Robert Merrill sings "Avant de quitter ces lieux"

[legatofancier]

As much as I love Merrill's voice, even my high school French tells me that his French diction is far from idiomatic. Listen to the old EMI HMV mono recording of FAUST with Gedda/De Los Angeles/Christoff, with Cluytens conducting. The magnificent French baritone, Jean Borthayre sings it on that recording with fabulous French style. That said, even given Merrill's faults I would vastly prefer to listen to him than to Warren.

[mozzrt]

Sigh...Warren may have had a more booming and full voice, but Merrill sings with such taste and clarity, and he refrains from being sentimental.You can just listen, without being the least irritated of any mannerisms.

[kraechr]

Manly, but always refine kind of singing. Nicely produced sounds. Touching, colorful notes. No pressure on voice. Wonderful.

[Cantormatis]

I don't think Merrill ever forced a note that I've ever heard in any recording I've ever heard. Some days might have been better than others, but frankly, he was remarkably consistent vocally for the length of his career. And let's not forget just how gorgeous that sound is!!!

[patjan92]

My favorite baritone forever.

[GermanOperaSinger]

THE BEST - nothing more to say.

[leadoffeohippus]

People seem to accuse Merrill of forcing a little on his top notes, but boy, when he had them going - as he does in this clip - they were nearly as good as Warren's.

[Masicians]

Sorry but it's in the original key.

Maybe I am misunderstanding what you wanted to mean but about the piece, it's in Gb dur, nothing is wrong

[RWMBA3]

it's in Eb major!!!

[RWMBA3]

This aria is in Eb major!

[operabeauty]

It is in the original key, but this recording is pitched wrong. It is playing almost 1/2 tone down, and makes Merrill's voice sound much less brilliant.

[hansod1]

everybody does it in the higher key. I don't know exactly where your information is coming from, but I've never heard a sensible recording that doesn't take advantage of the classic baritone HEROIC G's.

[JessTea]

I would have KILLED to be at a performance with this cast!

[lastofdmelocchians]

Yes, yes he's got a gorgeous voice, But 2 say it's THE greatest or most beautiful of all american baritones? I totally disagree! For me, THE most gorgeous american baritone voice & maybe of all baritone voices was Lord TIBBETT'S! That's right Lawrence Tibbett:) 'Twas Big, Flexible, Gorgeous color & Has lots of emotion! Not 2 mention the RINGING top notes! And when he sang spirituals, he sometimes sounded like a Bass! Listen 2 how he fools around so easily on the B flats on Largo al factotum! WOW

[Belcore14]

Tibbett is one of the best baritones (if not the greatest!) of all time.

[Belcore14]

I would die to see this cast together.

[redsox2213]

you and me both.

[GermanOperaSinger]

Arguably the greatest American singer of all time.

[SopranoKayla1992]

Tres belle voice! I ♥ IT!!!

[billyguns2]

Magnificent voice but no understanding of true French style; he ounches out each syllable "A-VANT-DE-QUIT-TER-CES-LIEUX, etc." instead of singing one continuous legato line, and he also accents the wrong syLLables. Most people don't care about these things, least of all Merrill. He was asked once why he didn't sing art songs, and he replied "because they're crap." He was much better in Italian and English; his Whiffenpoof Song and Puccini TABARRO recordings are a wonder.

[Agorante]

Your remarks about his lack of legato are dead on target. But then again his recording of "In the Gloaming" always makes me cry.

[stevevandien]

@billyguns2 Have you a citation supporting the "because they're crap" quote, particularly since I heard Merrill sing art songs in a 1977 Milwaukee recital? Re. French style or lack thereof, yes, I've heard Blanc, Massard, Renaud, Maurel, etc. Each was excellent. But NONE came close to Merrill's magnificent endowment. I am therefore willing to cut him some stylistic slack in exchange for the sheer splendor of his sound at his best -- we certainly receive that here --

[SopranoKayla1992]

Marg: *waving* BYE!!!! I'LL MISS YOU!!!!!!!!♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ TRY NOT TO GET KILLED!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Sibel: HEY! ME TOO!!!!! *sigh of love* (saying dreamily)=Maguriteeee...♥

Marg: Huh????? Oh, well. *giggle*

ME: lol

[fideliosmum]

The most beautiful baritone voice ever!!

[Belcore14]

He's so good...

I hope one day I'll be able to sing 1/10 of how he could.

[sobatinyela]

that's how you do it! Voice lesson for male singers.. fa sho

[armoni42]

mükemmel...

[energyglobal]

Wonderful, fabulous !

A rare treat to hear Bob's magnificent voice in this life recording.

I miss you ! RIP.

[Federicopera]

I adore you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[viverito]

I loved Dwayne Croft too for about the whole 5 minutes his voice lasted. Unfortunately, he doesn't sing anything like that any more.

[robertwbecker]

Yeah it was a marvelous voice, remarkable sound, many voices today sound hollow by comparison. And hey his French is not too bad here. Thanks for this post, wonderful!

[stevevandien]

It truly does not get much better than this. Bravo!

[scottreiburn]

Well...It's good, no doubt...but have you heard Dwayne Croft's version? I think it's exquisite. Have a listen!

[stevevandien]

Oh, I like Croft and he sings it well -- probably has better high notes than Merrill ever did, too -- but Merrill is just something else, with an extraordinary combination of power and beauty --

[MrCafiero]

Voluptuous, round, chiaroscuro! Awesome.