Mattia Battistini - Pietà, rispetto, amore (Macbeth) - 1912

Commendatore Mattia Battistini (1856 - 1928) was regarded by HIS contemporaries as the greatest bel canto baritone. Here he sings 'Pietà, rispetto, amore' from 'Macbeth' by Verdi.

A highly personal, nineteenth century version of the aria. More red blooded than we would expect today. A good reminder that the old days of vocal license weren't necessarily undramatic... And he did say: "My school is in my recordings".

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The illusion of unbroken legato is still there, due to the impeccable floating of the voice on the breath and the masterly use of upward and downward portamento, creating an effect of warmth and grandeur. And - despite his smoothness of legato - Battistini does not hesitate to break the line, on occasion, for dramatic expression.

"Un barítono muy 'atenorado' con una gran elegancia en la voz, de timbre muy italiano. Batalla un poco en las notas bajas pero no importa ya que su calidad vocal es excelsa..."

'Pietà, rispetto, amore' was recorded when he was 56. The voice, breathing and technique do not show signs of decay or the passage of time. He even interpolates an unwritten High A flat... the triumph of the 'curses'...

I particularly love his tormented cadenza (0:49):

Eppur la vita sento nelle mie fi _ bre in _ ari _ di _ ta!
(My way of life is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf...)

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MACBETH

................................................... This push
Will cheer me ever, or disseat me now.
I have lived long enough: my way of life
Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf;
And that which should accompany old age,
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have; but, in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath,
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not...


Verdi's Macbeth was largely forgotten until the 1940s, but both Battistini and Caruso recorded excerpts: Ah, la paterna mano - Enrico Caruso 1916:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5axllf3KAbk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Pietà
• rispetto
• amore
• Mattia
• Battistini
• Macbeth
• Verdi
• Shakespeare

[hobo1975]

he was magnificent! doesnt sound like a man in his mid fifties more like mid thirties.

[MrGer2295]

Mattia Battistini(1856-1928)

He become internationally famous due to the beauty of his voice and the virtuosity of his singing technique, and he earned the sobriquet "King of Baritones.

wow! Magnificent performance!!! Thank you BelSoggiorno for sharing .