Gino Bechi is the favourite baritone of Virginia Zeani, who is likewise in the very top flight of singers, but less well known due to making few commercial recordings.
Thank you for posting this. Of all the great baritones of the mid 20th century, Bechi's voice sounded the most effortless. Just enough, and no more. This ease comes through beautifully in his recordings of Italian and Sicilian songs.
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The voice is a bit thick and gruff, not the liquid gorgeousness of a Battistini or a Stracciari, but he was an excellent dramatic baritone and we could certainly use him today!!
Bechi was a true Italian dramatic baritone. He brings excellent technique and passion to this rendition. His thrust and power resemble Gobbi's, but Bechi has much more freedom and ring on top, if perhaps a little less weight in the low notes, which he takes an octave higher --
Very simple and very elegant, has all the drama. Heard his Renato for the first time. For now this is the best performance in 100greatestsingers part 2
I had the pleasure of studying with Corelli ~ both in Milan & New York ~ and one day (following an hour's vocal lesson) I asked him: "So Franco, who is YOUR favorite singer?"
Pausing only a moment to be sure, the great tenor answered: "Gino Bechi." This is a truly excellent recording of Bechi's you have posted on YouTube ~ sehr shoen gemacht!
You ask what I feel hearing such perfect voice placement? Rage and hate against the ignorance of good voices and technic by modern theaters, audience, agencies who don'r recognize this quality and specially against Labels, which push mediocre singers with nice legs, who shout pressing their breast voice in the acutes or changing voices sinteticly digitally like the artificial product Netrebko and the REAL singers are sitting in the Jobcenters disoccupated.
He is indeed a great singer. However, while listening to this aria, Bastianini's interpretation comes to my mind and his velvety voice. In fact, I do find some similarities in Bechi's timbre to that of Bastianini.
The joy of Bechi is enhanced by finding a filmed performance--he had a great flair for acting that is documented rather well and is highly recommended. Although, as you say, he was somewhat overshadowed by the number of great baritones of his time, he was highly appreciated by other singers--they knew what they were hearing!
its funny that my friend is a relative of Gino bechi! i think shes his great great grandaughter!! x
H20fanno1 4 months ago
Gino Bechi is the favourite baritone of Virginia Zeani, who is likewise in the very top flight of singers, but less well known due to making few commercial recordings.
CharlotteinWeimar 5 months ago
His voice brings back memorys of my father. <3 the songs
rsnerd1111 7 months ago
Thank you for posting this. Of all the great baritones of the mid 20th century, Bechi's voice sounded the most effortless. Just enough, and no more. This ease comes through beautifully in his recordings of Italian and Sicilian songs.
WCarbide 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The voice is a bit thick and gruff, not the liquid gorgeousness of a Battistini or a Stracciari, but he was an excellent dramatic baritone and we could certainly use him today!!
AulicExclusiva 2 years ago
Bechi is the ideal of a Verdi baritone. He got everything: phrasing, volume, range, correct placement, mezza voce and the "snarl".
caribolas 2 years ago 2
@caribolas And I love that snarl!
Pawelp 1 year ago
Bechi was a true Italian dramatic baritone. He brings excellent technique and passion to this rendition. His thrust and power resemble Gobbi's, but Bechi has much more freedom and ring on top, if perhaps a little less weight in the low notes, which he takes an octave higher --
stevevandien 2 years ago
Very simple and very elegant, has all the drama. Heard his Renato for the first time. For now this is the best performance in 100greatestsingers part 2
Fairpavel 2 years ago
MIKE ~
I had the pleasure of studying with Corelli ~ both in Milan & New York ~ and one day (following an hour's vocal lesson) I asked him: "So Franco, who is YOUR favorite singer?"
Pausing only a moment to be sure, the great tenor answered: "Gino Bechi." This is a truly excellent recording of Bechi's you have posted on YouTube ~ sehr shoen gemacht!
~ ANDY
andyrawn 2 years ago 3
Yes he also said this, at least for baritones, in some interviews I have heard, like the radio program with Zucker about 15 years ago.
sospello 2 years ago
You ask what I feel hearing such perfect voice placement? Rage and hate against the ignorance of good voices and technic by modern theaters, audience, agencies who don'r recognize this quality and specially against Labels, which push mediocre singers with nice legs, who shout pressing their breast voice in the acutes or changing voices sinteticly digitally like the artificial product Netrebko and the REAL singers are sitting in the Jobcenters disoccupated.
latraviata69 2 years ago 5
A very brave and truthfully statement. Thanks for this! Mike
100Singers 2 years ago
Bravo! Mehr ist dazu nicht zu sagen.
Denn leider stimmt es wohl!
tenorvoicefan 2 years ago
What a fantastic singer, and such a voice. Amazing.
mrrk 2 years ago 2
Fine singer. Thanks for "exposing" him.
Amiduffer 2 years ago
He is indeed a great singer. However, while listening to this aria, Bastianini's interpretation comes to my mind and his velvety voice. In fact, I do find some similarities in Bechi's timbre to that of Bastianini.
corellithebest 2 years ago
Fine singer, forgot about him...ironically. =P
ShawDAMAN 2 years ago
The joy of Bechi is enhanced by finding a filmed performance--he had a great flair for acting that is documented rather well and is highly recommended. Although, as you say, he was somewhat overshadowed by the number of great baritones of his time, he was highly appreciated by other singers--they knew what they were hearing!
sospello 2 years ago
This is the first time I hear him sing. Thank you, voters!
FarfalloneAmoroso 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
polemius01 2 years ago