Fernando de Lucia - Parmi veder le lagrime (Rigoletto) - Mezza Voce

[EdmundStAustell]

This posting is obviously a labor of love on your part, and you could not invest it in a more interesting or telling comparison. I, for one--and I think there are many who agree--miss the old bel canto tenors, of whom we have a late but brilliant example in Lauri Volpi. Much was lost when the old bel canto tenors were replaced by the belters. I admit that some were spectacular--Corelli, Giacomini, etc., but there were many others who probably should have been singing baritone.

[meltzerboy]

Excellent liner notes which nicely explain the differences between de Lucia's singing and that of tenors who followed him. I agree with the distinctions you point out. De Lucia is always a fascinating singer: one never knows exactly how he will ornament a phrase, change its tempo, color his tone, or utter the text; but one can be sure that his singing will never be dull and he will exhibit an artistic musicality. Thanks for sharing this!

[CurzonRoad]

@meltzerboy

De Lucia's very fine, always interesting touches, pauses, graces, flourishes are to be cherished. Thank you BelSoggiorno for posting, and thanks always to you, Nate, for sharing!