Non facciamo i soliti tifosi da stadio nel giudicare due giganti del passato. Prima di tutto va considerata le due diverse registrazioni tecniche e i due diversi momenti temporali che influiscono non poco sulla qualità (basti pensare al disturbo del suggerito per Di Stefano!!). Non per sottrarmi ad un giudizio che varrebbe poca cosa, ma desidero dire che Di Stefano ci mette più anima e passione; l'altro, Pavarotti, canta con voce brillante e cristallina come meglio non si potrebbe.
If I'm going for overall best sound in this duel I have to go with Di Stefano. However, if I go only on the Bb's I have to give the edge to Pav. It seems like Pav was a little bit fresher at the end. Now, that was probably because Pav had a more clear and defined cover. But, Di Stefano in the light lyric repertoire was just more appropriate, not necessarily better. But, in the true full lyric rep Pav was the winner. However, in any role I prefer Di Stefano's interpretation over Pav.
@Germanoperasinger very good explanation of Di Stefano and his burn out and on top of everything as you said a lyric tenor basically, sang roles that where in the Spinto/ dramatic territory and except for the very open sound especially later I love the voice early when he was young and prime. His Italian song's where great also, among the best. His voice was Passionate, he sang with feeling for the words, but of course the recording here is in older sound. I heard him in house in 1959
Di Sefano sounds like he is going to die by the end of this aria, his cords are so fatigued you can hear it in his voice. Velvety chest voice/open cord singing cannot be sustained on in this range! I am not a huge lover of Pavarotti, but he clearly wins here.
Pavarotti is fantastic here, he is technically wonderful and clearly in his prime, however i still prefer Di Stefano here. Pavarotti, as i said before, is wonderful here, but i still get the feeling that i am listening to an opera singer singing an aria. When i listen to Di Stefano there is always the sense that he is the person he is playing, and he sings everything with such poetry, it's absolutely wonderful. I must also add that i think Thill does an incredibly beautiful version as well.
I know what people say about the word perfection : "it does not exist" or "no one can achieve real perfection", well forget all those ideas hearing luciano pavarotti's perfect singing. Here the pav just achieved both vocal and technical perfection, even more he's able to do it in a live performance !!!!! This is PAVAROTTISTIC !!!!!!!!!
can't decide between the two...pavarotti is a technical marvel here and a lesson for every tenor who ever attempts this aria, and clearly at his best...di stefano just has something though despite his flaws that tears my heart out at just the sound of his voice
This live performance of Pavarotti that sounds like a studio recording actually needs no comment - the audience says it all and its the audience that finally comes to be the main criterion of someone greatness, whether some people like it or not, and the audience adored singers like Pavarotti, Caruso, Callas, Sinatra etc. through their whole career.
Pavarotti, as any great artist, and they are rare, kept the ballance between his head and his heart - he modulated his emotions with superb technique and the result was unequaled.
I like Di Stefano, one of the most beautifull and musical tenor voices, but he can be annoying if I listen him too much (it's subjective). And just like some people, with a good reason, don't like mechanical and pale performances, I don't like too affective performances for they seem to be so ridicilous and more appropriate for insanely moved men in real life then artist peforming art - Di Stefano sometimes moves over the border.
that's why I find Pavarotti to be the greatest opera artist ever ; in his prime he had a combination of vocal perfection and innate musicality and true expression ; Callas and Caruso were generally behind him when it comes to vocal potency while Sutherland generally lacked ''reality'' in her voice
Pavarotti is incredible here - only he can sing extremely difficult arias in such a perfect manner, other try to disguise their vocal insufficiencies with expression but it's obviously that somethnig is missing ;
Stefano may indeed be putting more "emotion" into the notes, but Pavarotti raises the bar with his clear and concise and superior voice. His notes are beautiful and perfect pitch and hold us in the air much longer. Stefano seemed to be swallowing some of the notes with his "emotion".
This is the young Pavarotti at his very best. How anyone can say he sounds disconnected to the music here is beyond my comprehension. Di Stefano great also but, for me, this is Lucianissimo at his best. What a gorgeous sound!!!!
Pavarotti always sacrifies text rendition for a better tecnical performance. It is the case here, I think, even if less than usual. On the other way, Di Stefano gives priority to text rendition and sincerity that makes him better than Pavarotti in my opinion.
It happens that Pav neglects the text. (for example he suddenly speeds up the words he sings with no reason). That's not really the case here I agree. Di Stefano never did that, he was always with the text. Anyway both are great tenors.
As a p.s. about technique, have a listen to Richard Tucker sing this aria here on Youtube. Not a voice one would normally associate with this rep, but he just nails it because his technique is SO secure at the passagio.
God, I love this aria and always have since I first heard Kraus sing it live years ago. I think Pav is the easy winner here because of his technique around the tenor upper passagio of F,Fsharp and G. It's just perfect and his voice is a blend of a great technique and a beautiful color. Di Stefano certainly had a beautiful color, but the open approach to his passagio leads to some spread and flat notes. A shame because his pure vocal gift was immense. But technique must be there too.
Pavarotti, not at all surprisingly, chose a big, powerful approach. He sings with all of his early splendor and ardor, perfect for this character. As he often did, he became one with the text and melody, and here, with the orchestra as well. He. just. nails. every. syllable. No room for doubt. Hes a man at war with himself, imploring God from the depths of his soul to take this burden from him, his love for Manon.
Luciano Pavarotti had the most beautiful voice in the world in my opinion. his singing here is amazing so clear, brilliant and sparkling voice. i just addictive to his beautiful voice and what wonderful addictive is that. I love him so much.
Man, Pavarotti's voice pushes the boundaries in all 3 dimensions doesn't it!? Those top B's. Wow! It may not be interpreted totally correctly but when I hear it my heart just wants to burst out of my chest with emotion. That's all I really care about...call me me a philistine if you will ;)
Pava on this 1 but not by much both were just great but Pav just had something special a little more passion and control maybe. Plus on the Di Stefano version a man was talking in the background and it was difficult to really concentrate .
Oh, yes, he could be splendid at this time in his career, and given the right repertory was truly an impressive lyric with some appropriately displayed spinto drive in the 1960-70's period. For overall vocal splendor and technical control, Pavarotti has an edge here. Interpretatively, Di Stefano shows more maturity in his understanding of the aria and its importance as a definer of character. He saves vocal power for the end emphasizing mood shifts, uses effective diminuendi.
Sorry gentlemen, but even if so close to technical pecfection Pav singing doesn't include what Di stefano delivers to us. It something related to the text and music immediate understanding and delivery. Pavarotti never forgets he is a singer, for this reason is focused on technical perf. Di stefano forgets he is a singer and this way gives more in his singing. (sorry for my poor English)
first, let's acknowledge that Massenet was a totally sublime composer. This aria is a testament to his writing ability. A beautiful aria, one of the best in the tenor repertoire.
My personal preference goes with Di Stefano on this one... that technically improper but beautiful sounding singing goes so well with this style of aria :-)
I agree this is a tenor showpiece. Too bad both Pavarotti and Di Stefano did not do more with this repertory as it fits the voice type more than the heavier Italian operas they moved toward. My first pick for this aria, I think, remains the superb French tenor of about this time, Alain Vanzo for subtle interpretation, diction, beautiful messa di voce, character and situation building through vocal color and dynamics, also an excellent Werther.
Non facciamo i soliti tifosi da stadio nel giudicare due giganti del passato. Prima di tutto va considerata le due diverse registrazioni tecniche e i due diversi momenti temporali che influiscono non poco sulla qualità (basti pensare al disturbo del suggerito per Di Stefano!!). Non per sottrarmi ad un giudizio che varrebbe poca cosa, ma desidero dire che Di Stefano ci mette più anima e passione; l'altro, Pavarotti, canta con voce brillante e cristallina come meglio non si potrebbe.
lm23021943 3 weeks ago
If I'm going for overall best sound in this duel I have to go with Di Stefano. However, if I go only on the Bb's I have to give the edge to Pav. It seems like Pav was a little bit fresher at the end. Now, that was probably because Pav had a more clear and defined cover. But, Di Stefano in the light lyric repertoire was just more appropriate, not necessarily better. But, in the true full lyric rep Pav was the winner. However, in any role I prefer Di Stefano's interpretation over Pav.
fmercury91 1 month ago
@Germanoperasinger very good explanation of Di Stefano and his burn out and on top of everything as you said a lyric tenor basically, sang roles that where in the Spinto/ dramatic territory and except for the very open sound especially later I love the voice early when he was young and prime. His Italian song's where great also, among the best. His voice was Passionate, he sang with feeling for the words, but of course the recording here is in older sound. I heard him in house in 1959
SHICOFF1 3 months ago
Di Sefano sounds like he is going to die by the end of this aria, his cords are so fatigued you can hear it in his voice. Velvety chest voice/open cord singing cannot be sustained on in this range! I am not a huge lover of Pavarotti, but he clearly wins here.
djschlom 8 months ago
Pavarotti is fantastic here, he is technically wonderful and clearly in his prime, however i still prefer Di Stefano here. Pavarotti, as i said before, is wonderful here, but i still get the feeling that i am listening to an opera singer singing an aria. When i listen to Di Stefano there is always the sense that he is the person he is playing, and he sings everything with such poetry, it's absolutely wonderful. I must also add that i think Thill does an incredibly beautiful version as well.
acdcislaw 9 months ago
Ecstatic ...
Pavarotti - Fire
di Stefano - Poetry
Both deliver a passionate and deep interpretation.
amlirco 1 year ago
I'll go for Pavarotti. Glorious and unique...
GEIOMED 1 year ago
I know what people say about the word perfection : "it does not exist" or "no one can achieve real perfection", well forget all those ideas hearing luciano pavarotti's perfect singing. Here the pav just achieved both vocal and technical perfection, even more he's able to do it in a live performance !!!!! This is PAVAROTTISTIC !!!!!!!!!
thomassmile 1 year ago 9
i just love both but let's face it : pavarotti here gives an unmatchable performance !
leaurha 1 year ago
Pavarotti.....his crystal clear, vibrant timbre is speechless!!! Both are stunning however to me Pav takes the cake
arturo8402 1 year ago
can't decide between the two...pavarotti is a technical marvel here and a lesson for every tenor who ever attempts this aria, and clearly at his best...di stefano just has something though despite his flaws that tears my heart out at just the sound of his voice
FacePaster 1 year ago
Pavarotti!
TraVoiBelle 1 year ago
This live performance of Pavarotti that sounds like a studio recording actually needs no comment - the audience says it all and its the audience that finally comes to be the main criterion of someone greatness, whether some people like it or not, and the audience adored singers like Pavarotti, Caruso, Callas, Sinatra etc. through their whole career.
castorp278 1 year ago
Pavarotti, as any great artist, and they are rare, kept the ballance between his head and his heart - he modulated his emotions with superb technique and the result was unequaled.
castorp278 1 year ago
I like Di Stefano, one of the most beautifull and musical tenor voices, but he can be annoying if I listen him too much (it's subjective). And just like some people, with a good reason, don't like mechanical and pale performances, I don't like too affective performances for they seem to be so ridicilous and more appropriate for insanely moved men in real life then artist peforming art - Di Stefano sometimes moves over the border.
castorp278 1 year ago
that's why I find Pavarotti to be the greatest opera artist ever ; in his prime he had a combination of vocal perfection and innate musicality and true expression ; Callas and Caruso were generally behind him when it comes to vocal potency while Sutherland generally lacked ''reality'' in her voice
castorp278 1 year ago
Pavarotti is incredible here - only he can sing extremely difficult arias in such a perfect manner, other try to disguise their vocal insufficiencies with expression but it's obviously that somethnig is missing ;
castorp278 1 year ago
Sorry.
Pavarotti wins this battle.
Stefano may indeed be putting more "emotion" into the notes, but Pavarotti raises the bar with his clear and concise and superior voice. His notes are beautiful and perfect pitch and hold us in the air much longer. Stefano seemed to be swallowing some of the notes with his "emotion".
prime63 1 year ago
This is the young Pavarotti at his very best. How anyone can say he sounds disconnected to the music here is beyond my comprehension. Di Stefano great also but, for me, this is Lucianissimo at his best. What a gorgeous sound!!!!
Di Stef's prompter was really annoying.
dirtbag719 2 years ago
Though we this video is for comparing, I must say that Di Stefano is INCOMPARABLE!
AnryK2690 2 years ago
Di Stefano is far far better....he is the best!
fabriou 2 years ago
Two great tennors with differant qualities.Not many if any great tennors around today.
106store 2 years ago
Pavarotti sounds incredible.
dibeling 2 years ago 2
But Pavaorotti is utterly boring for me, and di Stefano is incredibly exciting.
operabeauty 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
And that is tha opinion of someone who seems to like Kermit (aka Villazon). Tone deaf moron!
TheInquisitive4Ever 2 years ago
It's because you're set in your ways. You're deaf to any opinions that do not revere Tucker or Bergonzi.
Mooorhe 2 years ago
1 DI STEFANO 2 PAVAROTTI !!! GRAZIE !
bodiloto 2 years ago 3
This is one of my favorite Pavarotti performances. His voice is a laser beam here and very passionate singing.
tdeane34 2 years ago 3
great great great great¡¡¡¡¡
oistrakh19081974 2 years ago 2
Pavarotti did not understand this music to the same extent as Di Stefano - but I love them both!
adamfrandsen 2 years ago
A shame that it is not in original language.. But it was not tradition then..another time..also for vocal qualities..
efortlight 2 years ago
Pavarotti always sacrifies text rendition for a better tecnical performance. It is the case here, I think, even if less than usual. On the other way, Di Stefano gives priority to text rendition and sincerity that makes him better than Pavarotti in my opinion.
ParisBolivarSinger 2 years ago
"Pavarotti always sacrifices text rendition for a better tecnical performance...."
That's not even remotely true.
countceprano 2 years ago 2
It happens that Pav neglects the text. (for example he suddenly speeds up the words he sings with no reason). That's not really the case here I agree. Di Stefano never did that, he was always with the text. Anyway both are great tenors.
ParisBolivarSinger 2 years ago 2
"It happens that Pav neglects the text"
It happens that that is your opinion.
"suddenly he speeds up the words he sings with no reason"
How do you know it's for no reason? Did you ask him?
countceprano 2 years ago 2
Yes, precisely, my opinion.
It is just a fact, no matter what is the reason.
And please, don't be so nervous. Cheers.
ParisBolivarSinger 2 years ago 2
I'm not nervous in the least. That's just another of your baseless opinions.
Ciao.
countceprano 2 years ago
For what it is worth.. i agree with you. Pav was not connected to the text the role, the way Di Stefano was.. For that reason, i prefer Di Stefano.
kgarmaker123 2 years ago 3
As a p.s. about technique, have a listen to Richard Tucker sing this aria here on Youtube. Not a voice one would normally associate with this rep, but he just nails it because his technique is SO secure at the passagio.
countceprano 2 years ago
God, I love this aria and always have since I first heard Kraus sing it live years ago. I think Pav is the easy winner here because of his technique around the tenor upper passagio of F,Fsharp and G. It's just perfect and his voice is a blend of a great technique and a beautiful color. Di Stefano certainly had a beautiful color, but the open approach to his passagio leads to some spread and flat notes. A shame because his pure vocal gift was immense. But technique must be there too.
countceprano 2 years ago
Thank you. Someone who talks sense. Exactly.
Nater389 2 years ago
Comment removed
6744sorn 3 years ago
Pavarotti, not at all surprisingly, chose a big, powerful approach. He sings with all of his early splendor and ardor, perfect for this character. As he often did, he became one with the text and melody, and here, with the orchestra as well. He. just. nails. every. syllable. No room for doubt. Hes a man at war with himself, imploring God from the depths of his soul to take this burden from him, his love for Manon.
6744sorn 3 years ago
Comment removed
6744sorn 3 years ago
Pav, hands down.
dee1153 3 years ago
Luciano Pavarotti had the most beautiful voice in the world in my opinion. his singing here is amazing so clear, brilliant and sparkling voice. i just addictive to his beautiful voice and what wonderful addictive is that. I love him so much.
loveluciano1 3 years ago 3
Wow! Pavarotti's interpretation bluntly is for anthology!
TraVoiBelle 3 years ago
Man, Pavarotti's voice pushes the boundaries in all 3 dimensions doesn't it!? Those top B's. Wow! It may not be interpreted totally correctly but when I hear it my heart just wants to burst out of my chest with emotion. That's all I really care about...call me me a philistine if you will ;)
donerlich 3 years ago 3
Di stefano very good!
wuzhen3079 3 years ago
But Pavarotti is a far greater tenor.
gert0174 2 years ago
forse in questo video é migliore Di Stefano, ma in generale sono difficili da paragonare
liric01994 3 years ago
Non posso paragonare la naturalezza del fraseggio di Di Stefano il calore e la genuinità della voce Di Stefano
E1T2T3O4R5E6 3 years ago
Bellissima aria del grande Massenet preferisco
Di Stefano dei tempi d'oro. Walter.
macciboma 3 years ago
Di Stefano was a very emotional singer and yes even on a high C he could diminuendo I like both but prefer Di Stefano in other roles even more.
pearlmuth3 3 years ago 7
Comment removed
Mooorhe 3 years ago 4
Pava on this 1 but not by much both were just great but Pav just had something special a little more passion and control maybe. Plus on the Di Stefano version a man was talking in the background and it was difficult to really concentrate .
Etnalleb 3 years ago 2
I don't think I've ever enjoyed Pavarotti as much as I did listening to him here. It doesn't even really sound like Pav to me.
VinylToVideo 3 years ago 4
Oh, yes, he could be splendid at this time in his career, and given the right repertory was truly an impressive lyric with some appropriately displayed spinto drive in the 1960-70's period. For overall vocal splendor and technical control, Pavarotti has an edge here. Interpretatively, Di Stefano shows more maturity in his understanding of the aria and its importance as a definer of character. He saves vocal power for the end emphasizing mood shifts, uses effective diminuendi.
sospello 3 years ago
I agree. I've never heard anything like this. So perfect. So balanced.
gert0174 2 years ago
Sorry gentlemen, but even if so close to technical pecfection Pav singing doesn't include what Di stefano delivers to us. It something related to the text and music immediate understanding and delivery. Pavarotti never forgets he is a singer, for this reason is focused on technical perf. Di stefano forgets he is a singer and this way gives more in his singing. (sorry for my poor English)
ParisBolivarSinger 2 years ago 3
first, let's acknowledge that Massenet was a totally sublime composer. This aria is a testament to his writing ability. A beautiful aria, one of the best in the tenor repertoire.
My personal preference goes with Di Stefano on this one... that technically improper but beautiful sounding singing goes so well with this style of aria :-)
OettingerCroat 3 years ago 3
I agree this is a tenor showpiece. Too bad both Pavarotti and Di Stefano did not do more with this repertory as it fits the voice type more than the heavier Italian operas they moved toward. My first pick for this aria, I think, remains the superb French tenor of about this time, Alain Vanzo for subtle interpretation, diction, beautiful messa di voce, character and situation building through vocal color and dynamics, also an excellent Werther.
sospello 3 years ago