Georg Ots- Pali Racz's aria from Der Zigeunerprimas (Kalman)

The Estonian baritone Georg Karlovich Ots (1920-1975) was undoubtedly one of the most successful and popular operatic singers of the post-World War II era Soviet Union. A graduate of the Tallinn State Conservatory in 1951, Ots gained early renown for his versatility, being as much at home in Russian and Estonian popular songs, folk songs, and operetta as he was in the operatic world. His fame spread rapidly after 1957, when he portrayed the title role in the Lenfilm movie "Mister X", based on Imre Kalman's operetta "Die Zirkusprinzessin". While he toured widely in the Soviet Union and was a frequent guest at the Bolshoi Theater, Ots nevertheless remained a regular at the Estonian National Theater until his untimely death in 1975.

Ots' voice was essentially a lyric instrument, not large, but the timbre was extraordinarily soft-grained, warm, and smooth- very caressing to the ear. The sound is quite distinct; you'll never mistake him for any other singer. Among his many operetta recordings, Pali Racz's gorgeous 1st act aria from Imre Kalman's operetta "Der Zigeunerprimas" is a particular favorite of mine. Racz, an aging gypsy violin virtuoso, realizes that his best days are behind him and fears that his traditional style of playing is dying off. Ots sings in his native Estonian, and while it's hardly the most musical of languages (like its close relative Finnish), that matters little in light of the singing. The sense of melancholy is palpable, profound; the performance as a whole simply heartbreaking.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Georg
• Ots
• Георг
• Отс
• lyric
• baritone
• Estonia
• Der
• Zigeunerprimas
• Pali
• Racz
• Imre
• Emmerich
• Kalman
• operetta

[strauja]

I think Estonian  IS a musical language, once it was considered as the third in line, after Italian - the most musicaI.

[khankonchak]

@strauja

You say Estonian was once considered the third most musical language. By whom? Your statement also implies that it's not so highly ranked anymore. It's certainly interesting to hear, but in terms of sheer musicality I would place it far behind most Romance languages.

[helios3003]

This is one of my favorite operetta arias. Beautifully sung here by Mr. Ots. The orchestral arrangement sounds a bit thin, though.

[Zealnah]

Ukraine remember you, Ots.

[jormaoj]

Compared with Russian or German that Estonian language is actually more poetic and made for singing, as its rich of vowels, exactly as the italian language. I feel pity for the Estonian people who suffered so much in the pressure of Russian facism.

[strauja]

@martpast1 I don't remember whether it was said about singing but it could have been . As far as I know Estonian lacks several voiceless consonants and sibilants, and the frequency of vowels also helps.

I suppose some language professor before World War II had told his students the view that the most sonorous language is Italian, Estonian - SECOND, and French - third. It can be so if compared to Slavic and Baltic languages

[martpast1]

@strauja which is the second after Italian in singing?

[Impressionist1]

@khankonchak

You say estonian is hardly considered as a musical language. By whom? By You? Estonian is perfect for singing, estonian words have lots of vocals (it "rings" very beautifully) and it is also quite rhythmic. Seems that You don't have an ear for that.. Ots has an amazingly deep and rich voice, love this song and the words!

[mobhog]

300 mil people hear him alive and probably 300 mil after hes death lol its so lame only few mil behind iron curtain hear such talent

[tenorbass100]

Die andere Arie aus "Zigeunerprimas" - Jetzt singt Tenor.

[Gallinnster]

Обожаю с детства и навсегда. Самый красивый на свете баритон - пусть и не самый "большой".)))

[adelkazanab]

Спасибо, дорогой Георг Отс! Помним, любим, преклоняемся!