Otello Cage Match: Iago's Credo pt 1 Ruffo vs Tibbett

Legendary baritones go head to head in one of the most difficult, dramatic arias in the baritone repertoire. These two were both considered the premiere baritones of their generations.

1. Titta Ruffo (1877-1953)
2. Lawrence Tibbett (1896-1950)

Part 1 in a series, more to come soon!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Verdi
• Otello
• Iago
• Credo
• in
• un
• dio
• crudel
• vanne
• la
• tua
• meta
• gia
• vedo
• baritone
• aria

[poolatkigali]

Ruffo

[bodiloto]

tutti due sublimi, insuperabili, immortali ! grazie ,grazie,grazie !

[TomRexdale]

In over 49 years of going to the opera and over 50 years of collecting records i have NEVER heard a better rendition of this than that of Titta Ruffo--i also knew a number of people who heard him in person--my two late friends Enzo DellOrefice and Solon Alberti even accompanied him on tour--to have heard him in person --do you know he actually commanded a higher fee than Caruso for a time especially in South America--this in the days before amplification --wonder why?? For the Credo he"s my man!

[Beth29252]

What a treat, two opera giants singing one of the all-time great baritone arias.Tibbett does sing it wonderfully, with a suitably dark intensity to his voice, but for me Ruffo was a revelation. I did find his intonation more secure as well, there were occasional moments where Tibbett was flat, he had brilliant musicality, I felt his diction was clearer and the whole performance was evil incarnate. For me though, Cappuccilli owns this aria, with Milnes close behind.

[diarci]

Were considered? They both still are considered the premier batitones of all time.

[nickditoro]

@baritonoguapo, I enjoyed listening to both of these men. I wanted to point out that the year you show for Tibbett's death, 1950, is incorrect:

1. Titta Ruffo (1877-1953)

2. Lawrence Tibbett (1896-1950)

He died July 15, 1960.

Thanks,

Nick

[MrSkylark1]

The personification of evil and the frightening power of Iago is heard from Ruffo. With Tibbett another point of view, easily visualized on the stage from the dynamics in 'his interpretation. Danise another artist to consider.

[MrSkylark1]

The personification of evil and the frightening power of Iago is heard from Ruffo. With Tibbett another point of view, easily visualized on the stage from the dynamics in 'his interpretation

[librarybob1958]

Tibbett is terrific, especially in this live from the Met (presumably) performance, but Ruffo blows ALL of them out of the water. His Iago is nothing less than evil incarnate.

[unc7480]

ALL baritone discussions are for second place behind Ruffo.

[DonPaolissimo]

I lobe Tibbett's gorgeous tones, but he's no match for Ruffo's effective roaring - this Iago ain't just kidding around!!!!

[alber6161]

Tibbet is huge, but Ruffo is a miracle of Nature!!