Ramon Vargas - Rigoletto - act II cabaletta - 2001

Ramon Vargas - Rigoletto - act II cabaletta - 2001
To High D or not to high D, that is the question? This cabaletta is often cut from live performance, and it is shame. I find it very pleasing, especially when it is performed by the greatest tenors.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• vargas
• opera
• verdi

[leadoffeohippus]

A "bit better"? I think Vargas is much better than R. Villazon, who's just turned into a disaster. Vargas' voice isn't that big, but I think he's pretty good.

[Operafiend22]

Luckily I had your stupid and ignorant comment for inspiration!

[elreydeldo]

vaya, los que esperábamos el re natural nos hemos quedado esperando.

[sopranosd]

I have heard him in performance and was not terribly impressed, but this is terrific singing. Lovely color, wonderful sound. His voice sounds a little light fo Verdi, but it sure is dramatic. All that breath! Bravo Ramon. And yes, he's much better than Villazon, who has tragically destroyed his voice somehow.

[torreshristoff]

@coloraturafan Gracias por poner a este tipo en su lugar y por subir los videos, sobre todo este de Vargas.

[danbar73]

Thanks and best to you.

[tena2]

good thinking your: regads

[PianistRonaldChow]

it the a note ! whats going on ~!! it the most special recording~!!

[danbar73]

Even in the case of a supertenor who can produce a solid and sustained high D with the preceding two measures of sustained high A on one breath, the stunning result could affect the dramatic situation as well. Carrying the limp body of Gilda with that triumphal high D amounts to a blatant glorification of the abduction of the innocent,leaving the duke with no redeeming value at all. There are other spots where the tenor can show off his high notes : the high B's and high D flat in Addio,addio.

[danbar73]

Having seen a number of tenors on YT going for the high D in live perfs, I am not convinced that this pursuit has any merit at all, musically or dramatically. All of these brave tenors had to drop two measures of sustained high A to prepare for the D, a good chunk of Verdi sound. Most often, the result is not even solid. No amount of added embellishment can compensate for the two

measures omitted; it's just like adding insult to injury.

Even in the case of a supertenor who can produce a solid

[Englishtenor2]

What's with the A at the end? It looks for a second as if he's going to attempt the D, thinks twice about it, and then forgets to drop the fifth - nice tone though! Good singing all through!