Leonard Warren - "Di provenza" - Traviata Met 1957

[billsav57]

I think Warren is without question the top baritone of the 20th century, and in fact, he might be the most outstanding singer in his category of all singers; in other words, his superiority over any other baritone is that great. Check out his performance on the radio "Bell Telephone Hour," not too long before he died. It is outstanding.

[pepeelsordo]

This is singing with capital letters. Meaning, voice, contrasts, line, high notes! What else?

One of the best "Di Provenzas" ever sung.

[dogvmd]

I atteded thi performance, add Renata Tiboldi and Franco Correlli unforgetable.

[harley75604]

Leonard Warren was my favorite singer of all time. He died way too young.

[ktrum492]

@harley75604 I found out about him several months ago, and right away I was like, this man has perhaps one of the best voices I've ever heard!! And yes, he was taken from us far too soon. :-(

[numetutelare]

La vecchia scuola dei baritoni vellutati che cantavano sul fiato. La parola cantata nel rispetto assoluto dello spartito! Eccellente... lo ascoltino le nuove leve di baritoni!!!!

[tenorbear60]

Warren has it all: the voice, the notes, the ring, the control, the style but most importantly, the great heart and tenderness to sing Germont's aria. Stunningly felt and sung.

[bodiloto]

Una bellissima lezione come si deve interpretare questa aria.

Ragazzi questo é il vero stile Verdiano,ascoltate.

Sublime Warren Grazie!

[panenrico]

In my opinion this is the best rendition of Di Provenza. The singing line is noble, delicate full of pathos and fatherly. But to provide such a singing you must have heart and, necessarily, to be able to sing piano: unfortunately the most baritones are not able to do that. For instance if in this area you listen to Bastianini you hear a very important and beautiful sound: but it does not mean anything. All it's strong and always equal. All the opposite here. Many thanks

[alragarp]

Catedra de canto, con aplicabilidad para cualquier voz. Un maestro.

[JCSMUSIVIDA]

one magnific class of sing

magistral

[javdelas]

que bonito!

[kimancuo]

What a great master!

[DonPaolissimo]

Among some rather stiff competition, Warren shows, once more, that he was IL RE DI Baritoni Verdi...his Rigoletto has never been equaled & never will be!!!

[Omunene]

It's a lovely aria and sung beautifully here, but I can never get past the fact that it's an ugly ugly scene. It's one thing to tell your son that his lover is a whore and he has to dump her, but it's arrogance of an unspeakable order to say that God told you to say it. When I see this opera live I want to jump up on the stage and choke him...

[VolkgartenBySquirrel]

@Omunene

It's an unpleasant scene that says much about Alfredo. If a son's behavior is ruining his sister's marriage prospect, it is because the fiance's family considers Alfredo's behavior to be nortorious. Germont would have spoken to his son first about his selfishness then, perhaps, more explicitly. Now he goes to Violetta. She gives up the dream marriage so that the sister could have a real one. What must this man be thinking about with such contrasting conduct before him?

[outtaker]

@Omunene but Germont senior has so much hope for his son to marry well, that he has personally desired, and most likely prayed consistently, for God to intervene and help his son...remember Violetta is a conceited socialite...what would you think if you were Germont?

[hernanvuga]

El GRAN WARREN

[Erdrick345]

If you think that he is the greatest Verdi baritone I surmise you haven't listened to many of the greats. Tita Ruffo in his 1906 recording of the same is in a class by himself. Do yourself a favor and listen to it. You'll be impressed and place Warren further down your lists of greats. Warren's voice here is unimpressive, but it denotes the proper feeling, i admit.

[ceccopisa]

Una vera lezione di canto. E' stupendo! Grazie di vero cuore.

[AnryK2690]

Great! I think it's the best performance of this aria that I have heard (including Tito Gobbi).

[jmccracken1963]

This is a stupendously OUTSTANDING performance of this aria by Warren (though Cleva might not have agreed at the time!), and I am VERY grateful that you shared this with us. That much being said, I am NOT interested in the complete broadcast of this performance, in part because Campora as Alfredo isn't in the same league with Warren, and Tebaldi was having her own problems with Violetta, a role which she dropped from her repertory shortly after this run of performances.

[Rigelcentauri58]

Dio me´s audi...

I am sure Leonard. He must be very pleased to have you near.

[lpvcrcd]

I think he passed the audition

[RVP57]

Really outstanding, a voice lesson in itself.

[stevevandien]

I studied this aria during my performing days as a sizable lyric baritone. Back then, my Fs and F sharps were good. But I've not sung this aria in public and probably won't, given my vocal crises (about which more later). "Di provenza's" orchestra relies on STRINGS (over which a trained singer can project, but you can't HIDE behind strings as behind brass if not in good voice). One's intonation, Italian and interpretative command must therefore be precise --

[embenadorfinearts]

Leonard warren is singing this aria with superb musical accents with unparalleled legato and pianissimi, as written by Verdi, for the sole purpose of musical intents.

[embenadorfinearts]

He is right from the first sound, Germont and sings as if it was addressed to the listeners alias his son. The listener then and immediately enters in the scene of the drama and understands the why and how. All of these qualities touches the heart and makes this version truly UNIQUE. There is not a single note here without complete involvement but comes out as a natural conversation between a father and a son. Nothing is exaggerated, everything is noble and most of all, utterly convincing.

[embenadorfinearts]

A magnificent experience which because of technology can be renewed many times! Thank you for posting this video.

[MarioAColmenares]

Magnifico!!!

[batoldo]

qualcuno dovrebbe ascoltare questo grande artista per imparare qualcosa,,forse!!!!! grazie di essere esistito grande leonard..!!!!!!

[corwinofamber8]

The most touching performance I've heard of this aria. I am just beginning to work and study on this piece to perform in the future and I love it.

[federic017]

una delle più belle registrazioni mai udite ed una tecnica di canto perfetta . grazie grande artista

[marsher8]

So he didn't read music, so what. He could jolly well sing it. The all time best.

[billyguns2]

I just heard Lawrence Tibbett's live 1935 MET performance of this aria and it's pretty great; however, Warren is even more the hurt, softly persuasive Father, the best Germont I ever heard. Too many baritones use this aria to just vocalize (and some of them vocalize pretty amazingly, e.g., Robert Merrill.)

[billyguns2]

Cleva's tempo at the beginning is too fast and heartless; Warren quite rightly slows him down, and it is to Cleva's credit that he falls in line right away. For me Warren was the ONLY Germont do capture the true meaning and feeling of this gorgeous aria. What a great singer!

[stevevandien]

A huge, beautiful and true Verdi baritone --

[pearlmuth3]

the way he sings this leaves everyone behind. wonderful and like from another world he died only 3 years later on stage in 1960. the great new york born baritone.

[ShawDAMAN]

One of the greatest. This is how it should be interpreted: like a Father pleading with his son. Some Baritones seem to try to turn it into too much of a showpiece and it winds up sounding like a heroic aria or something, rather than poignant..... This is beautiful and moving. Thanks

[pearlmuth3]

THE GREATEST VERDI BARITONE!

[okaukuejo]

This is great. I´d listened to a few versions until I found this one, and was mostly disappointed. Great singing.

[jayboytheplayboy]

Very affecting rendition.

[vbertrand1966]

Somptueux, pour moi la plus belle interprétation de cet air. Merci rexeterna de l'avoir publié.

[mizofan]

Fantastic to have this. The great Warren and a personal favourite aria, to go with the others i love by him here!

[oakroom48]

Oh, rexeterna ... my heart has melted away. The Christmas present of Christmas presents ... io piango. Grazie tanto per questo ...