Jerome Hines-Death of Boris

[RADAMES1983]

I'm Russian, and I can say thet he does it brilliant!

The pronunciation is very good as well.

Bravo! A real Boris!

[luckymortal]

And something else I remember (that the recordings dont capture) is the ease and effortlessness he was capable of without losing anything. In one concert he went from Non piu andrai to Dormiro sol to (oddly enough) a Papageno aria. And that voice was like a dancing elephant.

[luckymortal]

Live? I have never since experienced anything like it, and it was indeed something to be experienced, not just heard. More than any other voice, you could FEEL it, it enveloped you (as if everywhere the man sang was that sweet spot in your favorite stairwell) and it was a whole symphony of colors blended perfectly into a seamless whole. And though it could be dark, I remember its infinite warmth, with a shimmer and ring coming from inside the tone and washing over you like sunshine

[sopranosd]

@luckymortal what a gorgeous description. I love Hines's color and mastery. I only recently discovered him (via Youtube) and I am so happy to have done so. When I want to really wallow in opera, I listen to him singing the Grand Inquisitor (on youtube I believe it is with Paul Plishka, who is also wonderful). Hines is untouchable as the Inquisitor.

[blakemooney]

This aria is beautifully sung by Hines--compare to Chaliapin and Russian singers--and matches anything I heard in the old Soviet Union in 1972 when many operas played each night. I studied this music over the years and don't hear anything here but the stupendous bass notes of Jerry Hines perfectly placed and sung. Do note that it must almost be over-acted or highly dramatic since it is Boris' last day on earth!

[montallio]

A fine singer but his interpretation doesn't move me somehow. He sounds too cavernous and over-dramatic. I am not convinced he (and orchestra) have got the musical style right and certainly not the russian pronounciation. I do think the recording quality may be a factor because I used to think Leonard Warren also sounded too thick too my taste, until I heard other recording where his voice shined brilliantly.

[lukebrainard2006]

Well you are welcome to your opinion, but the Russians thought that Hines' pronunciation was very good when he sang Boris at the Bolshoi.

[aseshet]

Fabulous performance! Was there a greater basso in modern times?

Having never heard Jerome Hines in real life, was his voice really so resonant and cavernous or is that the effect of an old recording?

[lukebrainard2006]

He was even better live.