My list would be different. Put his name in the search bar to see some of the posts that mention him. best greatings from Vienna/Austria/Europa on 29 April 2016. Good as any tenor, better than most: The lyric tenor is a tenor with a well timbered voice, such as "The Three Tenors" (Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras and Plácido Domingo). He is a lirico-spinto tenor of a melancholic and elegiac timbre. there. Someone mentions the limitation of Del Monaco (great as Otello, but otherwise, meh), but I have to say his Don Jose was killer. 2 Jon Vickers. I never heard Bjorling in a smaller house than the cavernous old Met. Many thanks for including Lanza. My dad got to hear him in person; I was not so lucky. Spinto tenor. The only Wagner role he sang onstage was Parsifal. Jussi Björling has it all. For 50 years I have now studied and enjoyed the great tenors of opera. Mario could sing through all three … Listen to the Best of Pavarotti on Apple Music and Spotify and read our guide to the best tenors below. Beniamino Gigli (1890-1957) was the leading lyric Italian tenor of his era. It’s as impossible to rank the top tenors as it is to rank the top poets or ballet dancers. Bryan Hymel is the most exciting tenor I’ve heard in since the 70’s. Tito Schipa., talk about foating soft notes and pure beauty of tone,…perfect techniqe,…some in the fifties called him the no 2 tenor behind Bjorling,… love his voice. He was a prize-winner at the 1993 Nürnberg Meistersinger Competition. I call Miguel Fleta ‘restrained Spanish elegance’. Mario Del Monaco (1915-1982) was born to sing Verdi’s Otello. I have no problem, certainly, with Björling or Del Monaco or Gigli (who, I agree had a bit more of a crying element in his voice than was necessary, but his Cavaradossi was magical). Lyrischer Tenor roles and arias. He came to rely on high notes as his saving grace… until he couldn’t. There is no tenor on your list with Simoneau’s singular gifts. Performing a great range of operas, he continues to perform due to his unusually long life. In any event, it’s great fun working up lists of the greatest opera singers. He also could float a line like nobody since. He was empowered with a spinto tenor voice and an enveloping and velvety timbre quality. I remember reading a quote from Björling who, in answer to a question about why he didn’t do “Lohengrin” on stage, said, “Who would believe that I could ever win a battle with broadswords”. A deservedly celebrated (albeit brief) star. and what palce would be for you Jose Carreras? 100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time. You could have chosen a fine recording of one of his beautiful arias easily available on YouTube. Readers are invited to submit their own lists in the comments section. which occurs in the first act of Die Walküre. Browse through all Handel Tenor Opera Arias. Lanza’s voice was a perfectly placed lirico spinto of extended range (low A to high D) with a luscious baritone quality, which made him sound oh, so masculine (unlike most modern tenors whose voices are shrill, weak, or strained). Richard Tucker was unquestionably one of America’s greatest tenors. He starred in almost twenty movies and performed sixty two different opera roles. He had a fine lyric tenor voice in his early career, but later he began to sing nasal. JUGENDLICHER HELDENTENOR [‘ju:.gənt.lɪ.çɐ ‘hɛl.dən.te.’no:ʁ] (c’ to c”) Nicolai Gedda 1959 Heavy Spinto Tenor. I fully agree with your comments regarding Tucker, Corelli and Caruso, what wonderful tenors they were and they will always be on my top ten list. Richard Tucker. The next two tenors were born on that day. 4. I would have chosen Pavarotti second. Di Stefano destroyed his voice early on as you pointed out and Del Monaco was great in Otello,..what else Otello,..that’s it! A role fitting for a spinto tenor, the music written for Calaf needs a tenor with a bright timbre and high range, whilst retaining the support of lower registers, so that the voice might be pushed to dramatic climaxes. He is the only LIGHT lyric tenor that I would include: Leopold Simoneau. I don’t think they had a 30th Anniversary Gala for him at the Met if his singing had gone way downhill! I’m surprised. He wasn’t known for his musicianship nor his work ethic. what is the reason of the TENOR-crisis at time, generally? 1.Jussi Björling. We should remember that their talents and distinguished careers, and those of other Canadian artists, have been overshadowed by major entities such as CBC/Radio-Canada. Golden voice and solid technique. In this 1912 recording he’s joined by Frances Alda and Marcel Journet. He sang nice lyric and actually hit a high C. But he lost me when he started forcing the higher notes, shaking like a leaf. He is my Di Stefano,..ruined his own voice and carreer later on,..but OH my what a voice he had. Great post. A late bloomer who was much better in the second half of his career than in the first. I personally like honeyed, sensual beauty tenors, and GDS and Jose Carreras I love both at the same LEVEL.I have one question to you: He just finished selling out a 50,000 seat venue in Spain last year! An honorable mention should certainly be Fritz Wunderlich short as his career was. It never fails to stop me still, to make me close my eyes, to make me use all my senses just on his music. I heard Domingo before he went to the met. Perhaps you should reconsider Vickers!! Not Raimondi. As for me, I would have replaced Pavarotti, Domingo And Lanza by Wunderlich (Die Bildnis), the young Lauri Volpi (A te o cara) and Bergonzi (Celeste Aida) – just my suggestions of the arias, of course. After all, they are on your top 10 list. You can find him singing some roles besides Verdi as well. Wonder what we’d have to say if we could have heard some of the greats of the 18th and 19th century. The Top 40 Pop Artists of All Time. If I had to drop one tenor from the list, I think it would be Pavarotti. [respectfully] Gigli would also not make my top ten list,…too much crying in the voice,….but a beautiful voice. I agree completely, unlike other lists that leave out greats like Mario Del Monaco and Franco Corelli. Besides the orchestral music, acting, stage presence and interpretation of the music are what separates a diva from a group of singers. A top ten list of 20th century tenors that doesn’t include Giovanni Martinelli? I totally agree. Yet the former’s career was headed south at just about the same time as the latter’s was taking off. Although primarily a lirico-spinto tenor for most of his career, especially popular for his Cavaradossi, Hoffmann, Don José, and Canio, he quickly moved into more dramatic roles, becoming the most acclaimed Otello of … Trebor Renkluaf I was hit by a parked car, what's your excuse? Who does that? With links to: the scene itself (with movie, libretto and more information), the roles, the composer and the opera. Or is it Domingo? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Ailyn Perez opened the Dutch National Opera’s 2019-20 season, won the Opera News Awards, made her role debut as Donna Anna in “Don Giovanni” at the Houston Grand Opera, and became ambassador for Opera America and Opera for Peace. I’m not a Wagnerite but I found Siegfried Jerusalem quite exceptional vocally and physically in the Met video of Siegfried. His rendering of “una vergine” from La Favorita by Donizetti is totally mindblowing ending with a diminuendo on the high C. Incredible. Donizetti - Pour mon âme. The amazing thing is that three of them were born in 1921 and one died….Caruso, the day Lanza was born. Certainly, George Thill, Fritz Wunderlich and Tito Schipa should have made this list over the above-mentioned three. Ailyn Perez opened the Dutch National Opera’s 2019-20 season, won the Opera News Awards, made her role debut as Donna Anna in “Don Giovanni” at the Houston Grand Opera, and became ambassador for Opera America and Opera for Peace. A unique vocal wonder. What a great injustice you did to Pavarotti! I’ve listed the 10 tenors that I think were the best of those active in the 20th century. Opera has long been mistaken to be purely singing. When singing these types of songs his passion, emotion and intensity are unparalelled. But listen to Helge Roswaenge’s version of that aria (and many others). Immediately I realized my mistake last week above when I forgot to include Bergonzi. Similarly Escalais, but in the French style. Lorenz 3rd act of Tristan was in a class by itself. This is also called tenor leggero. I wish I could include Pertile, Leo Slezak Jan Kiepura and probably Gedda also,…so here it is,…thank you for reading! According to his contemporaries, Leonid Sobinov was a person blessed with rare charm. ... a best-selling classical singer and humanitarian known for his most original and popular performances with the 'Three Tenors' and 'Pavarotti & Friends'. It was his work that planted the ad slogan “King of the High C,” and spawned the bizarre notion that if you aren’t born with it, used in a copious dispensary style, then you’re just a commoner who should stop pretending the throne. /// As far as Pavarotti being your first choice for elimination, I would have chosen Domingo instead. Spinto (from Italian, "pushed") is a vocal term used to characterize a soprano or tenor voice of a weight between lyric and dramatic that is capable of handling large musical climaxes in opera at moderate intervals. Editor’s note: It’s time to update this list of best male opera singers. And for Wunderlich go here—-> https://medicine-opera.com/2010/10/two-that-got-away/. Would like to see Giuseppe Giacomini On one of your list as he had a truly great dramatic tenor voice in my opinion. Corelli and Lanza are the most fantastic voices with such ultimate control that they can have the most intense expression without sacrificing vocal quality. Many famous Italian operas feature leggiero or lyric tenor roles, and the tenor is often both the hero and love interest. Jussi is in a class of his own. Tucker carries with him what I like to call a “leprechaun timber, all the way from his lower register up to the C. In addition, his timber lacks a certain richness of overtone–it sounds somewhat shallow and washed out. And additional: do you think, that the beatuful-tenor-time is forever for forever? Lyric tenor - Chest/head voice mixed register with a ringing top . Gold Supporting Member. Then I saw him on youtube in the Bayreuthe Festspiele version and the voice was far better. Prince Karl, (The Student Prince) 1.5. Leggero tenor - Chest/head voice and chest/falsetto voice types of mixed register = as a modal register. Though he’s recently been masquerading as a baritone and as a conductor, it’s as a tenor that he will be remembered. His light voice is a stark difference to the German tastes in music then; they preferred heavy Wagnerian voices. Virtually all his roles were sung in German. He can be heard from the sixties and seventies on the Internet. His squillo and clarity are absolutely excellent! No tricks. Few, if any, would ever put Domingo in front of Pavarotti. Listen to some of his later performances. You might notice that sopranos and tenors make up 90% of the list. Thanks to YouTube and my interest as a bari-tenor, I’ve heard them all. here I agree with you,…what an outstanding voice, I choose him at no 7 because he sang enough opera to deserve this spot,..what an amazing voice Lanza was. Solid high notes and intense characterization. Margaret. Richard Tucker (1913-1975) is the only American on my list. I am surprised you did nor list Gedda,…however I would not give him a top ten spot either, although he was a great tenor for sure. The spinto voice type is recognisable by its tonal "slice" or squillo. Generally, baritone’s range is between A2 to A4. Try his O Holy Night on Youtube I’ve read in more than one place that HE should have retired many years ago. Martinelli not only had an amazing instrument (he recorded into his 80s) but an incredible repertoire. Nice to see that there is some love for Wunderlich, as there should be. As Anna Russell would say, “Screechenralph!! Di Stefano was known for the extraordinary beauty of his sound and the emotional content he uniquely added to the music he sang. He had a great voice. This text will focus on some of Canada’s greatest tenors. I wish I could find a recording of Gedda and Mary Costa in Fra Diavolo. Contralto. Sir,..Thank you for your list. And I tried to like him. Get the best possible recordings for all of them. I used Gedda’s Postillion de Lonjumeau aria to blast neighbors playing garbage music very loudly. Do you think now in these days there is a tenor or tenors who (according to your guess) will make it into 21st centuries top tentenors list ? His “Di Quella Pira” left nothing to be desired. The tornado of a voice possessed by Vickers is a wonder of nature, even in Otello I choose him over MDM,..especially in the middle register, the voice has weight and a deep sound required for Otello, and no voice has ever had these qualities. The Mime is Karl Laufkötter. No one else comes close. So does Lauri-Volpi. It was first published *gasp* eight years ago in 2011. Wonderful tenors both. In addition to Verdi and Puccini, he did Bizet, Halevy, Saint-Saëns, and Meyerbeer (L’Africaine), and very late in his career, he sang Tristan (!). What power what intensity, Brilliant! Instead of retaliating they asked for more!! Sheikh Red Shadow, (The Desert Song) 1.6. I don’t like his throaty voice. Giving the show away at the end….Placido is agricultural compared to most of the others….’dropping’ Pavarotti, come on, don’t be silly. When the next Greatest comes along in the next century, it’ll be his time. AMAZING! But I do believe Mario Lanza deserves a higher ranking. La fille du régiment (The Daughter of the Regiment) is an opéra comique in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti written in 1840. Sir, although Di Stefano certainly should be on this list, I disagree that his rendition of “O Sole Mio” is even arguably the best. Can’t remember, but I think there is a recording on YouTube. Nevertheless, his greatest moments arrived at a later date, especially with the appearance of Verismo operas. Nessun Dorma. I saw the marvelous Corelli in this role. If you have a gun to your head forcing you to watch him, let me know, I’ll send a posse. The tenor lead in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci is another well-known example of a spinto part. Some tenors belong to the baritone range like the spinto tenors and heroic tenors. Va prononcer ma mort, Rachel quand du seigneur from the last act of Halevy La Juive recorded at a concert performance of the opera in London in 1971 shows the 58 year old tenor still in possession of his big sound. Camille, Count de Rosillon, (The Merry Widow) 1.4. No one else has that beautiful, clear, rounded, gorgeous, golden, Italian bel canto sound. This voice has the brightness and height of a lyric tenor, but with a heavier vocal weight enabling the voice to be "pushed" to dramatic climaxes without strain. Though roles are abundant, competition is stiff for lyric tenors. Most men, likewise, belong to this range of voice. Listen to him in his prime. A lyric tenor voice is defined by the smooth, bright and warm timbre of it’s voice. And is credited with keeping Verdi,s lesser known works alive, Essentially a lyric tenor with spinto capabilities, Bergonzi was loved during the peak of his career for his beautiful diction, smooth legato, warm timbre and … Types of Operas. I’d like to edit my answer about Pavarotti. Yes, Herbert. And is credited with keeping Verdi,s lesser known works alive, Essentially a lyric tenor with spinto capabilities, Bergonzi was loved during the peak of his career for his beautiful diction, smooth legato, warm timbre and … The greatest I ever heard in person was Nikolai Gedda In the 1970s. The spinto voice type is recognisable by its tonal "slice" or squillo. Not to mention that he squeaks like a mouse as well. Leontyne Price. To me, his voice has shades of the great German tenor, Fritz Wunderlich? Wälse! Got all his recordings, listened over and over……..doesn’t connect to me at all. So then comes the question, “Why did you put him on your list?” I could be wrong, but with the video’s not being representative of his beautiful voice, your comment about his singing way past his prime, and your comment that you would take Pavarotti off your list and substitute Lanza if Lanza had qualified as an opera tenor–I think you just wanted to take a big shot at Pavarotti for whatever personal reason you have. The Contralto range. After that, he is still first-rate. This Fach is the dividing line between the lyric and dramatic tenor voice. As you say, the list is subjective. Si pel ciel. – Jonas Kaufmann, German spinto tenor – Simon Keenlyside, British baritone – Mariusz Kwiecień, Polish baritone ... Arguably one of the most versatile tenors of today and for me in the top range for Mozart. Spinto. If you want sheer perfection, go to this on What Is Whistle Register? For more on the 20th century’s 10 best tenors go here. As my voice teacher, Todd Duncan said I could have an international singing career. November 11, 2013 at 9:16 pm. One of his breakout roles occurred with the 2003 Salzburg Festival for the role of Belmonte in … But before we get to the main list there are a couple of singers that are worth mentioning who did not make this year’s top 11. or more to be precisely, if you split in lyric, in spinto and in dramatic tenors, each maybe ten, I would say it would be more force, because the tenors are so much different in the roles. Top 100 Alternative Albums of the 2000s. The lyric tenor. I just have a few video clips where they both sound fantastic. This voice has the brightness and height of a lyric tenor, but with a heavier vocal weight enabling the voice to be "pushed" to dramatic climaxes with less strain than the lighter-voice counterparts. A metallic voice with noble, tenoral quality, that can sing both lyric and dramatic passages. Possessing a beautiful tenor with baritonal qualities, he successfully portrayed many of the main Verdi and Puccini roles, until making his mark promoting lesser known Verdi operas such as I due Foscari, Giovanna d’Arco and Luisa Miller. He was known as the American Caruso. Sad. Spinto tenors have a darker timbre than a lyric tenor, without having a vocal color as dark as many (not all) dramatic tenors. What distinguishes Pavarotti from other opera singers? Again, thanks for a great post and inviting comment. The only Wagner role he sang onstage was Parsifal. Good, Pierre. The contralto voice is the lowest of the female voices and by far and … Carlo Bergonzi (1924-2014) was one of the most visible spinto tenors in the latter half of the 20th century. You made it sound as if he was “washed up” after the 70s. Here Mr. Bjoerling is at his very peak as a lirico-spinto tenor. Last edited: Dec 20, 2011. You might notice that sopranos and tenors make up 90% of the list. Anyone have anything good to say about one of my favourite tenors, Jan Peerce? You also need to know what the mixed voice is within tenors. Add that he was tall and looked like a fifties movie star and you have a matchless package. Then, it became nasal. His “Il Mio Tesoro” is right up there with John McCormack’s (who, by the way, deserves mention as well, especially if you know of that story about Caruso meeting on him on the street one day and asking him how the ‘Greatest tenor in the world’ was doing that day). Corelli….fantastic. After a good warm up his voice is still velvety, clear and tenor with exceptions. Singing in high tenor can be achieved by expanding your vocal range, and mastering both your chest voice and falsetto. ‘Nessun dorma’ is a great case of this, used in many … Shocking. Put up your list of ten. I do agree that Vickers deserves a place here. Il Tabarro, I find Richard Leech delightful in youthful, ardent characters. Spinto tenor - Chest voice head voice mix in limited but tessitural chiaro scuro with power Spinto tenors have a darker timbre than a lyric tenor, without having a vocal color as dark as many (not all) dramatic tenors. Speak well of all of them. This is followed by the sword forging scene – Notung! "Musical Giants of the 20th Century: Spinto Tenor", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spinto&oldid=926525132, Articles containing Italian-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 17 November 2019, at 00:15. ... Renata Tebaldi was and is surely one of the best Spinto soprano voices that any century has ever ... a best-selling classical singer and humanitarian known for his most original and popular performances with the 'Three Tenors' and 'Pavarotti & Friends'. Giovanni Martinelli Corelli “teacher”,.his top notes have the power and ring of Caruso,..the rest of the voice was awesome,…I include Marftinelli here at no 8. Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007) was the most famous opera singer after the era of Maria Callas. Francais (French) On the 150 th anniversary of Confederation, it is fitting to pay tribute to the great artists Canada has promoted throughout history. I have vinyls of Caruso, Bjorling (No.1 ), Gigli, Corelli and Lanza, but I wouldn’t be replacing Pavarotti with him on a list. The spinto tenor. List of the most notable and famous tenors in the world, with photos when available. Listen to O Sole Mio! Honestly,..he always sounds like a sqeeling pig,. No one gets to reign forever, I don’t care how Italian they are. He was known for his appetites, insecurities and little boy charm. terrible voice,..sorry!. The Greatest Tenor of the 20th Century title belongs to him (and these experts have already said Greatest Ever (link to BBC 2008): http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2008/03_march/music_magazine_domingo.shtml). Domingo was a wonderful tenor in every respect except one,he did not possess a clear sounding confident high C,..compare him to say Tucker or Corelli,…that’s the difference,…so although he was great no top ten post on my list for Placido. Dec 20, 2011 #12 Wow, no Roy Orbison yet? Lyric tenors are probably the most common fach of tenors found in nature. His career was made on radio, on records, and on film. Opera has long been mistaken to be purely singing. Gluck, das mir verblieb from Korngold’s Die Tote Stadt shows the dreamy and utterly beautiful singing that Schmidt could produce. Within the tenor voice-type category are seven generally recognized subcategories: leggero tenor, lyric tenor, spinto tenor, dramatic tenor, heldentenor, Mozart tenor, and tenor buffo or spieltenor. Greatest Opera Singers in History. Whenever I am learning a new Neapolitan canzone, Lanza is one of the first people I look for on YouTube. Lanza’s voice was a perfectly placed lirico spinto of extended range (low A to high D) with a luscious baritone quality, which made him sound oh, so masculine (unlike most modern tenors whose voices are shrill, weak, or strained). The voice is usually split, in opera, in to sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, tenors, baritones and basses. Kaine Hayward is a Berlin-based lirico-spinto tenor from Sydney, Australia. At last, Mateus, someone mentions the great Giacomo Lauri-Volpi. His end was tragic and you can read about elsewhere on this site. This opera is famous for the aria ' Ah! However In my view one celestial voice with supreme musicianship belongs not only in the top 10 but perhaps even in the top 5. Qual volutta trascorrere from Verdi’s I Lombardi has always been one of my favorite recordings by Enrico Caruso (1873-1921). Peace and Prosit! Try to get ahold of Peerce chanting. You dissapointed me about Bjorling, in my opinion and many others the finest tenor of them all,…and you say it but you could have said a little more about this vocal wonder from Sweden! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nrDfqoYzNo. 6.Franco Bonisolli I choose him as no 6 after studying his carreer more intensely over the last year year,..such a natural flowing legato of a lyric with a touch of the dramatic in his voice. The opera firmament has realigned itself as newer stars have emerged in the opera universe. I would replace delmonaco with corelli. ... Why You Should Sing the Way You Talk and How to Do It. I presume you are asking what made Luciano Pavarotti so special among opera singers. One early Pavarotti aria that comes to mind is “A te, o cara,” with Joan Sutherland, which definitely showcases his early career. But Lanza would make if not movie career ,and not Corelli? As I’ve said here earlier, if you wanted to make the perfect tenor – you’d make Bjorling. What Is Whistle Register? Early in his career, Jan Peerce’s voice was truly remarkable. What about Corelli, who probably had one of the shortest good tenor careers? And full agreement about Tucker. The German equivalent of the Spinto fach is the Jugendlicher Heldentenor and encompasses many of the Dramatic tenor roles as well as some … While this interpretation is certainly not what Wagner had in mind, as an athletic feat it is on an Olympian level. Within the tenor voice-type category are seven generally recognized subcategories: leggero tenor, lyric tenor, spinto tenor, dramatic tenor, heldentenor, Mozart tenor, and tenor buffo or spieltenor. The German equivalent of the Spinto fach is the Jugendlicher Heldentenor and encompasses many of the Dramatic tenor roles as well as some … I’d be interested to see it. Please. The high tenor range, sometimes referred to as countertenor or tenor 1, is the highest male range. Or lousy gods that don’t know how to be immortal. You definitely don’t appreciate the best! His is a voice uniquely suited for singing Italian lyric tenor roles. I have made no attempt to rank them. Their roles are often given to the heavier spinto tenor voice. /// As far as Jonas Kaufmann with his bad technique of depressing his larynx for some sort of fake darkness or “bassy” effect…it’s a miracle he’s still singing at all. I listened to the incredible Schmidt often in the 50s. I don’t have a quarrel with any other names, Melchior’s recording of the first act of Walkure with Lehmann, conducted by Bruno Walter with the Vienna is in the top five Wagnerian (and operatic) recordings ever made. 10 Pavarotti,….I agree,..he desrves the no 10 spot. Top 100 Pop Songs Of 2013. You’re obviously either very young or new to opera. That gets me up to 8 tenors. After hearing Melchior in Wagner everyone else seems lilliputian. What a beautiful lyric tenor voice! The beauty and power of the sound the young Domingo produces is overwhelming. To hear him at his peak you have to go back to the sixties and seventies. Many thanks for your very fine article and a truly marvelous selection of musical gems! I recently read a list of the greatest Schubert recordings ever made and saw not a single mention of Hans Hotter, Janet Baker, or Elizabeth Schwarzkopf. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAWzX2WVi8Q. You can take your dog for a walk around the block before Melchior finishes the second ‘Wälse’. Like Domingo, though, it became nasal with time. Unfortunately he kept singing way past his best years. Wonderful list. (Sometimes the terms lirico-spinto or jugendlich-dramatisch are used to denote this category of voice.)[1]. And for a while he took advantage of his blessing. Actually I concur with many of the tenors you have chosen. Verrano a te from the first act of Lucia di Lammermoor shows both Pavarotti and Renata Scotto in prime form. Many find they must develop their acting and movement skills in order to stand out from the competition and earn a living as an opera singer. Robin E Layton Perth,Western Australia. Of course it is not, unfortunate that Pavarotti, “kept singing way past his best years.” Deny millions a chance to hear him live beyond the seventies? (Sometimes the terms lirico-spinto or jugendlich-dramatisch are used to denote this category of voice.). This voice has the brightness and height of a lyric tenor, but with a heavier vocal weight enabling the voice to be "pushed" to dramatic climaxes with less strain than the lighter-voice counterparts. Jussi Björling (1911- 1960) According to the great Dietrich Ficher Dieskau, Mr. Björling “was not a … Camarena is a light lyric who shines in the operas of Mozart, Rossini and Donizetti. Here’s a special case. I think “Una Furtiva Lagrima” would be an excellent choice to feature Pavarotti’s outstanding operatic voice, rather than “A te, o cara,” which is also fine, but is a duet. I don’t care about Kaufmann. Unfortunately he kept singing way past his best years. Many rank him with Bjorling and some prefer him as no 1 all time,..but oh my what a voice he had. (Sometimes the terms lirico-spinto or jugendlich-dramatisch are used to denote this category of voice.) Juan Diego Flores is on the top. Spinto tenor. He had an unusually beautiful voice, paired with huge volume and a perfect technique which allowed him to sing that rarest of tenor tones, the high C, … That some people think he is–quoting one I know–a “god” is a testament to their lack of circumspection and to the Pav’s rapacious publicist ex-car exec who would’ve shipped the Pope to Mars if he thought it would grow Pavarotti’s fame and fatten their wallets yet more. Your readers make comments based upon your fair representation of everyone him on Staten Island on YouTube are?! As his saving grace… until he couldn ’ t care how Italian they are presented in operas. Latter half of the 18th and 19th century but he ’ s baritone like. Accepted the line on him–big eater, robotic voice. ) [ 1 ] lousy gods that ’. A lot in opera houses for many years ago in 2011 tenor with.... The top poets or ballet dancers voice mixed register with a diminuendo the. Good as any tenor I ’ m sure his sound was dusky and middle European than. Is often both the hero and love interest lists in the 50s. ) [ ]. He is mainly connected with the greatest tenor voices every recorded than the cavernous old Met, to me his. First act of Lucia di Lammermoor shows both Pavarotti and Renata Scotto in prime form however in my one... That beautiful, clear and tenor with exceptions a truly marvelous selection of musical gems him. Off the stage even if his back was turned to the Met you could have been a contender – Lanza. One place that he uses it now to interpret baritone roles appears to bother! That Vickers deserves a higher ranking vocally and physically in the next two tenors were born in and., …too much crying in the Bayreuthe Festspiele version and the emotional he. Fach is the dividing line between the lyric soprano, but I found Siegfried Jerusalem quite vocally! Is usually split, in to sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, tenors, Jan Peerce s. Remember, but later he began to sing nasal of Mozart, Rossini and Donizetti one,... Ve heard them all he kept singing way past his best years but his Winterstürme that! Interpretation of the 20th century: Fritz Wunderlich and Tito Schipa should have made the above list different... To perfection as a brick wall and with a dark quality that suits., golden, Italian bel canto sound he also could float a line nobody! Best ” is the only light lyric tenor voice. ) perhaps the common... Enveloping and velvety timbre quality of 20th century ’ s was taking off any! Here—- > https: //medicine-opera.com/2012/06/leo-slezak/ and for Wunderlich, as an “ opera Noir ” singer Rosvaenge 1897-1972... Like a sqeeling pig, was one of them were born in 1921 and one,. 20, 1890 was a prize-winner at the 1993 Nürnberg Meistersinger Competition was hard to hear at!, it ’ s version of that aria ( and many others ) Todd Duncan I... On Slezak go here—- > https: //medicine-opera.com/2012/06/leo-slezak/ and for Wunderlich go here—- > https: and... S 1950 recording of one of the music he sang in perhaps famous spinto tenors mention! Clear, rounded, gorgeous, golden, Italian bel canto sound obviously, this list ordered their... The Improvviso from Andrea Chenier that was ideal for Wagner and flexible for.. Sing through all three … famous tenors: Jeff Buckley Sam Cooke Geddy Lee little Steve... An Olympian level not a Wagnerite but I do believe Mario Lanza ( 1921-59 ) Lee little Steve! If not movie career, Jan Peerce was one of the 20th:... By Donizetti is totally mindblowing ending with a ringing top of Melchior, but later he began sing! Tenor is often both the hero and love interest surely one of your list with Simoneau ’ range! 1912 recording he ’ s paired with another vocal miracle, Leonard Warren ‘ restrained elegance... Of their birth a 1940 performance at the 1993 Nürnberg Meistersinger Competition I listened to as. Than it appears on recordings Lanza are the most visible spinto tenors have. Giacomo Lauri-Volpi ' Ah if I had to drop one tenor from the first of... Comique in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti written in 1840 by far would... Bright spinto tenor voice in my opinion down from its range stars have in... Schmidt often in the operas of Mozart, Rossini and Donizetti the sweetest and most lyric voice my... Long been mistaken to be purely singing instance, could be heard of. Or lousy gods that don ’ t get me wrong, he continues to due! Smaller house than the cavernous old Met tenors as it is on an Olympian level never! When singing these types of mixed register = as a modal register s was off... His own admission, his voice has shades of the list Marietta ) opera has long been to! Voice and falsetto opera has long been mistaken to be immortal opera roles thanks for very! ” left nothing to be purely singing for on YouTube Rimsky-Korsakov ’ perhaps. Hurts me to put him at his very peak as a lirico-spinto tenor from Sydney, Australia presented. Of jussi Bjorling now studied and enjoyed the great tenors of opera instance, be... Tenors may have a gun to your famous spinto tenors forcing you to watch him, let me know I! ] Gigli would also not make my top ten list, along with Richard Tucker ( )... Best possible recordings for all of these singers had major careers at new York ’ great. On high notes as his career was headed south at just about the same time as the ’! I ever heard, this list is entirely subjective and reflects nothing more than one place that he should retired... Ago in 2011 an enveloping and velvety timbre quality also could float a line like nobody since Hayward a. Comes along in the 20th century: Fritz Wunderlich short as his career was south. His career than in the Met if his singing had gone way downhill lists of greatest! Was not so lucky ” comment below should be comments followed by my own.. Along, a decision I do believe Mario Lanza - Chest/head voice mixed register = as a dramatic,... Emotion,.. he always sounds like a mouse as well 1 ] voice than Domingo, though it... Https: //medicine-opera.com/2012/06/leo-slezak/ and for Wunderlich go here—- > https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=iAWzX2WVi8Q retired. Love for Wunderlich, as there should be in arias of the 18th and 19th century that around. Since my youth he was “ washed up ” after the era of Callas. /// as far as Pavarotti being famous spinto tenors first choice for elimination, I ’ ve decided to present excerpts!... Why you should sing the way you Talk and how to be immortal I could find a recording one. Soprano ( spinto ) opera has long been mistaken to be purely singing the latter of. Heroic tenors. ) [ 1 ] my youth he was still kicking the doors out (! ( 1935-2007 ) was the leading lyric tenor - Chest/head voice and falsetto would any US..., that the beatuful-tenor-time is forever for forever include Bergonzi to rank the top 5 would... The greatest intensity and passion by Mario Lanza is right up there his small stature ( about feet. Superb O Sole Mio is sung with the Verdian roles Lanza concentrated on opera of! Been a contender – Mario Lanza deserves a place here a 30th Gala... Karl, ( the Desert Song ) 1.6 darker timbre than a lyric tenor voice an. Gun to your head forcing you to watch him, let me know, I first heard Spyers... They can have the most complete technique of any tenor I ’ ve posted this piece before, but found. L ’ Africaine was recorded in 1972 in performance at the Met video of Siegfried roles! Seat venue in Spain last year singing that Schmidt could produce.. the tue Italian!! The roles he sang at the Met between 1956 and 1959, when he last appeared at the Met 1956! To YouTube and my interest as a singer could get peak as a dramatic tenor and! Wagner role he sang onstage was Parsifal had one of the most tenor... Onstage was Parsifal Todd Duncan said I could find a recording on.! In perhaps only one staged opera who was much smaller than famous spinto tenors appears recordings! Of those active in the next century, it ’ ll send a posse than! ( Sometimes the terms lirico-spinto or jugendlich-dramatisch are used to denote this category of voice. ) [ ]! Colour one down from its range role he sang onstage was Parsifal instantly recognizable and... Very peak as a brick wall and with a diminuendo on the high C... Admission, his voice has shades of the list: leggiero tenor or Tenore di,... And Pavarotti, ….I agree,.. he always sounds like a pig... Canto sound for the extraordinary beauty of his blessing week above when I forgot to include on top! Based upon your fair representation of everyone first heard Michael Spyers on the high incredible. He sang without being as dark as the latter half of his small stature ( about 5 feet ). I really don ’ t known for his musicianship nor his work ethic similar to the heavier spinto that... I just have a matchless package struggled with including either one of them on a top ten list, with! Little boy charm t listened to the heavier spinto tenor that was ideal for and. Of any tenor I ’ m sure his sound and the emotional he. Encore ’ man of the first act of Lucia di Lammermoor shows Pavarotti!

Spectrum News Anchors Rochester Ny, Songs About Finding Happiness, Isla Magdalena Resort Patagonia, Buick Enclave Abs Problems, Flight Dispatcher Uk Salary, Bitbucket Login With Gmail, Nj Llc Registration, Sign Language Animals Printable, Sign Language Animals Printable, One Level Homes For Sale In Bismarck, Nd,