Madama Butterfly 1962 #3 Act I Vieni la sera (Love Duet) PART 2. Leontyne Price, Richard Tucker

[sugarbist]

Both artists sound very beautiful. But for me the most amazing thing that stands out is the impeccable way the Italian language is sung, with excellent phrazing , diction and beautiful vocal line. These 2 excellent singers were obviously not Italian.It shows the kind of dedication to the art that Price and Tucker had, that contributed to this great performance.

[ljagerman1]

As an immigrant from Europe, my father grew up with viennese opera in the 1940's, marred by anti-semitism and racism. After he heard this performance one evening (1962) at the Met in NYC, he burst into my room, woke me up, and shouted all excited: What a country (the US)! Great opera, the tenor is Jewish and the diva is Black ("Negro" in those days)!!

[Lovelytenor1]

@Turridu25 Just listened to several famous tenors finish this duet w/the C & I would agree that the written lower note is preferable. Jussi B had perhaps the most beautiful C but listen to him end the Boheme duet either way & I would choose the lower, F, version. It is simply more beautiful to sing the harmony. But many times one must sing down to the audience. As LP said, "You have to hit a homerun every time."

[SiEtIn1]

I LOOOVED this non tenor-high-C ending! and I'm such a high note queen! this was very beatiful, great singer at their best, thank God for recordings

[patrick96321]

Amen, @SiEtIn1

[goodspiritone]

Two of the most beautiful voices ever ! I was fortunate to see Richard preform B F Pinkerton live in person before he passed away!

[welshboy82]

I think Price's note at 2:21 might be one of the most beautifully produced that I've heard in a long long time.

[Gary2837]

@welshboy82 I must agree!!

[welshboy82]

@Turridu25 Turridu, how right you are, in fact the harmony is far more beautiful than a strained and crackling tenor C which muddies the beautifully produced soprano note.

[Michaelbos]

Bravo, bravo

[fernhill36]

Marvelous .Bravi! I heard her numerous times at the Met throughout the years. I first heard her on Broadway in Porgy and Bess in the 1950's and then a few years later in 1960, I heard her Cio Cio San in Vienna with DiStefano. What glorious sounds!

[fernhill36]

Marvelous .Bravi! I heard her numerous times at the Met throughout the years. I first heard her on Broadway in Porgy and Bess in the 1950's and then a few years later in 1960 I heard her Cio Cio San in Vienna with DiStfano. What glorious sounds!

[billyguns2]

I love the way Leontyne Price's voice arrives right on time; no waiting around, thrilling! I also find it to be one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard.

[violettamimi1]

BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAVI!

[Ivanbelastegui]

It is very interesting listen to performances from the past and compare them to the actual recordings. I´m not a expert so I can´t really express myself. But it seems to me Leontyne Price had an impresive voice and a lot of truth in it. Very moving performance. Thanks for posting

[79calaf]

stupendo!!!

[Chasson0318]

This is the Pearl of all "Butterfly" recordings!

[CkRo]

You are so correct...the Greatest!

[Lovelytenor1]

Perhaps Jussi B & V. de Los Angeles were slightly better because of the lyric beauty of their instruments, but, who cares!!! This is wonderful!!! I can think of no one singing today who comes close. Two American greats!!!!

[nichtsleezy]

@Lovelytenor1 I love de Los Angeles(RIP), but her Butterfly can not touch Price's. Also, she was flat on the very top notes which seriously detracts from the beauty of the voice and music. However, her Spanish songs are simply unrivaled!!

[njmezzo]

I still get chills when I hear this, after all these years...Oh, to have these two artists back again...Tucker was often called "The American Caruso"-- and Price at 82 can still sing beautifully. Thank you for this. Nobody comes near it.

[htshoward]

OMG...Leontyne, I love you! I remember hearing this recording some years ago and being reduced to tears. That lovely fast vibrato and tone are just one of a kind and unbeatable. Brava, and Bravo, Richard!

[patrick96321]

Madama Butterfly 1962: #3 Act I Vieni la sera (Love Duet) PART 2. Leontyne Price, Richard Tucker

by Giacomo Puccini (libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa)

This 1962 studio recording is with RCA Italiana Opera Chorus and Orchestra, with conductor Erich Leinsdorf.

Principal cast:

Leontyne Price, soprano: Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)

Rosalind Elias, mezzo-soprano: Suzuki

Richard Tucker, tenor: B. F. Pinkerton

Philip Maero, baritone: Sharpless

Piero de Palma, tenor: Goro