What a great great singer who sadly died of cancer of the epiglottis in 1967. My teacher sang with him when he was still a bass in the early 50s. Basitanini has been my all time fav baritone since I first heard him on the WRC "In Memoriam" album in 1974 and he remains so to this day. BTW he sings Gobbi into the floor as far as vocal quality goes..
So far I think the best performance vocally are L.Warren's and G.Taddei's versions. (Last with Karajan). But the best acting performance I've come across is Gobbi - 1964, Covent Garden. Also, Raimondi never fails to show very different and still great Scarpias each time he plays the role.
Bastianini was The king of baritones. Period. Gobbi yelled too much on his high notes, but I do agree there is no other Scarpia like Gobbi's. None. He's lecherous and disgusting and lacking any compassion or morality. That being said, Ettore dwarfs him in any other role.
@tenortobe Gobbi was a better Rigoletto than Bastianini, easily. Bastianini was pretty much panned in the role, while it was one of Gobbi's most acclaimed. I don't know if Bastianini ever sang Falstaff, either, but Gobbi owns that one, too.
I love Bastianini. This, dear brothers and sisters, was a true Italian dramatic baritone -- black timbre, great power, wide range, expansive temperament. NOBODY like him today. How sad that Bastianini died so young, for our sake as well as his. But we were damn lucky to have had him here as long as we did. Rest in peace, Maestro:) --
Bastianini: tra i migliori bassi/baritoni sulla scena! Assolutamente padrone del ruolo, tecnica che non da luogo alla minima sbavatura o sostegno. Se poi Scarpia sia un nobile, un demonio o entrambi mi sembra che l'incisivita' e la titolarità di Bastianini non si possa assolutamente discutere.
Ottimo:pieni voti!
Grazie a Françoise per la segnalazione e a Babyfairy per il post.
This recording of 'Tosca' had absolutely blown my mind away when I first heard it. All three principals are in their most glorious voices and act with real passion but Ettore Bastianini's Scarpia was especially amazing. Dangerous, dignified, passionate... the livid fire under the cool & collected surface. Some may say these qualities do not fit the character of Scarpia. I believe the opposite. This is not the most common interpretation buit I was totally charmed by it.
I love Bastianini's voice above all, but this was not his role for sure as his portrayal lacks the sheer evil and deviousness of Scarpia's character plotting his scheme in the church.
Among all the voices the baritone has so many colours that it is extremely difficult to classify. It is not a matter of range, nor is it a matter of technique. It is the combination of timbre and tessitura. In my taste a darker oscuro-chiaro is the best Verdi baritone. No matter what, Puccini painted a passionate and evil Scarpia with his music. I think that the Scarpia leit-motiv, announces well the personnage and the approaching Scarpia/Tosca relation.Extremely dramatic and passionate!
@Bassoturco I would say Bastianini too was a sort of bass-baritone because he started his career as a bass, and performed as one for a couple of years, and then made the transition upwards, to baritone register.
Sorry but not dark enough. I am not speaking of his technique nor his beautiful timbre. Scarpia is a devil, like Mephisto, a shade lighter. A high bass-baritone like London fits a lot better!
Very fortunate to have this performanc. Bastanini never recorded Scarpia and I think this is the only version. Magnificent, he really sings he does not snarl or growl for effect.
Amazingly sung! Such a big voice! The sound quality is suspect, though...if you want to hear another great rendition, check out the version sung by George London (Currently at the top of the 'Related Videos' list).
A thrilling, threatening, young Scarpia, from an all Italian cast from di Stefano`s Serate Indicamentabile GOS series, with Tebaldi, di Stefano & Zaccaria, the best one I have heard.
Grande e basta!
AfroPoli 1 year ago
What a great great singer who sadly died of cancer of the epiglottis in 1967. My teacher sang with him when he was still a bass in the early 50s. Basitanini has been my all time fav baritone since I first heard him on the WRC "In Memoriam" album in 1974 and he remains so to this day. BTW he sings Gobbi into the floor as far as vocal quality goes..
expatmartin 1 year ago
So far I think the best performance vocally are L.Warren's and G.Taddei's versions. (Last with Karajan). But the best acting performance I've come across is Gobbi - 1964, Covent Garden. Also, Raimondi never fails to show very different and still great Scarpias each time he plays the role.
AnryK2690 1 year ago
Bastianini was The king of baritones. Period. Gobbi yelled too much on his high notes, but I do agree there is no other Scarpia like Gobbi's. None. He's lecherous and disgusting and lacking any compassion or morality. That being said, Ettore dwarfs him in any other role.
tenortobe 1 year ago
@tenortobe Gobbi was a better Rigoletto than Bastianini, easily. Bastianini was pretty much panned in the role, while it was one of Gobbi's most acclaimed. I don't know if Bastianini ever sang Falstaff, either, but Gobbi owns that one, too.
BorisGodunov 1 year ago
I certainly consider Bastianini as one of the greatest baritones ever! However, Gobbi was, is and will remain THE Scarpia. ΙΜΗΟ οf course :)
Aetion 1 year ago
I love Bastianini. This, dear brothers and sisters, was a true Italian dramatic baritone -- black timbre, great power, wide range, expansive temperament. NOBODY like him today. How sad that Bastianini died so young, for our sake as well as his. But we were damn lucky to have had him here as long as we did. Rest in peace, Maestro:) --
stevevandien 1 year ago
Bastianini: tra i migliori bassi/baritoni sulla scena! Assolutamente padrone del ruolo, tecnica che non da luogo alla minima sbavatura o sostegno. Se poi Scarpia sia un nobile, un demonio o entrambi mi sembra che l'incisivita' e la titolarità di Bastianini non si possa assolutamente discutere.
Ottimo:pieni voti!
Grazie a Françoise per la segnalazione e a Babyfairy per il post.
jeanmolin55 2 years ago
Tosca, mi fai dimenticare Iddiiiiiiioooooo!
saiserieht 2 years ago 5
This recording of 'Tosca' had absolutely blown my mind away when I first heard it. All three principals are in their most glorious voices and act with real passion but Ettore Bastianini's Scarpia was especially amazing. Dangerous, dignified, passionate... the livid fire under the cool & collected surface. Some may say these qualities do not fit the character of Scarpia. I believe the opposite. This is not the most common interpretation buit I was totally charmed by it.
Arashi110 2 years ago 3
Bravissimo. Ma i miei Scarpia preferiti saranno sempre Gobbi e Raimondi.
BassoAntico 2 years ago 2
Bellissimo!!!!!!!!!!! incredibile!!!!
Rogemarin 2 years ago 4
I love this aria
Achbar 2 years ago 3
I will always love him - I have commented quite a lot about his recordings but the word that comes up very first is simply "love".
There's no other like him.
Rest in peace, Maestro!
DixielandEli 2 years ago 7
I love Bastianini's voice above all, but this was not his role for sure as his portrayal lacks the sheer evil and deviousness of Scarpia's character plotting his scheme in the church.
grandeopera 2 years ago
A shame what happened to him, to be so talented and to die so young...tragic.
TheRealEmit 3 years ago 2
Magnifico!
Finalmente Scarpia che torna ad essere Barone quindi nobile.
zs1968 3 years ago 12
His is the most beautiful baritone voice ever!!!
I'm very excited to sing this awesome role at the end of August!
Johnny1206 3 years ago 4
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Wow, good luck!
babyfairy 3 years ago
Among all the voices the baritone has so many colours that it is extremely difficult to classify. It is not a matter of range, nor is it a matter of technique. It is the combination of timbre and tessitura. In my taste a darker oscuro-chiaro is the best Verdi baritone. No matter what, Puccini painted a passionate and evil Scarpia with his music. I think that the Scarpia leit-motiv, announces well the personnage and the approaching Scarpia/Tosca relation.Extremely dramatic and passionate!
Bassoturco 3 years ago 2
@Bassoturco I would say Bastianini too was a sort of bass-baritone because he started his career as a bass, and performed as one for a couple of years, and then made the transition upwards, to baritone register.
corellithebest 2 years ago
Sorry but not dark enough. I am not speaking of his technique nor his beautiful timbre. Scarpia is a devil, like Mephisto, a shade lighter. A high bass-baritone like London fits a lot better!
Bassoturco 3 years ago
Very fortunate to have this performanc. Bastanini never recorded Scarpia and I think this is the only version. Magnificent, he really sings he does not snarl or growl for effect.
63Attila 4 years ago 2
Nunca he oido a Ettore in Scarpia, une trouvaille.
joanabanyeres 4 years ago
The best Tre sbirri I've ever heard. And believe, I've heard a lot.
marokt 4 years ago
Amazingly sung! Such a big voice! The sound quality is suspect, though...if you want to hear another great rendition, check out the version sung by George London (Currently at the top of the 'Related Videos' list).
mxl2003 4 years ago 2
A thrilling, threatening, young Scarpia, from an all Italian cast from di Stefano`s Serate Indicamentabile GOS series, with Tebaldi, di Stefano & Zaccaria, the best one I have heard.
ewlumsden 4 years ago
Hell yes! Thanks for the posting! I'm jumping up and down.
jrrtex 4 years ago
The date of the recording is 20th June 1958, is a live recording at the Theatre Monnaie Brusseles. La Scala was on tour at the Expo Brusseles '58.
ackstrom 4 years ago
Ah...there's that glorious sound! Many thanks babyfairy, I appreciate you posting all of your many wonderful recordings of the great Bastianini.
Operafiend22 4 years ago