Lawrence Tibbett - Emperor of Baritones

It is perhaps silly to even attempt to proclaim someone greatest this or that. From a certain point on great artists cannot be ranked. If however I personally had to choose my favorite baritone, the one who I think achieved heights which no other did, it would be Lawrence Tibbett. He was a master of such diversified repertoire, ranging from Verdi and Puccini to Wagner, German Lieder and American Song to the American operas and Gershwin. He could make a simple song or ballad into great art. Additionally to his unparalleled vocalism came an unbelievably magnetic stage personality and an acting abiltiy which was said to be in the Chaliapin league (He was after all a Shakespearean actor before he came to opera). Last but not least, Tibbett was incredibly expressive. He sang the "soul of the music".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Primobaritono
• opera
• baritone
• Avant
• de
• quitter

[rayrac]

He died a lonely man, a recluse and alcoholic. How sad?

[mozzrt]

No seams. No register differences. Like Flagstad, a divine evenness. Not to mention the haunting beauty of this velvet baritone.

[TomYarbrough]

No, no one has ever done it better!

I am pretty sure it was recorded April 20, 1934 at Victor's 24th Street studios. Red Seal issue # 8452-A (I have the recording)

[jeromelisette]

This is the beautiful lyric sound that is so compelling and I wish there more baritones like this, singing with bright tone and ease.  His French is also impeccable. It is very hard to find flaws, so what made his life so miserable later in life? Perhaps a "tenore sbagliato?" I am not sure.

[outtaker]

what date is the recording btw? And where was it recorded?

[outtaker]

It's just not fair that the magnificient die young. Tibbett, Warren, Caruso, Bjoerling, Wunderlich...God takes the best for himself, it seems.

[operalament]

pretty remarkabale isnt it. You know at his met audition he sang this and cracked a top note. Thank God they called him back and he got signed after singing Eri Tu.

[operalament]

It is very difficult for me to listen to anything this man sings and not ask myself " who approaches the the magnificence of this man"'? Inevitably my answer is always the same. Noone. Whether he was performing an aria , oratorio, lied or a silly number from a movie , he brought everything he had to the piece and raised it to a level unattainable by other singers. A man such a this comes along but once in many lifetimes. Thanks for posting this.

[svjatazarov]

шиккарная кантилена!!!!

[olskolsoul]

BRAYVO!!!!

[Jeanne90275]

* * * * * Beautiful! Thanks.