Virginia Zeani - Otello Love Duet with James McCracken

Virginia Zeani and James McCracken recorded in a live performance of Verdi's Otello conducted by Tullio Ssrafin.

As a young man Serafin had played in the orchestra at La Scala Milan under Toscanini. in the mid twentieth century he was considered the prime conductor of the italian operatic repertoire, being the closest surviving link to Verdi and the 19th Century operatic tradition.

James McCracken built a brilliant reputation for himself as a world class Otello during the 1960s and Virginia Zeani is perfectly cast as a gloriously passionate Desdemona

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Virginia
• Zeani
• tOtello
• Love
• Duet
• with
• James
• McCracken

[corellithebest]

Dear Yvonne, I was wondering if you happen to have the pirate recording of this performance, as I know it exists. I would merely ask you to upload some more of it, the more the better, if you have it. Thanks in advance. :)

[CharlotteinWeimar]

@corellithebest One day I hope.

[stevevandien]

When was this recorded?

[CharlotteinWeimar]

From the opening night on 15 December 1962, Teatro dell'Opera, Roma  with Tito Gobbi as Iago, conducted by Tullio Serafin

[gojirason]

JM's early prime with another vocal '60's phenom, VZ. Serafin himself regarded McCracken as history's greatest Otello, & he saw & heard them all up to the time of his death. America's finest dramatic tenor was also an overwhelmingly intense & deeply moving actor of heart, intelligence, intensity, honesty & tremendous skill & spontaneity to go with enormous vocal power, richness, depth of sound, lyricism & musicality to match his force & stamina.

An original, heartfelt talent in every sense.

[basenjidiva]

Zeani, McCracken & Seraphim; an absolutely lyrical combination! La Scala at its best!

This is passion and ardor on a world-class scale. Zeani's naturally voluptuous voice is irresistibly sensitive & seductive; a truly gorgeous & compelling duet, by two of the best of the best!

Zeani's every word & phrase ring with ardor &

passion; how tenderly & expressively their voices mingle! Poetic & heart-throbbing!

Thank you for this heavenly posting; a lovely way to begin a New Year!

Brava!

[UncleNathan]

Thank you for posting this wonderful performance. I have always loved Zeani in a variety of roles, and McCracken was sui generis. I had the pleasure of seeing him both in Pagliacci and as Florestan in Fidelio. His voice was much warmer in the house and did not have that hard, driven quality that sometimes shows up in recordings. He was also a consummate actor, and a very nice man besides!

[jimreilly43]

I never had the pleasure of hearing Zeani, but I did hear McCracken once in this role (in a concert performance). I have always felt he sounded better live than in recordings, although I don't know why. This clip is a lovely recording of both singers, thank you for posting it, Charlottein Weimar.

[abracadabranque]

Un beau couple!

[An85Za]

@CharlotteinWeimar

Thanks for posting this excellent recording.

Anyway, I think you are wrong about Serafin. Toscanini played during the premiere; but Serafin was only 9 years old at the time since he was born in 1878. Later (first years of the century as I remember) he actually played viola in the orchestra of La Scala, under Toscanini, before he became assistant conductor and then musical director of the theatre.

I hope you understand, since my english is not so good.

[abracadabranque]

Un timbre qui ne s'est pas enlaidi avec l'âge!

[fabrizzzio48]

Thank you Ms. Fuller for such great effort in posting material to bring to light the achievements of Zeani.

This particular selection, with McCraken is a dream ...

[qklq42]

Thanks again Charlotte in Weimar. You gave us with this recording a great treasure. I never heard James McCracken is such a beautiful role.  nd of course is Virginea Zeani a miracle !

[Otellomir]

Maestro Serafin was right on! JM was easily the greatest, most complete Otello ever, combining everything required of the most demanding role in the italian repertory with an enormous bounty of gifts beyond those minimally required to be merely sufficient in the role vocally, musically & intellectually, which are already immense. Energy, strength, stamina, range, technique, musicality, heart & theatrical flexibility he possessed in extreme, but he also was astonishingly spontaneous & original!