Samuel Ramey as Maometto

Maometto's cavatina "Sorgete, sorgete" and cabaletta "Duce di tanti eroi" from Rossini's rarely performed "Maometto Secondo" ("Mehmed II"). AFAIK, Samuel Ramey was the first modern singer to perform this role on stage.

1985, Rossini Opera Festival, conductor Claudio Scimone.

Translation of the aria:

"Rise, rise: on this happy day,
my valiant warriors, gather around Mehmed and rejoice.
Leading the army of such heroes,
I will make empires crumble;
with you I will triumph over the whole world."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• samuel
• ramey
• rossini
• maometto
• pesaro
• opera
• bass
• basso
• classical
• bel
• canto

[tjb286]

this is absolutely thrilling. It's one of the greatest singers of all time at his peak. A positively virtuosic performance. And I've yet to hear another young man who can even come close to his Rossini interpretations. Thanks for the post!

[Arashi110]

Oh yes. And notice the position in which the director made him sing this fiendishly difficult aria! This is close to a feat, I think.

[bobopera]

What a superb example of a bass who can accurately sing Rossini. No one was within shouting distance when Ramey was at his peak in the late 70s, 80s, and 90s. He was also superb in Verdi - Attila, Nabucco, Don Carlo.

Thanks for this clip.

[Gioachino82]

The Bass!

[aureliano1952]

That night he wrote a page of history of interpretation!

[luisfelipe]

FANTASTIC. RAMEY IN ROSSINI WAS SPECTACULAR. AND HE AND HORNE TOGETHER MADE A ROSSINI DREAM PAIR.

[carlo331]

il più grande!

[TheMrBlackFloyd]

grandesamuel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stellasavon]

Wonderful!!!!

[sgmd93]

Thanks for posting this great performance by Ramey! It's even more impressive considering he first has to balance himself on a chair being held aloft and then climb up the backs of some chorus members! He also manages to get back to the ground and end with style.

[RoySpinoza]

Grande Samuel!