Samuel Ramey

One of the finest bass singers of his generation

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mozart
• Don
• Giovanni
• Serenata;
• Deh
• vieni
• alla
• finestra

[RagingSuccubus]

For me, Samuel Ramey is THE definitive Don Giovanni. He combines the lyric beauty and fluidity of a baritone with the raw power and masculinity of a bass ... I really don't even know how to classify him because he transcends everything. And to those who say his acting sucks ... are you blind? I would fall into his arms in a SECOND!

[Selkaen]

To me, Samuel Ramey as Don Giovanni is only second to Cesare Siepi who I still regard as THE Don - but that just how I see things. Besides, I defintely love this production!

[chowman007]

Classifications....well, we have the bass-baritone, the basso cantante, basso profundo and the contra-basses...put samples of each catogory and then we should be able to make a more educated opinion.

[pannicatack]

I don't remember if I gave a thumbs-down... but if you want, thumbs up then.

[luckymortal]

Wow, did you give me a negative point? LOL, I hope you'll remove it. If you read all of my comments on this point, I think you'd have a hard time disagreeing with me (most other teachers I've discussed this with come to agree with me.) At the very least, I think you'll agree that it's a well-reasoned argument and not worth the negative rep point you've given me.

[pannicatack]

Huh?

[luckymortal]

In other words, it's a silly argument. BTW, Having heard both Ramey and Hines, Ramey's low notes (down to a low C!) carry better. Hines sounds (and looks) "bassier." I consider Hines the greater singer, but either way, this is beautiful singing.

[luckymortal]

IMO the true distinction of these terms (at least in US) is based on look. A guy can sound like Pavarotti but if he looks like a "bass" he's a "bass." If he doesnt' look it, it doesn't matter what he sounds like, we call him a bass-baritone.

[luckymortal]

Historically the distinction of "bass-baritone" was not used until Wagner. What is a "Bass" or what is a "Bass-baritone" is a pretty fluid distinction then. Ramey has not sung the wagnerian "bass-baritone" rep (Wotan, dutchman...)

[vestilagiubba]

I agree.I think singerdman2000 doesn't like the classical fashion (Mozart, for example)and particularly, i don't like that style either...but ramey is actually one of the best integral artists in the world. He not only sings spectacularly well, he acts as he were just an actor and not a singer.