Cornell MacNeil (born 24 September 1922 in Minneapolis, Minnesota), sings this aria with true chiraoscuro developed through pure and coordinated vocal registers. His voice is so dark and heavy, but still has the ringing core of clarity. No one is singing even close to this now.
A great Verdi baritone at his best.
stevevandien 8 months ago
@theringisking I stand corrected. Thanks
metropolitan1966 1 year ago
@metropolitan1966 According to the Annals of the Metropolitan Opera, this was the evening performance of Dec. 1. The matinee that day was Aida. There was no performance on Dec. 2, 1962. The conductor for this performance, by the way, was Thomas Schippers. The part of Silva was sung by Giorgio Tozzi.
theringisking 1 year ago
MacNeil has a fantastic voice. The only note I (musically) dislike (because not necessary at all) in this scene is high note he sings in the beginning. He's got such a regal and juicy mid-range (and a splendid high range of course). Great rendition!!
TommyHaegin 1 year ago
@assindiastignani I agree we were so lucky to have them both...and with MacNeil/Price so less
profgv 1 year ago
Wow, such wonderful singing! Is there another baritone currently on the international scene who is in MacNeil's class (when this recording was made, that is)? If there is, please let me know!
legatofancier 1 year ago
The historic ERNANI revival of 1962 - for Corelli, Macneil, Price and Siepi. Poor, darling, wonderful Bergonzi was so worried the audience wouldn't like him because he was not so big and handsome as Corelli! He needn't have been concerned. We all dearly loved Carlo. Imagine - nowadays - being able to choose between two such tenors!!
assindiastignani 1 year ago
Meraviglioso ! I'm very impressed with MacNeil's voice here.This is quite a revelation to me because prior to hearing this,the only recordings I had heard were from the late 1970's when he sounded a bit wobbly and had lost some this great tone and resonance he shows here. Now I'll have to check out more of his earlier recordings. Mille grazie Cafiero for sharing this excellent piece.Bravo MacNeil !
CraigFrancisSoto 2 years ago
Yeah, it is Bergonzi.
MrCafiero 2 years ago
You were right...it is Bergonzi.
MrCafiero 2 years ago