Cornell MacNeil - O sommo carlo - Ernani - Verdi

[stevevandien]

A great Verdi baritone at his best.

[TommyHaegin]

MacNeil has a fantastic voice. The only note I (musically) dislike (because not necessary at all) in this scene is high note he sings in the beginning. He's got such a regal and juicy mid-range (and a splendid high range of course). Great rendition!!

[legatofancier]

Wow, such wonderful singing! Is there another baritone currently on the international scene who is in MacNeil's class (when this recording was made, that is)? If there is, please let me know!

[assindiastignani]

The historic ERNANI revival of 1962 - for Corelli, Macneil, Price and Siepi. Poor, darling, wonderful Bergonzi was so worried the audience wouldn't like him because he was not so big and handsome as Corelli! He needn't have been concerned. We all dearly loved Carlo. Imagine - nowadays - being able to choose between two such tenors!!

[profgv]

@assindiastignani I agree we were so lucky to have them both...and with MacNeil/Price so less

[CraigFrancisSoto]

Meraviglioso ! I'm very impressed with MacNeil's voice here.This is quite a revelation to me because prior to hearing this,the only recordings I had heard were from the late 1970's when he sounded a bit wobbly and had lost some this great tone and resonance he shows here. Now I'll have to check out more of his earlier recordings. Mille grazie Cafiero for sharing this excellent piece.Bravo MacNeil !

[saiserieht]

It sounds fantastic! But the tenor does not sound like Corelli ...

[MrCafiero]

Yeah, it is Bergonzi.

[viverito]

Is that Leontyne Price I hear ?

[metropolitan1966]

Yes that is Leontyne. This is from Dec 2, 1962 Met broadcast. with Bergonzi also.

[MrCafiero]

You were right...it is Bergonzi.

[theringisking]

@metropolitan1966 According to the Annals of the Metropolitan Opera, this was the evening performance of Dec. 1. The matinee that day was Aida. There was no performance on Dec. 2, 1962. The conductor for this performance, by the way, was Thomas Schippers. The part of Silva was sung by Giorgio Tozzi.

[metropolitan1966]

@theringisking I stand corrected. Thanks

[ShawDAMAN]

superb. near the top of the list for best verdi baritone ever.

[lmspr]

Thanks for these clips of Cornell MacNeil. I just heard a Met Opera Radio broadcast with MacNeil singing Macbeth from 1964, with Santi conducting. My God, what a voice! Just like in this Ernani clip, the voice is gorgeous from top to bottom.

[stevevandien]

Great singing. Mac was the Man!

[Operafiend22]

Amazing is the only word for this!