Luciano Pavarotti - Questa o quella

Luciano Pavarotti - Questa o quella - 1971

Another tribute to the young Pavarotti.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• pavarotti
• opera
• verdi

[djalil48]

stupid and pedantic youtube critics...

[mariomandini87]

better than kraus

[Nater389]

I would say it is easier to sing faster. For example, directly contrast certain performances by Domingo and then Pavarotti. If you use Pavarotti's slower tempos early in his career as a standard, Domingo must sing the same works faster because he can't draw the phrase out lacking the breath and perhaps some techique (bel canto/legato). I still like 1966is better, also because I think I like his younger voice (1961-1969-70ish) before the so called "ring" developed. It's all opinion really.

[archiloque]

I disagree, I think Mooorhe is right, it is a matter of faster tempo : the reason why he can't let that note "fall-of" is the fact that the conductor has already moved to the next one ! But I kind of like this tempo. Of course, not everyone can sing it so fast, so round and so sharp at the same time.

[quis178]

Kraus' rhytmic accuracy and thoughfull use of rubato and shading brings a playfull and sarcastic mood to the aria.Pavarotti's phrasing is unidiomatic.His musicality was nothing special and that's a fact.

[Mooorhe]

This is a faster tempo of course, I don't think he gets out of control anywhere.

Both are excellent, but I'm partial to this one though.

[Nater389]

I think there are places in this version where he seems out of breath/control, unlike the same place in the 1966 version. Like from 1:07-1:10, in Rome he lets that little note fall-off a bit and it sounds wonderful and he doesnt sound rushed.

[Nater389]

I suppose it could also depend on the tempo chosen by the conductor. The Rome version is a slower tempo, therefore, he may have just not been able to. Like you said, lacking the breath.

[Mooorhe]

He did it live in Moscow in 1964, the recording proves that. I don't think it was a case of developing as a habit, so much as deciding whether he had the breath for it. He did it in the 1990 Met Rigoletto, it was more like a shout though.

I can't remember what Verdi's score calls for, I remember looking and thinking it was strange. I think it was just a sustained B flat. I'll check at some point.