100 Greatest Singers: JOHN McCORMACK

THIS PROJECT IS RESERVED ONLY FOR THE GREATEST! What do you think about John McCormack in this? Please let us know!

John McCormack, Tenor (1884-1945)

Gaetano Donizetti - La Favorita
Spirito gentil
(Recorded 1909)

My personal opinion: For many listeners the quality of John McCormacks voice isn´t recognizable immediately. It was a tiny, thin and nasal voice, sometimes near to an unappealing sound. And it seemed, McCormack didn´t like the opera stage: "I´m the worst actor in the world. There´re only a few roles I enjoy to play. My favourite is Rudolfo in La Bohème. He´s a real guy. I can sing him and feel myself as a human being. I can walk over the stage, my hands in my trouser pockets!" (Re-translation from german). American music critic Henry Pleasants described him as a "primitive": Extroverted, self-satisfied, always felt sorry for himself, reluctant against conduction, deaf against critic (Re-translation from german). There is a nice anecdote, narrated by Gerald Moore in his worth reading book "Am I too loud?": One day, when McCormack sang at Covent Garden, Caruso himself knocked at the door of his wardrobe to visit his friend and to give him congratulations. McCormack was quoted to have said: "What a nice compliment, given by the greatest tenor of the world!" And Caruso is alleged to have answered: "Since when, dear Giovanni, you´ve turned into a Baritone?"
McCormacks strenght was his ability, to told a story with music and singing. To play a part on stage in make-up and costume, it wasn´t his cup of tea. So it was evident, he became a better singer in concerts. In 1923 at age 39 he retired from the operatic stage (the real reasons remain speculative). He concentrated himself on England and Ireland, each of his innumerable folksong recordings became a great success and McCormack a millionaire. He made a movie and resided in luxury houses.
Ernest Newmann wrote, only a few were able to recognized, what a great artist he was. He was perfect in little things, for McCormack always part of greater whole. He gave his performances sublime and artistry. Newmann said, "I never witness he was inelegant".
Everyone talks about McCormacks "Il mio tesoro", indeed a masterpiece of singing "on the breath" with perfect controlled scales. We have it here on YouTube many times. But may I draw your attention of McCormacks "Spirito gentil", wherein he sang the first four phrases
"Spirito gentil, ne´ sogni miei, brillasti un di, ma ti perdei"
with only one long breath of air? The same with the next four phrases. This is what I call style and culture in the sense of belcanto. McCormacks legacy is filled with fine singing like that. Sometimes little unimposing things bring out the great!

THE COMPLETE OVERVIEW: GO TO "ALL SINGERS IN THIS LIST"

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[ididete]

I haven't been able to find Franco Corelli on your list. Is he missing or have I overseen him?

[100Singers]

No, Mr. Corelli isn´t in my personal choice of my favorite "100 Greatest Singers". Perhaps you´ll find him in the remaining list of "Part II - Your Favorites". Mike

[ididete]

I would be VERY VERY VERY interested to know why he is NOT on your personal 100 choice. In fact, I think it would be interesting to make a list of well known and appreciated singers that you did not include in the list and to explain why. You have a very good and competent criterion otherwise. I just am very confused why on earth Corelli is not on the list. Gorgeous voice and supreme technique.

[100Singers]

Dear ididete, it seems you´re a admirer of Mr. Corelli. And so it´s always difficult to give own arguments for an own opinion. Let me say it in careful words: If the voice of Corelli was gorgeous and his technique supreme, well - what terms I have to use for Bjoerling, Wunderlich or (in this special case) McCormack? Or in other words: Everytime I explain my choice for other singers with arguments, think it over: Are these arguments accurate for Corelli too? Mike

[mfitz54]

McCormack allegedly met Caruso and asked "How is the World's Greatest Tenor today" to which Caruso supposedly replied, "So, Giovanni, when did you become a baritone?".

[gmaureen]

All I know is, when I listen to McCormack I'm moved...usually to tears...and no one else moves me quite as much. For whatever reason, I FEEL his voice.

[talondriver6]

Sono d'accordo, ma nessuno può negare Corelli tra i migliori tenori del secolo 20 °. suo Cielo E Mar è forse la migliore aria mai registrato.

[alshybobbers]

Tadjer

[gustin50]

@100Singers Strano, Corelli è assolutamente uno dei tre (3) migliori tenori di sempre con Tamagno, Caruso, Lauri-Volpi, Pertile, Gigli, Bjoerling, Tagliavini, DelMonaco, Tuker, ecc... e ti sfido a dirmi che uno dei citati non possa stare tra i 3 migliori di sempre....

Strange, Corelli is absolutly one of the 3 best tenors of evrytime with the others i told upper....

while not?

[Yitzhakhazak]

@mfitz54

He is as lean and slim as it can get. Caruso on the other hand was called "baritono, baritono" when he began.

Later on it is said that he imporved his tenoral technique on his own. So Giovanni, indeed, sounds a lot more like a light tenor. He probably did not or could not sing Pajazzo like Caruso did.

[banmadabon]

questo è calante (3,10 min.) e Corelli non è nei 100...ma comprati un paio di orecchie nuove!

[hAodha]

I only know John McCormack thru his singing of Irish standards and ballads. In fact, I was reared on it. Still today, many decades later, his is the only singing voice that can instantly bring me to the verge of tears

[mdbmdbmvc]

I was just thinking about this idea of top 100 singers - I have four absolute favourites who all thrill, move, delight and inspire my humble music making in very different ways. Early McCormack with his immaculate technique and beautiful shaped phrases, Gigli with his exquisite tone and effortless production, Bjorling's incredible musicality and Di Stefano (the one I come back to over and over again) with his incredible breadth of phrasing and amazing passion - Thanks for posting

[59hidalgo]

LA MAS BELLA VOZ DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS

[7oct1936]

@100Singers It is always a matter of choice to your own ear, I would agree with many of your choices, but the important thing is that we all hear and appreciate singers differently. I would have liked to see Corelli here too, but what does it matter. Just sit back and think yourself lucky that you can enjoy them all !!!

[nhcrama]

Something about him reminds me a very little bit of Georges Thill. That can only be a good thing.