Nicolai Gedda sings Bimba dagli occhi from Madama Butterfly

[marcmo2004]

Well... I am a huge fan of NG.

This performance is still very good.

But... the Gedda of 1977 cannot be the one of 1960-1970 at his golden voice.

He is still powerful, expressive but here a bit rough sometimes.

[JussidelMonaco]

Lorengar outshines him, she is spectacular!!!

[keesslager]

stunning lack of romance with him. she is lovely, truly lovely.

recording is wobbly

[damekirilover]

Such a treasure! So GLAD&LUCKY to find this. Grazie!

[teritone77]

Chi puo' pronunciare cosi chiaramente mentre canto... E' meraviglioso Gedda

[cd120954]

P.Lorengar war ein absoluter Star, aber sehr bescheiden, Gedda gehört sowieso in die erste Reihe, wegen seiner Vielseitigkeit.

[magdalarondine]

Què emociòn... Espectacular....

[tobobba]

ニコライゲッダ多くの偉大な録音を行いました。素晴らしい歌手

[VinylToVideo]

The Gedda/Callas "Butterfly" was awful; I threw my copy into the garbage. So much nicer to hear Gedda here with the beautiful Pilar Lorengar.

[gaytenor]

Pavarotti listen to a really great lyric tenor who always sang the music in the published keys. Compare their high D's in Puritani Gedda's are not bleats. The performance at hand is really quite thrilling and has added interest since she did'nt make all that many recordings. The unison top C at the end is stunning.

[Maverickby]

Great!.. They are like an angels.

[melbapatti]

Those of you whiners who can't appreciate this great singing should just keep your mouths shut. Where is there ANYONE today who can pour out such fully resonant sound with such EASE as Mr. Gedda or the luminous Miss Lorengar. Her singing of this duet is in The Grand Tradition for sure. To be able to sing this duet with such a musical line and such vocal strength (they both sing the final C spectacularly) is a testament to their TECHNIQUE. This is a word that is foreign to the new crop.

[OrpheuCe]

yes....Gedda is a Marvel....

but Beczala to me says that something in the singing tradition is not lost yet....

and thats a beatiful hope

ehhehe

[WMP777]

@melbapatti Fully in agreement with your comments. I saw Gedda in concerts , operas and oratorio plus I had a conversation with him about vocal technique. He is a wise and down to earth gentleman. His command of languages and vocal dynamics is unequaled. He is a tenor to be studied as an exemplary artist.

[1123demoko]

なんて素適なのゲッダの声　明るくて、品があって　すばらしい。

[Maverickby]

Цалкам згодны :))

[taaltos]

Gedda ist der grösseste tenor in der Welt, und hat viele Talent entdeckt. Schade das er nicht so anerkannt wurde wie die andere Tenöre zweite reihe hinter ihm.

[quis178]

Wow!Gedda's high C is HUGE.

[operabitch77]

yes!!!! gedda singn' his ass off!

[yosoycalaf]

uNA VOZ HERMOSISIMA LA DE ELLA Y EL MAS REFINADO Y AL MISMO TIEMPO MAS COMPROMETIDO CON LA PALABRA Y LA MÚSICA TENOR DEL SIGLO XX . SIEMPRE ENTRE MIS ADMIRADOS!!!PENA LA CALIDAD DEL VIDEO PERO GRACIAS A QUIEN LO SUBIÓ.

[revoltade]

Gedda is "retired" and lives as far as I know in Switzerland with his third wife, Aino Sellermark. She is a reporter and wrote his autobiography together with him in about -75 I think. He is a brilliat teacher and I strongly recommend the book. He still visits Stockholm usually in springtime but i havens seen him giving any recitals for many many years.

[Herur22]

The first biography was issued in 1977, unfortunately only in Sweden and Russian (and I don't know neither one nor the other). The second one, much altered, was issued in 1997. That one I have bought (and read, of course).

[revoltade]

Interesting, so the published it in russia, but not in the States? The second edition, was it much altered? I was interested in reading, since I live in Sweden.

And by the way, thanks for you reply and please, do post the puritani with Deutekom.

If there is anything you would like to know from the swedish edi´tion, please tell me, I read it many times in my youth

[thebaldchemist]

Just remember no throat mics in those days

[thebaldchemist]

I had the great honour to have a master class with this great lyric tenor in Sweden in 1973.

Along with Jussi, Lanza, Domingo, Caruso he was the finest interpreter of lyric. His phrasing, timing and fenomenal voice portrayed evrything that the composers had in mind.

I believe that he is in Sweden. Do you know different than I welcome information.

Bravo Nikolai The Baldchemist

[Herur22]

As far as I know he is mainly in Switzerland, where he bought a house in 1968, though he used to spend a lot of time in Sweden. I didn't know that he held master classes already at that time. Tell us, Thebaldchemist, how was Gedda as a person.

[thebaldchemist]

Hello Herur.

Thank you for the information. Well, at the risk

of being over subjective, besides being very critical. He would not stand for incompetence.

Modesty was not one of his characteristics. and why should it be; he had acquired musical genius.

Along with Bjorling, Lanza, Gigli, Caruso, Domingo and of course Luciano, Nikolai Gedda was In my taste perhaps the finest lyric tenor ever. Those that love fanulous voices should spoil themselves and listen to Ivan Rebroff all 4.5 octaves.

[filiodecallas]

Qué sutileza y dulzura. Fluído y sentido, desde el alma.

[palymusic]

LEI Straordinaria.

LUI grande squillo e grande facilità di emissione.

Che sicurezza che bellezza di impasti timbrici.

Un duetto di primissimo livello a mio parere.

Grazie.

[gpoec]

I suppose that even God has a bad day now and then. So why not great tenors too? This video is a treasure from a particular time and place. How lucky we are to have it. The best Pinkerton? Why not the best person in the world? Discussion. I would classify Gedda as a Lyric/Spinto. That means that he sings with a dramatic thrust. If this is what some refer to as barking, then bark on for my taste.

[operamat]

¡Grande, GRANDE! fue Nicolai y claro, la Pilar no le va en zaga.

[modanmilano]

fantastico ^^

[xilpix]

Molti giovani cantanti dovrebbero prendere esempio da questi. Non solo belle voci, ma tecnica ed eleganza, al servizio dell'opera che cantano. Oggi simo più nel campo della pop-opera, con delle messinscena ridicole e cantanti immaturi, ma montati dallo star system di tipo hollywoodiano.

[peacocktravels]

he's singing it as if it were Wagner ....oversung....he yelleth!

[muschnik1961]

These was on August 25th 1977. It was the opening ceremony for the IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung). Gedda and Lorengar again performed together these duet one year later on the isle of jersey during a concert. On this evening in Berlin, Gedda also sung "E la solita storia" and "Amor ti vieta". More about Gedda? Don´t hesitate to contact me!

[rrgallo]

What's become of him? is he teaching somewhere? Or simply retired?

[Remy1957]

Would you settle a bet for me? Did Gedda ever sing in Los Angeles, CA at the Greek Theater? I say "No"...what do you think?

[fabrizzzio48]

@Remy1957

You mean the plastic chairs on the open (cold /heat) around a "stage" some call Greek (nothing Greek there) and "theater", in that cultural WASTELAND referred to as Los Angeles?

No, I think not.

[albertscerri]

Other famous tenors like del Monaco, di Stefano, Bjorling etc must not be forgotten.

One cannot say who is the best, it's a matter of taste. In any case, their true worth is singing a full opera and even then, they can have their off-days. I salute them all even if my favourite is di Stefano.

[nessundorma111]

I never expected such a rough version from a singer like Gedda, he's pushing and not in a caracter.

I'm not sure if Gedda ever sang the whole role that is quite heavy for his liric voice so he is automaticly cannot be the best Pinkerton:)

[xilpix]

I believe he has sometimes interpreted Pinkerton, but you are right, it is not the role for him.

But Gedda is a lyric tenor of great elegance and quality, it is always a pleasure to listen to him.

[Herur22]

Madama Butterfly with Gedda and Callas (with Karajan) is considered one of the best versions of this opera.

[Giorwell]

Bravo por la fabulosa Pilar Lorengar, grande Zaragozana. Seras recordada por siempre, BRAVO A LOS DOS

[fabrizzzio48]

Magic!

[dulcamara66]

Lorengar veramente un magnifico esempio di soprano lirico con tecnica impeccabile e stile perfetto.. assolutamente sublime. e Gedda assolutamente squisito.

[Dondinin]

Bravi i due!! Pilar, come sei meravigliosa!!!

[CavRus]

Beautiful Pilar Lorengar and a superb Nico...as always..

//Anders

[khansmom]

Just for grins, folks...I'd like to hear any and all opinions concerning the best Pinkerton you've ever heard...and why. I'm not trying to start an argument...I'd just like to hear what people think.

[Dondinin]

for me best pinkerton is Carlo Bergonzi!!!

[khansmom]

Grazie a lei!

[TennesseeTenor]

I like Bergonzi's Pinkerton as well as Gedda's for my 2 favorites. That being said, other tenors sang it very well I.E. Bjorling, Domingo, Pavarotti and Carreras.

[Johnny1206]

These are two of the most beautiful voices in opera !

[cptnunderwhere]

This looks like it was at the Philharmoniker. Is that correct? And who is that conductor?

[Rukasepar]

Thank you very much for posting this video. It's wonderful to have a document of Pilar Lorengar and Nicolai Gedda ... together. Any idea as to when and where?

[alepeccia]

And it was the sweet astonishing Pilar to sing the same duet (in German) with Fritz Wunderlich... :°(

[montoyapaulo]

The 1st act duet from Butterfly is generally divided into 3 parts: "Viene la sera" (line sung by Pinkerton); "Bimba dagli occhi" (line sung by Pinkerton) and "Vogliatemi bene" (line sung by Butterfly). This clip indeed starts at "Bimba dagli occhi". "Vogliatemi bene" is sung at 03.58 in this clip.

[fabrizzzio48]

Magnificent, how beautiful, how much love in them.

It is an oceanic performance orchestra and singers into one tremendous wave of sound. Gedda, impecable, Pilar, may she rest in peace, truly a wonderful soul of a singer.

[Bigman240]

Does Gedda say pieni di "follia"?

[Snowss]

yessss, maybe he doesnt really like butterfly, ah ah. Lorengar, meravigliosa, come sempre

[baritolo]

Gedda divino e Lorengar dolcissima.

[coryisawake]

both great artists.

[coryisawake]

haha it bugs me that the first words he doesn't even know.. but UGH PILAR!!!

[lungdoc]

Mujviktor:can you posted it with Lorengar's name so that people can find her? She is truly magnificent.

[bchandler4668]

Just terrific - Lorengar's voice is very fresh here, and she is abolutely beautiful. She does not oversing this, and that is a tall order. Gedda is a wonderful model for lyric tenors of any age and nationality. His "choppy" style in this duet is very true to the Italian way of presenting this music. He is the consummate stylist, and whatever colors he loses in this piece are due to the open style of this music. The final high note is simply superior - I dare anyone out there to do it better!

[richiedrr]

OK -- MrrK is actually right in one respect. Gedda was a god, but this is far from his best. He's just loud most of the time. Where are all those wonderful tone colors and dynamic shades he did so well.

[LimmieP]

Until you've actually had to sing this role, you wouldn't understand. This is a very big duet, it doesn't call for subtle tones, etc. Like most Puccini operas, the orchestration is very dense, so you have to be careful not to nuance too much or your vocals will be lost in the orchestration.

[LimmieP]

Until you've actually had to sing the role, it would be difficult to understand that this doesn't call for all those subtle tones and colors that Gedda was known for. Like most Puccini orchestrations, this gets to be quite dense so you can't nuance it too much or your vocals will be lost in the house. Plus at this point in the opera, most singers are also very tired and the voice lacks the flexibility it had in the early acts.

[LimmieP]

Until you've actually had to sing the role, it would be difficult to understand that this doesn't call for all those subtle tones and colors that Gedda was known for. Like most Puccini orchestrations, this gets to be quite dense so you can't nuance it too much or your vocals will be lost in the house. Plus at this point in the opera, most singers are also very tired and the voice lacks the flexibility it had in the early acts.

[BOUZOUKIE]

There has only been 1 GEDDA - he could sing beautifully in many languages and with great elegance and style which I found lacking in CARRERAS, DOMINGO, & PAVAROTTI combined !

[spgtenor]

YES! Gedda can mold to any style, language, and sings with a sensual passion, rather than mechanical technique like many others. You hit it on the head.

[Zoricic]

Someone sais that Gedda barks!!! You should be expelled from theatre for good. He is the best lyric tenor of 20'th century. Moron

[Johnny1206]

Gedda was one of the best singers of the 20th century and Lorengar one of the most beautiful voices ever!!!

[ilbacioditosca]

Do you call it barking? Gedda I think is still singing well in his 70s.Lorengar was one of the most real lyric soprano voices of the 20 century.Her repertoire was huge and her musicality high quality.

[davidperk]

Someone should mention the lovely soprano is Pilar Lorengar.

[michaelphilly]

I happen to like this video very much. It's classic open singing and sounds ballsy, something that a lot of other tenors don't have these days.

[JulliardStudent]

Hey he sounds good for a man his age! I hope to sound half as good when I will be as senior as him!

[mrrk]

I have never ever seen why so many people like Gedda's voice. I just find it so dull and the way he barks. Terrible.