I agree this is not Milnes at his best, he is more a dramatic high baritone and the Toreador song has a tessitura that even bass baritones can manage, but all things considering he does do a very credible job, and manages to give the aria some style and a sense of fun. When it comes to better interpretations though, I would go with Vam Dam, Ramey, Raimondi and Tibbett. I do agree that the aria is hard because of the range, but I consider Cortigiani, Si Puo and Largo al Factotum harder.
this aria is very difficult and many great baritone or bass totally screwed it up... this is for me, one of the best rendition I've heard! He does it with a lot of energy
I quite agree in many respects with the comments below. However, this aria is difficult for ANY Baritone or Bass/Baritone to sing well because of the range. It is very hard, for example, to get good power on the low B flat of the line "le cirque est plein du haut en bas...". Not to mention having to sing over the orchestra, chorus...etc. All things considered, he does a wonderful job!
when isn't it hard to get good power on a low B-Flat.....or anything lower for that matter....haha.....one of the obstacles that I battle everytime I sing that low!
Sorry but I don't agree with you. I think it's pretty easy as such things go. I looked at it last week as an audition piece. Seemed easy to me. No fioratura, no high notes, no soft singing. I'm a bass (Osmin, Sarastro, etc.) but this aria is within reach whereas The Prologue and Cortigiani just aren't. Its easier than The Don's Champagne Aria too. The tessatura is lower. Of course you have to have a voice.
I'm a great admirer of Milnes, but this doesn't work for me. He was a high baritone, and Escamillo is more or less a bass-baritone role. Milnes has minimal volume on the low notes. And he overcovers the high Es. Again, this is NOT to denigrate him. No singer can sing everything. And Milnes, always a conscientious artist, does his best with this piece. But Jose van Dam in his prime OWNED this aria and role, IMO --
I too am a fan of Milnes as a higher or verdi baritone but this just isn't his finest moment. And I agree again that Jose van Dam's recording is the favorite of what I own.
Thanks for responding! I've never heard anyone sing this as well as van Dam. Some come close, like Ernest Blanc, Lawrence Tibbett and Samuel Ramey. But Jose rules the day:). Haven't heard Marcel Journet's rendition -- have you? Don't know if it's on You Tube; have searched for it there with no luck -- Journet was a great artist with a wide-ranging basse chantante, so I'm sure he performed it splendidly -- I love his "Wotan's Farewell" en francais --
viva la mediocrità !
bodiloto 3 months ago
I agree this is not Milnes at his best, he is more a dramatic high baritone and the Toreador song has a tessitura that even bass baritones can manage, but all things considering he does do a very credible job, and manages to give the aria some style and a sense of fun. When it comes to better interpretations though, I would go with Vam Dam, Ramey, Raimondi and Tibbett. I do agree that the aria is hard because of the range, but I consider Cortigiani, Si Puo and Largo al Factotum harder.
Beth29252 8 months ago
bravo!!!
Galymmm 10 months ago
Sherrill, my baritone idol since 1978!! You rock this!!
Peppi94 1 year ago
this aria is very difficult and many great baritone or bass totally screwed it up... this is for me, one of the best rendition I've heard! He does it with a lot of energy
matthieusarah 2 years ago
@matthieusarah Check out RIchard Fredricks doing it, he's also really good. You might like him if you like this one.
skiffman5889 2 years ago
Nice!
Belcantoexpert 2 years ago
I quite agree in many respects with the comments below. However, this aria is difficult for ANY Baritone or Bass/Baritone to sing well because of the range. It is very hard, for example, to get good power on the low B flat of the line "le cirque est plein du haut en bas...". Not to mention having to sing over the orchestra, chorus...etc. All things considered, he does a wonderful job!
Baritone04 2 years ago 4
when isn't it hard to get good power on a low B-Flat.....or anything lower for that matter....haha.....one of the obstacles that I battle everytime I sing that low!
AmadeusJMB 2 years ago
@Baritone04
Sorry but I don't agree with you. I think it's pretty easy as such things go. I looked at it last week as an audition piece. Seemed easy to me. No fioratura, no high notes, no soft singing. I'm a bass (Osmin, Sarastro, etc.) but this aria is within reach whereas The Prologue and Cortigiani just aren't. Its easier than The Don's Champagne Aria too. The tessatura is lower. Of course you have to have a voice.
Agorante 1 year ago
I'm a great admirer of Milnes, but this doesn't work for me. He was a high baritone, and Escamillo is more or less a bass-baritone role. Milnes has minimal volume on the low notes. And he overcovers the high Es. Again, this is NOT to denigrate him. No singer can sing everything. And Milnes, always a conscientious artist, does his best with this piece. But Jose van Dam in his prime OWNED this aria and role, IMO --
stevevandien 2 years ago
I too am a fan of Milnes as a higher or verdi baritone but this just isn't his finest moment. And I agree again that Jose van Dam's recording is the favorite of what I own.
hatinbronchos 2 years ago
Thanks for responding! I've never heard anyone sing this as well as van Dam. Some come close, like Ernest Blanc, Lawrence Tibbett and Samuel Ramey. But Jose rules the day:). Haven't heard Marcel Journet's rendition -- have you? Don't know if it's on You Tube; have searched for it there with no luck -- Journet was a great artist with a wide-ranging basse chantante, so I'm sure he performed it splendidly -- I love his "Wotan's Farewell" en francais --
stevevandien 2 years ago
incredibile
liric01994 2 years ago
I would still hop on it!
pumalarouche 3 years ago
Ahhhh thanks for posting. I've always wanted to hear him sing this.
leadoffeohippus 3 years ago 3
It's available through Deutsche Gramaphon if you're interested in purchasing the entire recording.
AmadeusJMB 2 years ago