opera888able's channel

True baritone sound. virility, resonnance, this guy had it all. We can only imagine how he

would have sounded with todays recording techniques. probably had a great stage presence too.

Certainly he was in his 50s. but still singing with surety of tone that many younger

baritones could do well take note of even in today's age. Certainly the prime years were behind him, but God what a gift he had. Surely one the most versatile

baritones ever.

This lady had a lovely voice. I fear that she too was underrated in her own time.

there's great quality if not quantity in that voice.

Different Donna!! This must have been a pretty radical departure for her. A song

that really has something to say. Brilliant arrangement. Probably didn't get the recognition it so richly deserved.

Schubert demands near perfect diction. This boy sounds as tho he is doing his best to swallow his tongue.Lovely tone tho, but clean up that diction.

This has got to be one of the sexiest vocal duos ever. Perfect backing and arrangement. I think she did other versions of this as well, but they ain't a patch

to this one. I wonder how good a job Beamen would do of it with the right partner.

Agreed. Renata dosen't sound too much like the frail femininity Puccini intended.

She had her Tosca voice on that day. Bjorling- matchless in this.

Sure, he wasn't what he was in 40s and 50s but that is still an amazing sound

at 64. Full of confidence and all that experience. he was a real "pro" We'll see how many of the current crop will still be able to perform like that when they get to 64. My

only gripe with Jan was that it could sound a...

Baritones everywhere, take note, you are listening to a master interpreter of

this role. He may not have had the sheer weight of baritones before and after

him but God- just listen to that dramatic effect. Hats off to Puccini, what theatrical

genius he was.

This isn't the moment Mr Hasselhoff. It sounds better if you sing in tune pal.

Unless he'd had one or two before he went on. There are far better versions.

This was a true baritone in every sense of the word. Just listen to the authority in his voice, that wonderful ringing true tone. Certainly he wasn't the only baritone but he's

got to be close to the best.

Well, I think Nicolai was a little bit past his "sell by " date when he did this.

He is obviously relying on his great technique to get the piece across. Iv'e heard him

sing with far more panache and confidence than this. Think back to the 50s and 60s

That's when you heard the man at the top.

Surely Di stefano at his youthful best. What a sensitive and vulnerable rendition.

Is this the way this piece should be sung? I think Cilea would have approved. O.K.

so we didn't hear the high note towards the end but who care's, it's probably optional

anyway. Bravo Giusepe!!!

This song for me comes very close to being a masterpeice. It's a perfect combination

of words and music. When you listen to it your actually there in those great lyrics.

Like being in movie, I can't really explain it. It's great music.

You are so young, you have a voice with a real nice tone. Time and more work will

reveal it's true definition and quality. All the best.

Farrell comes as close to being the complete singer of anyone Iv'e heard on the planet. She could sing it all.

I'd be surprised if that was Kiri. Kiri's tone is more earthy and sweeter than that lady

but I could be corrected.

She sings with such beautiful restraint. A real technician. I mean that

as a compliment.

Im a fellow New Zealander, and no she's not singing it in maori. Although having

said that it could easliy be set in maori.

He's not a world beater, but he gets the full 10 out of 10 for sincerity showing his obvious love of the song. Nice voice. nice job.

What the hell is the hurry Mario.Slurring the lyrics all over the place, I think he did it

for a laugh or a bet or something. Sorry thumbs down on this one fella. Can't be taken seriously.

Certainly a very imperious looking and sounding Tosca, if perhaps a little mechanical. Would like to see her in a full performance. I don't know if the orch.was out of tune or not but she certainly didn't need the annoying piano tagging along.

ahy y've got to get people g g grabbing for what y,ve g g got. Y' mother knew how.

What a great show that was. A perfect combination of script writing and acting. Loved it !!

An intimate and beautiful rendition. Souzay, completely at home in this field.

Does not appear to have a heck of a big or robust sound but it don't matter.

A true lyric baritone. Classy.

to vladutze84

yes i know of at least one other' high c at the end version" and that isJussi Bjorlings

rendition under Alberto Erede recorded sometime in the early 50s well worth tracking down if you can. but there are many others.

It is a bit plummy and " correct " when you compare it to other versions, but there's

no denying she gives a great song even more class. And she will no doubt have had the approval of Maestro Sondheim.

I listened to Anderson from an early age.My Dad said she was the greatest contralto of her day. Although she was classified contralto she had an amazing range sometimes getting towards soprano. Yes, she was victimised but for me she rose well above the bigots. Thank God she left us some beautiful...

Now this man is a true baritone, real authority in that sound. I'd love to hear him do other stuff as well. The recording isn't too flash. He sounds as though he's singing in wind tunnel.

This guy is amazing. Vocals, acting he's got it all. It may be the recording but he sounded a little shrill here and there. If he is that will disappear with maturity.God what a gift!!

What a delightful sound. He sounded like the human version of a trumpet.

The high note was perhaps a little insecure, a bit forced but overall very beautiful.

Del Monaco for me was singer who 'went for it,' no mucking around. He sang with

complete confidence what you heard was what you got. They say he was one of the greatest Otello's since the war,I believe that.

I like Kaufman's sound very much but perhaps not in this particular role.

He's perhaps a bit too heroic for me, but there's no doubting the quality of his voice.

While we are delving into great baritones of the past and this" tour de force" for

the baritone voice. John Charles Thomas could make a pretty good job of this too.

Not detracting from any of the above. but he was certainly in the same league.

Franco sings this competently but with no real feeling,compared to others. He sounds as tho he's got a bus to catch or something.Iv'e heard him sing much better than this. and he was still pretty much in his prime,

I always admired Peerce but he could sound a little bit flinty not forced, just hard.

It was my privilege to hear him as guest at a concert in Auckland many years since.He must have been at least 60 but sang superbly, a couple of songs by

Roger Quilter, and finished with Mama quel vino from Cava...

Bjorling, Wunderlich, Gedda. The three renditions are certainly comparable.

They are all beautiful, there's no doubt about that. For me it's a photo-finnish.

But I'd give it to Jussi, because I'm biased and sentimental---sorry.

There weren't many better than March in his own time or any other for that matter

They could all take lessons from Frederic. Only Spencer was in the same street.

Great memories!!