The Great Alessandro Bonci Sings "Giunto sul passo estremo" From Boito's Mefistofele. 1905

Alessandro Bonci (1870-1940) was one of the last—and undoubtedly one of the greatest— of the bel canto tenors. His gifts are prominently displayed in this lovely aria from Boito's Mefistofele.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Alessandro
• Bonci
• tenor
• opera
• boito
• mefistofele
• giunto
• sul
• passo
• estremo

[SuperLuckydream]

Wonderful singing! Controlled, restrained and natural.

Thanks for posting, dear friend.

[EdmundStAustell]

@SuperLuckydream And many thanks to you, Tamara. I appreciate your comment. Yes, Bonci was a wonderful tenor. I have always felt naturally inclined to that kind of bel canto singing. Tenors who actually sound like tenors have a natural appeal, at least to me, and I suspect to many others also.

[SteveBell1942]

Strange how ears hear differently. I know the high regard in which Bonci is held and I hear great artistry but my ear hears endless bleating and yearns for Caruso. Each to his own.

[EdmundStAustell]

@SteveBell1942 Yes, indeed. That's what makes art of any kind so interesting! Thanks for the comment!

[soruca73]

superbe interprétation de Bonci dans un tempo assez lent; sa technique infaillible lui permet une morbidezza sans faille. le forte-piano est maîtrisé superbement! Sans doute un des meilleurs enregistrement de cet aria de l'époque. Caruso est plus direct et donc un peu moins appliqué que Bonci mais la beauté de sa voix est unique.

Merci d'avoir si bien restauré cet enregistrement splendide

[EdmundStAustell]

@soruca73 Le plaisir est le mien, mon ami. J'admire beaucoup Bonci, et ce que vous dites est vrai. Son contrôle est quelque chose de beau à voir. Merci pour votre commentaire, je l'apprécie.

[DarrenSeacliffe90]

@EdmundStAustell Strange but wasn't Caruso the first opera singer whose records you listened to? Unusual not to have any special sentiments towards him..

[EdmundStAustell]

@meltzerboy So true, my friend, so true. I have always been enormously impressed by Bonci, whose many artistic qualities you list. A superb singer!

[meltzerboy]

Bonci is one of those tenors on record who give us a glimpse of the art of bel canto in the 19th century. Flowing legato phrasing, florid technical skill, tonal color, and innate musicianship and charm. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

[EdmundStAustell]

@CurzonRoad My pleasure, my friends! Yes, Bonci and Caruso live on different planets. I am a big Bonci fan; always have been. That kind of singing represents a real high water mark in vocal art. Caruso is ok, but somewhat over-blown, imho.