Ezio Pinza sings the Monologue from Boris Godunov

[BorisGodunov]

Listen to how easy and rich that high G flat is. Pinza was simply amazing.

[EdmundStAustell]

@BorisGodunov Thank you very much. Yes, he was a very fine singer indeed.

[stevevandien]

The best description of Pinza's extraordinary voice that I know is that of the great critic Conrad L. Osborne (himself a professional singer and voice teacher), who compared it to a diamond wrapped in velvet:). You are quite correct, Edmund, about the lyricism of this version and the Italian language. I don't mean to denigrate Russian, but it does seem as though it's harder to sing lyrically, perhaps because the vowels seem shorter and the consonants apparently receive more emphasis?

[EdmundStAustell]

@stevevandien Yes, that is certainly part of it. Great singing almost always comes down to the Italians, doesn't it? Perhaps in the same way great dancing tends to come down ultimately on the side of the highly disciplined Russians.

[AulicExclusiva]

How wonderful to hear this much-abused music well and truly sung. Naturally, the Russian text has much to do with the colour and character of the piece, but still. I love a singing Boris.

[EdmundStAustell]

Yes, indeed.  You are right. And Pinza was a singing bass if ever there was one.

[opertutto]

Long a favorite of mine, this recording presents Pinza in excellent form. It is reminiscent of his Metropolitan days when the opera was given in Italian. It takes me back to 1957 when I heard Christoff sing Boris in Russian to a New Orleans cast which responded in Italian. Many thanks, Edmund.

[Bivolari]

What a voice. Is there a hint of King Phillip in his voice? Why not. Language always changes the sound of piece. It is always nice to hear this sung without the over arching presence of the Russian language and bass. But even he can't quite escape the overwhelming shadow of Chaliapin. Wonderful performance.

[meltzerboy]

@Bivolari Yes, for better or worse, Chaliapin will always be most associated with the role of Boris due to his electrifying and terrifying performance on recordings. But Pinza and Kipnis were also magnificent in the role. Thanks to Edmund for sharing this with us.

[serenaluce]

@meltzerboy I agree with you that Chaliapin will always be associated with the role of Boris Godunov. Especially for me as I'm Russian:-) I also agree about his "electrifying and terrifying performance", especially in his famour Clock Scene ( "Ouf tyazhelo). It's one of the strongest impressions opera has ever made on me! Absolutely fantastic! But this rendition is splendid too, though it's so unusual to hear it in Italian!

[EdmundStAustell]

Yes, thank you both. I agree. He was a fine singer. I was just watching a history of Richard Rogers a day ago, and it was pointed out that for South Pacific, when Mary Martin learned that "The Great Pinza" was going to play opposite her, she panicked completely, and threated to quit. Finally they staged him on one side of the stage and her on the other, so they never directly competed:) :)