This recording is valuable as a historical document. Of course this isn't Santley in his prime; that took place more than 20 years earlier. But it preserves the work of a historically great singer, however past his best.
Santley was an important singer for whom Gounod added Valentine's aria in Faust. Also first English Rigoletto and Dutchman. To say that others have since done what he does rather misses the point. Of course Terfel did it better. He is younger and had the example of Santley ( who was born in 1834!- less than 20 years after the battle of Waterloo!) It would be tragic if he didnt sing it better!!
I'm ashamed to say, I have not heard this gentleman's singing before. (though I warm very much to this kind of music, and from this period) He has a VERY nice and enjoyable voice - would love to hear him sing something in English. He's rather nice-looking too! : - ) Thanks for Posting.
@ilovecollecting There is a great recording of "If with all your hearts ye truly seek me" from Elijah. Stylistically it is a little dated but if played on an acoustic machine it is a direct, physical link to mi 19th century singing !
The natural quality of the voice and singing is splendid. The Golden Period of Singing reflected the true Art of Bel Canto, lost to the Voice Teachers (?) and Impressarios in the operatic milieu today.
Perhaps this is valuable to individuals who are interested in 19th century performance styles. But that in itself means little to me unless the singing has something fresh and compelling to offer. Unfortunately, to my ears this is rather drab and routine; there's just nothing here that hasn't been done better by dozens of basses and baritones, from Siepi to Prey to Terfel. Certainly this gentleman sounds impressive for a singer of 69 years.
However, if vocal longevity is a key factor in his selection, he must cede pride of place to the distinguished bass Mark Reizen. Reizen, who possessed a beautifully honed voice and was a probing interpreter to boot, had indisputably the longest career of any major singer in recorded history. And he sounded FAR better at 79 than Santley at 69 (please see my video response). Yet, the latter makes the 100 Singers list, while Reizen does not. An odd choice, if you ask me.
@khankonchak Gounod wrote Valentines aria in Faust specially for Santley and Santley was ROH's first Rigoletto and Dutchman. Of course Terfel etc sing it better. They recorded in their prime and had Santley as an example. Santley was born less than 20 years after the battle of Waterloo!
When he sang Valentine in Faust, Gounod wrote a new aria for him, now one of the most famous in the baritone repertoire: Avant de quitter [Even bravest hearts].
Santley is surprisingly good at an advanced age for a singer, especially in those years. He is a legendary artist from the era of Patti and rightly deserves to be among the performers on your list. You mentioned John McCormack's admiration for Santley in the notes. I would certainly include McCormack on the list as well.
Really he sang this aria with a tempo so fast, or the recording is a bit accelerated? I detect certain lack of naturalness in the vibrato, which probably comes from the rudimentary of the technical means, which were not giving the 78 rpm. exact in the recording. What do you think? Anyway, I love this ancient recordings that bring us voices of other epoch.
This recording is valuable as a historical document. Of course this isn't Santley in his prime; that took place more than 20 years earlier. But it preserves the work of a historically great singer, however past his best.
stevevandien 1 year ago
Santley was an important singer for whom Gounod added Valentine's aria in Faust. Also first English Rigoletto and Dutchman. To say that others have since done what he does rather misses the point. Of course Terfel did it better. He is younger and had the example of Santley ( who was born in 1834!- less than 20 years after the battle of Waterloo!) It would be tragic if he didnt sing it better!!
SteveBell1942 1 year ago
I'm ashamed to say, I have not heard this gentleman's singing before. (though I warm very much to this kind of music, and from this period) He has a VERY nice and enjoyable voice - would love to hear him sing something in English. He's rather nice-looking too! : - ) Thanks for Posting.
ilovecollecting 2 years ago
@ilovecollecting There is a great recording of "If with all your hearts ye truly seek me" from Elijah. Stylistically it is a little dated but if played on an acoustic machine it is a direct, physical link to mi 19th century singing !
johnster1964 1 year ago
The natural quality of the voice and singing is splendid. The Golden Period of Singing reflected the true Art of Bel Canto, lost to the Voice Teachers (?) and Impressarios in the operatic milieu today.
796824 2 years ago
great !
Manu2Bastia 2 years ago
Amazing for 69
quakercub 2 years ago
only student of garcia to have recorded!
hobo1975 2 years ago
Perhaps this is valuable to individuals who are interested in 19th century performance styles. But that in itself means little to me unless the singing has something fresh and compelling to offer. Unfortunately, to my ears this is rather drab and routine; there's just nothing here that hasn't been done better by dozens of basses and baritones, from Siepi to Prey to Terfel. Certainly this gentleman sounds impressive for a singer of 69 years.
khankonchak 2 years ago
However, if vocal longevity is a key factor in his selection, he must cede pride of place to the distinguished bass Mark Reizen. Reizen, who possessed a beautifully honed voice and was a probing interpreter to boot, had indisputably the longest career of any major singer in recorded history. And he sounded FAR better at 79 than Santley at 69 (please see my video response). Yet, the latter makes the 100 Singers list, while Reizen does not. An odd choice, if you ask me.
khankonchak 2 years ago
@khankonchak Gounod wrote Valentines aria in Faust specially for Santley and Santley was ROH's first Rigoletto and Dutchman. Of course Terfel etc sing it better. They recorded in their prime and had Santley as an example. Santley was born less than 20 years after the battle of Waterloo!
SteveBell1942 1 year ago
style of 19th century so awesome!
petrof4056 3 years ago
I never heard of him before and his vocal freshness is astonishing.
As being a baritone myself (but just for hobby) I would be proud, if my voice sounded now like his voice at 69 years...
Thanks a lot for sharing this gem with us.
LLehmannfan 3 years ago
When he sang Valentine in Faust, Gounod wrote a new aria for him, now one of the most famous in the baritone repertoire: Avant de quitter [Even bravest hearts].
saltburner2 3 years ago
Santley is surprisingly good at an advanced age for a singer, especially in those years. He is a legendary artist from the era of Patti and rightly deserves to be among the performers on your list. You mentioned John McCormack's admiration for Santley in the notes. I would certainly include McCormack on the list as well.
meltzerboy 3 years ago
I have never heard about this singer. Thank you.
podkivanok 3 years ago
Really he sang this aria with a tempo so fast, or the recording is a bit accelerated? I detect certain lack of naturalness in the vibrato, which probably comes from the rudimentary of the technical means, which were not giving the 78 rpm. exact in the recording. What do you think? Anyway, I love this ancient recordings that bring us voices of other epoch.
Kallistos07 3 years ago
If you can't believe he's 69 here just wait until I post some recordings of Jan Peerce singing at age 77!
VinylToVideo 3 years ago