Enrico Caruso - Celeste Aida 1911

Verdi: Aida - Se quel guerrier io fossi: Celeste Aida.
Recorded 27. December 1911.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• enrico
• caruso
• verdi
• aida
• opera
• italian
• tenors

[drmpeacesage]

unfortunately for us, one must consider the recording quality of 0ne Hundred Years Ago. Zero way of comparing unless you heard Enrico Perform live.

[tomfroekjaer]

@drmpeacesage Unfortunate that the recording technique was so poor at the time. But at least we HAVE recordings of his voice. IMO we can still hear his extraordinary voice and empathy the best in the old 78's. If you search YT for /watch?v=9CAl7--JZTU (with the usual YT dot com before it), I've uploaded a digital transfer from an original 78. 50% of his voice is lost, but tune in (play it several times) and I think you'll understand why hearing Caruso sing was something people never forgot.

[Verannus]

Caruso is not the best. Caruso's voice is nice, and no doubt among the best ever, but no one can match Pavarotti in style and control. Pavarotti gave emotion and character to opera that was otherwise simply a pursuit of power and control. That is why he is the best, because he made you believe he wasn't just singing an aria, but he was living it. It was as if he was experiencing a torrent of emotion, and his voice gave it clarity where others only focused on technique.

[tomfroekjaer]

@Verannus Maybe YOU don't think so, but Pavarotti thought Caruso was the best ever. All the things you mention: emotion - being the character of the opera, no attention on the technique, just singing. THAT was Enrico Caruso. Search YouTube for this: "Pavarotti- Enrico Caruso-bel canto" to see an interview on what Luciano thought of Caruso.

[wiseroldfart]

I still prefer Bjorling's best recording of this aria. Bjorling's attack is different and his upper register is sparkling, including that last B-flat, which was originally written as 'pianissimo morendo,' which suggests a soft, quietly ecstatic sound. Verdi realized that last B-flat was too challenging and offered an alternate ending, which most tenors prefer to do. Bjorling and Pavarotti took the easy way out in a couple recordings, but not Corelli, the only spinto I know of who faded it .

[tomfroekjaer]

@wiseroldfart Don't know which recording you refer to as the best Jussi recording of this aria?

I recently uploaded a Jussi and a Enrico recording of the aria. The best Jussi and the best Rico recording I could find. Aside from the great difference in recording technique, I also found a great (personal) difference in empathy and feeling. Jussi was just not in the same league as Caruso. Technically as a lyrical tenor he was great and one of the best. But not much better than Lanza.

[leadoffeohippus]

I'm almost certain that if Caruso sang with Leonard Warren their voices would blend perfectly.

[snake3103]

First...it was a long time ago... second..please be-carefoul, becouse Caruso it was not a full Tenor, was a bari-tenor, thats the reason of Pavarotti Idol...Caruso was the only classic sanger whi can singing deep and high......very impressfull and difficult.

[stefanodepeppo]

@tomfroekjaer and definitely Pavarotti, even with his beautiful beautiful voice was NOT a great interpreter!

[tomfroekjaer]

@OperaFanCantor You are very welcome, Ilan. I also think that Enrico was in a leaque on his own. An empathetic genious....

A Caruso quote that may interest you: “Jewish cantors employ a peculiar art and method of singing in their delivery. They are unexcelled in the art of covering the voice, picking up a new key, in the treatment of the ritual chant, and overcoming vocal difficulties that lie in the words rather than in the music.”

[OperaFanCantor]

Thank you so much for posting Tom! As always, Caruso is in his own, divine separate league, the reference for all tenors! How impressive his genius is, particularly when you consider that to the difference of all the tenors who came after him and could listen to recordings of his interpretations he managed to create the optimal interpretation based on his unique intelligence, sensitivity and talent.

[Milahi1935]

Very powerful voice and pretty pleasant. No wonder Caruso is considered the best ever. Lanza has a more pleasant voice, but is not as powerful. Pavarroti ia slightly less in power and pleasantness. Bocelli is more pleasant and a little less powerful. Caruso still remains the best.