Franco Corelli - Di quella pira (Birthday Tribute)

Franco Corelli (1921-2003) was an Italian tenor active in opera from the 1950s to 1976. He was noted for his charismatic stage presence and physical attractiveness as well as his powerful voice. Here he sings 'Di quella pira' from Verdi's Il trovatore. This video is in honor of his 87th birthday, which was precisely 7 days ago. Happy birthday, Maestro Corelli!

An interesting story about one of Corelli's 'Trovatore' performances:

In a 'Trovatore' production in Naples, Corelli angrily attacked a student in a third-tier box who heckled him during the performance. Outraged, Corelli bounded backstage, ran up three flights of stairs to the box and, finding the door locked, broke it down with his shoulder. In his Manrico costume, complete with sword, Corelli charged at the young man, but was restrained by two ushers. He was so infuriated that he lost his voice for 20 minutes, returning to the stage just in time to sing what he always considered his greatest ever rendition of 'Di quella pira.'
-From New York Times

Listeners to "Opera Fanatic" on WKCR-FM voted for Favorite Tenor of the Century. 47 singers received a grand total of 600 votes. Corelli barely edged past Björling, winning the poll. The first five places were:

First place: Corelli, with 185 votes or 30.8% of the vote
2nd: Björling 177 (29.5%)
3rd: Caruso 69 (11.5%)
4th: Gigli 50 (8.3%);
5th: Vickers 17 (2.8%)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Franco
• Corelli
• di
• quella
• pira
• il
• trovatore
• giuseppe
• verdi
• italian
• tenor
• opera
• manrico

[operacrasher]

What a great perforformance!!!

[Takken1256]

OH---MY---GOD! Fly this voice! This man. This voice. Extraterrenal!

[EdmundStAustell]

To be honest, it doesn't really get any better than this!

[ktrum492]

@spyridon77 It's probably that kid from the story in the description that heckled Corelli. You'd think being charged at by a guy in a military costume with a sword would learn by now........XD

[spyridon77]

1 dislike??!!

[ktrum492]

This is amazing, and the story above it is awesome. I love opera singers that just don't give a fuck........:-D

[aavauxhall]

For me - this man is the greatest Italianate Tenor of them all. Certainly the most thrilling. Enjoy. We will not hear his like again

[aavauxhall]

@nigrocky73 - You have to accept some people would put Callas behind Katherine Jenkins. You just have to let them eat Big Mac's I'm afraid......

[muchogustavo1]

@bigrocky73 Corelli behind lanza???? IS THIS A JOKE??!!!!

[MaiLeeb]

The Di quella pira of the Video Response is great. Jesus Quinones Ledesma deserves to be listed among the best!

[jcab2323]

this one dislike is by a fan of Domingo..

Franco, you were the greatest!

[martythetickler]

@giacomoconti No and yes. :)