings with Caruso MANY times (poor recordings) before making a final judgement!
@RonaldBarone I avoid comparisons like Pavarotti vs. Caruso, who is "better" and so on. It's not a matter of education. Either you hear and feel it, or not. I you cannot any difference between Caruso and Pavarotti, it’s all right for you. Why do you bother? Everybody has the right in his opinion.
@RonaldBarone: Caruso was the founder of the modern tenor. He broke with the "bel canto" tradition and sang his heart instead of just singing nicely. Luciano says Caruso is "essential" and the "base building". But there is a serious problem - with the recordings. The recording techniques at the time were miserable. I have some remastered arias/songs on my channel. Maybe you would like those.
This is the best and clearest recording of Caruso I've heard to date.thanks for posting.
I have a box set of 12 CDs and in the notes it says that during a performance in Philadelphia on Dec.23rd.1913, the bass,Andres de Segurola suddenly developed a bad cough.Without further ado, Caruso sung the Bass aria (Vecchia zimarra) . Now that's what I call a singer! What a vocal range.
@Jitpring I felt as you did for years and years. It took time to listen past the outmoded recording techniques and truly listen for the singing because to most ears, a modern recording is just going to sound better period. The list of tenors who think of Caruso as the greatest and list him as one of their primary influences is endless including Pavarotti, Domingo, Mario del Monaco and numerous others.
I like to see comments even against Pavarotti, it just proves how important he was, is and will be, just like Caruso ; in fact, I believe these two will remain outhere forever as greatest epitomes of human voice. If you take a look at comments on all tenors, the name that comes out most frequently is Pavarotti's, whether it's mentioned by people who like him or dislike him, by people who know nothing about opera or know a lot ; I guess Mutti was right calling him the point of reference.
Interesting that you should say that. Originally asked to do the debut, it was pulled from him for reasons of local politics. The politics of the arts even affected caruso.
E poi piantiamola una buona volta con questi paragoni DEFICIENTI tra tenori drammatici ( E. Caruso ) e lirico - leggeri ( L. Pavarotti ). Piantiamola di parlare per sentito dire e impariamo a giudicare sulla base di quello che abbiamo ascoltato.
" federricoilgrande " : nessuno mette neppure minimamente in dubbio il fatto che Caruso sia stato uno dei tenori più importanti di tutto il '900 ma sostenere che Pavarotti ( che aveva peraltro una voce radicalmente diversa da quella di Caruso ) fosse una nullità è una CRETINATA COLOSSALE. Pavarotti è stato, assieme a Kraus, il miglior interprete di tutto il rertorio lirico leggero quindi stiamo un po' attenti ai termini che utilizziamo. " Nothing" sarà Bocelli, non di certo Pavarotti.
Hard to find anyone singing with such intense emotion - and power - today. He must really have been something out of the extraordinary. Surprisingly the low quality recording doesn't ruin the essence of his singing. - Impressive ! And thanks for posting!
Caruso's voice was about twice the breadth of Pavarotti's. If you like thin, tinny shakey voices then I guess you would prefer Pavarotti. If you like a voice with breadth of tone and power through the range then Caruso was the man.
We are talking of two differents tenors, ligth baritone wich is Caruso, and a lyric tenor Pavarotti , and you say......power through the range?, wich range? one octave less than Pavarotti should be!, and the Caruso high pitch is the half of Pavarotti´s, you shouldn´t relay to much on that old crappys records,, I´m not saying Caruso wasn´t a great tenor, but Pavarotti is the greatest tenor of all times
Yes, Pavarotti was great- especially in his prime! ('60-'80 or so) I'd rate his Che Gelida Manina at his debut as one of the best there is,but that doesn't mean he's the best tenor to EVERYONE.
Agreed: the young(er) Luciano was spectacular. A favorite of mine is his 1978 Ideale. But as you say not for everyone. Art is always a matter subjective opinion and each person is entitled to his own.
Just listened to a Pavarotti version of this aria. The comments are "rave" (more than 500) - most people think it is the greatest version ever performed by any tenor. I like Pavarotti (in particular the young Luciano), but listening to this, I must say that Caruso was in a completely other league. No show - just pure, truely heartfelt singing. I certainly do not object to progress, new developments or improvements and I don't think that Caruso's genious will never be surpassed. My opinion ..
Ah shuddupa you faces.Both Caruso and Pavarotti said half will like you and half will hate you. Looks like they were both right. By the way, Bjorling RULES. hahahahahahahaha
This is an amazing vocal performance. No other tenor could sing both the lyric and dramatic roles -- the pure spinto -- like Caruso. Listen to that voice soar near the ending, it sends chills through you. To me, this is the finest Cavaradossi. Bravo, Enrico.
This is incredible! I think this is the exact version I used to listen to over and over again back in high school and could not even till this day, not understand how a man could produce such a powerful voice...It's like pure black GOLD!!!
I'm sorry that this Caruso thread has been hijacked by a Domingo hater. But...
Musicianship is real. It is a special ability. It's not just general intelligence. It is believed to reside in the supra anterior gyrus. If you judge the auditions of singers you soon realize that there are real muscianship differences independent of voice.
Pavarotti always had difficulty learning his music. The big theaters provided repititeurs and coaches. They wanted that wonderful voice on their stage.
I am not a Domingo hater at all. After Pavarotti he is the tenor with biggest number of records in my collection. I just believe that Pavarotti is greater tenor but that does not make me not to appreciate the value of Domingo (in my opinion he is among 5 greatest tenors of all time). Your most recent reflection on musicianship just proves what I have already said - it is a complex term that is actually opened to discussion, unlike ''legato'', ''coloratura''... which are strongly defined terms.
Well I'm glad to hear that musicianship is not real - or just an ephemiral and subjective concept. I'll tell that to my conductor whom I've been driving crazy with all my musical mistakes.
I will not comment you personal experiences. One dictionary says that musicianship is an ''artistry in performing music''. Don't you think it is a rather foggy definition for what does ''artistry'' actually means. Please look for the meaning of the term ''musicianship'' on the net and you will deal with major problems in finding one general and consensual definition that is precise enough.
With regard to Pavarotti and his coaches, I know that he could not read music but there was Leone Maggiera, a conductor and his personal assistant. I don't have problem with that kind of inability as far as the ''final product'' is acceptable and I believe until mid of the 80's Pavarotti's ''final products'' were impressive. If I am not wrong Caruso could not read music as well but that did not stop him to become a great tenor.
A lot of muscianship is simply singing the music as written. Callas was very, very accurate. So was Bergonzi. Robert Merrill or Lauritz Melchiore were not very accurate. Listen to Ricardo's second act aria on the Verdi site. They have recordings of about ten famous tenors. Only Carreras and Domingo sing all the figures as written. Not Pavarotti, not Bjoerling, not Di Stefano. In general modern singers are much more accurate than singers in Caruso's day. Sam Ramey also sings all the notes.
''A lot of musicianship is simply singing the music as written.'' If this is what the musicianship is all about then it is a rather poor quality, it is just a matter of technicality but I don't think that is the real point of musicianship. If it is the way you say it then some second rate tenor in Kazakhstan is better musician then Caruso or Pavarotti just because he sings the note as written.
I also don't agree that Domingo is a great musician in the sense you are referring to mainly because very often he does not sing in full voice when it is required and not to mention the high notes.
Ago-You say only Carreras and Mingo sing all the figures as written. Do you include transposing entire roles? lol...I doubt it. You're funnt Mr. 4th tier has-been singer.
When was this recorded? Based on Caruso's timbre, I'd guess between 1910 and 1915. His voice here is darker here than in his early recordings, but less than it later became, at least to my ears:) --
Listen carefully and even in these poor recordings, you can hear the power, emotion, listen to how his notes blossom, explode, envelop you all at the same time...the voice of the century.
like in the "-nia" of the opening line "Recondita armonia" and the ferocious Bb at the end. I also really like how he does the trill quickly when singing the word "Tosca" at the end, instead of the more pronounced, slow trill most singers do.
I'd give my right hand to hear him live at the MET, in Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Paris, London, Cairo, Mexico City, San Franciso, Moscow, Buenos Aires or any other place he performed...
You're welcome! If interested, you can download the whole book on my website (under Downloads). To get to the website click on my name and then on Website.
Just got to think of another quote ... this time from Caruso himself: I know that I shall sing only a certain number of times. So I think to myself, "Tonight I will hold back my voice. I will save it a little and that will mean I may be able to sing a few more times." But when I go before the audience, when I hear the music and begin to sing, I cannot hold back. I give the best there is in me - I give all.
''And as for the rest of the great tenors, let's just face it: nobody has ever reached the versality of Caruso since. '' Versality ? You forget that Caruso was never a great belcanto singer. I don't recall him as great Bellini or Donizetti tenor. The only tenor who had no great discrepancy between belcanto roles and more dramatic roles was actually Pavarotti (for example, he was a very good Calaf, Manrico or Rodolfo in ''Luisa Miller'').
The only tenor?! Pavarotti's voice wasn't really suited for dramatic roles, it was good but not great for the roles you mentioned. He excelled in Donizetti and Bellini, though.
In the first half of 1900 there were plenty of singers who were equally at home in bel canto, Verdi and verismo. Lauri-Volpi, Fleta and Gigli to name three.
You're missing the point. Pava gave excellent renditions of spinto roles with a lyric flair. Whileit was out of his fach, he still sung beautifully. The mismatch was in the timbre of his voice. Otherwise, he superb technique and vocal dexterity made him very versatile. Who sing Tonio and Manrico with equal mastery? Do not confuse apples with oranges.
Sorry TI4E, the most versatile major tenor is your favorite - Placido Domingo. Gedda would be second and Roswange third. The least versatile would have been James McCracken, at least after he became a star.
Most major tenors are more versatile than Pavarotti was.
Tonio and Manrico? Fiscichella, Giordani, Merritt, Fillipeschi, maybe even Kunde. Pavarotti was a poor Manrico.
You can patronize the kids on this board but I saw Pavarotti, Domingo, and Carreras in their primes.
What is the definition of versatile? Someone who can memorize the score and yell at the top of his lungs as in the case of Domingo? Then again your opinion doesn't matter much now does it? If it did, you wouldn't be a 3-4t tier artist, now would you? Now that you mentioned tenors such as Domingo, Fisichella and Kunde, the limits of your perception are obvious.
Again you hope to insult me by pointing out that I am not a major league singer like Sam Ramey or Rene Pape. Sorry, you'd better try another tact. I'm pleased with my singing side-career. I had a good audition yesterday. I've been cast as the Le Nozze Bartolo.
No, I suppose my opinion doesn't matter much nowadays. Formerly when I was on the board of a number of small opera companys, my opinion mattered more. I auditioned a lot of singers. Now I audition and the opinions of others count.
Ago-Small being the operational word. And pointing out that you've never amounted to anything close as an artist as compared tot those about whom you pass judgment can hardly be considered an insult. You have to lived a life based on lowered expectations because of your limited talent. Otherwise how can you justify your artistic existence -an endeavor based on excellent otherwise. I have seen Pava create excellence. And I am sure you've never produced something which came close to it.
I have the right to make judgements about Pavarotti because I bought the tickets to his performances, not because I also sing. Most of the opera fans I have known don't sing themselves. Actually Pavarotti once came to her me sing. OK that's not strictly true, he came to hear someone else and he happened to hear me.
Isn't this discussion suposed to be about Caruso and Tosca? In that spirit let me say that Giacomo Aragall was the best Cavaradossi I ever heard live.
No wonder you were a 4th class singer. The term versatility shouldn't be used in art. Last time I checked the idea was to create excellence which inherently requires one to be well focused and not become the jack of all trades as Domingo.
Oh dear, I seemed to have slipped in your regard. You used to call me a third class singer now you have relegated me to the fourth class. Oh my, oh my.
What is your definition of versatile? Some on who cuts shady deals behind closed doors, engages in aggressive promotions and yells out (and decimates) the most beautiful masterpieces to unsuspecting audiences who are already brainwashed by the media? Get real will ya.
What is the source of all this rage? Did Domingo offend you personally? Harboring anger is bad for you.
Conspiracy theories?
Everyone I know who has known Domingo personally speaks well of him. In contrast many people are eager to testify that Pavarotti could be nasty in private.
I think it's clear. Pavarotti had a more secure top. Domingo was a better muscian. End of story.
Agorante I come in peace dont' get me wrong, I only added about about you saying that Domingo has musicality and you know better that he is a pianist ,though he made a carreer as a tenor,gee I am not sure about the two srict types of pianist you are refering if you place it differently i will answer no problem but Domingo is a great pianist ,he rules the piano .
Agorante-As an opera lover, I am offended by the disservice Mr. Domingo has done to an art form which I consider the highest one among all art forms. Do I really need to elaborate on this matter further? If you want me to, I will do it via e-mail. Please let me know.
Thank you. Many might think these things, but few have articulated them better. Seems to be tied up in the old "art versus entertainment" slippage that we have seen in recent decades. Seems to be endemic to all art forms, I think, but opera being the greatest of them, the fall is greater. Thank you for posting those views.
And no! It's no conspiracy theory. It's just that those who promote Domingo and think favorably of him are in the paid service of teh music industry into which Domingo is tied very well -he is their used car salesman. Better musician? What's the definition of that? Memorizing the score of 130 plus roles and telling them out to unsuspecting audiences? I don't think so!
I consider a musician to be someone who has respect to the art form which he practices. He or she, as an artist, should be the servant of teh art form and not teh other way around. By singing over 130 roles, Mr. Domingo shows complete lack of respect for opera as it is nothing but artistic prostitution. The idea should be to create excellence which he mostly failed in his 130 attempts. The reason of his popularity has nothing to do with artistry.
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Bolivariana94 1 month ago
Well, at first I thought: how sad that everyone must follow this, but then I thought, no... how wonderful to have someone show the way to what is possible.
45oldbear 1 month ago
OHHHH!!!!!!!!
hapsehutbella 2 months ago
I read an excellent article about why Caruso was so great, and at the end, the author summed it up with: "Why was he so great? He just was"
That's how I feel after listening to this
flicfan416 4 months ago 2
@flicfan416 Yes, he WAS (being the role he was singing) and he was totally present as that role. An exceptional empathetic genious. Amazing that we can still hear it a century later. And this is not live ....
tomfroekjaer 3 months ago
maxiborgaro
Is not only my opinion that M.D.M. was one of the greates opera singer ever....Just he likes to forse his voice.Singing with passion.......About Caruso -yes he is the first one,but after him are M.D.M,Franco Corelli and some others.
With all my respect Pavarotti was good but not like the old opera singers-thats all.NO MORE COMMENTS FROM MY SIDE,IF U UNDERSTAND ENOUGH FROM MUSIC OK,IF NOT IS YOUR PROBLEM NOT MINE.Wish u all the best!!!
inawises 4 months ago
Genial!!!
ilnytska 6 months ago
I read somewhere an anecdote about Caruso:
He was at a bank in NY one time, and the teller didn't want to recognize his signature 'cause he didn't have any ID on him at the time, so he asked: "How can I prove to you that I'm Enrico Caruso?" The teller said: "Sing" hoping to catch a fraud; It said that he sang this very Aria "Recondita Armonia" Not only did they immediately recognized the signature, the customers and employees were privileged enough to hear that wonderful voice!
jaimesamuraie 6 months ago
Two things: listen how Caruso maintains the knife edge of the ringing giro, even when the melodic line is relaxed. Secondly, he does not get the range of insane overtones that JB gets on "TOS-ka", but his "sai-TU" maintains the same trajectory. JB's "-TU" is georgeous, but he has to work at it. Don't get mad. I am just talking about the nuances of what are for me the two best. Caruso's consonants are better, also.
45oldbear 6 months ago
@45oldbear Well italian and swedish are two extremely different languages. JB had a swedish tounge so to speak, I still think he does a marvellous job (I have swedish ears though).
I really like Caruso because he is so effortless. But JB is the love of my life... I can really sense Caruso in his singing sometimes, I believe he studied him very very closely.
Threedeehoo 1 month ago
andrescoelho 7 months ago
Caruso and Mario Del Monaco.
inawises 7 months ago
Pavaroti was good,but Caruso and Mario are the best.
inawises 7 months ago
@inawises Mario never better than pavarotti Caruso perhaps...
maxiborgaro 4 months ago
@maxiborgaro lol !!!
SQUIRTHUNTER2 4 months ago
I've listened to Corelli, Pavarotti, Björling, Domingo and other greatest tenors here one YT. All fantastic, but Caruso for me is in another league. This recording is more than 100 years old with miserable recording technique, but he hits me right where it matters the most: in my HEART!
tomfroekjaer 8 months ago
Absolutely enchanting. Can you just imagine listening to him live?
tsmlink 8 months ago
The 6 dislikes must be tone deaf!! How could anyone who can hear not think this is the best ever, especially when one considers the recording techniques of his day. I am so thankful that we have these. I also think some of the re-recordings take something away fom his voice.
MsRuthes 8 months ago
SIMPLY THE GREATEST
Kenshin22able 9 months ago
You forgot the main name: Puccini.
opus88888 9 months ago
maravilloso, saludos desde Mexico!!
vampirodrako 9 months ago
I wish we could hear him in HiFi. But I really think Pavarotti was better!
champearson 10 months ago
@champearson - imagine Caruso recorded on a modern sound desk, the technology of the time was basically singing into a megaphone... There just wouldn't be any comparisons to be made if this was recorded these days, his placement of sound is just simply perfect - Pavarotti was a great tenor (really should have stopped singing when he hit his 70's though) but Caruso was the master and I'm sure Pavarotti would be one of the first to say so
hellomrball 9 months ago
Caruso jest wielki. Stare dobre czasy.
zbiswa 10 months ago
overwhelming!
rodrigoabi1 10 months ago
beautiful ;-)
1baratone 10 months ago
Magnificent!! What a voice! Thank God we have a recording this fine to enjoy what our ancestors took for granted. I haven't heard anyone sing this aria better!
siegmundloge 10 months ago
thats my grand grand grand dad!
Jaceyoela 10 months ago
no il think mario lanza has the better voice .
jhonnies123 10 months ago
Simply phenomenal!TY twilightzonewar for posting.
paulostroff99 11 months ago
Best voice ewer
boskoobadic 1 year ago 2
Superb. Five stars.
LEOPARDTWO 1 year ago
Amazing voice.
cattleman6420012000 1 year ago 2
The king of tenors!
CanadaPisces 1 year ago
definitly the father of all tenors and opera
mauriciomille 1 year ago
the unreachable caruso. Nor pav could with whim!
mauriciomille 1 year ago 2
maravilhoso
fabiocenamo14 1 year ago
bravissimo, maestro!
silvar68 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
il più grande....
andre0685 1 year ago
domingo, kauffman, villazon and some others should learn how to singing from caruso, fleta, cortis, gigli, schippa, bjorling,bergonzi, kraus...thanksfully there is cd today for learning
mark6230 1 year ago 2
@mark6230 and pertile
godmode1 1 year ago
When was this recorded? My guess would be between 1914 and '18:) --
stevevandien 1 year ago
When was this recorded?
stevevandien 1 year ago
flat the whole time! but sure the voice is nice. though the whole focus is on loudness and force...
mistatomsom 1 year ago
@mistatomsom I find it funny how people use the word "flat" to mean out of tune. I agree pitch was his only problem, but it's mostly sharping, not flatting.
genecotton 1 year ago
@genecotton
you are absolutely right, most of the out of tune tones are sharp, but some are also pretty flat! thanks for specifying it.
mistatomsom 1 year ago
@mistatomsom I think what you're referring to, has to do with the speed of the recording itself. Not Caruso's voice.
seektheforce 1 year ago
@seektheforce it is, caruso's voice
mauriciomille 1 year ago
@mauriciomille I never said it wasn't Caruso's voice.
seektheforce 1 year ago
@seektheforce it's seems that you dont really know about opera, and doesnt know how to distinguish the tenors voice
mauriciomille 1 year ago
after a century, his artistry still has so much to teach us young tenors. Check out my recording of this aria.
jerrya1979 1 year ago
Magnificent
bigttim1 1 year ago
Was het maar mogelijk om deze man nu live te kunnen horen.
Robert1162 1 year ago
A problem with many of the Caruso re-issues is they start off with disks which are 80-100 years old and have varying degrees of wear; this one also has added reverb but definitely shows signs of a worn original disk.
restring008 1 year ago
This 'remastering' has been over-processed to give the voice a stentorean, grating boominess that thankfully it did not possess. I agree with the 'first, do no harm' minimalist philosophy of such digital sound remastering engineers like Mark Obert-Thorn and Ward Marston. They have restored Caruso and Bjorling without shaving off the sound in trying to 'clean' the track or boomily distorting the voice in trying to make it more dramatically powerful.
PIPEBITE 1 year ago
superior of pavarotti!!!
mauriciomille 1 year ago
Apparently, he could easily smash a wine glass with his voice.
martynblackburn1977 1 year ago
No one can beat him, nor Pavarotti itself!!
mauriciomille 1 year ago
question... I know it will sounds stupid, but what made Caruso so famous? I am sorry but been a Pavarotti fan I really cant see anything special in Carusos voice. But I guess its because I am not educated enough to understand it. Can someone help me? Cause to me his voice sound too nasal and sometimes seems like he yells.
RonaldBarone 1 year ago
@RonaldBarone well, i've always been wondering what on earth was so special about caruso. i mean no one alive has heard him sing live, we can only judge him by those 78RPMs. i know that some of his colleagues thought he was the best singer ever, but i'm pretty sure that the human voice is in continuous evolution, as well as our way of listening to music, so generation after generation the aims are set higher and higher. i honestly believe caruso wouldn't make a chance amongst today's primi uomi.
aidavdbrake 1 year ago
@aidavdbrake: quite simple. Caruso was the founder of the modern tenor. He broke with the previous "bel canto" tradition (without really intending to). Without Caruso Pavarotti et. al. may have sounded quite lame/uninspired....
tomfroekjaer 1 year ago
@aidavdbrake I don’t think that the aims are set higher and higher. How do you determine this, at least regarding opera? Do we have today the voices of the first half of the past century? What do you mean by “the human voice is in continuous evolution, as well as our way of listening to music" please? Are you talking in terms of zoology?
Aetion 1 year ago
@Aetion I wasn't thinking in terms of zoology as much as in parallel with sports: top scores of (half) a century ago most of the time look pretty backward today. I really think, if Mozart could hear a good modern performance of one of his operas, that he would envy us for having such good instrumental and vocal technique and musicality.
aidavdbrake 1 year ago
@aidavdbrake The problem is that today don't have either good instrumental, or good vocal technique or musicality. Who are the today's instruments and techniques that could be compared with Ingeborg Halstein’s, just to pick up a name? Why would Mozart envy us? Who is the today's tenor who would replace Caruso, Gigli, Lauri-Volpi, Mario del Moinaco, Franco Corelli and many others? No, the standards they have put are that high, that today's mediocrities cannot even think of.
Aetion 1 year ago
@Aetion Sorry, I admire Corelli for who he was, but I'm not a fan of his singing, and Gigli and Caruso... well, sorry, but no thanks. I am big a fan of Del Monaco's though and to a certain extent of Lauri-Vi's, but I don't see what makes them greater than Gedda, Giacomini, Araiza, Gösta Winbergh, Louis Lima, or more recent, Michael Spyres, Andrew Richards, Marius Vlad, or Tomasz Zagórski. If it's their name and fame, that would make Boccelli and Paul Potts the top tenors of our time, God forbid!
aidavdbrake 1 year ago 2
@RonaldBarone: I think you have some very sensible questions regarding Enrico Caruso. Luciano Pavarotti described Caruso as the origin of or the foundation for the modern tenor. Caruso broke with the prevalent (19th century) "bel canto" tradition of singing (beautiful voice, but no personal emotion). For Pavarotti, Caruso is the "base of the building" for later tenors (interview on my channel).
Listen to the YT recordings with Caruso MANY times (poor recordings) before making a final judgement!
tomfroekjaer 1 year ago
@RonaldBarone I avoid comparisons like Pavarotti vs. Caruso, who is "better" and so on. It's not a matter of education. Either you hear and feel it, or not. I you cannot any difference between Caruso and Pavarotti, it’s all right for you. Why do you bother? Everybody has the right in his opinion.
Aetion 1 year ago
@RonaldBarone: Caruso was the founder of the modern tenor. He broke with the "bel canto" tradition and sang his heart instead of just singing nicely. Luciano says Caruso is "essential" and the "base building". But there is a serious problem - with the recordings. The recording techniques at the time were miserable. I have some remastered arias/songs on my channel. Maybe you would like those.
tomfroekjaer 1 year ago
The only one who beats pavarotti, even in high notes!
mauriciomille 1 year ago
Simply amazing
mauriciomille 1 year ago
fenomenalnie, 100 lat temu, nieosiagalna lekkosc glosu i ta swoboda
Redt18 1 year ago
@ a total loss as to how anyone can find flaw w/ THE VOICE.
Its perfection so much so, I've never heard anything like it. Thx 4 posting.
R0bbiam 1 year ago
This is the best and clearest recording of Caruso I've heard to date.thanks for posting.
I have a box set of 12 CDs and in the notes it says that during a performance in Philadelphia on Dec.23rd.1913, the bass,Andres de Segurola suddenly developed a bad cough.Without further ado, Caruso sung the Bass aria (Vecchia zimarra) . Now that's what I call a singer! What a vocal range.
73380401 1 year ago
Oh my goodness that was fantastic. Thank you.
zzpippy 1 year ago
I hate this performance. People feel obligated to approve of it, of course.
Jitpring 1 year ago
@Jitpring I felt as you did for years and years. It took time to listen past the outmoded recording techniques and truly listen for the singing because to most ears, a modern recording is just going to sound better period. The list of tenors who think of Caruso as the greatest and list him as one of their primary influences is endless including Pavarotti, Domingo, Mario del Monaco and numerous others.
kmillard 1 year ago
@kmillard Yes, but I hate this performance not because of the bad recording, but because of his voice.
Jitpring 1 year ago
Wow. Still the best rendition to date of this aria. How I wish I could've heard this voice in person.
FacePaster 1 year ago
I like to see comments even against Pavarotti, it just proves how important he was, is and will be, just like Caruso ; in fact, I believe these two will remain outhere forever as greatest epitomes of human voice. If you take a look at comments on all tenors, the name that comes out most frequently is Pavarotti's, whether it's mentioned by people who like him or dislike him, by people who know nothing about opera or know a lot ; I guess Mutti was right calling him the point of reference.
castorp278 1 year ago
For us tenors, it will probably be Caruso/Bjoerling- taking NOTHING away from LP.
Lovelytenor1 1 year ago 2
The world will never see his like again.
In a cathegory of his own.
Puccini´s work seems to have been written for him.
klokheten 2 years ago
Interesting that you should say that. Originally asked to do the debut, it was pulled from him for reasons of local politics. The politics of the arts even affected caruso.
Lovelytenor1 1 year ago
E poi piantiamola una buona volta con questi paragoni DEFICIENTI tra tenori drammatici ( E. Caruso ) e lirico - leggeri ( L. Pavarotti ). Piantiamola di parlare per sentito dire e impariamo a giudicare sulla base di quello che abbiamo ascoltato.
31122051 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Listening Caruso I understand why Pavarotti was really the best!!!!
PepeElToro2010 2 years ago
are you high?
Yoni89 2 years ago
Listening Caruso I understand why Pavarotti was really nothing ::))
federricoilgrande 2 years ago
" federricoilgrande " : nessuno mette neppure minimamente in dubbio il fatto che Caruso sia stato uno dei tenori più importanti di tutto il '900 ma sostenere che Pavarotti ( che aveva peraltro una voce radicalmente diversa da quella di Caruso ) fosse una nullità è una CRETINATA COLOSSALE. Pavarotti è stato, assieme a Kraus, il miglior interprete di tutto il rertorio lirico leggero quindi stiamo un po' attenti ai termini che utilizziamo. " Nothing" sarà Bocelli, non di certo Pavarotti.
31122051 2 years ago 2
this is a rare record you can hear what caruso has for potential.
Listen the power, even MDM would have here a difficult stand.
medusaview 2 years ago
Hard to find anyone singing with such intense emotion - and power - today. He must really have been something out of the extraordinary. Surprisingly the low quality recording doesn't ruin the essence of his singing. - Impressive ! And thanks for posting!
normannielsen 2 years ago 2
really good, but Pavarotti surpassed him, in every single way.
PepeElToro2010 2 years ago
@PepeElToro2010
Caruso's voice was about twice the breadth of Pavarotti's. If you like thin, tinny shakey voices then I guess you would prefer Pavarotti. If you like a voice with breadth of tone and power through the range then Caruso was the man.
cooloox 2 years ago
We are talking of two differents tenors, ligth baritone wich is Caruso, and a lyric tenor Pavarotti , and you say......power through the range?, wich range? one octave less than Pavarotti should be!, and the Caruso high pitch is the half of Pavarotti´s, you shouldn´t relay to much on that old crappys records,, I´m not saying Caruso wasn´t a great tenor, but Pavarotti is the greatest tenor of all times
PepeElToro2010 2 years ago
What kind of drugs are you smoking? I'd like some please, so I can see what you're talking about.
Yoni89 2 years ago
the drug is called, the " unobjectable truth", by the way yoni89, to "see" the sounds, you need another kind of drugs.
now seriously I'm talking of the greatest tenor ever LUCIANO PAVAROTTI.
PepeElToro2010 2 years ago
Why bother, Yoni89, fixed ideas are the curse of Mankind. No reasoning has any effect.
tomfroekjaer 2 years ago
yes, I agree. He's like a child.
I can think of 3 tenors off head who match or surpass pavarotti's performance.
Yoni89 2 years ago
Yes, I can think of several myself... Not that I think he was no good. In some arias/songs he's absolutely terrific.
Cheers, Tom
tomfroekjaer 2 years ago
Yes, Pavarotti was great- especially in his prime! ('60-'80 or so) I'd rate his Che Gelida Manina at his debut as one of the best there is,but that doesn't mean he's the best tenor to EVERYONE.
Yoni89 2 years ago
Agreed: the young(er) Luciano was spectacular. A favorite of mine is his 1978 Ideale. But as you say not for everyone. Art is always a matter subjective opinion and each person is entitled to his own.
tomfroekjaer 2 years ago
Just listened to a Pavarotti version of this aria. The comments are "rave" (more than 500) - most people think it is the greatest version ever performed by any tenor. I like Pavarotti (in particular the young Luciano), but listening to this, I must say that Caruso was in a completely other league. No show - just pure, truely heartfelt singing. I certainly do not object to progress, new developments or improvements and I don't think that Caruso's genious will never be surpassed. My opinion ..
tomfroekjaer 2 years ago
Tom, your insights are absolutely brilliant! You have a keen appreciation of fine music. You are a veritable master.
amerenio 2 years ago
amerenio: thanks for the compliment, but I really don't know anything about music.
I just experience it and all my comments are totally subjective.
Tom
tomfroekjaer 2 years ago
amazing!
lehnrik 2 years ago
Caruso's voice: gold and velvet...
claureic 2 years ago
Caruso: la leggenda!!!
textus88 2 years ago
Amazing to think that opening night for Tosca was given to then withdrawn from Caruso. The "politics" of the arts are crazy.
Lovelytenor1 2 years ago
Do you honestly think that 'Simon Cowell' would have the intellect to know this talent?......For God's sake, wake up.
dickdomino 2 years ago
Comment removed
AZo9jojo 2 years ago
Father of the Opera-Tenors!
waqaralisial 2 years ago 19
Una delle migliori voci drammatiche del secolo scorso.
31122051 2 years ago
Splendid !
nineteenforty7 2 years ago 2
So good.
leadoffeohippus 2 years ago
THIS IS CARUSO!!!IT`S TRUE!
creedgodwithus 2 years ago 18
This has been flagged as spam show
Compared to Pavarotti, Enrico Caruso sucked.
jetsetter99 2 years ago
well Pavarotti certainly didn't think so! and neither does any one with an ounce of musical sensability.
24yotenor 2 years ago
Solo ascoltare.Immenso Caruso.
textus88 2 years ago
Ah shuddupa you faces.Both Caruso and Pavarotti said half will like you and half will hate you. Looks like they were both right. By the way, Bjorling RULES. hahahahahahahaha
madisonelectronic 2 years ago
This is an amazing vocal performance. No other tenor could sing both the lyric and dramatic roles -- the pure spinto -- like Caruso. Listen to that voice soar near the ending, it sends chills through you. To me, this is the finest Cavaradossi. Bravo, Enrico.
jd1906sf 2 years ago
This is incredible! I think this is the exact version I used to listen to over and over again back in high school and could not even till this day, not understand how a man could produce such a powerful voice...It's like pure black GOLD!!!
tenorenchanted 2 years ago
I'm sorry that this Caruso thread has been hijacked by a Domingo hater. But...
Musicianship is real. It is a special ability. It's not just general intelligence. It is believed to reside in the supra anterior gyrus. If you judge the auditions of singers you soon realize that there are real muscianship differences independent of voice.
Pavarotti always had difficulty learning his music. The big theaters provided repititeurs and coaches. They wanted that wonderful voice on their stage.
Agorante 2 years ago
I am not a Domingo hater at all. After Pavarotti he is the tenor with biggest number of records in my collection. I just believe that Pavarotti is greater tenor but that does not make me not to appreciate the value of Domingo (in my opinion he is among 5 greatest tenors of all time). Your most recent reflection on musicianship just proves what I have already said - it is a complex term that is actually opened to discussion, unlike ''legato'', ''coloratura''... which are strongly defined terms.
castorp278 2 years ago
Well I'm glad to hear that musicianship is not real - or just an ephemiral and subjective concept. I'll tell that to my conductor whom I've been driving crazy with all my musical mistakes.
Agorante 2 years ago
I will not comment you personal experiences. One dictionary says that musicianship is an ''artistry in performing music''. Don't you think it is a rather foggy definition for what does ''artistry'' actually means. Please look for the meaning of the term ''musicianship'' on the net and you will deal with major problems in finding one general and consensual definition that is precise enough.
castorp278 2 years ago
With regard to Pavarotti and his coaches, I know that he could not read music but there was Leone Maggiera, a conductor and his personal assistant. I don't have problem with that kind of inability as far as the ''final product'' is acceptable and I believe until mid of the 80's Pavarotti's ''final products'' were impressive. If I am not wrong Caruso could not read music as well but that did not stop him to become a great tenor.
castorp278 2 years ago
A lot of muscianship is simply singing the music as written. Callas was very, very accurate. So was Bergonzi. Robert Merrill or Lauritz Melchiore were not very accurate. Listen to Ricardo's second act aria on the Verdi site. They have recordings of about ten famous tenors. Only Carreras and Domingo sing all the figures as written. Not Pavarotti, not Bjoerling, not Di Stefano. In general modern singers are much more accurate than singers in Caruso's day. Sam Ramey also sings all the notes.
Agorante 2 years ago
''A lot of musicianship is simply singing the music as written.'' If this is what the musicianship is all about then it is a rather poor quality, it is just a matter of technicality but I don't think that is the real point of musicianship. If it is the way you say it then some second rate tenor in Kazakhstan is better musician then Caruso or Pavarotti just because he sings the note as written.
castorp278 2 years ago
I also don't agree that Domingo is a great musician in the sense you are referring to mainly because very often he does not sing in full voice when it is required and not to mention the high notes.
castorp278 2 years ago
Ago-You say only Carreras and Mingo sing all the figures as written. Do you include transposing entire roles? lol...I doubt it. You're funnt Mr. 4th tier has-been singer.
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
More I read more I believe the understanding of this term is a matter of taste and preference among different elements that make a tenor ...
castorp278 2 years ago
Stevevandien,
This is the 6 november 1909 version. He had recorded this aria already on 1 february 1904, but the technique
was in this years so improved, that they made a new version. You can hear it in the much better sound of the orcherstra. Wat een stem !
Hij is de grootste van alle tenoren. Een stem als van een orgel. En wat een goede smaak had hij !
Hans NL
qklq42 2 years ago
When was this recorded? Based on Caruso's timbre, I'd guess between 1910 and 1915. His voice here is darker here than in his early recordings, but less than it later became, at least to my ears:) --
stevevandien 2 years ago
from street performer to international icon...
nero21 2 years ago
Me gustaria escucharlo con la tecnología de hoy. Seguramente superaria a la mayoria, por no decir a todos.
perebresca 2 years ago
fantastic,thank you for upload,thank you.
siyawash 2 years ago
I had the breaking news that Placido Domingo has named Gaston Rivero as his successor anybody know more about it.
siouxfalls2007 2 years ago
Interesting. I'll check it out...
Englishtenor2 2 years ago
In Washington or Los Angeles???
kmillard 2 years ago
Just another Thank You for this, twilightzonewar!
Just amazing!
thebirdman47 2 years ago 2
Beautiful ! I am so happy to have found this. Thank you !
randamdam 2 years ago 2
No term can express the beauty of this voice.
singinginachurch 3 years ago
exquisite
colabama 3 years ago 2
Listen carefully and even in these poor recordings, you can hear the power, emotion, listen to how his notes blossom, explode, envelop you all at the same time...the voice of the century.
GermanOperaSinger 3 years ago
like in the "-nia" of the opening line "Recondita armonia" and the ferocious Bb at the end. I also really like how he does the trill quickly when singing the word "Tosca" at the end, instead of the more pronounced, slow trill most singers do.
OettingerCroat 3 years ago
he doesn't push on/with his throat, so the grace note/grupetto is not driven or muscled, it's just sung.
btsg 2 years ago
JUST IMAGINE THIS BEAUTY WITH THE TECHNOLOGY OF TODAY.... please imagine this powerfull voice.
leonelfran 4 years ago 2
I'd give my right hand to hear him live at the MET, in Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Paris, London, Cairo, Mexico City, San Franciso, Moscow, Buenos Aires or any other place he performed...
tomfroekjaer 3 years ago
ONLY your right hand!?
phantom4087 3 years ago
Well, maybe both hands then, (don't push me - I only have two of them) :-)
But, honestly, I think it would have been a spiritually "out of this world" experience to hear this guy perform.
tomfroekjaer 3 years ago
Even the technology of today couldn't fully capture that beauty.
phantom4087 3 years ago 4
You are a wise man ! One would have to experience it LIVE - preferably on the first row :-)
tomfroekjaer 3 years ago
Thanks Twilightzonewar for this jewel. Sorry for the rest of great tenors. This belongs to Caruso.
emiliano52 4 years ago
This is indeed a real gem. And as for the rest of the great tenors, let's just face it: nobody has ever reached the versality of Caruso since.
"Caruso was not a tenor, not a baritone, not a basso; he was a singer who had the vocal characteristics of all three combined.
He had a voice which did not recognize scholastic, conventional classifications
of registers, and ignored all limitations in its range."
From the book "Caruso's Method of Voice Production" by Dr. P. Mario Marafioti.
tomfroekjaer 3 years ago
thx for the cool quote of such book!. Deep.
thecurefan1 3 years ago
You're welcome! If interested, you can download the whole book on my website (under Downloads). To get to the website click on my name and then on Website.
Cheers,
Tom
tomfroekjaer 3 years ago
Just got to think of another quote ... this time from Caruso himself: I know that I shall sing only a certain number of times. So I think to myself, "Tonight I will hold back my voice. I will save it a little and that will mean I may be able to sing a few more times." But when I go before the audience, when I hear the music and begin to sing, I cannot hold back. I give the best there is in me - I give all.
tomfroekjaer 3 years ago 4
''And as for the rest of the great tenors, let's just face it: nobody has ever reached the versality of Caruso since. '' Versality ? You forget that Caruso was never a great belcanto singer. I don't recall him as great Bellini or Donizetti tenor. The only tenor who had no great discrepancy between belcanto roles and more dramatic roles was actually Pavarotti (for example, he was a very good Calaf, Manrico or Rodolfo in ''Luisa Miller'').
castorp278 3 years ago
The only tenor?! Pavarotti's voice wasn't really suited for dramatic roles, it was good but not great for the roles you mentioned. He excelled in Donizetti and Bellini, though.
In the first half of 1900 there were plenty of singers who were equally at home in bel canto, Verdi and verismo. Lauri-Volpi, Fleta and Gigli to name three.
revivaljesus 3 years ago 2
I also don't believe that tenors you've mentioned were equally goos as Tonio and Manrico or Arturo and Calaf but I could be wrong.
castorp278 3 years ago
You're missing the point. Pava gave excellent renditions of spinto roles with a lyric flair. Whileit was out of his fach, he still sung beautifully. The mismatch was in the timbre of his voice. Otherwise, he superb technique and vocal dexterity made him very versatile. Who sing Tonio and Manrico with equal mastery? Do not confuse apples with oranges.
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
Sorry TI4E, the most versatile major tenor is your favorite - Placido Domingo. Gedda would be second and Roswange third. The least versatile would have been James McCracken, at least after he became a star.
Most major tenors are more versatile than Pavarotti was.
Tonio and Manrico? Fiscichella, Giordani, Merritt, Fillipeschi, maybe even Kunde. Pavarotti was a poor Manrico.
You can patronize the kids on this board but I saw Pavarotti, Domingo, and Carreras in their primes.
Agorante 2 years ago
What is the definition of versatile? Someone who can memorize the score and yell at the top of his lungs as in the case of Domingo? Then again your opinion doesn't matter much now does it? If it did, you wouldn't be a 3-4t tier artist, now would you? Now that you mentioned tenors such as Domingo, Fisichella and Kunde, the limits of your perception are obvious.
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
Again you hope to insult me by pointing out that I am not a major league singer like Sam Ramey or Rene Pape. Sorry, you'd better try another tact. I'm pleased with my singing side-career. I had a good audition yesterday. I've been cast as the Le Nozze Bartolo.
No, I suppose my opinion doesn't matter much nowadays. Formerly when I was on the board of a number of small opera companys, my opinion mattered more. I auditioned a lot of singers. Now I audition and the opinions of others count.
Agorante 2 years ago
Ago-Small being the operational word. And pointing out that you've never amounted to anything close as an artist as compared tot those about whom you pass judgment can hardly be considered an insult. You have to lived a life based on lowered expectations because of your limited talent. Otherwise how can you justify your artistic existence -an endeavor based on excellent otherwise. I have seen Pava create excellence. And I am sure you've never produced something which came close to it.
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
I have the right to make judgements about Pavarotti because I bought the tickets to his performances, not because I also sing. Most of the opera fans I have known don't sing themselves. Actually Pavarotti once came to her me sing. OK that's not strictly true, he came to hear someone else and he happened to hear me.
Isn't this discussion suposed to be about Caruso and Tosca? In that spirit let me say that Giacomo Aragall was the best Cavaradossi I ever heard live.
Agorante 2 years ago
No wonder you were a 4th class singer. The term versatility shouldn't be used in art. Last time I checked the idea was to create excellence which inherently requires one to be well focused and not become the jack of all trades as Domingo.
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
Oh dear, I seemed to have slipped in your regard. You used to call me a third class singer now you have relegated me to the fourth class. Oh my, oh my.
Agorante 2 years ago
What is your definition of versatile? Some on who cuts shady deals behind closed doors, engages in aggressive promotions and yells out (and decimates) the most beautiful masterpieces to unsuspecting audiences who are already brainwashed by the media? Get real will ya.
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
What is the source of all this rage? Did Domingo offend you personally? Harboring anger is bad for you.
Conspiracy theories?
Everyone I know who has known Domingo personally speaks well of him. In contrast many people are eager to testify that Pavarotti could be nasty in private.
I think it's clear. Pavarotti had a more secure top. Domingo was a better muscian. End of story.
Agorante 2 years ago
that's why he could have been a better painist than a tenor if he choosed to.
smartsteve 2 years ago
There are two types of painists: sadists and masochists. Those who give pain and those who receive it. It's not clear which you mean.
Agorante 2 years ago
Agorante I come in peace dont' get me wrong, I only added about about you saying that Domingo has musicality and you know better that he is a pianist ,though he made a carreer as a tenor,gee I am not sure about the two srict types of pianist you are refering if you place it differently i will answer no problem but Domingo is a great pianist ,he rules the piano .
smartsteve 2 years ago
My bad, no need to apoligize. I was just making a silly comment based on your mispellings of the word "Pianist" with "Painist".
I make spelling mistakes myself too. Many are because my keyboard skips letters and some because my cat walks over it too.
Agorante 2 years ago
Agorante-As an opera lover, I am offended by the disservice Mr. Domingo has done to an art form which I consider the highest one among all art forms. Do I really need to elaborate on this matter further? If you want me to, I will do it via e-mail. Please let me know.
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
Thank you. Many might think these things, but few have articulated them better. Seems to be tied up in the old "art versus entertainment" slippage that we have seen in recent decades. Seems to be endemic to all art forms, I think, but opera being the greatest of them, the fall is greater. Thank you for posting those views.
crabbe88 2 years ago
And no! It's no conspiracy theory. It's just that those who promote Domingo and think favorably of him are in the paid service of teh music industry into which Domingo is tied very well -he is their used car salesman. Better musician? What's the definition of that? Memorizing the score of 130 plus roles and telling them out to unsuspecting audiences? I don't think so!
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
I consider a musician to be someone who has respect to the art form which he practices. He or she, as an artist, should be the servant of teh art form and not teh other way around. By singing over 130 roles, Mr. Domingo shows complete lack of respect for opera as it is nothing but artistic prostitution. The idea should be to create excellence which he mostly failed in his 130 attempts. The reason of his popularity has nothing to do with artistry.
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
''Pavarotti had a more secure top. Domingo was