Bidu Sayão and Leonard Warren in La Traviata (2)

[nancywilken]

Wish I could have been able to hear more--exactly what is "voci chi corrano" cf, Albanese, Bori? That light voice w/chiaroscuro--& delivered w/charm reminds me of Tito Schipa, incredibly small voice, but Gobbi listened to learn when he was studying (he had a small voice, too & eventually wrecked it @ a too early age). How is the voice of this kind able to reach? As an aside, I prefer, Merrill & McNeil, as the Germonts, for this particular role of Warren's. Tx for posting--I'm "new" to this!

[zakar67]

Complimenti per la sua competenza. E' raro oggi conoscere una persona veramente colta di canto lirico. Bravo

[osvaldito55]

Sayão had one of those voci chi corrono, fairly small, but perfectly placed and produced; it could be heard clearly in the farthest reaches of big houses. Lucrezia Bori and Licia Albanese also had this gift. Her technique was rock solid, her charm endless.

[mrrk]

I can never understand what all the fuss about Warren. I find the voice too woolly & dull. Not a patch on Merrill & Tibbit.

[SwingShoes]

The fuss about Warren is that he was able to produce a truly Verdi baritone sound while using shading, tempo and emotion to create much more than a voice.

Warren enables an audience to hear a large voice that was able to sing pianisimo and at very slow tempos. He was also one of the few baritones with high A-naturals and high C's (in Rigoletto).

He has become the Baritone that other Baritones use to compare themselves. Isn't it odd that he died in 1959, but we still talk about him today.

[redgrapeskins]

@legatofancier that wooly and mushy shit is getting old my friend - I have spoken with those in the know and I know you have - Mr Warren holds a place in vocal lore very few do-- You know it -- Stop with the mushy and wooly references - I have spoken with students from that time who are now much older and wiser than you and I - Warren was a giant - His production power and placement were first rate - Why on earth do you keep this up????

[legatofancier]

@redgrapeskins - Conduct yourself like a civilized person,or you will only find yourself being ignored. Four letter words have no place in this discussion. The words you object to are only quotes from people who heard him live on numerous occasions. There seems to have been something about his voice that the microphones of the time did not adequately capture. Since I am too young to have heard him live, I admit that

I don't quite understand his reputation.

[redgrapeskins]

@mrrk You've been listening to legatofancier too much my friend [with this mushy/ wooly horse shit] Even Merrill and Tibbett wouldn't want to be on the same stage with Mr warren and expect a bold comparison -- You know it -- I'm sure Tibbett knew it -He said as much!!

[gvjps123]

Sayao is a lighter voiced , but delicate and tragic Violetta. She is really able to color her voice to express sadness. Warren sounds as lusturous and beautiful as he always did.

[Homoclassicus]

You're right. For me she's the best proof that a light voice can sing a dramatic and remarkable Violetta. Sayão's artistry was mostly based on her incredible musical intelligence, which allowed her to use colors, shadings and dynamics to great dramatic effect.