Having (embarassed to say) not listed to a whole lot of pinza recordings I have to say I hear a lot of similar sounds to Sam Ramey. Ramey must've used Pinza as a vocal role model.
@1969SL What you really need is the two RCA Red Seal releases in the 60s on LP as well as "Ezio Pinza Recital" released by Columbia on a grey covered LP.
Precisely. I've never heard a more perfect and beautiful vibrato than Pinza's. Not even counting his wonderful voice, technique, and phrasing. His teachers in Italy advanced him to the opera stage much earlier that anybody else. They recognized his exceptional talent and quick intelligence as a singer.
I just love this. Pinza was a basso cantante which means he could range far afield to sing baritone roles. In my opinion, the best basso of the 20th century. I have 5 LP albums of his of opera, and of course South Pacific. I also have his autobiography. Such a marvelous voice.
my mother studied to be an opera singer, i remember as a small child listening to speak of opera singers, and mario lanza and ezio pinza were two she spoke highly of....i miss my late mother singing opera, and thank her for giving me the gift of classical opera.....i love it
Lanza was not an "opera singer" but had a great voice. He sang opera arias in films and had perhaps the greatest natural voice I've heard. Pinza was just perfect to my ears and the best basso I've ever heard.
@SheHadManHands I've never quite understood why people refer to certain singers as having the greatest "Natural" voice. Gigli trained for years to sound that natural & relaxed. So too, Lanza spent years doing scales & fine tuning his technique. Voices of real stature do SOUND natural. That's the whole point of training, - it's the art which conceals art. A voice that sounds artificial, contrived, unexpressive & trained, is the antithesis of good singing technique.
I have been moved to tears, listening to this wonderful rendition by Ezio Pinza. I first listened to it as an 8 year old, in 1942, played on an HMV record player. What wonderful memories this has brought back to me.
What a lovely voice. i have always been interested in singing even though I sound like a wounded frog. This is certainly one of the finest versions I have ever heard.
In my opinion, this one is the best "Non Piu Andrai" version. I can't believe that this record is 70 years old and noone went better since the time... including me ;)
What a magnificent rich and glorious voice. He was in my book the greatest basso of all time. There is noone singing today that has a voice like this. They all pale in comparison. What is also so astonishing about Pinza is that he did not read a note of music. My god what a voice,
He couldn't read music? How did you learn this, from a book? I like him cause he has no vibrato. Lili Lehmann wrote that vibrato is the ruin of the voice. could he sing when advanced in years?
Who would have thunk it? Not me. In"my ART OF SONG Lehmann wrote this. Barbara Bonney corroborated it several years ago at Weill recital hall, saying it was only siutable for opera houses, not recitals or art songs. I dont know if it is entirely true, but that is what they said. It may be an affectation, It is a matter of discussion, not dogma. It's very controllable, you can speed it up or slow it down by will and imagery. There was a flicker vibrato in the early 20th century, de lucia, e.g
Its true that there's a pleasant waver on the sustained tones. But compared to the wide oscillation of some basses, or the flicker vibrato of de lucia or bonci, it is comparatively innoticeable. His hallmark is his dark, velvety tone, so easy on the ear, and not the irritating monotony of voices that are too bright in timbre. Is he considered a basso cantante?( he was such a household word, I never took him seriously till now)
@moo7chi7ld Ironically, it is the true vibrato in the voice which passes almost unnoticed by the listener, as it is the signpost of a beautifully functioning voice. It is the slow wobble of forced voices, or the rapid flutter (tremolo) of voices - caused by interfering tensions, - which draws the listeners attention specifically to the pulse, precisely because it sounds unnatural to the ear.
see directly above. People use vocal terminology differently, in some books, e.g., falsetto and headvoice mean the same thing, in others falsetto means a wooly, dark tone that is breathy.
Ezio Pinza comes into the first bars of this aria with such conviction and confidence. Throughout his pace and diction is outstanding. This is an excellent addition of Ezio Pinza and to this wonderful site. Thank you Frank for your video.
Having (embarassed to say) not listed to a whole lot of pinza recordings I have to say I hear a lot of similar sounds to Sam Ramey. Ramey must've used Pinza as a vocal role model.
FacePaster 2 weeks ago
A late-comer finally enjoying opera (at age 75)-- but this aria is splendid.
I remember RCA's orchestra from childhood radio in the 40's.
Trumpets and French horns conclusion---wow!
Brianchaninov 2 months ago
I absolutely love his voice and got myself "Nimbus Prima Voce" CD with his early 1920s recordings
1969SL 4 months ago 2
@1969SL What you really need is the two RCA Red Seal releases in the 60s on LP as well as "Ezio Pinza Recital" released by Columbia on a grey covered LP.
SheHadManHands 2 months ago
very good performance - and superb recording quality as well for 1939
thx 4 sharing
911jp 9 months ago
Followed by Mozart's laugh.
Lassannn 10 months ago 2
Precisely. I've never heard a more perfect and beautiful vibrato than Pinza's. Not even counting his wonderful voice, technique, and phrasing. His teachers in Italy advanced him to the opera stage much earlier that anybody else. They recognized his exceptional talent and quick intelligence as a singer.
thephantom1946 1 year ago 5
thank you, great voice and great actor. you were a happy student of your fabulous teachers.
fairyofdew 1 year ago
nice.
Vincenzo2010an 1 year ago
Awesome !
My dad would sing this one a month on the week ends !
Thanks for posting
owlgulch 1 year ago
I just love this. Pinza was a basso cantante which means he could range far afield to sing baritone roles. In my opinion, the best basso of the 20th century. I have 5 LP albums of his of opera, and of course South Pacific. I also have his autobiography. Such a marvelous voice.
thephantom1946 1 year ago 8
my mother studied to be an opera singer, i remember as a small child listening to speak of opera singers, and mario lanza and ezio pinza were two she spoke highly of....i miss my late mother singing opera, and thank her for giving me the gift of classical opera.....i love it
hotluke777 2 years ago 4
Lanza was not an "opera singer" but had a great voice. He sang opera arias in films and had perhaps the greatest natural voice I've heard. Pinza was just perfect to my ears and the best basso I've ever heard.
SheHadManHands 2 years ago 8
@SheHadManHands He sang onstage too, albeit only a few times.
Pawelp 1 year ago
@SheHadManHands I've never quite understood why people refer to certain singers as having the greatest "Natural" voice. Gigli trained for years to sound that natural & relaxed. So too, Lanza spent years doing scales & fine tuning his technique. Voices of real stature do SOUND natural. That's the whole point of training, - it's the art which conceals art. A voice that sounds artificial, contrived, unexpressive & trained, is the antithesis of good singing technique.
hiyadroogs 1 year ago 3
I have been moved to tears, listening to this wonderful rendition by Ezio Pinza. I first listened to it as an 8 year old, in 1942, played on an HMV record player. What wonderful memories this has brought back to me.
daf95xf430 2 years ago 5
Wonderful!
paulostroff99 2 years ago
IMPRESIONANTE!!!!
Rigelcentauri58 2 years ago
Comment removed
SuperMarkova 2 years ago
What a lovely voice. i have always been interested in singing even though I sound like a wounded frog. This is certainly one of the finest versions I have ever heard.
oboist2 2 years ago 4
@oboist2 hi, frog bro :)
TeodorMolochov 2 years ago
In my opinion, this one is the best "Non Piu Andrai" version. I can't believe that this record is 70 years old and noone went better since the time... including me ;)
TeodorMolochov 2 years ago 6
immenso artista ! Immortale !
bodiloto 2 years ago 7
Certified Intergalactic!
Dogaradodia 2 years ago 3
A great master!
konstinagaev 3 years ago 3
bellissimo meraviglioso così si canta
that's the way of singing well Mozart
fabiocasadeiturroni 3 years ago 5
What a magnificent rich and glorious voice. He was in my book the greatest basso of all time. There is noone singing today that has a voice like this. They all pale in comparison. What is also so astonishing about Pinza is that he did not read a note of music. My god what a voice,
Giovannifabuloso 3 years ago 2
I am with you....my favorite basso!!!
coolcadudeingoleta 2 years ago
He couldn't read music? How did you learn this, from a book? I like him cause he has no vibrato. Lili Lehmann wrote that vibrato is the ruin of the voice. could he sing when advanced in years?
moo7chi7ld 2 years ago
Vibrato ruins the voice??! new one on me :P
ShawDAMAN 2 years ago
Who would have thunk it? Not me. In"my ART OF SONG Lehmann wrote this. Barbara Bonney corroborated it several years ago at Weill recital hall, saying it was only siutable for opera houses, not recitals or art songs. I dont know if it is entirely true, but that is what they said. It may be an affectation, It is a matter of discussion, not dogma. It's very controllable, you can speed it up or slow it down by will and imagery. There was a flicker vibrato in the early 20th century, de lucia, e.g
moo7chi7ld 2 years ago
you need to check your ears because he certainly has vibrato just check 2:41. That is vibrato and it is all over this recording.
pechorin1841 2 years ago 4
Its true that there's a pleasant waver on the sustained tones. But compared to the wide oscillation of some basses, or the flicker vibrato of de lucia or bonci, it is comparatively innoticeable. His hallmark is his dark, velvety tone, so easy on the ear, and not the irritating monotony of voices that are too bright in timbre. Is he considered a basso cantante?( he was such a household word, I never took him seriously till now)
moo7chi7ld 2 years ago
@moo7chi7ld Ironically, it is the true vibrato in the voice which passes almost unnoticed by the listener, as it is the signpost of a beautifully functioning voice. It is the slow wobble of forced voices, or the rapid flutter (tremolo) of voices - caused by interfering tensions, - which draws the listeners attention specifically to the pulse, precisely because it sounds unnatural to the ear.
hiyadroogs 1 year ago 3
What do you mean he has no vibrato? He's using plenty in this aria...
jb523 2 years ago
see directly above. People use vocal terminology differently, in some books, e.g., falsetto and headvoice mean the same thing, in others falsetto means a wooly, dark tone that is breathy.
moo7chi7ld 2 years ago
@moo7chi7ld but he uses vibrato - not the heavy one though
ElisabettaVS 2 years ago 2
Bravo Pinza!
34fgsfgsdtu48w7qtaqt 3 years ago 3
Marvelous!
prorokini 3 years ago 3
Ezio Pinza comes into the first bars of this aria with such conviction and confidence. Throughout his pace and diction is outstanding. This is an excellent addition of Ezio Pinza and to this wonderful site. Thank you Frank for your video.
tHEnOOSEsWINGS 3 years ago 12
Thanks for reposting this recording. Very nice rendition.
GermanOperaSinger 3 years ago 2