Franco Corelli "Lasciatemi morire" Monteverdi

[meis2steph11]

you know if i didn't have the words for this in front of me i wud be like "wtf?"

[andorinhaxavier]

corelli não é só o principe dos tenores é o maior de todos

[latrociniOpera]

Corelli has been able to show how powerful Monteverdi's music is, as is the all the music of his time. Unparalleled!

[falernoducande1961]

bella questa opera di Puccini sconosciuta......... povero Monteverdi...... ma nessuno gli ha detto che Arianna è femmina.......e Teseo un maschio......vabbè

[hache332]

horrible

[66Lanski]

@hache332 Maniaque baroqueux, sans doute. Il faut être bien présomptueux (latino ?) pour qualifier d'horrible de chant de Corelli...

[celtdownunder]

do I hear a hint of Mario Lanza here? I love him by the way

[Crwthy]

I adore Corelli, but this is not for him.

[cdbaxte]

ANYTHING that is good becomes bad in excess. I hear in this recording "una voce troppo squillante". It is overpowering and out of balance. Also, the "e" vowel of "lasciate" and morire are much to horizontal rather than vertical. This is still of course a fantastic singer. This is simply not his best performance. Judge a performer by their best work, and this is definitely not his best!

[cdbaxte]

ANYTHING that is good can be bad in excess. In this case I hear "la voce troppo

[mc0558]

No one ever sang the Star Spangled Banner better than Franco Corelli. But there isn't a recording of his doing so on YouTube. Does anyone have one?

[harpsy59]

Pauvre Monteverdi, quel massacre! c'est le seul vestige de son opéra l'Arianna, alors, c'est juste impensable de le massacrer comme ça!

[acduckett]

Gooly golloy miss molly, why can't one enjoy 2 minutes of accomp rect??

[giorgiodg]

monteverdi non si canta così e non si suona così; ma a parte il fatto che questa esecuzione è fuori stile, direi che è anche brutta.

[tenorschofield]

A majestic performance of Corelli...this is why he was recalled "The prince of tenors".I agree totally with this concept.His taste and talent , are well blended with that sensitivy and emotional performances in every presentation he had.Thanks for sharing,BRAVOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[Jrink30]

I really hate opera.

[MellowDramatic07]

bravaA!!! :))

[Heartlessiceboy]

Amazing voice as always ... wrong repertoire choice...

[arwrtawel]

do anyone else hear Mario Lanza here?

[klokheten]

Unbelievable beautiful.

The great and noble tenor.

[Svatopluk]

This is totally awful. This isn't even music by Monteverdi, but some ghastly (and tacky) arrangement. This performance is to Monteverdi what Liberace is to Brahms and Liszt.

[certus63]

@Svatopluk en serio this is monteverdi's lasciatemi morire from his greatest arianna

[emalag999]

@Svatopluk great analogy (L)

[esraerek]

not reely good... its to hard

[musicalnotes54]

singing for choir competition.... all i can say is he may be sick but way better opera voice than i may ever have.....i normally sing country!!!!

[youknowthatotherguy]

Ní maith liom é

[duaname]

In case you didn't know, he's singing medium high version

[jontew]

Though he was not at his best in this concert (as he told me personally that he was ill that day), I'd like someone to name a living tenor who can match the timbre, squillo, power and excitement evident in this recording.

[HannahGrace333]

I love Franco Corelli

[mose3]

Before the musicological overkill, as Glenn Gould called it.

[AWT666Paul]

he looks like my ass

[joanabanyeres]

Well l liked Corelli, but my Gosh this is not the way to sing Monteverdi. Horrible.

[JollyJollies22]

I entirely concur! This is....it's insulting.

[joanabanyeres]

My Gosh, this is not Puccini's Turandot

. Here voice is not the important, it's the style and to know how to use the voice. Why ? Why? who told him to sing this piece, poor Monteverdi ! l fell sorry for Franco who sang like a God in his repertoire

[BethDiane]

aaronsande: When I say nuances, I mean the harmonic nuances of where the the consonances and dissonances are, and how these mesh with the strong and weak syllables of the text.

As for dynamics, I've seen vocal scores from this period (I own facsimiles of a few, in fact) and there are practically no dynamics in any of them. Not that this implies a freedom from interpretation, but by our standards, perhaps, more economy of means.

But by all means, do as your teacher says!

[mariasarda]

Ouch ! J'adore Corelli, mais là, c'est vraiment space ! Monteverdi c'est pas Puccini !

[verdepastello]

hai assolutamente ragione!!!

Tu as absoluement raison!!!!

[operaman20]

the words are wrong in places and it's sounds to burdened.

[aaronsande]

Yes, he did use the wrong word. Burdened? You're saying his voice is wrong, that is all. He isn't lyric.

Well, that's your opinion. Keep that in mind.

[aaronsande]

Hey BethDiane...just what "nuances" by Monteverdi do you think this performance "skates over"? I'm working up this piece myself, right now, and he performed ALL the dynamics and accents as written, which is what you must do for this sort of piece.

I'd say he performed it precisely as my teacher told me to, the other night. So...what could he have done better?

=D

[emalag999]

dynamics and accents as written??

mon dieu... monteverdi, my dear!! do you know something about music? Those sort of notes didn't exist that time..

i can see that you don't know even what you are reading..

you know anything about baroque?

so.. from your point of view, the orchestal arrengment is monteverdi's creation too?

i love corelli... singing opera

[aaronsande]

I have the arrangement in front of me.

I know that some, obviously like you, feel that baroque music must be free of interpretation, free of tempo change, free of any passion except what is written in the score.

I know that not all musical scholars agree with you.

Why do so many, upon seeing an oppositional view, immediately react by saying that their opponent is clueless?

There are different expert opinions, and THAT is the fact here.

[jonialvarado13]

I can see that's not the problem here. It's very simple: Monteverdi didin't write any dinamic indication or accent because at that time it was not the work of a composer. Dinamics, articulations, ornaments, etc. are not written in the original fonts by Monteverdi's hand except for a few exceptions. emalag999 is not saying that baroque music must be free of interpretation: he's saying that the interpretation depends on the musician, BECAUSE IN THE MANUSCRIPTS are no indications of any sort.

[jonialvarado13]

And THAT is a fact. That kind of thing that no scholar will discuss. Except, off course, some musicians that alters the original sources and sell it saying that's the real thing. The truth is no one heard Cateriniuccia Martinelli or Lucrezia Urbana singing Monteverdi...

[aaronsande]

That may be what emalag999 was trying to say, or avoiding saying to get me to ask what he/she meant so he/she could look down his/her nose again in reply...so thanks for translating.

My post was in response to someone saying he performed it wrong and skated over nuances. IOW, interpreted it incorrectly.

How do emalag999's and your admissions that the interpretation depends on the MUSICIAN support the offensive statement that Corelli interpreted it wrong? =D

[jonialvarado13]

It's simple (again): it still depending on the musician. In this case, Corelli and the guy who write the orchestral arrengement decided to do something with the Monteverdi's Aria that, for emalag999's (and for the current stile of baroque performance, in fact), is wrong. Corelli can't be wrong? He sang the aria like almost all the singers of his generations did, and you'r free to like it. But in present day almost anybody sing Monteverdi like he did in '70.

[BethDiane]

If you're going to do an orchestrated version, probably the best thing would be to take the other parts of the madrigal arrangement (either book 5 or book 6, forget which) and have the strings plays them.

But yes, this orchestral arrangement is entirely imaginary; in the opera, this was just voice and continuo, although that could involve multiple instruments of many types.

The only dynamics Monteverdi ever used himself were "piano" and "forte," and only to instruments.

[aaronsande]

This has got to be the longest conversation I've ever had! 6 months! ;P

Sounds good to me...still, the dynamics utilized here make sense when the music is considered as a whole. So, I buy it.

[youfeda]

nooooo questo è orrendo

[BethDiane]

This strikes me as odd.

It's one thing to do this piece with piano as part of a "recital." But as soon as you add orchestra, it's a concert version of an operatic aria. And having a man sing Ariadne's Lament with an orchestra is as absurd as having a woman sing "Largo al factotum." it just doesn't compute! Plus, it's shatteringly intense, but it skates over a lot of Monteverdi's nuances. Not ugly so much as missing the point.

[emalag999]

agree

[aaronsande]

You haven't mentioned one aspect of the performance that was done incorrectly. Do YOU know what you're talking about?

[Cornour]

This interpretation is the best on youtube

[luseem16]

Was Monteverdi ever not in fashion? However, far it is from 'historically informed', you cannot fault his incredible commitment for great music of whatever age.

[wiik32]

he is the best

[bloydaage]

Not in style, not in perfect condition, not technical good...BUT he moves me. And that is also a part of the musics soul.

[phalenopsis1]

Ah, Franco ... il suo "lasciatemi morire" suona come "lasciatemi vivere" ;-) Che voce, che passione, che fuoco, che cuore ... Addio, Maestro ...

[JosquenD]

2) Avrei taciuto se non fosse che simili operazioni nuocciono alla cultura musicale italiana, diffondendo stereotipi orribili, che se confinati in certi repertori possono essere ancora accettati , ma se sconfinano sui capisaldi della più autentica e raffinata cultura musicale italiana , proprio no! L'Italia non è questa! (notare infatti gli ideogrammi in sovrimpressione, giusto da quelle parti poteva cantare costui! Un consiglio non metta il piede fuori Puccini e se lo tenga stretto!)

[AngeMarais]

Concordo pienamente con tutto questo che hai detto.

[sospello]

I refer you to my reply to JosquenD, friend AngeMarais. I come to 19th century opera from a longer association with vocal "early music" and love the repertoire of the viola da gamba. But vehement negatives here serve no good purpose. Time would be better spent developing your own sites and referring those interested there. Nessuno qui è vittima di "presa in giro". Tutti capiscono che cantanti da Caruso ad oggi possono interpretare "fuori stile". Dire questo non ci dice niente.

[sospello]

99% of us who visit operatic sites are aware that many since Caruso or earlier have reinterpreted "early music" according to their own lights (e.g. Ombra mai fu). We are hardly victims of "presa in giro". Your vehemence is unnecessary. We welcome analyses of the finer points of Marin Marais and the viola da gamba on your site. Or a value-neutral comparison here of this interpretation with Scholl, Daniels or one you prefer might demonstrate your insight; sadly these comments do not. A friend.

[JosquenD]

1) Scarso senso del ridicolo, completamente fuori stile, un'operazione del tutto incomprensibile inaccettabile da almeno 40 anni ad oggi. Diseducativo per chi non conosce le modalità e le sonorità della musica antica. Vocalità superata, approssimata, sbracata, nasale e gutturale al contempo (un vero virtuosismo alla rovescia), volgare nel suo sentimentalismo superficiale e pacchiano spacciato per autentico e intimo sentimento (una truffa, una presa in giro).

[SaturnThalarctos]

Indeed past his prime. Dick Clark could do a better job mumbling for us.

[MusashiTzu]

you could do a better job not watching corelli videos.

[ELPASOTXNUMERO1]

Perhaps, yet I haven't found a better video yet, can you direct me to one? Nothing higher than a tenor please because I am a baritone who thinks a man should like a man. I think Corelli had beautiful control over his vocal prowess and sang like a man should. At times I couldn't quite hear the clarity in some aspects of articulation, but very much professional no doubt.

[zammygo]

he sings this beautifully and dynamically

[MusashiTzu]

I really love how he painos and fortes here, quite unlike any other singer can, and to deeply moving effect. I will not respond to the negative comments, they have already suffered enough having been unable to appreciate this performance, how sad for them.

[Noelie70]

QUANTO SEI BELLO,FRANCO,Dolce Tenor!!!!Sei INDIMENTICABILE,per la tua Maestria,per il tuo TALENTO,e per il tuo CUORE!!!!

[ddeejay]

that was awful

[operaf209]

you are deeply mistasken, as his interpretatiosn is not "authentic" but his voice is still gorgeous even after the troubles Corelli has had..

[ClassicA111]

I think it was wonderful!

[wiik32]

not good voice? you moron

[mltube]

He is not in a particularly good voice and past his prime, but what a wonderful performance! Bravo!

[sospello]

Absolutely the way to evaluate this performance. This was just before Corelli's retirement, hastened by a possible botched vocal cord therapy intervention about 1970-71. The change in vocal production is pronounced and he suffered terribly because of it. However, he used the same approach to early music as he did to his usual 19th century rep, a departure from the "authentic" vocal style of today also used by many tenors of his time. If one prefers current practice, A. Scholl or D. Daniels.

[phalenopsis1]

Bravissimo Franco!!!

[Rapicienta]

Monteverdi no se canta así.

No con ese tipo de emisiòn que él maneja.

[FRESHnikeSB]

Mario Lanza's rendition of "Lasciatemi morire" performed live at London's Royal Albert Hall (1958) is much better than Corelli's performance here.

[oyamicanto]

Lasciate mi morire means "let me die", so singing style must be appropriate with this feeling. If you shout like this, you fail, Mr Corelli.

[bloydaage]

To oyamiccanto: How can you possible know the only right and stylistic way to express the feeling of wishing death to come. I think you are the most arrogant human beeing just to say such crap; Like you have the totaly right answer for how to behave if you want to die.

"Hey thats not how you die",Mr Corelli!, calm down, you have to wisper, because thats how I learned you and all human beeings should die." Such stupidity!!!!

[oyamicanto]

thank you for your kindness..

[bloydaage]

you're welcome. Such a joy... No, seriously I was very provoked by your comment that day three months ago, so I wrote with a pen with too much color! Of course you'not the most arrogant human beeing... Sorry!

[shyhotpurgedangel]

Ok. I'm singing this piece for solo and small ensemble, and I must admit this performance of this piece is on the poor side. I'm not saying I do any better but most of the words he is trying to say aren't being pronounced so you get a mushy kind of sound and not to mention there really is no tempo for Corelli its a mess of acellorando and larghetto.

[MetalReaper666]

yeah, this wasn't the best performance of this piece...I'm singing this piece in my concervatory and Corelli's version doesn't have the characteristics and correct phrasing, and it's definitely too fast...but that's only my opinion (and my teachers' and some other people in the singing department, but what do they know, right? :P)

[mltube]

I certainly disagree with you, shyhot. This is a moving, deeply felt interpretation that goes naturally with the music. As far as pronunciation, what difference does it make? Why do you care? What are you, German? :-)

[shyhotpurgedangel]

Nah I'm not German I'm pretty much American.....and it makes a hell of a difference when you don't speak clearly in most foreign languages the words you speak or sing can mean two different things. I care because I actually sang this song and love it dearly. His voice just sounds sloppy. sorry ^^

[GentleSavage1]

I didn't really like this tokyo concert, as much as I usually like Corelli.

To my ears he often used too much weight of his voice resulting in a not very pleasant sound especially at low pitches.

Besides that, I don't understand why some people think singing is only worth listening when done as it has been since the time a piece was composed, aka "period performance".

Corelli was mainly into "modern italian opera", let him venture into other fields some times and appreciate his efforts...

[beckman33]

I'm trying to use this song as a auditon peace. Man! I have a lot of work to do.

[DamaxXIV]

Despite rather is was era accurate or not, this was a beautiful performance.

[93747nero]

powerful and dramatic

[psikodennys]

nice !!!

[mamoye91]

Would all you guys shut up?! It sounds good so stop trying so hard to sound like you know what you're talking about. You guys look like douche bags

[jmrozendaal]

It's actually a long piece, nine minutes or so. This performance, and the bit in the anthology, are only a few phrases from the opening.

What is bad about this performance is not the fact that it is not a "historically informed" interpretation. What is bad about it is that the vocal technique is a mess. He scoops up into one note after another, for starters.

[Heartlessiceboy]

Monteverdi should be executed in certain way, that is fact that every singer (cause teoric basis r as important than practice...a opera singer should know music, history and ornamentation...to dare sing monteverdi

but at the same time lasciatemi morire from Ariana is part of the italian antology(a collection of baroque italian arias that r the text book for every sing beginer so this arias has been sung in even worse ways haha

[Heartlessiceboy]

oh, and is the shortest aria from the italian antology so all the singer from first year sing it...i sung it too when at my first recital

[oyamicanto]

so you mean, short arias are easier??

[fmhv]

Although not a "period performance" I liked it very much. Besides I really do not understand why every performance should be exactly "period" ones ... there is room for everything including good "modern" adaptations like this one.

[misotoma]

my friend sang this with a piano teacher.. it blew my mind how they played.. it was more uptempo and more bravura (rythmic wise). it was astonishing to say the least.. b/c i just stood in silence when they finished. such a short yet BEAUTIFUL song piece.. dunno ^^

[Ivanhoe2]

Maybe worst in your opinion because it is not in accord with your taste, Fair enough,,many will think differently.

[giopad65]

One of the WORSE Monteverdi executions I've ever heard. How can one sing in such a plenty "opera style" those marvellous renaissance melodies?

[gonzalojosevb]

I understand there are a few persons who dont have any sensibility for good things, maybe your brain is an square. Corelli was wonderful in all his performances.

[PunkChick35]

Sorry but this is FROM an opera. And by this time Monteverdi was writing in a very operatic style (Baroque I should mention, not renaissance).

[StephenSondheim]

Sorry, but at the time, the operatic style Corelli is singing in had yet to even begin to emerge. Monteverdi, while a transitional composer between the Renaissance and the Baroque, cannot be properly rendered in the operatic style of the Classical era (etc). Besides, musicologists place his operas as pre-Baroque, early Baroque at the best.

[StephenSondheim]

Mind you, Purcell was a Baroque composer, but his semi-operas and opera are not to be performed in this luscious fashion. Also, the Monteverdi died in 1643, and L'Arianna the opera was composed in 1608.

However, it is a lovely performance for the style presented, just not a period performance.