GEORGE LONDON was the best Scarpia EVER! Scarpia is a very uncomfortable role... to high for a bass, but a baritone is not dark enough... That´s why so many great singers have spoiled their voices singing Scarpia... Basses reaching the note, and baritones trying to thicken and darken their timbers to fit the evilness and dramatism required by Puccini.
You can always pick out Mr Warren's voice from other baritones His is the one that rises to to the top -Like rich cream . Thanks for the post! The good live recordings are always thrilling . Any more Lenny live would always be appreciated [as would Mr Merrill]
Have heard all the great ones sing this & they were all fabulous. None tops this one. None of the current baritones seem to have that "steel" in the voice. Bravo. RIP.
Those were the days. A magnificent and luxurious cast (note the splendid Calvin Marsh as the Jailer:)) and conductor. If you read reviews from those years, you know how such a splendid operatic performance was taken for granted at best and deemed substandard (compared to past performers and productions) at worst. What we'd give for this conductor and cast today! --
This for me is the definitive cast for Tosca, even better than the Callas-Corelli-Gobbi, although some would argue otherwise. The singing here is unparalleled; you have the best soprano, tenor, and baritone of that decade, respectively, in this cast (in my opinion of course).
What do you think of the Tebaldi/Del Monaco/London recording? I adore Warren, but prefer London's more sinister tone as Scarpia. MDM is in fine form on that recording too.
Thanks for letting me indicate just how much I admire his interpretation and what a great voice he had--this is a wonderful cast--is there more you plan to post (HIINT:-)??
GEORGE LONDON was the best Scarpia EVER! Scarpia is a very uncomfortable role... to high for a bass, but a baritone is not dark enough... That´s why so many great singers have spoiled their voices singing Scarpia... Basses reaching the note, and baritones trying to thicken and darken their timbers to fit the evilness and dramatism required by Puccini.
Gabvelri 4 months ago
@Gabvelri You seem to be on a Scarpia binge. Try listening to the Scarpia of Robert Weede.
VinylToVideo 4 months ago
Those were the days -- will we have anything like them again?
stevevandien 1 year ago
@stevevandien It's been 50 years.. nothing's come along yet.
VinylToVideo 1 year ago
@VinylToVideo And how sad it is:(!
stevevandien 1 year ago
@Operaddict I feel the same very often. I would give anything to have a chance of seeing and listening live Warren, Del Monaco...
AnryK2690 1 year ago
Really great! Amazing!
Besides his beautiful bright voice, he draws evil Scarpia - the way this character is. Few have achieved such level.
AnryK2690 1 year ago
You can always pick out Mr Warren's voice from other baritones His is the one that rises to to the top -Like rich cream . Thanks for the post! The good live recordings are always thrilling . Any more Lenny live would always be appreciated [as would Mr Merrill]
lpvcrcd 2 years ago
Have heard all the great ones sing this & they were all fabulous. None tops this one. None of the current baritones seem to have that "steel" in the voice. Bravo. RIP.
Lovelytenor1 2 years ago
.. I know I was.
VinylToVideo 2 years ago
Those were the days. A magnificent and luxurious cast (note the splendid Calvin Marsh as the Jailer:)) and conductor. If you read reviews from those years, you know how such a splendid operatic performance was taken for granted at best and deemed substandard (compared to past performers and productions) at worst. What we'd give for this conductor and cast today! --
stevevandien 2 years ago 3
This for me is the definitive cast for Tosca, even better than the Callas-Corelli-Gobbi, although some would argue otherwise. The singing here is unparalleled; you have the best soprano, tenor, and baritone of that decade, respectively, in this cast (in my opinion of course).
GermanOperaSinger 2 years ago 2
What do you think of the Tebaldi/Del Monaco/London recording? I adore Warren, but prefer London's more sinister tone as Scarpia. MDM is in fine form on that recording too.
FacePaster 2 years ago
Excellent
I second the motion to post more (if you can,) sounds like a dream cast!
ShawDAMAN 2 years ago 2
VinylToVideo-Please, please- post more
paulostroff99 2 years ago
Warren is one of my favourite baritones! Bravo,and thank you for posting.
paulostroff99 2 years ago
Thanks for letting me indicate just how much I admire his interpretation and what a great voice he had--this is a wonderful cast--is there more you plan to post (HIINT:-)??
sospello 2 years ago