WTF? O_O this guy can handle his voice better than i can handle my hands (for stablish an example) WOW! this was magnificient! the pianos and pianisimos, the fortes notes, the high and low notes, this is just amazing! i wish i could have 1/4 of the voice this Mr. Enrico Caruso had...
Perhaps the most uniquely personal recording Caruso made... a profoundly sensitive and expansive exploration of a character's inner life. The vocal and technical mastery necessary to fulfill his interpretive insights is awesome.
dmorxis, thank you. I do not see human happiness simply as freedom from sorrow and pain or sheer luck. Art is one of the things that make us human. It creates pleasure even through suffering, pleasure beyond pleasure, feeling that is stronger than the senses can perceive. We can think of an animal that is free and perfectly bonded with Nature as being "happy". But no such happiness can match the happiness of a tormented soul finding freedom through art!
@victorio1940 Very nice, profound - and, at least for me, very true - comment.
But I believe you meant to answer dmorxis. It has been posted as a general comment. If you want to respond to dmorxis so that he gets an e-mail about it, please click the Greek equivalent of "Reply/Answer" at the comment from dmorxis.
Best regards to you in the ancient craddle of wisdom, Greece..
@victorio1940 I was being facetious of course about the 'happines meter'. You have presented yourself as an oracle that makes absolute statements about happiness. But alas there is no such thing as an oracle. Each of us searches for happiness in our own individual ways. Some people are very happy when they play a good game of chess - no music involved. By the way, what is the difference between the outer soul in the inner soul?
@josemagus, if my views appear to express solid convictions, you obviously know about me things I do not know.I wish I were as happily certain about my theories as some politicians in my country (Greece) seem to be!. By "inner soul" I am trying to refer to that part of us that remains conscious of existing happiness even in the face of conventional misery. For instance, I am living through difficult times but I can still count my blessings, although a "meter" might rate me as "unhappy".
@victorio1940 Greece gave birth to philosophy. Epicurus is a key figure in the development of science and the scientific method because of his insistence that nothing should be believed, except that which was tested through direct observation and logical deduction. For Epicurus, the purpose of philosophy was to attain the happy, tranquil life, characterized by ataraxia—peace and freedom from fear—and aponia—the absence of pain—and by living a self-sufficient life surrounded by friends.
@josemagus your reference to Epicurus comes as a pleasant surprise to me. You put it very accurately with very few words. I have the utmost respect for Epicurus precisely because his was a strong yet gentle mind, powerfully convinced and at the same time open to debate. He cherished all the good things in life, in moderation and sobriety, he loved beauty and art and he believed in attaining happiness through just and peaceful means. Wish we had more like him today!.
@victorio1940 You Greeks created democracy, philosophy and science. So stop groveling in self pity and laborious and useless contemplations about the state of the soul and reclaim your greatness! God bless you.
@victorio1940 Whoever said life was easy? Ancient Greece had none of the modern technology and conveniences we have today, but that didn't stop them from creating the foundation of of the world we have today.
@victorio1940 The Greek thinkers did not waste time trying to figure out how many angles can dance on the head of a pin, etc. Epicurus searched for imperical knowledge. Euclid was the father of geometry. And Eratasthenes measured the circumferance of the earth. The philosopers developed ethics, rhetoric, government, music, and the asthetics of art. The harmony of the universe (logos) was important to them, as evidenced how the Pythagorian comma bothered them.
@victorio1940 Do you think that such a happiness is only a more powerful experience because it reveals that there is within us an element that will not be mastered by temporal circumstances like suffering? The hope of such a happiness, imo, IS freedom from these the things you listed, and perhaps because all humanity cannot yet be united in it (physically, ethically and otherwise unable) the best we can have now is the suffering that provokes our desire for it and inspires us to achieve it.
Every note that Caruso sang is filled with heart and emotion. How anyone with a voice that powerful could sing so sublimely is impossible to fathom. Una Furtiva Lagrima - one furtive tear - offers some of the most delicate, endearing pianissimo moments, notes that would befuddle most dramatic or spinto tenors, but Caruso just shifts from the powerful bottom to that tender restrain with flawless ease. He is, and will forever be, the greatest operatic voice, the greatest voice in captivity.
Every note that Caruso sang is filled with heart and emotion. How anyone with a voice that powerful could sing so sublimely is impossible to fathom. Una Furtiva Lagrima - one furtive tear - offers some of the most delicate, endearing pianissimo moments, notes that would befuddle most dramatic or spinto tenors, but Caruso just shifts from the powerful bottom to that tender restrain with flawless ease. He is, and will forever be, the greatest operatic voice, the greatest voice in captivity.
@1906sfjd To me, this is the best recording ever made of a tenor. Sure, it's not as perfectly executed as some of Caruso's later recordings or recordings by other tenors, but it is so complicated in its structure, who cares? I believe this is what Bel Canto singing was meant to be, that Caruso also knew it, and defined it brilliantly here.
Yoy cannot explain Caruso in technical terms alone, any more than you can explain Callas. Both were everyday people with weaknesses, passions, sorrows. Yet, what they give to me cannot be expressed in words. They simply make me feel part of a better world, someone suddenly made richer, happier, more whole. It is a bit like falling in love at 13 with a woman more beautiful than life itself, yet you have no way of describing it. Maybe it is the feeling that lies beyond happiness.
Yoy cannot explain Caruso in technical terms alone, any more than you can explain Callas. Both were everyday people with weaknesses, passions, sorrows. Yet, what they give to me cannot be expressed in words. They simply make me feel part of a better world, someone suddenly made richer, happier, more whole. It is a bit like falling in love at 13 with a woman more beautiful than life itself, yet you have no way of describing it. Maybe it is the feeling that lies beyond happiness.
@tomfroekjaer Anyone can explain why Italy is the land of art and music. Why most Italians sing meanwhile work? It's a blessed country, I think. Michelangelo, Leonardo, Rafaello, Verdi, Toscanini, and a lot of more, it is impossible recall everyone. I'm so proud to be an Italian, born in Argentina, but Italian till the last of my days!!!
@superwhooper69 I think you're right about the "supreme emotional intensity," because that's what gives music a real, soulful, and human touch. Which is why, in classical music, I like the Romantic period (and forward) a lot more than the Classical period; because it rescued us from its mathematical formulism. But, of course, I like the Barroque period a lot, also. Very insightful comment of yours.
Most major tenors recorded this aria, None IMO combines the glorious full and floating tone , impeccable linee, dynamic and rythmic nuance and fullness when he opens up. IMO this is one of the Rico perfromances and then the others. Earyl LP transfers incorrectly pitched the performance too high yielding an exaggerated vibrato and tenorino sound. The final cadenza is something some of the lightest tenors could approach but after that one hears the spinto quality of his voice
Most major tenors recorded this aria, None IMO combines the glorious full and floating tone , impeccable linee, dynamic and rythmic nuance and fullness when he opens up. IMO this is one of the Rico perfromances and then the others. Earyl LP transfers incorrectly pitched the performance too high yielding an exaggerated vibrato and tenorino sound. The final cadenza is something some of the lightest tenors could approach but after that one hears the spinto quality of his voice
@zambrocca There is so much difference in time and recording technique that it doesn't make much sense to compare them. Caruso recorded this 107 years ago!
Caruso created the basis of singing for the modern tenor, including Pavarotti.
We don't have any live recordings of Caruso, only studio recordings where he sang into a primitive funnel.
There is no person alive anymore who heard Caruso sing. We know that his voice had qualities that people people said were not captured by the recordings.
A story I heard many years ago . . . when Caruso became famous in the USA he went back to Italy and they said he could only hit crazy hi C's. He bet the audience to listen to him sing this aria. They were all in disbelief. Caruso got a standing ovation that lasted half an hour. Beniamino Gigli was in the audience and cried.
Most major tenors recorded this aria, None IMO combines the glorious full and floating tone , impeccable linee, dynamic and rythmic nuance and fullness when he opens up. IMO this is one of the Rico perfromances and then the others. Earyl LP transfers incorrectly pitched the performance too high yielding an exaggerated vibrato and tenorino sound. The final cadenza is something some of the lightest tenors could approach.
The best. He was into the interpreation of what the song meant. Krauss is next though much smoother. No one is close to this interpretation. Caruso is still alive in this one!
WHO DOESN'T LIKE THIS??? This piece is done the same way by everyone but this man. His interpretation is exciting!!!! His technique is unbeatable!!! Nemorino is drunk and sobers up finally through this aria. No one plays it because to no one else it's obvious-only Caruso cause he is a genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@KaleidoscopeAct I think you are also a genius ! I uploaded this, but I never paid attention to how Caruso sings this gradually sobering up ! Great observation ! Makes me appreciate his singing even more.
The pacing of his build, leading up to the explosive force with with which he sings "Ma, ma, si ma, ma lo vedo, lo vedo" examplifies why he is the best tenor on record. No other recorded singer posses such mastery, artisty, and sensitivity to the music.
@24yotenor Yes, but I think your transcription of the lyrics is mistaken. It should be "M'ama! Sì, m'ama, lo vedo. Lo vedo." (She loves me! Yes, she loves me, I see it. I see it.) What you have would translate as: But, but. Yes, but. But I see it. I see it.)
viva l'italia e gli italiani! siamo sempre stati i migliori in ogni campo, riscopriamo quelle grandi qualità che hanno sempre contraddistinto il nostro popolo e che tutto il mondo ci invidia ed ammira, riscopriamo la cultura, l'arte ed i valori veri...
@MrJulesNapier As you study Caruso and the other great tenors, you'll begin to realize that he's more than a compromise between two other tenors. Caruso influenced all tenors who came after him. His understudies could never match him on arias like this one. If that were possible, there would have been an equally impressive recording of this aria by now. I consider this the single greatest performance ever recorded by a tenor. Caruso's soul-baring, resonance, and complexity remain unmatched.
Bono did a duet version with the great Caruso of this very aria-- thanks to the magic of modern day re-recording transposing. Please, somebody-- some good samaritan who cares abouyt sharing good music-- please, please post it if you've goyt iyt. I am your Nipper waiting patiently by the phonograph to hear my master Enrico's dear, dear voice.
I doubt that Donizetti ever heard a bel canto tenor do this aria as beautifully as Caruso did in 1904. Too bad he was long gone before Caruso's time. However Puccini was incredibly lucky to have this aspiring tenor, Enrico Caruso, walk in and stun him during an audition. The most famous opera composer and the most famous tenor working together sounds more like a novel than reality, but it really happened.
@wiseroldfart This was the very first video I uploaded to YouTube. I listened to it and thought: I just HAVE TO share this fantastic singing with others. I'm glad I did and I'm happy to be able to share it with people like yourself who can appreciate this empathetic genious like I do.
@wiseroldfart I would agree about the Donizetti comment. As probably know one critic of the day said something like, "Before Caruso I heard no one like him. After Caruso I heard many sing as he did". He changed everything. As Pavarotti said, "No matter how tall the building, Caruso will always be the base of the building".
@wiseroldfart I don't think people today realize how great the (young, lyrical voice) of Enrico Caruso was in 1904. His voice - and his empathy was at the time, IMO, beyond any classification.
Hi Tom --I've been reading your comments to your Caruso offerings, and what a service you provide. We attest today to Toscanini’s vision in 1901. The whole world will talk about him, and forever. I am thankful for the technology and to you for taking such sweet advantage.
Is the best example of 'bel canto' singing ever recorded or has the term been watered down through its various interpretations through the years? I've yet to hear a tenor match this piece in both beauty and complexity. The more I measure it against everything else I've heard from everyone including Caruso himself, the more it stands out.
@wiseroldfart I agree with you. For me the best recording of Una furtiva lagrima on record.
Was is also amazing is that it was just one of 8 arias recorded on the same day (1. Feb 1904) ! All of them very demanding and all of them masterpieces.
The other ones were: Rigolette: Questa, o quella and La donna é mobile. Aida: Celeste Aida. Tosca: E lucevan le stelle and Recondita armonia. Cavalleria Rusticana: Siciliana. And Pagliacci: Vesti la giubba.
@tomfroekjaer Thanks Tom. I have yet to hear a couple of the ones you mentioned. At least three of them are the best examples I've ever heard despite the tinny recordings
I prefer Bjorling's 'Celeste aida,' especially the one where he diminishes that last B-flat beautifully. He didn't always do it, however. Corelli, a spinto, was a master at it and Pavarotti has a nice example to go along with another attempt that fell flat. Pavarotti proved how difficult a task that is even for a lyric.
@wiseroldfart Björling's Celeste Aida is exceptionally beautiful. What I sometimes miss (personal opinion) in Björling is Caruso's emotional "eruption."
Just uploaded his 1911 version (the best I think) as a direct 78 transfer. He is totally engulfed, no restaints, not paying any attention of HOW he is singing.
@tomfroekjaer For some reason, I prefer the way Bjorling treated 'Celeste aida' in his best effort. He even managed to fade that last B-flat in a way that made it sound like he turned his head and projected it into an alley or something. Of course, nobody matches Caruso in projecting emotion. That's why I prefer Caruso on the most emotional arias. If only digital recording preceded Caruso...
@wiseroldfart That's fine with me, Al (that you like Björling's Celeste Aida better than Caruso's). The Jussi versions of Celeste Aida I have heard to far here on YT are absolutely magnificent.
@wiseroldfart Though I prefer Caruso's last recording of Celeste Aida to any human being ever, I have to admit that I prefer Juss B's singing of the "Ingemisco" from the Verdi Requiem to that of Caruso. It took me a long time to say that.
@Lovelytenor1: I can't blame you for choosing Caruso above all others on anything. I prefer Jussi on a few pieces done by Caruso and some other top tenors. My favorite Jussi recording remains 'O holy night.' When it comes to inspirational material like that, nobody inspires me more than Jussi.
This recording by Caruso will probably remain at the very top of my list until they bury me. I can't imagine another Caruso suddenly emerging from the shadows to top this amazing performance before I die.
@wiseroldfart I was "almost" a singer myself (got drafted out of grad school & that was that). Go to "Una Furtiva Lagrima Doug Bryson" & see if you can tell Caruso's influence. Remember, I was about 60 when that was recorded & I was just getting back into shape after not singing for 25 years. At 65, I'm actually singing better than all those items posted on YT. I'm actually beginning to get some gigs.
@seektheforce Hi, Chris. I's both Siciliana and O Lola. Wikipedia reads: "The siciliana is a musical style or genre often included as a movement within larger pieces of music starting in the Baroque period. It is in a slow 6/8 or 12/8 time with lilting rhythms making it somewhat resemble a slow jig, and is usually in a minor key. The siciliano evokes a pastoral mood."
O Lola would be more accurate as Siciliana is a musical style; "O Lola, lovely as the spring’s bright blooms"...
@alexevans4: There are perhaps 9 others who agree with you. However, so many more of us realize that nobody comes close to matching Caruso on many arias, especially this one. I mean, It's like comparing someone dancing to someone walking. Caruso is the dancer. Pavarotti... You either get it or you don't.
I respect Caruso, but I find him not as pleasant to listen to as Pavarotti for this reason. Pavarotti sings outwards (blast of fresh air). Caruso sounds like he doesn't let everything out but swallows his words.
@kigger622: Caruso doesn't sing outwards? You can't hear his amazing resonance on demanding notes? He doesn't swallow those babies, that's for sure. Pavarotti can't match that!
The thing that sets Caruso apart is his complexity. Everyone else is a bit less emotional and a bit more monotonous.
@wiseroldfart I can see where your coming from. I guess its just personal preference. I really like Pavarotti's clear and direct style. I also love Lanza's style. :)
@kigger622: A lot might have to do with age and personal tragedies one has experienced. I like Pav and Lanza, but neither one can make what's left of my hair stand on end the way Caruso does on several arias. To me, 1904 was the year Caruso produced his best recordings. Bjorling is my other favorite on a few arias and songs also done by Caruso. It depends on the material. Because 'Nessun Dorma' came too late for Caruso, one of Bjorling's versions impresses me the most.
@ritaggn I like Paul Potts as a person very much and in some respects he reminds of Caruso. In fact Potts and his Nessum dorma in "Britain got Talent" - inspired me to create my Caruso website. A person obviously having all odds against him and yet prevails... not unlike Caruso...
@mactopolis: Listen to Bjorling's unsurpassed 'O Holy Night' and that should help you understand why so many put him up there with Caruso. Caruso was unsurpassed on pieces like this and several Puccini arias.
No tenor can bring out my emotions like Caruso. His voice, even when missing the full range, despite the digital remastering, is beyond poetic understanding. Listening is all it takes, always.
My grandfather had early memories of Caruso visiting our family as a houseguest in Brooklyn. Unable to sing for the guests because of his contract, he would retire to the kitchen to help the cook and sing thousands of dollars worth of opera while he stirred the spaghetti pot!
Just for the fun of it, I listened to Bocelli's version of this aria. It was rather lame in comparison to this recording. However, had we never heard the likes of Caruso, Bjorling, and a handful of other great tenors, we'd probably think Bocelli is a great tenor on the verge of being toppled by Paul Potts!
@wiseroldfart: Bocelli has a very nice voice. I like it. He is also a very nice person as is Paul Potts.
Björling, Caruso, Gigli, et al. are of course in a completely different league.
For me the main difference between Bocelli (+Potts and may others) and Caruso is the depth of his empathy. Caruso just "dives in" emotionally completely into the role. The horsepower of Caruso's voice is alternated with "caressing" lyrical expressions. For me the best version of this aria - recorded 1904...
@tomfroekjaer: To me, Bocelli's voice is a bit thin. He certainly can't explode with a superb resonance on demanding notes the way Caruso did. Feats like that separate the great from the adequate.
@wiseroldfart: fully agree with you. Bocelli is nicely lyrical, but as you say rather thin.
Caruso had it all and can't really be classified as a singer.
BTW, unfortunately I'm not posting much on YouTube anymore. I used to be able to share my uploads with the whole planet, but since a few months my uploads are being blocked in many countries. This one is blocked in my own country. Without login I can't even respond to comments....
Maybe you'd be intersted in looking at my website ?
@tomfroekjaer: I've been on your website. Nicely done! Thanks for what you've put up on YouTube.
It's a shame so many other countries are blocking uploads. Most uploads aren't blocked in the USA. Sony seems to be the worst blocker over here. That irks me to the point of bypassing EVERYTHING made by Sony. Besides, Sony products are overpriced over here. Greedy company!
@wiseroldfart: yes, most Caruso uploads are not blocked in the US. Probably because anything recorded prior to 1. Jan. 1923 cannot be copyrighted - in the US... In most other countries in the world noone figured that one could make money on copyrighting music, so no copyright laws were passed until much later. Maybe that's what the Sony Entertainment (located in NY, btw) is exploiting.
@tomfroekjaer: To me, Bocelli's voice is a bit thin. He certainly can't explode with a superb resonance on demanding notes the way Caruso did. Feats like that separate the great from the adequate.
@tomfroekjaer I Watched Potts perform "Nessun Dorma" on youtube as it appeared on "Britain'a Got Talent". He did seem like a nice fellow and it certainly was a fine rendition, particularly when considering that he was a nobody off the street. He's not nearly in Bocelli's league, and comparing him to "Bjorling, Caruso, Gigli, et al.", in any way, is like comparing the crayon scribblings of a Kindergarten student, to that of DaVinci's "Mona Lisa".
@wiseroldfart you are so right! Bocelli is a piece of shit! Nothing probes that like the fact that he sang with the likes of Martha Sánchez, a third class wanna be whore/singer and she kept her ground next to Bocelli!
@NEBESHIKU: Well, I wouldn't be THAT critical. He's just adequate. He's no Pavarotti and certainly no Caruso! I wouldn't pay to see him. I'm reminded of other oddball things like Pavarotti teaming up with Sting and that Three Tenors album. It sort of cheapened Pav. Gotta make those millions! That seems to be the theme these days. And that Potts thing... A so-so singer can make millions singing Nessun Dorma these days. All that's needed is a little TV exposure. Star of the day. Who will it be?
@martpast1 But he is, if Bocelli would travel back in time to Caruso's time and he audition for any opera house he would be kicked out! Standars have gone so low that opera audiaces will applaud to anything.
@NEBESHIKU no. my argument is like this.my teacher was born in1910. her teacher was her father ,Russian opera singer who sang with Shalapin. it was old Italian school, one of them.so he told her that there were also bad teachers back in time there who took money and couldn't produce the singer. so these bad luck students who paid all their money sometimes--they tried to shoot those bad teachers. and there were also not good singers. they...
@NEBESHIKU they sometimes had natural good and very good and excellent voices , better than Caruso, but they had no good school so they couldn't go on for long.it's true that 70% may be of people speak better and sang better.there was better vocal atmosphere in general. and there were something like first-class 300baritones ,200 tenors, 100 bases only in Italy that they were on the list in representative book.
@NEBESHIKU but theatres were private , most of them. so very often there were very different people.lovers of director or other important person for example. Shalapin never entered music academy and many others as well.sometimes old singers held the place but they could hardly sang.as now.they had influence and they didn't allow new too much better singers to enter. as now.
@martpast1 Chaliapin (not Shalapin) was Largely self-taught, that means that even when he didn't go to school he studied what the school tought. I will not say more about Chaliapin since it is an insult to him to be used to defend shit like Bocelli. Today is the same thing there are good and bad teachers and there are talented an talent-less students. If Bocelli wasn't blind, he would of been long gone but since we like to pity the disabled...
@NEBESHIKU Just one last fact, Chaliapin was helped by Sergei Rachmaninoff, so he had a class A music teacher.That and his natural gift made Chaliapin who he was: a great one; unlike Bocelli. Not for nothing Michael Scott avers that: "Chaliapin ranks with Caruso and Maria Callas as one of the three greatest singers and most potent and influential artists of the twentieth century."
@NEBESHIKU Shalapin was taught by Usatov,singer of imperial theatres . Bocelli was helped by Pavarotti and I think he is very good. better than others. what is bad in his singing? not everybody can be Caruso. it was time of golden singers and practically belcanto period.(continuation of it). Bocelli cant see what a teacher shows but still he has got old good school. look at "Andrea Bocelli-Nessun dorma"-comment:..,a voice of angel'-19people-yes. 9 million views, 9958 like-358 dislike
@martpast1 Alagna? JAJAJAJAJA He is over rated and what's available today! Pathetic how he is puny and can't take on La Scala. It is wonderful to see how there are opera goers that actually know what good singing is and bu the shit out of the show. Since he is not a great, he leaves the stage with his tail between his legs, unlike greats that stayed and make the audiance o to their knees.
@NEBESHIKU and Pavarotti--more people likes, but he is(was) a king(at least one of them). he can see notes. I dont remember any other blind big singer at all . he holds high notes really very long and very well. as real tenor.
@martpast1 He holds to notes because it is a freak show, it is not only distasful but it has no artistic value. If it had any, the composer would of writen the indication to hold on to the note. Any way, enjoy your coca cola.
@martpast1 He holds because he is trash and has no taste. Most singers can hold on to notes but they restrain because they know it has no artistic value.
@martpast1 You mean you prefer women, women can't be better than men. You could only say that if they sang the same repertoir. Today there is not a single tenor that i think is great, some have good night but that is all. Opera has to go one with what is available today and it can since opera goers are lowering their standars. Like the people who go to the Met and applaud to any thing. Sad!
@martpast1 Of course, if i went to the opera for free then i wouldn't expect to be able to demand do diligence and supirior quality; but since opera singers are profesionals and are getting paid handsome ammounts of money i demand that they live up to what they offer when i pay an important sum of my hard earned cash. Since we are talking about tenors, Ruffo and Batistini are on an other paige since they are THE baritones of their eras.
Thanks for uploading and puttting the original words to it!
Quite an abbreviated translation of the words into English, though.
cocochanelleke 8 hours ago
WTF? O_O this guy can handle his voice better than i can handle my hands (for stablish an example) WOW! this was magnificient! the pianos and pianisimos, the fortes notes, the high and low notes, this is just amazing! i wish i could have 1/4 of the voice this Mr. Enrico Caruso had...
miguelangeljma 1 week ago
The best interpretation of "Una Furtiva Lagrima" definitely. Every word is full of emotions. Flawless!
Achilles1987 2 weeks ago
Congratulations! Emoke.
Demoke51 3 weeks ago
love all the different versions of this.. your Enrico Caruso site is really Awesome also.
FleshLessOne 3 weeks ago
Voice is grand, but my heart would Palpiti, w/more strength & vigor!
heartazucar 1 month ago
Caruso shows here his impressive expressive richness
David45NV1 1 month ago
Perhaps the most uniquely personal recording Caruso made... a profoundly sensitive and expansive exploration of a character's inner life. The vocal and technical mastery necessary to fulfill his interpretive insights is awesome.
sprinter846 2 months ago 2
monsieur CARUSO reste sans conteste le plus grand chanteur d"opéra a ce jour c'est mon avis perso d'accord ou pas chacun son opinion
venorique 2 months ago
The man who said I'd rather be lucky than good saw deeply into life...
AsaNisiMasa1963 2 months ago
dmorxis, thank you. I do not see human happiness simply as freedom from sorrow and pain or sheer luck. Art is one of the things that make us human. It creates pleasure even through suffering, pleasure beyond pleasure, feeling that is stronger than the senses can perceive. We can think of an animal that is free and perfectly bonded with Nature as being "happy". But no such happiness can match the happiness of a tormented soul finding freedom through art!
victorio1940 2 months ago 8
@victorio1940 Very nice, profound - and, at least for me, very true - comment.
But I believe you meant to answer dmorxis. It has been posted as a general comment. If you want to respond to dmorxis so that he gets an e-mail about it, please click the Greek equivalent of "Reply/Answer" at the comment from dmorxis.
Best regards to you in the ancient craddle of wisdom, Greece..
Tom (I uploaded the video)
tomfroekjaer 2 months ago
@victorio1940 What research was done to make this conclusion? And what happiness meter was used to make the measurements?
josemagus 2 months ago 2
Comment removed
victorio1940 2 months ago 2
@victorio1940 I was being facetious of course about the 'happines meter'. You have presented yourself as an oracle that makes absolute statements about happiness. But alas there is no such thing as an oracle. Each of us searches for happiness in our own individual ways. Some people are very happy when they play a good game of chess - no music involved. By the way, what is the difference between the outer soul in the inner soul?
josemagus 2 months ago
@josemagus, if my views appear to express solid convictions, you obviously know about me things I do not know.I wish I were as happily certain about my theories as some politicians in my country (Greece) seem to be!. By "inner soul" I am trying to refer to that part of us that remains conscious of existing happiness even in the face of conventional misery. For instance, I am living through difficult times but I can still count my blessings, although a "meter" might rate me as "unhappy".
victorio1940 2 months ago
@victorio1940 Greece gave birth to philosophy. Epicurus is a key figure in the development of science and the scientific method because of his insistence that nothing should be believed, except that which was tested through direct observation and logical deduction. For Epicurus, the purpose of philosophy was to attain the happy, tranquil life, characterized by ataraxia—peace and freedom from fear—and aponia—the absence of pain—and by living a self-sufficient life surrounded by friends.
josemagus 2 months ago
@josemagus your reference to Epicurus comes as a pleasant surprise to me. You put it very accurately with very few words. I have the utmost respect for Epicurus precisely because his was a strong yet gentle mind, powerfully convinced and at the same time open to debate. He cherished all the good things in life, in moderation and sobriety, he loved beauty and art and he believed in attaining happiness through just and peaceful means. Wish we had more like him today!.
victorio1940 2 months ago
@victorio1940 You Greeks created democracy, philosophy and science. So stop groveling in self pity and laborious and useless contemplations about the state of the soul and reclaim your greatness! God bless you.
josemagus 2 months ago
@josemagus Easier said than done, friend!...
victorio1940 2 months ago
@victorio1940 Whoever said life was easy? Ancient Greece had none of the modern technology and conveniences we have today, but that didn't stop them from creating the foundation of of the world we have today.
josemagus 2 months ago
@josemagus could it be that, precisely because ancient Greeks had few material goods, they had ample time for "useles contemplation"?
victorio1940 2 months ago
@victorio1940 The Greek thinkers did not waste time trying to figure out how many angles can dance on the head of a pin, etc. Epicurus searched for imperical knowledge. Euclid was the father of geometry. And Eratasthenes measured the circumferance of the earth. The philosopers developed ethics, rhetoric, government, music, and the asthetics of art. The harmony of the universe (logos) was important to them, as evidenced how the Pythagorian comma bothered them.
josemagus 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@josemagus could it be that, precisely because ancient Greeks had few material goods, they had ample time for "useless contemplation"?
victorio1940 2 months ago
@victorio1940 Exactly! They had the boon of useful free time and they made the most of it. The rat race hadn'i been invented yet.
By the way, aren't you concerned that we may be boring some people to death?
victorio1940 2 months ago
@victorio1940 Do you think that such a happiness is only a more powerful experience because it reveals that there is within us an element that will not be mastered by temporal circumstances like suffering? The hope of such a happiness, imo, IS freedom from these the things you listed, and perhaps because all humanity cannot yet be united in it (physically, ethically and otherwise unable) the best we can have now is the suffering that provokes our desire for it and inspires us to achieve it.
DannyWrigley 1 week ago
Is The Best Singer for all time <3
SOMOSMUYKABRONESCREW 3 months ago 7
@SOMOSMUYKABRONESCREW Maybe - you decide...
tomfroekjaer 3 months ago
Still the best. No other tenor comes near.
phoenix4165 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Every note that Caruso sang is filled with heart and emotion. How anyone with a voice that powerful could sing so sublimely is impossible to fathom. Una Furtiva Lagrima - one furtive tear - offers some of the most delicate, endearing pianissimo moments, notes that would befuddle most dramatic or spinto tenors, but Caruso just shifts from the powerful bottom to that tender restrain with flawless ease. He is, and will forever be, the greatest operatic voice, the greatest voice in captivity.
1906sfjd 3 months ago
Every note that Caruso sang is filled with heart and emotion. How anyone with a voice that powerful could sing so sublimely is impossible to fathom. Una Furtiva Lagrima - one furtive tear - offers some of the most delicate, endearing pianissimo moments, notes that would befuddle most dramatic or spinto tenors, but Caruso just shifts from the powerful bottom to that tender restrain with flawless ease. He is, and will forever be, the greatest operatic voice, the greatest voice in captivity.
1906sfjd 3 months ago 9
@1906sfjd To me, this is the best recording ever made of a tenor. Sure, it's not as perfectly executed as some of Caruso's later recordings or recordings by other tenors, but it is so complicated in its structure, who cares? I believe this is what Bel Canto singing was meant to be, that Caruso also knew it, and defined it brilliantly here.
wiseroldfart 2 months ago
this is why he is the best
cccorsetti 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Yoy cannot explain Caruso in technical terms alone, any more than you can explain Callas. Both were everyday people with weaknesses, passions, sorrows. Yet, what they give to me cannot be expressed in words. They simply make me feel part of a better world, someone suddenly made richer, happier, more whole. It is a bit like falling in love at 13 with a woman more beautiful than life itself, yet you have no way of describing it. Maybe it is the feeling that lies beyond happiness.
victorio1940 3 months ago
Yoy cannot explain Caruso in technical terms alone, any more than you can explain Callas. Both were everyday people with weaknesses, passions, sorrows. Yet, what they give to me cannot be expressed in words. They simply make me feel part of a better world, someone suddenly made richer, happier, more whole. It is a bit like falling in love at 13 with a woman more beautiful than life itself, yet you have no way of describing it. Maybe it is the feeling that lies beyond happiness.
victorio1940 3 months ago 10
@victorio1940 Terrific profound comment !! Thanks.
tomfroekjaer 3 months ago
@tomfroekjaer Anyone can explain why Italy is the land of art and music. Why most Italians sing meanwhile work? It's a blessed country, I think. Michelangelo, Leonardo, Rafaello, Verdi, Toscanini, and a lot of more, it is impossible recall everyone. I'm so proud to be an Italian, born in Argentina, but Italian till the last of my days!!!
antinoo80 1 month ago
@victorio1940 Closest expression to my true feeling. Thank you for letting me know it is called "the feeling that lies beyond happiness".
drnorxis 2 months ago
If you close your eyes while listening to it, you can see it happening in front of you.
misb 4 months ago
Match Point Woody Allen
caroamore 4 months ago
Голос Енріко зачаровує!
MissSofiaRegina 4 months ago
Enrico Caruso(1873-1921)
Amazing performance!!! Thank you tomfroekjaer for posting.
MrGer2295 4 months ago 6
KING !!! THATS IT.
doberman921 4 months ago 2
Caruso is great simply because his voice conveyed supreme emotional intensity as no other tenor before or since.
Sheer power of the soul.
Pavarotti had a finer and more musical voice but in terms of vibrating soul was not, in my opinion as good as Caruso
superwhooper69 4 months ago
@superwhooper69 I think you're right about the "supreme emotional intensity," because that's what gives music a real, soulful, and human touch. Which is why, in classical music, I like the Romantic period (and forward) a lot more than the Classical period; because it rescued us from its mathematical formulism. But, of course, I like the Barroque period a lot, also. Very insightful comment of yours.
Imsteppenwolf 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Most major tenors recorded this aria, None IMO combines the glorious full and floating tone , impeccable linee, dynamic and rythmic nuance and fullness when he opens up. IMO this is one of the Rico perfromances and then the others. Earyl LP transfers incorrectly pitched the performance too high yielding an exaggerated vibrato and tenorino sound. The final cadenza is something some of the lightest tenors could approach but after that one hears the spinto quality of his voice
65attila 4 months ago
Most major tenors recorded this aria, None IMO combines the glorious full and floating tone , impeccable linee, dynamic and rythmic nuance and fullness when he opens up. IMO this is one of the Rico perfromances and then the others. Earyl LP transfers incorrectly pitched the performance too high yielding an exaggerated vibrato and tenorino sound. The final cadenza is something some of the lightest tenors could approach but after that one hears the spinto quality of his voice
65attila 4 months ago
Caruso vs Pavarotti on this aria...which are the differences? which are the excellences of each of them?
zambrocca 4 months ago
@zambrocca There is so much difference in time and recording technique that it doesn't make much sense to compare them. Caruso recorded this 107 years ago!
Caruso created the basis of singing for the modern tenor, including Pavarotti.
We don't have any live recordings of Caruso, only studio recordings where he sang into a primitive funnel.
There is no person alive anymore who heard Caruso sing. We know that his voice had qualities that people people said were not captured by the recordings.
tomfroekjaer 4 months ago 5
@tomfroekjaer
thank you
zambrocca 4 months ago
A story I heard many years ago . . . when Caruso became famous in the USA he went back to Italy and they said he could only hit crazy hi C's. He bet the audience to listen to him sing this aria. They were all in disbelief. Caruso got a standing ovation that lasted half an hour. Beniamino Gigli was in the audience and cried.
musiclover1937 5 months ago 2
@musiclover1937
Great story.
Most major tenors recorded this aria, None IMO combines the glorious full and floating tone , impeccable linee, dynamic and rythmic nuance and fullness when he opens up. IMO this is one of the Rico perfromances and then the others. Earyl LP transfers incorrectly pitched the performance too high yielding an exaggerated vibrato and tenorino sound. The final cadenza is something some of the lightest tenors could approach.
65attila 4 months ago 4
is this version actually recorded in naxos or RCA, anyone know?
eyukhnem 5 months ago
@eyukhnem Is to be found in Naxos and RCA, but this is a remake of the orchestration. Google "Caruso digital comeback."
tomfroekjaer 5 months ago
The best. He was into the interpreation of what the song meant. Krauss is next though much smoother. No one is close to this interpretation. Caruso is still alive in this one!
fauspt 5 months ago 3
Curuso was more than the best tenor ever, he was a brilliant musician who understood how to make the music sublime.
tailback43 6 months ago
WHO DOESN'T LIKE THIS??? This piece is done the same way by everyone but this man. His interpretation is exciting!!!! His technique is unbeatable!!! Nemorino is drunk and sobers up finally through this aria. No one plays it because to no one else it's obvious-only Caruso cause he is a genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KaleidoscopeAct 6 months ago 3
@KaleidoscopeAct I think you are also a genius ! I uploaded this, but I never paid attention to how Caruso sings this gradually sobering up ! Great observation ! Makes me appreciate his singing even more.
Thank you very much!
tomfroekjaer 5 months ago
@tomfroekjaer Thank you for posting the greatest singer of the 20th century.
KaleidoscopeAct 5 months ago
@KaleidoscopeAct You are very welcome ! Feel privileged to share it.
tomfroekjaer 5 months ago
@KaleidoscopeAct Outstanding observation, thanks for sharing.
OperaFanCantor 5 months ago
he has a nice voice!
plaisirbleu 6 months ago
@MrJulesNapier No, no, no! Bjorling and Lanza tried singing a bit like Caruso!!!!
MrAlecaste 7 months ago
much better if sung by Fratelli's Jackie!!!
franzluke1 7 months ago
The pacing of his build, leading up to the explosive force with with which he sings "Ma, ma, si ma, ma lo vedo, lo vedo" examplifies why he is the best tenor on record. No other recorded singer posses such mastery, artisty, and sensitivity to the music.
24yotenor 7 months ago 4
@24yotenor ...male singer, i mean. I'm oretty sure Maria Callas stacks up in her own right.
24yotenor 7 months ago
@24yotenor Yes, he was magical - also agree with your comment on Callas.
tomfroekjaer 7 months ago
@tomfroekjaer I would put schipa up close to caruso for sensitivity to the music. callas too
piax00 6 months ago
@piax00 Caruso's darker voice is what separates him from Schipa.
crapfacejoe 6 months ago
@24yotenor Envy those who recognize Caruso's unsurpassed talent. Pity the emotionally detached people who fail to recognize it.
wiseroldfart 6 months ago
@24yotenor Yes, but I think your transcription of the lyrics is mistaken. It should be "M'ama! Sì, m'ama, lo vedo. Lo vedo." (She loves me! Yes, she loves me, I see it. I see it.) What you have would translate as: But, but. Yes, but. But I see it. I see it.)
mathof1 6 months ago
@24yotenor oi! it's "m'ama, sì, m'ama, lo vedo!" meaning "she loves me (mi ama - m'ama), yes she loves me, i can see that!" :)
jordanviach 5 months ago
:')
sevekids 7 months ago
viva l'italia e gli italiani! siamo sempre stati i migliori in ogni campo, riscopriamo quelle grandi qualità che hanno sempre contraddistinto il nostro popolo e che tutto il mondo ci invidia ed ammira, riscopriamo la cultura, l'arte ed i valori veri...
manupomax 7 months ago 2
@MrJulesNapier As you study Caruso and the other great tenors, you'll begin to realize that he's more than a compromise between two other tenors. Caruso influenced all tenors who came after him. His understudies could never match him on arias like this one. If that were possible, there would have been an equally impressive recording of this aria by now. I consider this the single greatest performance ever recorded by a tenor. Caruso's soul-baring, resonance, and complexity remain unmatched.
wiseroldfart 7 months ago 3
I'm not even a fan of Opera per se but this is just amazing.
Dunskaroo 7 months ago
This very part of L'elisir d'amore is of such a fancy pain and love all at the same... I always cry when I hear it - beauty in a very pure state...
morriganankh 8 months ago
Bravo! esto es magnifico!
soccerpro619 8 months ago
Bravo! Cheers from Brazil
PiscaCPT 8 months ago
The ten people that disliked this are either, a) deaf or b) they have no soul and therefore lack the ability to marvel at beautiful things.
Architect115 8 months ago
Bono did a duet version with the great Caruso of this very aria-- thanks to the magic of modern day re-recording transposing. Please, somebody-- some good samaritan who cares abouyt sharing good music-- please, please post it if you've goyt iyt. I am your Nipper waiting patiently by the phonograph to hear my master Enrico's dear, dear voice.
raydog699 8 months ago
Caruso, con su estilo. Para mí Pavarotti. Pero tantos grandes tenores Alfredo Krauze, Placido Domingo, Josep Carreras y tantos otros.
154arturo 8 months ago
every time i listen to enrico carouso sing i wanna kill justin beiber.
12wisnj 8 months ago
He touches the soul like no other artist can...
Secretariatred 8 months ago 12
@Secretariatred Yes, he was a master at touching souls - evident even in this old recording.
Probably because he was willing and able to reveal / lay bare his own beautiful soul and heart.
tomfroekjaer 8 months ago 2
damn it!!! i´ts sooooooo beautiful, thank you for upload this video, caruso make me cry.
vicman820423 8 months ago
Whenever I learn of a new tenor I always play him next to Caruso. No modern one compares. A voice for the ages.
tikibarman5 8 months ago
Fantastico!
musikmares 8 months ago
Bellissimo! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this jewel!
Miguel
Jedermann101 8 months ago 2
@Jedermann101 You are very welcome. And thank you for listening to the empathy of Enrico Caruso more than a hundred years later...
tomfroekjaer 8 months ago
I doubt that Donizetti ever heard a bel canto tenor do this aria as beautifully as Caruso did in 1904. Too bad he was long gone before Caruso's time. However Puccini was incredibly lucky to have this aspiring tenor, Enrico Caruso, walk in and stun him during an audition. The most famous opera composer and the most famous tenor working together sounds more like a novel than reality, but it really happened.
wiseroldfart 9 months ago 12
@wiseroldfart This was the very first video I uploaded to YouTube. I listened to it and thought: I just HAVE TO share this fantastic singing with others. I'm glad I did and I'm happy to be able to share it with people like yourself who can appreciate this empathetic genious like I do.
tomfroekjaer 9 months ago 2
@wiseroldfart I would agree about the Donizetti comment. As probably know one critic of the day said something like, "Before Caruso I heard no one like him. After Caruso I heard many sing as he did". He changed everything. As Pavarotti said, "No matter how tall the building, Caruso will always be the base of the building".
Lovelytenor1 8 months ago 2
@wiseroldfart I don't think people today realize how great the (young, lyrical voice) of Enrico Caruso was in 1904. His voice - and his empathy was at the time, IMO, beyond any classification.
tomfroekjaer 4 months ago
Hi Tom --I've been reading your comments to your Caruso offerings, and what a service you provide. We attest today to Toscanini’s vision in 1901. The whole world will talk about him, and forever. I am thankful for the technology and to you for taking such sweet advantage.
VocalMechanics 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Cette voix venue de si loin est cependant si proche, émouvante et belle. Merci
This voice is coming from so far away and yet it is so close, moving and beautiful.Thank you
erika64F 9 months ago
Cette voix venue de si loin et cependant si proche, émouvante et belle. Merci
This voice is coming from so far away and yet it is so close, moving and beautiful.Thank you
erika64F 9 months ago
@erika64F Your are welcome. Amazing, I think. More than 107 years old recording, yet his presence is so intense.
tomfroekjaer 9 months ago
@tomfroekjaer
Once more many thanks from an old french lady. Erika64F
erika64F 9 months ago
Cette voix venue de si loin et cependant si proche, émouvante et belle. Merci
erika64F 9 months ago
Is the best example of 'bel canto' singing ever recorded or has the term been watered down through its various interpretations through the years? I've yet to hear a tenor match this piece in both beauty and complexity. The more I measure it against everything else I've heard from everyone including Caruso himself, the more it stands out.
wiseroldfart 9 months ago
@wiseroldfart I agree with you. For me the best recording of Una furtiva lagrima on record.
Was is also amazing is that it was just one of 8 arias recorded on the same day (1. Feb 1904) ! All of them very demanding and all of them masterpieces.
The other ones were: Rigolette: Questa, o quella and La donna é mobile. Aida: Celeste Aida. Tosca: E lucevan le stelle and Recondita armonia. Cavalleria Rusticana: Siciliana. And Pagliacci: Vesti la giubba.
tomfroekjaer 9 months ago
@tomfroekjaer Thanks Tom. I have yet to hear a couple of the ones you mentioned. At least three of them are the best examples I've ever heard despite the tinny recordings
I prefer Bjorling's 'Celeste aida,' especially the one where he diminishes that last B-flat beautifully. He didn't always do it, however. Corelli, a spinto, was a master at it and Pavarotti has a nice example to go along with another attempt that fell flat. Pavarotti proved how difficult a task that is even for a lyric.
wiseroldfart 9 months ago
@wiseroldfart Björling's Celeste Aida is exceptionally beautiful. What I sometimes miss (personal opinion) in Björling is Caruso's emotional "eruption."
Just uploaded his 1911 version (the best I think) as a direct 78 transfer. He is totally engulfed, no restaints, not paying any attention of HOW he is singing.
tomfroekjaer 9 months ago
@tomfroekjaer For some reason, I prefer the way Bjorling treated 'Celeste aida' in his best effort. He even managed to fade that last B-flat in a way that made it sound like he turned his head and projected it into an alley or something. Of course, nobody matches Caruso in projecting emotion. That's why I prefer Caruso on the most emotional arias. If only digital recording preceded Caruso...
wiseroldfart 9 months ago
@wiseroldfart That's fine with me, Al (that you like Björling's Celeste Aida better than Caruso's). The Jussi versions of Celeste Aida I have heard to far here on YT are absolutely magnificent.
tomfroekjaer 9 months ago
@wiseroldfart Though I prefer Caruso's last recording of Celeste Aida to any human being ever, I have to admit that I prefer Juss B's singing of the "Ingemisco" from the Verdi Requiem to that of Caruso. It took me a long time to say that.
Lovelytenor1 8 months ago
@Lovelytenor1: I can't blame you for choosing Caruso above all others on anything. I prefer Jussi on a few pieces done by Caruso and some other top tenors. My favorite Jussi recording remains 'O holy night.' When it comes to inspirational material like that, nobody inspires me more than Jussi.
This recording by Caruso will probably remain at the very top of my list until they bury me. I can't imagine another Caruso suddenly emerging from the shadows to top this amazing performance before I die.
wiseroldfart 8 months ago
@wiseroldfart I was "almost" a singer myself (got drafted out of grad school & that was that). Go to "Una Furtiva Lagrima Doug Bryson" & see if you can tell Caruso's influence. Remember, I was about 60 when that was recorded & I was just getting back into shape after not singing for 25 years. At 65, I'm actually singing better than all those items posted on YT. I'm actually beginning to get some gigs.
Lovelytenor1 8 months ago
@tomfroekjaer Isn't the aria O Lola? or maybe both, I dunno. I'm back again at this version of una furtiva lagrima. It's just stellar.
seektheforce 9 months ago
@seektheforce Hi, Chris. I's both Siciliana and O Lola. Wikipedia reads: "The siciliana is a musical style or genre often included as a movement within larger pieces of music starting in the Baroque period. It is in a slow 6/8 or 12/8 time with lilting rhythms making it somewhat resemble a slow jig, and is usually in a minor key. The siciliano evokes a pastoral mood."
O Lola would be more accurate as Siciliana is a musical style; "O Lola, lovely as the spring’s bright blooms"...
tomfroekjaer 9 months ago
Amazing.
i still think Pavarotti is better.. but thats just one guys opinion :)
alexevans4 10 months ago
@alexevans4: There are perhaps 9 others who agree with you. However, so many more of us realize that nobody comes close to matching Caruso on many arias, especially this one. I mean, It's like comparing someone dancing to someone walking. Caruso is the dancer. Pavarotti... You either get it or you don't.
wiseroldfart 10 months ago
Thats my grand grand grand dad!
Jaceyoela 10 months ago
Like butter.
LiaLoves 10 months ago
I respect Caruso, but I find him not as pleasant to listen to as Pavarotti for this reason. Pavarotti sings outwards (blast of fresh air). Caruso sounds like he doesn't let everything out but swallows his words.
kigger622 10 months ago
@kigger622: Caruso doesn't sing outwards? You can't hear his amazing resonance on demanding notes? He doesn't swallow those babies, that's for sure. Pavarotti can't match that!
The thing that sets Caruso apart is his complexity. Everyone else is a bit less emotional and a bit more monotonous.
wiseroldfart 10 months ago
@wiseroldfart I can see where your coming from. I guess its just personal preference. I really like Pavarotti's clear and direct style. I also love Lanza's style. :)
kigger622 10 months ago
@kigger622: A lot might have to do with age and personal tragedies one has experienced. I like Pav and Lanza, but neither one can make what's left of my hair stand on end the way Caruso does on several arias. To me, 1904 was the year Caruso produced his best recordings. Bjorling is my other favorite on a few arias and songs also done by Caruso. It depends on the material. Because 'Nessun Dorma' came too late for Caruso, one of Bjorling's versions impresses me the most.
wiseroldfart 10 months ago
@kigger622 It has to do with the hollowness of that big horn he sang in. Not his voice.
seektheforce 10 months ago
@ritaggn I like Paul Potts as a person very much and in some respects he reminds of Caruso. In fact Potts and his Nessum dorma in "Britain got Talent" - inspired me to create my Caruso website. A person obviously having all odds against him and yet prevails... not unlike Caruso...
tomfroekjaer 10 months ago
@ritaggn
Bjorling?
You gotta be joking
mactopolis 10 months ago
@mactopolis: Listen to Bjorling's unsurpassed 'O Holy Night' and that should help you understand why so many put him up there with Caruso. Caruso was unsurpassed on pieces like this and several Puccini arias.
wiseroldfart 10 months ago
Caruso was always the best..number 1..and all the other tenors were number10 and above
mactopolis 10 months ago
No tenor can bring out my emotions like Caruso. His voice, even when missing the full range, despite the digital remastering, is beyond poetic understanding. Listening is all it takes, always.
lazurm 11 months ago
May I ask a question? Did Caruso, the greatest tenor of all time, ever perform Wagner?
steverlfs 11 months ago
@steverlfs Yes, Lorengrin (in Italian); Buenos Aires 1901 together with Toscanni. He never recorded Wagner, though.
tomfroekjaer 11 months ago
@margonaut: Not on Main Street... Sure, Pav was very good, but several others before him were truly great.
wiseroldfart 11 months ago
enrico caruso es impresionante, el mejor tenor que existió en la historia
ezewade3 11 months ago
enrico caruso es impresionante, el mejor tenor que existió en la historia
ezewade3 11 months ago
@tomfroekjaer I agree!
lggriffin 11 months ago
@DuBistMeineSeele: One of my favorite arias surprisingly NOT written by Puccini, who is my favorite opera composer by far.
wiseroldfart 11 months ago
What more can be said of EC. TY for posting.
paulostroff99 11 months ago 3
I might hit this with a Gaussian denoise, I think that would clear up some of the issues...
GoblinInventor 1 year ago
What can one say. The man was simply the greatest of all time. Even with the poor recordings of the time, his voice stands alone.
sm0831tt 1 year ago
My grandfather had early memories of Caruso visiting our family as a houseguest in Brooklyn. Unable to sing for the guests because of his contract, he would retire to the kitchen to help the cook and sing thousands of dollars worth of opera while he stirred the spaghetti pot!
levanyzzuf 1 year ago
Just for the fun of it, I listened to Bocelli's version of this aria. It was rather lame in comparison to this recording. However, had we never heard the likes of Caruso, Bjorling, and a handful of other great tenors, we'd probably think Bocelli is a great tenor on the verge of being toppled by Paul Potts!
wiseroldfart 1 year ago
@wiseroldfart: Bocelli has a very nice voice. I like it. He is also a very nice person as is Paul Potts.
Björling, Caruso, Gigli, et al. are of course in a completely different league.
For me the main difference between Bocelli (+Potts and may others) and Caruso is the depth of his empathy. Caruso just "dives in" emotionally completely into the role. The horsepower of Caruso's voice is alternated with "caressing" lyrical expressions. For me the best version of this aria - recorded 1904...
tomfroekjaer 1 year ago
@tomfroekjaer: To me, Bocelli's voice is a bit thin. He certainly can't explode with a superb resonance on demanding notes the way Caruso did. Feats like that separate the great from the adequate.
wiseroldfart 1 year ago
@wiseroldfart: fully agree with you. Bocelli is nicely lyrical, but as you say rather thin.
Caruso had it all and can't really be classified as a singer.
BTW, unfortunately I'm not posting much on YouTube anymore. I used to be able to share my uploads with the whole planet, but since a few months my uploads are being blocked in many countries. This one is blocked in my own country. Without login I can't even respond to comments....
Maybe you'd be intersted in looking at my website ?
tomfroekjaer 1 year ago
@tomfroekjaer: I've been on your website. Nicely done! Thanks for what you've put up on YouTube.
It's a shame so many other countries are blocking uploads. Most uploads aren't blocked in the USA. Sony seems to be the worst blocker over here. That irks me to the point of bypassing EVERYTHING made by Sony. Besides, Sony products are overpriced over here. Greedy company!
wiseroldfart 1 year ago
@wiseroldfart: yes, most Caruso uploads are not blocked in the US. Probably because anything recorded prior to 1. Jan. 1923 cannot be copyrighted - in the US... In most other countries in the world noone figured that one could make money on copyrighting music, so no copyright laws were passed until much later. Maybe that's what the Sony Entertainment (located in NY, btw) is exploiting.
tomfroekjaer 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@tomfroekjaer: To me, Bocelli's voice is a bit thin. He certainly can't explode with a superb resonance on demanding notes the way Caruso did. Feats like that separate the great from the adequate.
wiseroldfart 1 year ago
@tomfroekjaer I Watched Potts perform "Nessun Dorma" on youtube as it appeared on "Britain'a Got Talent". He did seem like a nice fellow and it certainly was a fine rendition, particularly when considering that he was a nobody off the street. He's not nearly in Bocelli's league, and comparing him to "Bjorling, Caruso, Gigli, et al.", in any way, is like comparing the crayon scribblings of a Kindergarten student, to that of DaVinci's "Mona Lisa".
lggriffin 11 months ago
@wiseroldfart you are so right! Bocelli is a piece of shit! Nothing probes that like the fact that he sang with the likes of Martha Sánchez, a third class wanna be whore/singer and she kept her ground next to Bocelli!
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU: Well, I wouldn't be THAT critical. He's just adequate. He's no Pavarotti and certainly no Caruso! I wouldn't pay to see him. I'm reminded of other oddball things like Pavarotti teaming up with Sting and that Three Tenors album. It sort of cheapened Pav. Gotta make those millions! That seems to be the theme these days. And that Potts thing... A so-so singer can make millions singing Nessun Dorma these days. All that's needed is a little TV exposure. Star of the day. Who will it be?
wiseroldfart 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU o no, Bocelli is not a piece of shit. he is one of those now who sings very near to Caruso school. he has not same type of voice but ...
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 But he is, if Bocelli would travel back in time to Caruso's time and he audition for any opera house he would be kicked out! Standars have gone so low that opera audiaces will applaud to anything.
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU no. my argument is like this.my teacher was born in1910. her teacher was her father ,Russian opera singer who sang with Shalapin. it was old Italian school, one of them.so he told her that there were also bad teachers back in time there who took money and couldn't produce the singer. so these bad luck students who paid all their money sometimes--they tried to shoot those bad teachers. and there were also not good singers. they...
martpast1 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU they sometimes had natural good and very good and excellent voices , better than Caruso, but they had no good school so they couldn't go on for long.it's true that 70% may be of people speak better and sang better.there was better vocal atmosphere in general. and there were something like first-class 300baritones ,200 tenors, 100 bases only in Italy that they were on the list in representative book.
martpast1 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU but theatres were private , most of them. so very often there were very different people.lovers of director or other important person for example. Shalapin never entered music academy and many others as well.sometimes old singers held the place but they could hardly sang.as now.they had influence and they didn't allow new too much better singers to enter. as now.
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 Chaliapin (not Shalapin) was Largely self-taught, that means that even when he didn't go to school he studied what the school tought. I will not say more about Chaliapin since it is an insult to him to be used to defend shit like Bocelli. Today is the same thing there are good and bad teachers and there are talented an talent-less students. If Bocelli wasn't blind, he would of been long gone but since we like to pity the disabled...
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU Just one last fact, Chaliapin was helped by Sergei Rachmaninoff, so he had a class A music teacher.That and his natural gift made Chaliapin who he was: a great one; unlike Bocelli. Not for nothing Michael Scott avers that: "Chaliapin ranks with Caruso and Maria Callas as one of the three greatest singers and most potent and influential artists of the twentieth century."
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU Shalapin was taught by Usatov,singer of imperial theatres . Bocelli was helped by Pavarotti and I think he is very good. better than others. what is bad in his singing? not everybody can be Caruso. it was time of golden singers and practically belcanto period.(continuation of it). Bocelli cant see what a teacher shows but still he has got old good school. look at "Andrea Bocelli-Nessun dorma"-comment:..,a voice of angel'-19people-yes. 9 million views, 9958 like-358 dislike
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 Bocelli is like coca cola, a lot of people like it and that doesn't take away from the fact that it will for ever be liquid shit!
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU bocelli is like old wine but made not exactly according to all old demands. in a shorter way
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 Old wine? JAJAJAJAJAJ It is vinager!
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU so--who is really good for U TODAY?--EXCEPT Pavarotti, Alagna,and this Spanish ...DOMINGO.
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 Alagna? JAJAJAJAJA He is over rated and what's available today! Pathetic how he is puny and can't take on La Scala. It is wonderful to see how there are opera goers that actually know what good singing is and bu the shit out of the show. Since he is not a great, he leaves the stage with his tail between his legs, unlike greats that stayed and make the audiance o to their knees.
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@martpast1 Domingo is barable as long as he is not making a fool of him self singing mariachi music like if he was singing opera; PATHETIC!
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU and Pavarotti--more people likes, but he is(was) a king(at least one of them). he can see notes. I dont remember any other blind big singer at all . he holds high notes really very long and very well. as real tenor.
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 He holds to notes because it is a freak show, it is not only distasful but it has no artistic value. If it had any, the composer would of writen the indication to hold on to the note. Any way, enjoy your coca cola.
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU he holds because he can and he's paid for. other tenors today have problems to have high notes at all.
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 He holds because he is trash and has no taste. Most singers can hold on to notes but they restrain because they know it has no artistic value.
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU IN "recondita harmonia caruso 1904--he holds to last notes long. check <please
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 He does, and even when it is distasteful, he didn't make a habit of it, it was a tender morsel he threw to make the listener happy.
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU so-who is today good enough for U? I mean men. tenors first. Women always were better. lighter voices.
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 You mean you prefer women, women can't be better than men. You could only say that if they sang the same repertoir. Today there is not a single tenor that i think is great, some have good night but that is all. Opera has to go one with what is available today and it can since opera goers are lowering their standars. Like the people who go to the Met and applaud to any thing. Sad!
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU U have very high demands.is Titta Ruffo and Mattia Batistini good enough for U?
martpast1 1 year ago
@martpast1 Of course, if i went to the opera for free then i wouldn't expect to be able to demand do diligence and supirior quality; but since opera singers are profesionals and are getting paid handsome ammounts of money i demand that they live up to what they offer when i pay an important sum of my hard earned cash. Since we are talking about tenors, Ruffo and Batistini are on an other paige since they are THE baritones of their eras.
NEBESHIKU 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU could U tell me reasonably fast --do u like this tenor= "Ivan Kozlovsky" ?
martpast1 1 year ago
@NEBESHIKU good is-"Ivan Kozlovsky--crazy highnotes" as showing all scale of voice
martpast1 1 year ago