Vespri Siciliano Duet

All of Vespri is too long. Its a French Grand Opera in five acts which has resulted in it being seldom mounted. This duet itself is too long for YouTube. It's over the ten minute limit.

So this is only the last part, but it does have the second repetition of the big tune from the overture. It is one of the score's best moments.

Giorgio Zancanaro here shows his uniquely beautiful baritone voice. He doesn't sound like anyone else. However some find that a flaw. I like it.

Chris Merritt Usually sang very wide ranging and florid Rossini roles. This was the only Verdi part he consistently did. Arrigo is higher than most other Verdi tenor roles. It was written for Paris and a tenor who sang the role of Arnold in Tell. Domingo opened the Met in 1974 with Arrigo and recorded it shortly thereafter but he soon dropped it. It is a very good role for Merritt who has no trouble with the tessitura.

The only problem is with the drammatic picture. They are supposed to be father and son.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Vespri
• Siciliani
• Chris
• Merritt
• Giorgio
• Zancanaro

[legatofancier]

"Giorgio Zancanaro here shows his uniquely beautiful baritone voice. He doesn't sound like anyone else. However some find that a flaw. I like it."

HOW ON EARTH IS THIS A FLAW?! Zancanaro's voice is absolutely classic! It's wonderfully full without being forced. I don't know big a sound he had in the house, but who cares? Giusppe de Luca was admired for the beauty of his artistry, not the size of his voice. Zancanaro can really sing!

[Agorante]

Don't worry. The voice was good size in the hall. In my experience easy, unforced voices carry well. De Luca probably was easy to hear also. Although alas, old as I am, I'm not old enough to have heard de Luca live, so I can't give personal testimony.

[lmspr]

Thanks for posting this. Zancanaro is fantastic as usual. I love his unique voice and phrasing. I don't like the tenor very much. This is worth watching for Zancanaro.

[Agorante]

Merritt isn't everybody's cup of tea. The problem is that for several roles he has been just about the only choice. In the heroic Rossini parts in large opera houses he was it. Bruce Ford had a much prettier voice but it's much smaller. Blake and Giordani were probably the only other really big voiced Rossini tenors. Blake was never a rival to Merritt because he chose to sing the David roles. Merritt sang the Nozzari roles, and Giordani avoided the very florid roles.

[bobsopera]

Thanks for Zancanarro. I find him one of the best three baritones ever.

[WMP777]

@Agorante Your statement is well balanced and instructive in reference to the type of voices needed for this repertory. Zancanaro is a true Verdian baritone. Merritt deserves a greater recognition. He sang with passion and heroic abandon roles that few tenors risk to sing regularly.

[operasfab]

Zancanaro avait une des plus belles voix de baryton de ces dernières années. Je l'ai entendu dans ce rôle il y a quelques années et j'en garde un grand souvenir.

Respect Maestro !

[Operaddict]

Zancanaro doesn't sound like anyone else...BECAUSE there are NO Verdi baritones singing this well these days. He was unique in that he could actually sing that repertoire. If this is a flaw....then I'll take a flawed voice! Glorious. The dramatic picture not looking right??? Who gives a damn? This is opera, not Hollywood.

[teatrulnationalle]

BRAVI MAESTRO ZANCANARO.

[legatofancier]

Same here, De Luca was a singer I only know from recordings. However, I spoke to people who actually heard him. I was told that De Luca's voice was relatively small, but he sang so well that it carried easily.

Thanks for the clarification! Zancanaro is fast becoming one of my favorites!

[Tenortone21]

OMG I have this!! It's awesome!!

[lmspr]

I agree with your comment. I actually don't always dislike Merritt. In some clips here in YouTube he sounds fine. On other he sounds strained, like he's pushing his voice.

I actually feel some sympathy with Rossini tenors. They often get to sing really difficult roles.