ANTONIO CORTIS (12 August 1891 — 2 April 1952) was a Spanish tenor with an outstanding voice. He was acclaimed by audiences on both sides of the Atlantic for his exciting performances of Italian operatic works, especially those by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and the verismo composers.
MOLTO BELLO!!! Thank you for sharing this Wonderful video.
That is how the high note was written in the score. Cortis clearly could have held it longer. But he made this recording, if memory serves, in the late 1920s or early 30s, not long after "Turandot's" premiere. So no tradition had yet been established for tenors singing Calaf to sustain that top tone fermata --
Caruso, Cortis. Lazaro, Fleta. An era of voices with similar timbre and production.
Interesting how things change. The liberties of rubato and tempi. Today I believe the modern "specialists" wouldn't allow any of these. What would happen if one of these greats would by miracle be transported to our times? Would modern theaters hire him??
He was a great tenor...obvious comparisions are not needed. Is a matter of taste, but sure I think that he could had mantained the high note for longer and it woulod have been a "modern" ready to challenge version of this wonderful aria. Thanks for posting and sharing with all us, it really helps musical culture!!!Bravoo!!!
Very nice. When I hear someone that I've not heard before I try to see how comfortable they are in the higher registers. This guy obviously lives there! Lots of power and control. Maybe a different ending that I'm used to, but hey, this was 1929 - things change over the generations. Mr. Cortis has the chops, no mistake. Very good recording - thank you for broadening my knowledge.
right on...i believe that recent opera has changed with the times, our fascination with higher notes held longer has changed the original writing of this classic. Domingo and Pavarotti sing this much differently. I myself prefer the more controled and annuciation of the original versions
@wangpies nothing wrong with the voice it is great but in the first part of the aria it goes out of sync with the orchestra in quite a considerable way. A human trait no doubt many singers have made mistakes. If any singer tried to sing nessun dorma the way it should be performed the way puccini intended it would be impossible to sing. The markings in the score apparently suggest huge phrases and slower tempo making the aria last much longer, some say several minutes!
I used to listen to him now and then in 1976, when I was 16. My Dad always said he was like another Tenor "Fernando" who sang to B flat. I used to hear him on a special resonating speaker enclosure system from the 78s I still have. You can hear his voice come way out on the right kind of stereo system. Maybe there's one of them still in Italy.
A beautiful man, a great voice and a fine interpretation. Pure singing and no shouting !Also thanks for the fotos wich give a nice summary about his roles. By the way: in which opera is this foto at 1.20? Maybe Il piccolo Marat ?
Cortis' voice has a unique quality about it - a kind of natural smoothness.
Although this is an excellent recording for 1929, it's still 1920's technology. If Cortis were recording today it would be breathtaking.
Thx for uploading.
TheSmithDorian 2 weeks ago
Who among we who love opera would not want a tenor of Cortis' caliber on the international scene today?
stevevandien 2 weeks ago
ANTONIO CORTIS (12 August 1891 — 2 April 1952) was a Spanish tenor with an outstanding voice. He was acclaimed by audiences on both sides of the Atlantic for his exciting performances of Italian operatic works, especially those by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and the verismo composers.
MOLTO BELLO!!! Thank you for sharing this Wonderful video.
MrGer2295 3 weeks ago
Magnifico!
millonety123 1 month ago
che bella la voce di maestro Cortis
luwaig1 1 month ago
crap
metropolisio 5 months ago
69 like , :D....
chalutito 7 months ago
Cortis had a stunning beauty to his voice.
sugarbist 7 months ago
That is how the high note was written in the score. Cortis clearly could have held it longer. But he made this recording, if memory serves, in the late 1920s or early 30s, not long after "Turandot's" premiere. So no tradition had yet been established for tenors singing Calaf to sustain that top tone fermata --
stevevandien 8 months ago
The best recording ever. Anyone made equal.To compare the mediocre Domingo with this great artist , Antonio Cortis, is a joke.
mark6230 1 year ago
Obviously far from Domingo, fortunately for Cortis. Cortis was a trully great artist.
mark6230 1 year ago
Caruso, Cortis. Lazaro, Fleta. An era of voices with similar timbre and production.
Interesting how things change. The liberties of rubato and tempi. Today I believe the modern "specialists" wouldn't allow any of these. What would happen if one of these greats would by miracle be transported to our times? Would modern theaters hire him??
chaiter1 1 year ago
He was a great tenor...obvious comparisions are not needed. Is a matter of taste, but sure I think that he could had mantained the high note for longer and it woulod have been a "modern" ready to challenge version of this wonderful aria. Thanks for posting and sharing with all us, it really helps musical culture!!!Bravoo!!!
tenorschofield 1 year ago
Very nice. When I hear someone that I've not heard before I try to see how comfortable they are in the higher registers. This guy obviously lives there! Lots of power and control. Maybe a different ending that I'm used to, but hey, this was 1929 - things change over the generations. Mr. Cortis has the chops, no mistake. Very good recording - thank you for broadening my knowledge.
FlyingTiger5 1 year ago
The best version ever of this aria,and after him Alfredo Kraus
mark6230 1 year ago
Geni. Tenia passió, tècnica i veu. Que ho escoltin els nous.
monamaraluna 2 years ago
Great tenor. I like him very much. really spanish caruso
AnryK2690 2 years ago
El Caruso piccolo. Per otra parte, nosotros poder llamar a Cortis como el caruso espanol. Una voce bella y poderosa. Que cantante maravilloso --
stevevandien 2 years ago
Referred to as the Spanish Caruso
nickpug 2 years ago 3
I love listening to Cortis. Thank you. A beautiful Dorma!
nickpug 2 years ago
Comment removed
stevevandien 3 years ago
Far beyond Domingo's class.
revivaljesus 2 years ago 4
Perhaps. I believe Domingo's voice is more beautiful (or was in its prime), although Cortis' was perhaps larger. But I shan't argue the point:)
stevevandien 2 years ago
beutiful voice, very good rendition but deluding final. I will listen to this singer with great pleasure, anyway...
alber6161 3 years ago
There is nothing wrong with the ending. Perfect rendition, sang as Puccini composed it.
wangpies 2 years ago 9
right on...i believe that recent opera has changed with the times, our fascination with higher notes held longer has changed the original writing of this classic. Domingo and Pavarotti sing this much differently. I myself prefer the more controled and annuciation of the original versions
awall017 2 years ago
@wangpies nothing wrong with the voice it is great but in the first part of the aria it goes out of sync with the orchestra in quite a considerable way. A human trait no doubt many singers have made mistakes. If any singer tried to sing nessun dorma the way it should be performed the way puccini intended it would be impossible to sing. The markings in the score apparently suggest huge phrases and slower tempo making the aria last much longer, some say several minutes!
michaelkennedy100 1 year ago
@michaelkennedy100 I did not read the score, but I've always felt the tenors lacked lung in performing this piece
Baragla 11 months ago
QUé sentido del texto! Aparte de la voz tan generosa!
filiodecallas 3 years ago
¡El pequeño Caruso!
Kallistos07 3 years ago
My God what a talent, who I'd never heard before. Thank you for this..
studakota 3 years ago 2
I used to listen to him now and then in 1976, when I was 16. My Dad always said he was like another Tenor "Fernando" who sang to B flat. I used to hear him on a special resonating speaker enclosure system from the 78s I still have. You can hear his voice come way out on the right kind of stereo system. Maybe there's one of them still in Italy.
schipa456 3 years ago
what a magnificent voice, thanks you for posting.
puccinipoodle 3 years ago 2
Cantava in una maniera unica!
nnsochedirti 3 years ago
A beautiful man, a great voice and a fine interpretation. Pure singing and no shouting !Also thanks for the fotos wich give a nice summary about his roles. By the way: in which opera is this foto at 1.20? Maybe Il piccolo Marat ?
Hans42
qklq42 3 years ago
La fanciulla del West more likely
espatrio 3 years ago
Yes, La fanciulla del West!
Has anyone posted his chella mi creda?
saltburner2 2 years ago
Yet another singer unknown to me -- and another worthy Nessun Dorma. Thank you.
kgus123 3 years ago
Thank you!
RADAMES1983 4 years ago
Stunning singing.Thanks for posting.
Dobrib 4 years ago
un gran tenor.. a la vez que un gran desconocido incluso ara los españoles... es cierto le llamaban el caruso español.
fantasopera 4 years ago
He was the Spanish Caruso
796824 4 years ago