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Classifications....well, we have the bass-baritone, the basso cantante, basso profundo and the contra-basses...put samples of each catogory and then we should be able to make a more educated opinion.
chowman007 2 years ago
To me, Samuel Ramey as Don Giovanni is only second to Cesare Siepi who I still regard as THE Don - but that just how I see things. Besides, I defintely love this production!
Selkaen 4 years ago 2
For me, Samuel Ramey is THE definitive Don Giovanni. He combines the lyric beauty and fluidity of a baritone with the raw power and masculinity of a bass ... I really don't even know how to classify him because he transcends everything. And to those who say his acting sucks ... are you blind? I would fall into his arms in a SECOND!
RagingSuccubus 4 years ago 8
In other words, it's a silly argument. BTW, Having heard both Ramey and Hines, Ramey's low notes (down to a low C!) carry better. Hines sounds (and looks) "bassier." I consider Hines the greater singer, but either way, this is beautiful singing.
luckymortal 4 years ago
IMO the true distinction of these terms (at least in US) is based on look. A guy can sound like Pavarotti but if he looks like a "bass" he's a "bass." If he doesnt' look it, it doesn't matter what he sounds like, we call him a bass-baritone.
luckymortal 4 years ago
Huh?
pannicatack 2 years ago
Wow, did you give me a negative point? LOL, I hope you'll remove it. If you read all of my comments on this point, I think you'd have a hard time disagreeing with me (most other teachers I've discussed this with come to agree with me.) At the very least, I think you'll agree that it's a well-reasoned argument and not worth the negative rep point you've given me.
luckymortal 2 years ago
I don't remember if I gave a thumbs-down... but if you want, thumbs up then.
pannicatack 2 years ago
Historically the distinction of "bass-baritone" was not used until Wagner. What is a "Bass" or what is a "Bass-baritone" is a pretty fluid distinction then. Ramey has not sung the wagnerian "bass-baritone" rep (Wotan, dutchman...)
luckymortal 4 years ago
message to "singerdman2000" : my good buddy, I assume you are talking about his "Serenade" above. Just sit back and enjoy the beauty of his voice. I've seen him as Philipp, Boris, Mefistofele. Believe me the man is a fantastic actor. Saw his Met-audition in 1972 (Ernani+Faust I) when the audience went wild with bravos, even though they were asked not to applaud for each singer individually.
gallferi 4 years ago
I agree.I think singerdman2000 doesn't like the classical fashion (Mozart, for example)and particularly, i don't like that style either...but ramey is actually one of the best integral artists in the world. He not only sings spectacularly well, he acts as he were just an actor and not a singer.
vestilagiubba 4 years ago
Beautiful mezza voce, I've heard only Diaz singing it this way at the Met in the 70's.
gallferi 4 years ago
Ramey is good,no doubt. However if you want to hear a true bass voice, check out Jerome Hines.
sherom 4 years ago
dear stevevandien, sory but in your examples of basso cantante i´m agree with Pinza, Siepi and Tozzi, of course Mr. Ramey; but i think (and it´s my opinion) that Van Dam is one of the very littles bass baritones. (because of the "size" of his bottom notes) thank you for the response. And if you´re interested we could change opinions. Thanks!
fiesco 5 years ago
That's perfection. Samuel Ramey's voice and acting attitude, Mozart's music and Da Ponte's script (I wish anyone could have got the beauty and the suggestions of his lyrics). Is the stage director Giorgio Strehler?
elisats76 5 years ago
sorry, but mr ramey is not a bass baritone, he is a basso cantante.
fiesco 5 years ago
Agreed, absolutely. Bass-baritones are in between bass and baritone. Bassos cantante are true basses with an exceptional capacity for lyric singing in a high tessitura (besides Ramey, think Pinza, Siepi, Tozzi, Van Dam) --
stevevandien 5 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Actually he was considered a bass baritone. He Had high G's and high A's. And besides that, he's boring as hell! He should have taken some acting classes!
singerdman2000 4 years ago
Oh man, you don't know what you're talking about. He has an amazing voice and he's an espectacular actor. You should see him singing as Mephisto and you will understand what i'm saying. One of the thinks more remarkable of samuel ramey at a worldwide scale is, precisely, his acting.There's no best actor in opera (actually) like Ramey.
vestilagiubba 4 years ago