Perhaps he should listen to the tempos that Leonard Warren used...and also the phrasing of Leonard Warren (try the 1949 recording of Rigoletto from the Met).
Rucker sings like MacNeil, which might seem like a great compliment except that MacNeil was known for his voluminous voice, minimal ability to shade and unemotional tempos.
Or perhaps the conductor needed to rush through Rigoletto.
Great drama here, delivered by an excellent baritone voice. At times too flitting, too theatrically parsed perhaps, which compromises Verdian line somewhat - I wish Rucker could dwell on melodic line a bit more, and use ritartando a little bit less. Nevertheless, a unique interpretation that is in the big league.
Viva la Rucker! Push out Leonard Warren and Lawrence Tibbett! Rucker and Hawkins should definitely be included in the great canon of American baritones: Tibbett, Warren, Merrill, Milnes, and now RUCKER and HAWKINS!!!
Fabulous!!! I get to see a masterclass with him next week!!
DIVOTENOR 7 months ago
i fucking love this, thank you for uploading
escamy 1 year ago
Stunning ! Amazing voice, amazing technique ! Amazing artist !
RickChristman 1 year ago
I enjoyed this aria sung by Mr Rucker
Achbar 2 years ago
A truly golden baritone with all the emotion of the great tenor Corelli, a combination that guarantees greatness and warrants praise!
Marcooljerk 2 years ago
Wonderful voice, Mr. Rucker. However, Cortigiani is spelled with only one N...
nisticom 2 years ago
Another great Rigoletto was Robert McFerrin, Sr. What a voice!!! Mr. Rucker , I think, is also in this great canon of Verdian Baritones!
dphmichigan 3 years ago
Perhaps he should listen to the tempos that Leonard Warren used...and also the phrasing of Leonard Warren (try the 1949 recording of Rigoletto from the Met).
Rucker sings like MacNeil, which might seem like a great compliment except that MacNeil was known for his voluminous voice, minimal ability to shade and unemotional tempos.
Or perhaps the conductor needed to rush through Rigoletto.
SwingShoes 3 years ago
BRILLLIANNNTT! What a voice Mr. Rucker!
seb8791 3 years ago
Great drama here, delivered by an excellent baritone voice. At times too flitting, too theatrically parsed perhaps, which compromises Verdian line somewhat - I wish Rucker could dwell on melodic line a bit more, and use ritartando a little bit less. Nevertheless, a unique interpretation that is in the big league.
libro07 3 years ago
Viva la Rucker! Push out Leonard Warren and Lawrence Tibbett! Rucker and Hawkins should definitely be included in the great canon of American baritones: Tibbett, Warren, Merrill, Milnes, and now RUCKER and HAWKINS!!!
dphmichigan 4 years ago