Thomas Allen - Iago's Credo from Verdi's Otello

Thomas Allen, baritone
Cardiff, early 1980s (I've no other information)
A very rare performance by Thomas Allen. He's never sung the role on stage, as far as I know (wise choice, IMHO -:), but this makes that performance all the more interesting...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Thomas
• Allen
• Iago
• Otello
• Verdi
• Credo

[peduzzi89]

Even though this role never would have been appropriate for him to take on in a performance schedule, it's still a treat to hear what is probably my favorite baritone voice singing it!

[interpreterr]

@peduzzi89 Well said! It would have been great to see and hear him in the role, but I'm very happy he has stuck to what's good for his voice.



[interpreterr]

Of course I don't believe Allen has been a major Verdi baritone! (You're absolutely right in your assessment). I was just fantasizing - if he a major Verdi baritone AND intended to sing Luna (which he neved did!), he'd probably be awsome in the role and Manrico in that performance would have to be someone as great as Corelli (vocally AND visually:-).

[Sieglinde84]

Did he ever sing Rodrigo? That's lighter, even Simon does it... and he has the noble voice for it.

But even if not a true Verdian, he'd have been a good Iago too.

By the way: what about Scarpia? Did he do it?

[interpreterr]

You mean Rodrigo Posa? Yes he did (there are a few excerpts on Youtube).

Don't know about Scarpia. Probably not (another wise choice, I think). I have seen a concert in which he sang Scarpia's "Te Deum" though. He didn't do any 'diabolical histrionics', but if a look could kill and if it were a staged performance, he'd certainly annihilate everybody in sight :D

[TommyHaegin]

He's got a terrific voice, probably just too noble for Iago. Definitely not too light. I could well imagine him singing many other Verdi roles. But he made his choices, and they were what they were. Probably speaks more of his artistic intelligence than anything else.

[ddevicente]

Every other comment on this video makes reference to Allen not being a true Verdi baritone, but if you look on the right side and find Hvorostovsky's Credo you find nobody making these same comments...

[drtmuir]

@2002obie Oh, I didn't say I thought Hampson *should* be singing Iago. :P

[2002obie]

@drtmuir having sung at the Zurich Opera in several productions I am very aware of the small size and wonderful acoustics of that theater which allow him to take on such things. Sir Allen does have a larger instrument, but perhaps your ears aren't sensitive enough to hear the difference. Just like Domingo is taking on all sort of Verdi baritone roles doesn't mean he should. But when you develop to a certain level in the business, you can do what you want.

[drtmuir]

@2002obie I don't think it's particularly lower or heavier than Hampson-- both of them in their primes had unusually solid high ranges: both sang Pelleas, Hampson recorded Wintersturme on a lark, and Colin Davis asked Allen if he'd consider learning Siegmund (answer was No). BTW, Hampson is singing Iago at the moment, in Zurich.

[2002obie]

His voice has lot of core, which gives the voice enough weight for the role. It certainly is a lower sitting and heavier instrument than Leo Nucci or Thomas Hampson.

[drtmuir]

@hermanzoon I definitely agree; this is a case of a singer singing out of his comfort zone, yet really rising to the occasion and delivering. There is quite a lot one could say about Allen (and we do), but his stylistic flexibility has always been rather mind-boggling.

[hermanzoon]

No matter what one might say whether he is a Verdi baritone or not, he is singing wonderfully here, and I think his sound is great. Great! As some have said, there is a nobility in his voice that covers such a wide range of music and characters. Allen is one of the great singers of our time.