ANTONIO PAOLI -- the greatest OTELLO -- "Esultate" tenor - gmmix

Tenore Robusto ANTONIO PAOLI (1871-1946) sings "Esultate," followed by "Ora e per sempre addio" from Verdi's Otello on an early G & T 78 rpm disc # 025172.

Paoli, who was a giant of a man, had one of the MOST POWERFUL voices of any tenor---EVER!

Known as "The King of Tenors," he is considered the first Puerto Rican to reach international fame in the musical arts.

Antonio Paoli was born in Puerto Rico. After the death of his parents at age 12, he went to live with his sister in Spain, herself an established opera singer.

Sister Amalia Paoli arranged for him to study voice, whereafter he made his major debut in 1899 at the Paris Opéra, as Arnold in Guillaume Tell.

In 1902-1903 he belonged to an opera troupe assembled by Mascagni that toured the USA and Canada. He frequently toured South America and in 1920 spent a season in Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia.

He had reat successes through Italy, South America, and the United States. He eventually returned to Puerto Rico to teach. He received an honorary pension from his native Puerto Rico.

Antonio Paoli died of cancer in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on August 24, 1946, and was buried in the Puerto Rico Memorial Cementery of Isla Verde. On April 13, 2005 the remains of Paoli and those of his wife Adina Bonimi (who had died in 1978) were transferred to Ponce and buried in the National Pantheon in Ponce by the base of HIS STATUE.

His only recordings were for G&T (HMV, Italian Victor) in Milan.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• gmmix
• Verdi
• Otello
• Paoli
• Puerto
• Rican
• exultate
• esultate

[datrosamelapibus1]

@dbiddyfresh tu abuelo era un genio!!

[gattutita]

Antonio Paoli was called the King of Tenors and also the Tenor of Kings in his time. He was chosen above Caruso in Europe. This caused envy, and as we can see, envy is still shown today by those who ignore history. The kind of recordings in his day was not up to what it is now. His voice was so powerful that when recording, he could not face the microphone.

[JackRance1910]

One cannot criticise Paoli. Perhaps it is Nationalism or some macho sexual thing - or both. Many, many modern day critics think his singing crude, almost laughable, whilst understanding his success. Paoli has poor intonation, a crude provincial style; his supporters worship him - it is pointless to put such thoughts to paper. The Wikipedia entry is locked, controlled by the Paoli worshippers - it is all very odd. There is no doubt that Paoli was admired and had a successful career; but why?

[dbiddyfresh]

antonio paoli is my great grandfather : )

[itersy]

the power in his lungs and the vibrato in his voice is incredible...

[svjatazarov]

ярковыраженная школа на у.....с последующей шлифовкой через гласную И......бесподобное звучание!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!

[GERMANYFrankie]

perfect! A pleasure!

[LouisLeeKH]

Tamagno is the best of the best!!!

[CoolWhiteChick]

Thank you soooo much for posting this! I was looking up Historic Sites for Ponce, Puerto Rico, read about Paoli's Historic Childhood Home which is now a small museum and was so glad to actually get to hear his voice on YouTube. YouTube is so great! I am a travel writer and will be sure to visit his historic home on my next visit to beautiful Ponce. The Puerto Ricans have MUCH to be proud of...Paoli's story would make a GREAT movie! Again, muchas gracias...Puerto Rico es MEJOR!