Bastianini & Warren Largo al Factotum Sing-Off

[Beth29252]

When it comes to diction and cpaturing the essence of the character, in this case Figaro, Bastianini is for my money better. However when it comes to voice projection and intonation(Bastianini sometimes pushes for me) Warren, poccessor of one of the most beautiful and biggest baritone voices, wins, though in regards to Warren I think Si Puo and Cortigiani shows off/suits his voice more. I can't decide which I prefer, they both did very well with such a difficult aria.

[goku12380]

Bastianini :)  fantastico

[Mooorhe]

Warren had the better high notes, but Bastianini is the more creative and artistic singer in my opinion.

[Mentor504]

How tragic it is that both these great talents died young, in their forties.

[RPenta]

and Sherrill Milnes--and I remember thinking--this baritone just cannot keep up with Domingo.

[PickBit]

For what concerns Warren I think he's great, not only for his voice, but also for his interpretation skills and shading ability.

Then again I can understand someone may not like him, as his voice is certainly not as crystalline as Bastianini's

[RPenta]

As a lay person and non opera buff, fan, student, whatever I must say: Bastianini's version is clearly better--stronger, clearer, more commanding--this is a Figaro no one would mess with; my test is this: what opera baritone tenor duets I have heard the baritone seems overshadowed; Ettore I could imagine standing toe to toe with any tenor and upstaging him except maybe Mario Del Monaco.

[PickBit]

what do you mean by overshadowed? Are you implying tenors have more powerful voice emission than baritones? If that's the case you are wrong mate.

In duets you tend to hear the tenor more than the baritone because it's the way it's supposed to be. The tenor is generally the main character, the baritone a secondary voice (when not the bad guy).

[RPenta]

I am not implying I am saying it directly: the higher range of the tenor voice peaks over the lower one of the baritone; I think that is a function of how most people perceive sound; therefore it takes a baritone of exceptional quality to "overshadow" the tenor. Really, I guess the opera students must hear something I don't because Warren version does nothing for me. Regarding baritone vs tenor: I cannot remember the piece but one of the first such duets I heard involved Placido Domingo

[PickBit]

Well that's a matter of perception: a tenor sounds sharper because the sounds he emits have higher frequency, but a baritone has, as a matter of fact a superior voice emission. It's a Physiological matter as a baritone has longer and thicker vowel cords. Proof of this are dramatic tenors like Del Monaco their voice is darker due to the structure of their cords and their emission is superior to that of a liric tenor who on the other hands reaces higher tunes easier and with more "squillo"

[raigekimaru]

this is true, most of the larger voiced males tend to be baritones and basses (dramatic tenors, especially vocal giants like Corelli are extremely rare). the baritone also tends to have a richer sound, and it is this quality that I love about Warren, despite him not sounding quite as "polished" as Merrill or certainly Milnes. It's easy to see how one who is into "pure" voices wouldn't find him appealing.

PS: ironically enough, most of the bigger voiced women tend to have higher voices

[BorisGodunov]

Warren was a better actor, Bastianini had the more naturally beautiful voice. Both sang wonderfully. Why choose?

[PickBit]

You know what? you are absolutely right! lol

[lpvcrcd]

sometimes artistic directors have to. Who would you try to secure first for a season of Verdi/Rossini/Bizet performances if you were in charge?Bastanini or Warren?

[mistral72it]

Warren???...i.m sorry,but he's wrong the accents,and in Italian lyric it's very important.His voice seems to me "block"...I like very much Bastianini.

[PickBit]

Ok, you are right, Warren's diction is not perfect...

But man listen to his interpretation; I mean...great, immense! Moreover look at this man's facial expression; he must have been an incredible actor on top of being a fantastic singer; every time I hear his "di qualità...di qualità...hahahaha...hahahaha.­.." I get a big smile on my face.

Besides to be 100% sincere there were ITALIAN singers whose diction was not exactly always the best possible ...*cough*Corelli*cough*...

[mistral72it]

Corelli????....don't touch Mr. Corelli! Mr Corelli is the king of the "Nessun Dorma"(not Pavarotti,Del Monaco o VoLpi)...Yes Mr. Corelli has had only a little defect the "S",but i love very much to the fullness of the voice,the power,the vocal interpretation...etc...If you listen to a disc opera music the facial expressions NOT THE VIEW!!!

[PickBit]

Ah nono, you got me wrong, I wasn't implying Corelli is a bad singer, far from it; not even a madman would dare say that. I was merely pointing out as even the greatest had their own flaws, so it's pretty understandable an american baritone can have difficulties in italian diction; expecially when singing something as difficult as "Largo al Factotum". When a singer is a good actor you can hear it from his voice, without the need to "see", which anyway is a good part of fully attending opera

[mistral72it]

ok perhaps i have misunderstood! I' don't speak english , i'm italian...tenor! :)

[PickBit]

E allora che caspio parliamo inglese a fare???lol Io sono un baritono ma direi che la lingua è la stessa... ;D

[PickBit]

I don't know guys it's like choosing between Corelli and Del Monaco; it's all a matter of personal preference. Don't ask ME to choose though because while in the Corelli-Monaco case I can manage to make up my mind, in this case I simply cannot ...lol...

[countceprano]

I have to give this to Warren because of the ease and color of that incredible top. If the tessitura of the aria is a bit lower, say "urna fatale" or "nemico della patria", then it would be extremely hard to choose as Bastianini was just incredible in those arias. With the killer tessitura of Largo, however, Warren gets the nod.

[blakemooney]

If Bastianini had worked a little harder to develop his "Ruffo sound" further--to the max--he would find this contest easier than he and Warren are presently finding it up high there--in Heaven.

this kind of query easily. What a voice he has but it needs more N

[pearlmuth3]

Warren! Bravo. Those who heard him who are still with us and whose opinions are professional and I respect give Warren the nod and so Do I based on live and studio recordings but I never heard him in my 51 years of opera going. Fox in Chicago leaned towards Italian Baritones so we where deprived but I did hear Bastianini. I give Warren the prize. I also did hear Mac Neil in prime voice he had a large dramatic sound also which I enjoyed.

[JackOperaMan]

Warren.

[VinylToVideo]

Agreed.

[Raoul3434]

something awkward with the speed of the recording of the Warren rec. You can hear it in the end.

His A is amazing.

Both of them haVe so much joy expressed in the recording. Such a display of strength from these masters.

[abritishtarisasoarin]

Warren wins...and also the orchestra and conductor seem stronger in the Warren version...however, Bastianini comes closer to the true nature of the character of Figaro...so those are my two cents...

[grdzelli]

It is an honor to hear both of these men. They were truly great. Rather than compare these two terrific singers, why can't we just be grateful that their recordings are with us. There's a lot to learn from both of these guys-for all musicians. They set an extremely high standard to live up to.

[FlyingTiger5]

I know how Warren passed away, but I seee by the dates that Bastianini passed too soon, also. What happened to him? What a loss, in both cases.

[primobaritono]

Bastianini had cancer which developed while he was still an active performer. Most sources say that there was a tumor in his throat, but some insist that he had a brain tumor. Either way it affected his singing and he was booed for example at the Met as Scarpia. He didn't make his condition public so nobody knew about it till after he passed away. Truly tragic.

[nirbateman]

It is absolutely awful that they booed Bastianini at the MET.

I mean,he had cancer and he obviously wasn't at his best voice,but Cornell Macneil, who was healthy but had no voice,sang Scarpia in 1985(a performance unjustly released) and was given applause.

This is really sickening.

[FlyingTiger5]

I recall hearing Warren's Rigoletto when I was a kid (my mom's album). Man, when they kinapped Gilda and he was calling for her.........boy, he just went NUTS!!! It sounded so emotional it used to scare me!

[Ivanhoe2]

This is ART,,so why does everything have to be a competition? Two superb artists as these should just be ENJOYED. Each has his own characteristics and each attracts his own following. A remark such as "There can be no doubt that,,,,,,,is the better singer" is bigoted and ill-informed. The tragedy is that these singing giants passed on so early in life.

[scalparm]

Naturally, since Bastianini is Italian his diction and wordplay are superior. But there can be no doubt that Warren is the better singer. His rendition is a lesson in perfect technique. Bastianini is shaky and inconsistent, and he pushes often.

[pearlmuth3]

Listen sometime to Warren on the firestone TV show, (available) and catch the theme song the way he brings it down to a whisper he makes the If I can tell you song sound like a terrific song, really a fantastic singer and as far as Bastianni goes I heard him in Rigoletto in Chicago in the 60's with Tucker but he was already sick with Cancer but we did not know it then he was not as good as usual, then when he died we knew he was not well when we heard him. Both men died too young.

[pearlmuth3]

I PREFER TO JUDGE SINGERS LIVE AND OF COURSE WARREN HAD THE RECORDINGS OF THE 40'S AND EARLY 50'S TO DEAL WITH WHERE AS BASTIANINI RECORDED BETTER, HEARD HIM IN THE HOUSE BUT NEVER HEARD WARREN LIVE SO HARD TO TELL BUT MY VOTE IN THE VERDI ROLES LIKE RIGOLETTO WOULD GO TO WARREN. Bastianini on his final note sounded almost like he was going to crack.

[Sieglinde84]

Both were fantastic in Verdi roles. Just comparing how they sing Il balen:

Warren sings it dramatic, with fiery passion, and really serious. (And beautiful.) He reminds me a little on our Alexander Svéd.

Bastianini sings it like a young man who's desperately in love. So he's my choose for my ideal Luna - but Warren was a genius, too.

Too bad they both passed so early and so tragic.

(second part - f*** the character limit)

[63Attila]

Warren and Bastianini war both wonderful here. I prefer Bastianini's brighter sound and cleaner pronunciation. Warren had an easier top. Imagine, Merrill and MacNeil were also contemporaries.WOW

PS I only know Alexander Sved through that fantastic MET broadcast of Un Ballo in Maschera with Bjeorling and MIlanov. Sved really captured the anger of Renato well.

[Sieglinde84]

I love them both, but Bastianini is my Prime. Gorgeous and natural voice. And his diction, yes. Best Figaro.

Warren's voice is more heroic, he was not a barber, he was at least a Baron.

[jebemti]

Great great voices!! Bastianini's is pure orgasmic material and his Italian is better than Warren's(naturally - he IS Italian aznd eys I do speak Italian as it's my second langauge.) I love 'em both for their own distinct, individual greatness. No point doing comparisions...we all have our own tastes.

[Luonnotar70]

Well, I too speak Italian as my second language, and must say many Italian singers have surpricingly poor diction. But Battistini's diction is excellent. Might be that he was Tuscan, and had basicly learnt what is considered  the standard Italian pronunciation as a child. Florentine Del Monaco had a perfect diction too, after all.

[pearlmuth3]

Warren as you may know went to parties and sang di quella Pira with a real high C, tenor C and I have a movie with him in it singing a popular song, "when Irish eyes are smiling" or some such title. Sensational voice and listen to him on Firestone video.

[Luonnotar70]

Il senese. Warren is a great singer, but Bastianini is Figaro, a street barber. If he came calling around the corner, I'd definitely be a client. Superb dictation, and the quickest "bravo, bravissimo" (Warren doesn't even try there) I've ever heard.

[heathersma]

Both gentleman had fabulous voices. I agree with izar1234. Imagine having two baritones like this to choose from. Imagine it's 1958 and you were going to do Rigoletto. Leonard Warren's ill. No problem. Call Bastianni. He can't make it in time? See if Robert Merrill is available. Bjoerling is sick also? Call Jan Peerce and if he's not home, see if Nicolai Gedda is available. Such days are gone forever!

[lpvcrcd]

You are absolutely right!!Those days when Rudolf Bing ran the Met [and of course even before that]they had a roster the envy of any house in the world .And they were all very good to great to legendary singers!! NOT TODAY

[nisticom]

both of them great voices, of course. Though I prefer the esprit of Bastianini, and his diction. But maybe it's because I'm from italy...

[izar1234]

Well, it's hard to respond to someone whose first sentence starts with "I was never personally that impressed by Bastianini's voice..." !!! BTW, voice size need have no corelation to agility. Listen to Hines sing "Why do the Nations" or Sutherland sing any colortura aria. Her voice was huge live. Ditto early Ramey in all his colortura. Also Horne, etc. , too many to list in this space.

[meltzerboy]

I'll have to listen to Bastianini more attentively. It's just that there are certain singers so attractive and unique insofar as beauty of tone and technique are concerned that one is more naturally drawn to them. It takes more time, for me at least, to appreciate singers such as Bastianini and Gobbi (already accomplished) for example, in terms of their great art since the aural pleasure is not as distinctive. Even though I've had 40 years to do so, there is always the opportunity for change.

[meltzerboy]

Continued--In regard to size of voice and agility, I think the singers you mention (Sutherland, Horne, Ramey) are in some ways exceptions. I can think of several great sopranos with huge voices, such as Tebaldi, Milanov, Nilsson, even Ponselle whose voices often sound stiff in coloratura passages. Callas had to work very hard to acquire her agility. On the other hand, there has been a resurgence of the coloratura mezzo in recent years, in which the training focuses more on technical agility.

[meltzerboy]

Continued--I think the issue may be more complicated than what you suggest.

[meltzerboy]

I was never personally that impressed by Bastianini's voice or singing despite his reputation and following. In this aria, however, he is extremely good. Warren, on the other hand, I have always admired greatly in regard to tonal beauty and technique. What is surprising to me, however, is how agile Warren is here despite having such a huge voice. My vote goes to Warren, while recognizing Bastianini's excellence.

[lpvcrcd]

We read all the comments and discuss all the baritones but you have hit the nail on the head!!.Of all the great baritones, Warren seems to be the one held in highest regard! Some don't like his diction,his sound,that is all personal.But as far as technical production,power,ease,range,hi­s vocal dominance of the verdi roles [the hardest hands down for any baritone]he has to be considered the greatest baritone!But I love Merrill Tibbet and J.C Thomas as well, and they each have their merits!!

[RPenta]

I do not get your comments--"diction and sound" are all personal? BS! In the final analysis, singing, like all music is about sound---I do not care if one violinist can play the scales or hit difficult notes or combinations better than another--the test is: what does the musician do with the music to move and entertain the audience?

[mstrsims2]

Both terrific. For years Bastianini has been the benchmark recording of LARGO for me, but now that I hear Warren, he has competition! But for the diction, Bastianini wins, especially in the presto movements. Bastianini's words are very clear. Warren's is a bit marshmallow there in places.

But still terrific voice !

[tonytib]

Paragoni questo a del monaco. Ve lveda You Tube.

[coolmamac]

Warren had incredible range and could project his voice with great ease. LOVE both of these gentleman. Miss them.

[gvjps123]

I love Bastianini and think he does a wonderful job here but my vote goes to Warren because ,( as someone else pointed out) he has greater ease in the high tessitura.

[izar1234]

And by the way, can you imagine having two baritones like this to choose from today?? Unbelievable. If anyone hasn't heard Herlea sing "Largo", give that a listen as well. I'm going off to listen to Ettore sing "Vien, Leonora". I haven't heard that in a while and hearing him by chance here reminded me how much I love his sound.

[izar1234]

Guys, this isn't close. Bastianini is one of my favorite voices ever, but he cannot hang with Warren in an aria with this tessitura. Ettore started out as a bass and one can hear that a high G is very difficult, though impressive. It's just nothing for Warren, and he even sings two astounding high A's in this to boot. If the aria were "Nemico della patria", I'd vote for Ettore, but not this.

[CraigFrancisSoto]

Both are great baritones but I'll also vote for the Sienese,Bastianini. I agree with the above comment that a better match might be Bastianini and Gino Bechi.

[pabloricciardi]

Bastianini is one of the greatest... Of all time. He is the reason for I love to be a baritone. I wanted to be a tenor before... He convenced me.

[brendanemig]

how can you judge this? they're both absolutely stunning! very different in timbres, it seems bastianini was more of a rossini baritone, but damn warren cranked it out just the same... tough match, i love warren, but i vote for the italian

[bastianinisfan]

Totally agree, of course Bastianini was a better Rossini baritone, no meaning to match, probably should be Bastianini with Bechi?

[josemlecaros]

This is wonderful,thanks

[chrisvetera]

Wonderful, the best of the best. thanks for posting.

[joepass87]

Despite the word fumbling on the end, warren wins. His voice has a nice roundness and his high is awesome!

[ingriddoppler]

....I respect your opinion, but I don´t agree ;

[joepass87]

what's your opinion?

[ingriddoppler]

...Warren was without any doubt a great artist however-if you want to "compare",the voice of Ettore was and still is one of the greatest and most beautiful one in the history of Opera(...and that´s not only MY opinion)I hope,I have not offended you-as I said before --I respect everybodies opinion. Ciao