Franco Corelli sings O Paradiso live video 1970

[oldoperafan]

His 'off peak', mentioned by people here, is in fat the unreachable 'peak' for many singers at the time, and alsmost all tenors today. So there.

[MrPipposiculo]

Classe, stile , eleganza !

Chi meglio di Corelli?

[discovolante21]

1:53 epic

[karifrid]

55 years old,but still lot of power and no problems with the voice.....Great singer...

[MariaCallasLegend]

@karifrid 49!!Why 55??He was Born in 1921!!

[karifrid]

@MariaCallasLegend Right you are , it was Del Monaco that was born 1915.....

[hazelssister]

I am very familiar with the singing of Franco and would say he sang very well in the seventies from what I have heard . I love the sound of his voice no matter what he sings .

[ronaldo190172]

Past his best? No way

[dunkelwessen]

it is very wird the position of his arms in the high notes. they dont let the air column go up easily. that position is very often used in the opera singers who has lost the fiato so the press or push it with their arms to hold the air column. the callas was very criticized by that in their last performances in la scala.

[pieritlyon]

252925 El Gran Maestro Franco Corelli, sublime, perfect, excited over all, as always in his performances, whether recorded in a studio or live, as it is done live by someone from the public, it is possible that vibrates so the audio much. Lanza's interpretation is very good, but do not forget it's in study, Lanza not performed live to the public, only studio recordings or films, perhaps his contract do not allow him to live

[karifrid]

Great voice.I like much better "live" performances like this one. Here is no "scooping" and fine singing...The last b flat should be a little longer... I invite you to listen to me sing this on youtube,I think it is quite good singing.Correlli is in Heven but you can HIRE ME to sing on conserts and in operas.O paradiso is one of my best arias,I think.I have easy and strong high notes. I am in my prime and kniow nine operas "by heart" karifrid@hotmail.com Kári Friðriksson,tenor from Iceland.

[8Romantica]

Maravillosa voz un deleite para el alma

Con todo mi cariño

Juanita

[ndilanda]

Atto IV, Scena II. Vasco de Gama:

"Mi batte il cor... O spettacolo divin!.../ Sognata terra, ecco ti premo alfin! /O paradiso dall'onde uscito, - fiorente suol, / splendido sol, - in voi son iorapito!.../Tum'appartieni, o nuovo mondo : / Alla mia patria ti posso offrir!.../Nostro è questo terreno fecondo, /che l'Europa può tutta arricchir!...Un sogno più non è ... - esso appartiene a me!..."

( In 5 atti.Testo: E. Scribe; traduzione: M. Marcello. Azione: Lisbona, sul mare,nelle Indie.)

[sargoth37]

@252925j I find it hard to believe Lanza is superior to Corelli. I think Corelli's prime was in the 1950s. Lanza, well i'll have to hear it, but generally speaking Lanza didn't have the low end like Corelli. The Baritonal lows give the power and weight IMO. You have to compare them at their best. But to each his own.

[sargoth37]

His voice is definitely past it's prime in this video. Going by these videos, he seemed to peak in the 1950s.

[tehen162]

@sargoth37 I think his prime was between 1956-1969. 

[sargoth37]

@tehen162 I heard his 1961 version of Nissun Dorma and it's not quite as good as the 50s versions IMO, but it could have been an off day for him. I haven't heard all his recordings to make that judgement, so I'm just guessing. The recording itself was better, clearer, more dynamic range etc. Anybody familar with all his recordings know when he peaked?

[tehen162]

@sargoth37 I am quite familiar with his recordings, that's why I can say for sure that his peak was at the end of the 50-s and in the 60-s. His great recordings (Aida, Tosca, Trovatore, Andrea Chenier, Faust, Norma etc.) all were made in the 60-s. His golden years at the Metropolitan were in the 60-s as well (he debuted in 1961 there). His famous live recordings (e.g. the Parma Tosca, Poliuto,Forzas, Fanciullas, Battaglia di Legnano, Aidas etc.) were done in the 60-s too.

[sargoth37]

@tehen162 Is there a greatest hits cd that is the best or are they all about the same?

[tehen162]

@sargoth37 Yes, there are two available: The Very Best of Franco Corelli, this has 2 CD-s and Icon: Franco Corelli with 4 CD-s.

[oldoperafan]

@sargoth37 I would also check out his 'out-takes' on EMI, the hidden recordings he did not want released but which are in fact superb. Cannot recall the exact title. A single CD. As an obsessive perfectionist, he wanted these duplicates go unreleased. However, whatever the state of his voice, he was always superbly professional from what I gather. .

[Agorante]

@sargoth37

I presume, sir, you have a handicapped parking sticker for being deaf.

[decoculaeselmariachi]

@sargoth37 well, what can I say... I don´t know what you think was his prime... I would just be happy to find a tenor today that can sing as "bad" as he sings here... I just get tired of these comments about great artists like Corelli on youtube. One, if not the, depending on personal taste, greatest tenors ever...Bravo Maestro! RIP!

[rovingdesertfox]

@sargoth37 No body cares if you notice what you think is true. Just listen and enjoy instead of trying to

show how much you think you know. Really, no one cares. Ever notice the natural cycles of life and how every single singer declines? C'mon, spend your time with more pure pursuits.

[tenorschofield]

Bravo!!!! ch'era una clase maestra in scena!!!!. con una voce rotonda e bella...sempre piena di emozione e con una speciale dedicazione per la tecnica vocale. Doppo di ascoltare al maestro quando parla, si entendera dove appogia la sua emissione quando canta. Tutta appogiata in maschera con una respirazione intercostal-diafragmatica. Bravo maestro, sempre sei una inspirazione per tutti noi!!!!!

[mbrellisford]

LOL! His tongue movement at 2:38

[gdawg116]

yes, again that Bb was so good.

[JCLAWS]

@252925j

ummm lanza had a good voice. everyone of the contemporaries sing way better. he is a quasi tenor

[Cantachepassa]

Was he looking at the conductor? LOL

[1000bestmusic]

This live recording from the 70s is proof enough that Senor Corellis voice was still in top condition at this time. Why did he agree to lipsink to his own recordings from the 60s as you can see on other videos published here on YouTube, I cannot understand...

[markgraysondumas]

@1000bestmusic You're right on the mark when assessing that Coreli's voice was still in pristine condition, with richness abundant throughout the whole range. Yet there were situations beyond his control when he had got no choice but to go along with what the producers told him to do, that is lip synching. Even Barbra Streisand, the most bankable star in the sixties, had to lip sync here and there.

[FacePaster]

I hope Corelli after the concert found the shithead who was singing along and kicked his ass.

[24yotenor]

He and Maria Callas were made to sing together. They both have the same intensity of charachter and statuesque figures. And I've only seen two singers with such a blaze in their eyes.

[filaredo]

What a bullshit........ you're one of the greatest idiots on YouTube.

crappy idiot

[Antwn4]

Was somebody in the audience trying to sing along with Corelli?

[24yotenor]

I definately think so, on the last Bb. Ha! that would have pissed me off to no end had I been Corelli or even in the audience.

[Antwn4]

Yeah, but it looks like there's someone trying to sing it since the beginning... at least since 1:38, when Corelli seems to begin to get distracted by looking somewhere in the audience. Anyways, in any case, that's messed up... I'd also be furious if I was in the audience, not to mention if I were Corelli.

[Huljic]

Haha i think he was...

[edraith]

He looked like he was smiling and getting more confident, earing that person singing (obviously awfully).

[edraith]

Maybe Jose Cura, lol.

[edraith]

@edraith Yep, it was definitely him.

[laonirica]

Franco Corelli BRAVISSIMO!

The heroic tenor par excellence, came to explore and develop all resources of his beautiful voice, the nuances between them diminuendo

almost impossible for the voices of great size.

The Romance and courage that only he knew how to express.

Single Master of expression!

[mezzo1945]

This is not regarding my perfect tenor,but an aria by a tenor that starts"veine,veine amor ..."I'm going nuts and can not recall from which opera. It is soft aria and may be from Bellini or Donazetti. Can any one help me find it?? Thanks

[laonirica]

This aria belongs to the composer's opera: Giacomo Meyerbeer

Libretto: Eugène Scribe

Original title: L'Africaine

Premiere: Paris Grand Opera

Date: 1865 - April 28

Action: Lisbon and India, at the beginning of the sixteenth century.

kind regards! :-)

[emeric1952]

A GREAT SINGER ONE OF THE VERY BEST.

[Cordylcoh]

To me this sounds rather beautiful - he seems distracted but yet these wonderful sounds are produced seemingly effortlessly. 5 stars.

[emeric1952]

A GREAT SINGER. ONE OF THE VERY BEST.

[stevevandien]

Corelli here might be a little past his best. But can any contemporary tenor sing this aria as well?

[nikolaimedtner]

No.

[tubajeff1n3]

Frank Tenaglia is closest. in fact Frank's upper register is better although age does play a role in that. and Pavarotti could never do this aria justice. just my 2 cents haha.

[libro07]

Gorgeous performance!!

[minnie888444]

Thank you for posting this video. Is this the only existing fragment out of that concert in Munich?

[tehen162]

Unfortunately I have only this one. The whole program can be obtained on CD though.

[opcel1]

Thank you for posting this. I had never seen this video before. A very rare clip indeed!

[judymaster]

Rare Corelli's Live video ! Thank you for posting. I didn't know this video at all.

Bravo Franco and...thank you for the wonderful emotions you always give us.

I wonder who was sitting in the balcony at his left: maybe his wife Loretta ???

[Nater389]

The conductor perhaps?

[edraith]

Nay, he was looking at someone who was singing along with him.

The orchestrals look confused, he looks astonished, than furious, than he smiles and get more self-confident.

Definitely someone was singing along with him. YOu could clearly hear on the High Bb

[Samurai9]

Some idiot in the balcony was creating a fuss and this distracted Corelli. Does anyone know what actually happened?

[laonirica]

El Paraiso lo Hemos perdido por el momento, al No Contar con Artístas de la BELLEZA Y CALIDAD ITERPRETATIVA DEL GRAN MAESTRO --FRANCO CORELLI--¡¡¡BRAVO POR SIEMPRE INOLVIDABLE MAESTRO!!!

[jakmaio85]

GRANDISSIMO!!!!BRAVO!!!!!!!

[ErnaSack]

one of his worst renditions ever: BAD

[Ankhsnammon]

Bello come un dio,erotico come nessun'altro sulla scena dell'opera mondiale...il paradiso eri tu stesso,bellezza mia!!!!

Nina

[18yellowroses]

He's wonderful!

[Noelie70]

¡¡¡JAMÁS Terminaré de Admirar su Arte, Su Pasión, Su entrega, todo su Talento Y SU INDISCUTIDO DESPARRAMO DE BELLEZA MASCULINA!!!!

[Noelie70]

Mi Batte Il Cor......al vederte ed ascoltarti Bello Franco.

Spettacolo Divin.....Sei tu Bello Franco.

In te Rapita io son....Per Sempre!!!

[Noelie70]

Bell´´ occhionni Neri, Bella Voce D´Angelo, Umano eroe Sempiterno della Lirica, sei Bello Tenore FRANCO CORELLI!!!!!

[laonirica]

¡¡¡GRACIAS POR ESTA HERÓICA BELLEZA!!!tehen162! y por compartirla en YouTube.¡¡¡BRAVO POR SIEMPRE MAESTRO FRANCO CORELLI!!!

[phalenopsis1]

Divino Divo Franco!

[sospello]

sospell continues.But the guilt of this "betrayal" added to the documented depression of 1969 With the depression and obvious weight loss came loss of stamina (in a back brace by 1970 Cavalleria performances), the always stormy but dependant relationship with his wife caused a temporary separation, removing a major moral support,the death of Met go between Roberto Bauer also a personal friend. That Corelli could even stand up, much less perform at this level gets my eternal bravo.

[laonirica]

Et...ne continue pas cette histoire?-je ne comprend pas sur *la trahison*,vous peut m´expliquer,je vous remercie.-

[sospello]

sospello continues. The ongoing IRS investigation of the Met's foreign singers for tax evasion, a cancelled contract to film Verdi's Requiem, unsuccessful negotiations to appear at La Scala, stress of a major push to reestablish his career in Europe; the personal trials: the near-death of his father reignites the depression and psychological conflict surrounding the 1950 death of his mother, liberating because she fiercely opposed his change from engineering to a professional opera career.

[sospello]

Remarkable performance in this aria at this time in his professional life. Poivriere remarks on the gaunt appearance and mannerisms observable especially at the beginning of the piece. Aside from the much commented upon stage fright Corelli always experienced, especially when he could not lose himself in a character, what has his latest biography documented about 1969-70: professionally there was the non-renewal of his EMI recording contract, several festival breach of contract suits. (suite).

[laonirica]

Ya que se conoce *tan poco en mi país*, sobre la vida del *ser humano*,más que del artísta resulta, Muy intersante e Inédita, esta historia,creo que para muchos de los que admiraremos siempre al Maestro Franco Corelli,-Gracias *sospello por compartir en YouTube parte de su lado Humano.-

[sospello]

Hello laonirica. Yes, I too think it is important to remember the human dimension of all these artists as we sit comfortably critiquing them for anything less than our idea of perfection. Corelli obviously ommitted himself to doing his very best when he went before the public and retired when he felt however hard he worked he could not make his voice reliably respond to his standards. The Seghers biography is well documented on the difficulties of this period (out 2008 in English).

[sospello]

sospello continues. Part 1 line 4 (word is committed, not omitted) A relative who trained as a soprano when watching this video says she thinks he is clutching his midsection (at the end as he approaches the B flat) to give added support, another indication that , as with the 1970 Cavalleria "O Lola" siciliana, he was bracing himself to maximize power and breath control in passages requiring the greatest effort. The wonderful tenor Francisco Araiza spoke very ardently about Corelli.

[sospello]

sospello, part 3. He found Corelli unmatched in creating the emotion of a character in every phrase of an aria, giving as an example his treatment of the single line "non piangere Liu" in his interview on Opera Fanatic about 10 years ago. When asked what he would do differently if he had had Corelli's voice, Araiza replied he would change nothing at all, saying Corelli's only drawback was his nerves. Lauri-Volpe also said that Corelli lacked mostly confidence in his own abilities.

[sirenadellopera]

Amazing. It's also totally adorable how looks up immediately at the conductor afterwards!

[Noelie70]

O PARADISO !!! Sei tú Bellissimo FRANCO E  BRAVVISSIMO TENORE!....

[laonirica]

¡¡¡*IL PIÙ BELLO DEL MONDO*!!!Con la pena de que Argentina,núnca tuvo *El Honor* de tenerlo en *Nuestro Teatro Colón*.¿Ignoro el por qué Real?.Pero igualmente, somos Muchos,los seguidores de este *Gran Arte*, y también Muchos, Los Seguidores de este *Gran Tenor*,que llevaremos Su Recuerdo, Siempre VIVO, en el Corazón.¡¡¡BRAVO POR SIEMPRE MAESTRO FRANCO CORELLI!!!

[peloponisios]

Someone is singing from the audience, you can here it at the end

[laonirica]

¿Cómo continúa éste Concierto y quiénes más actuaron,o sólo fue El Maestro FRANCO CORELLI,el único que lo realizó?¿No hay más docomentos fílmicos?¡¡¡BRAVO POR SIEMPRE MAESTRO FRANCO CORELLI!!!

[discovolante21]

He sings very well. Strange audience reactions?!!

[poivriere]

Thanks for making this one available again, tehen. While it's nice to hear him sounding good in this concert, it's also a little disturbing to see him so gaunt and distracted (that odd business with the wedding ring).

[laonirica]

¡¡¡GRACIAS POR SUBIR A YOU TUBE ESTE HEMOSO DOCUMENTO FILMICO!!!-¡¡¡BRAVO POR SIEMPRE GRAN MAESTRO FRANCO CORELLI!!!(Preciosa interpretación de O Paradiso!!!)

[EvaHartwig]

Какое странное сочетание прекрасного исполнения и болезненного вида певца.