Bonisolli - At His Best

Franco Bonisolli was very handsome when he was young. He starred in movies. His voice was sweet and flexible but rather small. Near the end he stompted around the stage and shouted. The voice was much bigger but except for the high Cs his voice was hoarse and rough.

But there was that middle period before he started to act out on stage and over sang. In this period he was sensational. He had something of the color of Domingo and more secure high notes than Pavarotti.

Ah Fuyez is a killer. Bonisolli just sails through it.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Manon
• Franco
• Bonisolli
• Ah
• Fuyez

[Agorante]

I keep having to explain that Domingo didn't sing more roles than anyother tenor. He sang more major roles in recordings or in the major houses. Curzi sang at least twice as many roles. Franco Corelli actually learned roles faster than Domingo. Jimmy McCracken decided to only sing five roles at the height of his career. He was worried about over exposure. This issue only comes up because Pavarotti had so much trouble learning music. Pavarotti was the exception not Domingo.

[Agorante]

Here I will reveal the answer to the question,"Why do tenors push"?

The reason is simple - it makes your voice grow. At least half of all famous tenors started with a small voice. Not all of course. Vickers and Corelli apparently always had big voices but Gedda, Margison, and Bonisolli all started with quite small voices. They pushed and they stretched and grew much stronger - just like power lifters. Tenors with small sweet voices sing locally. Big tenors fly.

[Agorante]

The best thing Bonisolli ever recorded was the role of Marcello in Leoncavallo's Boheme. (I think I'll post some of it.) Bonisolli is the only Italian among the major roles in that recording and he demonstrates why that's important. Real passion.

[Agorante]

Why is this particular excerpt so exceptional? First of all, Bonisolli has the notes. Earlier in the opera the tenor can show how sweet his voice is in the table scene. Tenors like di Stefano shine there. But here you need a very solid and "big" top. Yet it can't be too coarse. Bonisolli later in his career was prone to scooping. No scoops here. He just breathes the high notes. Bonisolli is secure enough that the listener can relax.

[Webarton]

5 stars? This is the most amateurish singing I have EVER HEARD in my LIFE.

[Agorante]

You need to get out more.

[tenorismo]

His voice was small ?????? I saw him at Carnegie Hall in La Donna del Largo . He was tremendous

[DonPaolissimo]

Franco B was an exceptional tenor. His top was phenomenal, along with magnificent breath control. He was a far better performer than any of the so-called "big" three. Yet, he did not receive the recognition he merited. Very unfair what aggressive agents & manufactured hype can do to foster mediocre careers!

[sugarbist]

@capes02 Domingo has sung overt a130 different operas.This is more than any other tenor in history.However,I don't think that Domingo has a signature role.Meaning a role that he is outstanding in, or has sung better or as good as any other great tenor in history.Tenors do have fine careers without using a highC,such as Tucker Del Monaco Caruso Pertile etc.Domingo has been notorious for transposing operas &arias down beyond acceptable practices.I think Bonisolli is much more interesting&exciting

[Etnalleb]

@capes02 Wayne Newton still sings today does that mean he had one of the best voices ? I've got

nothing against Domingo's technique , obviously it has served him well and i give Domingo credit where

credit is due by singing more roles than any other tenor living or dead but as far as pure dramatic vocal

powers he lacked far beyond Both Franco's , MDM, and Caruso.

[capes02]

Also I would disagree with the whole best and worst day idea.... if you go back to some of Domingo's late 60's and 70's recordings the man is amazing. Hear the cd "The young domingo" I think that is the exact name and it has tons of great recordings. Random thought, Have you heard or seen Bonisolli in Traviata with Moffo?? Its pretty damn nice : ) I really liked him in that role!

[capes02]

@Etnalleb The fact that Domingo is still singing today says a lot about his technique. The man has sang so many roles and so many performances. Yes, we can easily say he didn't have a great high C.... or that his technique was nothing near say Pavarotti's but he is on another level compared to most tenors. He was and is all about the text, which at the end of the day is the more important aspect seeing as you are trying to tell a story. Either way I'm a fan of Both Bonisolli and Domingo.

[PianistandFencer]

@Etnalleb and Bravo to your comment! But I personally think Domingo is one of the most overrated tenors I know of. I really can't stand his technique, or general lack thereof.

[bigmandrel]

@Webarton Sir, please, this is no place for jokes.

[bigmandrel]

@Webarton Sir, please, this is no place for jokes.

[31122051]

ECCEZIONALE !