Apollo Granforte sings Largo al factotum LIVE, 1932. Insanely powerful Italian baritone!

[@Lemmax-X-exdom]

Maravillosa interpretación. Apollo Granforte fue junto a Tita Ruffo el mejor barítono de la historia de la ópera.

[@eternalmariacallas2283]

He is 46 years here. He sounds so fresh and powerful! Best interpretation of this aria!

[@irelia6044]

40-50years is the best time for a baritone in his life.

[@marcmomus]

Leonard Warren is also superb, although he can’t touch Granforte’s acting skills.

[@ancamg]

Wow what an ID name you have. I love Maria Callas, and Apollo Granforte too.

[@williammorris584]

Such fabulous singing that he could just make an indifferent pass at the acting, but is instead all one could hope for!

[@ПашокТВ]

Sorry,dont like to compare but magomayev is best. Even italians say so. Such prononciation, tons of power,technique and charisma

[@dawnadriennetaylor970]

If only modern opera singers had these skills of singing and acting. It makes me smile with great joy.

[@silverkitty2503]

If only we had these skills :P lol

[@theKobus]

Modern competition culture punishes them for being so creative

[@vitormrmr]

@certified_modernschoolhaterHampson is Worse than spyres

[@Goetterdaemmerung86]

@certified_modernschoolhaterand Jonas Kaufmann 🤢

[@danielabresciani]

thanks.. it.s my grand grand father..

[@diegoreviati5166]

Wow! For real? Hope you had the chance to know him personally. Reading his biografia on internet you realize that he was not just a great, GREAT opera singer, but a great man who built everything on his own starting from the worst possible scenario of being abandoned as a child (according to the sources). He lived to his given surname, Gran Forte!

[@Lemmax-X-exdom]

@@diegoreviati5166 👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@AIdem-ig9fq]

Wow... he's really Gran & Forte.

[@baxedbox]

When I get too depressed, I listen to this.... lift my spirits every time.

[@СветланаЗабаева-я7б]

Фигаро весёлый персонаж..когда поёт Бастианини например я тоже улыбаюсь..Я люблю этого цирюльника почти во всех исполнениях!

[@heatherhall3452]

Awwww 🥰 God Bless you 🙏🏽💕

[@Goetterdaemmerung86]

Same

[@danielleaurora9828]

I was a dam fool. I studied with Jesus Ledesma who studied with him. He would brag all the time about studying with the Great Apollo Granforte AND now I know why. Requiem Aeternam to them both.

[@vittoriomaurinotosi718]

His original name was Apollinare (Apollo in art) Granforte. One of the best baritone of ever. Rip for both, maestro Jesus Ledesma who studied wigh him also in Milano - Italy, and maestro Apollinare Granforte.

[@sanjalukic6334]

Never heard anything better than this.... wooow, what a performance!!!

[@FatiFleur-jn7ky]

Baritone opera singers deserve so much more love.

[@MrTrackman100]

So sad!! This is the ONLY film footage? I want to hear and see more of him!

[@shakhzod8583]

WHO is that one who can afford to dislike such kind of a brilliant and marvelous piece of art?

[@berdiddyberdisberbaboint2763]

Lightlight light a failed baritone perhaps?

[@Tkimba2]

Rossini experts and fans of Bartoli s cuckling

[@dieterhohlheimer]

I would say: jealous people - this is brillant singing!!!

[@IchiganCS]

I have a very special theory... I know it's totally unrealistic, but maybe... in some rare case... Someone clicked on the video not knowing who Apollo Granforte is and didn't like it. But maybe this is a little bit far-fetched...

[@tamazpatarkalashvili2811]

Only an idiot of course

[@MrSkylark1]

THIS IS SINGING. GRANFORTE STUDIED EVERYDAY OF HIS LIFE WITH HIS TEACHER. NO ONE TODAY CAN MATCH OR SING ON THIS LEVEL OF QUALITY, ARTISTRY CONSUMMATE INSIGHT INTO FIGARO AND ALL ROLES THAT HE PERFORMED.

[@leonoradelagardie]

MrSkylark1 I totally agree! This could not possibly be improved on. A marvel of charm and natural talent combined with the utmost skill and a voice from heaven.

[@DANCEYpants95]

the singing is incredible but what truly sold this for me was the performance and acting! much better than others Ive seen singing a song but not playing the character

[@Reno10bon]

Torta Ruffo is a great and perfect baritone.

[@道-p2e]

That kind of sheer joy of performing... he does not need costume nor any staging.. it is superb everything, to bring the House down. Today's voice is half of his, the performing is even less, so pretentious.

[@earthanomaly1]

There are others who sing this as good if not better. Check out Lucas Meachem and Muslim Magomaev for starters...

[@AfroPoli]

WHAT A FIND. THANK YOU!!!

[@SilverSingingMethod]

It proves everything I teach.

[@devonwalter6053]

His acting skills are just as good as his singing skills. From 1:27 to 1:38 he really stays in character while he waits for his que to start singing again. I'm a beginner actor and that's one thing I need to work on is acting behind the scenes like how he did while I wait for my que to start acting my lines or speaking my lines again. He's truly amazing!! Thank you for posting this video!

[@simonbrown6441]

This was recorded where I come from - Australia of all places. Granforte toured here twice in the early to mid 30s. He was an extraordinary talent. Gorgeous voice. Great actor. What a personality.

[@heatherhall3452]

I’m from FNQLD Australia ❤️ Look who’s in control now - the 🏴‍☠️ pirates - it all started in 1973 - Who knew 😱 People need to wake up & take back what belongs to us!

[@Jotaemesg]

No words of praise can match this masterhood. And the orchestra is also sensational. A joy to listen to.

[@alvisebadoero7015]

He was one of the greatest baritones of the 20th Century. Great acting and singing.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

He is one of the greatest baritones to ever live.

[@randysills4418]

WOW!!! I have never heard of this great dramatic baritone before. A very great and exciting performance. Thank you for posting!

[@Verist4]

Sublime! Unsurpassed performance! Granforte is simply wonderful! Thank you for this magnificent historical document.

[@robertwbecker]

Absolutely Brilliant! A true master! Very interesting which vowels he chooses to modify and the ones he doesn't. He knows exactly what he's doing. Not to mention that Sound! I smile every time I here this. His Scarpia is unparalleled!

[@heatherhall3452]

You’re pretty smart mate 😉👍🏽

[@orpheuslute]

i think the real secret to a good largo al factotum is having fun with it. i've never heard a performance of this aria that's stirred me unless the performer is visibly having a good time singing it!

[@PIPEBITE]

I have a collection of his arias and the 1930 recording of Conte di Luna in Il Trovatore (with Aureliano Pertile) was the first full opera recording I ever heard. So I knew him as a great baritone, one of the greatest, being the master of the difficult technique of rubato. But not until watching this video did I know that he was also a fine operatic actor. Thanks for this video!

[@bernardogey8280]

Yes, it really does make a difference when you can see Granforte as well as hearing him. A truly magnetic performer.

[@romearomeo]

Magnifico! Sublime! E che tecnica canora formidabile!

[@voltape]

Unbelievably good - first time I hear (and see) him - it's lucky we have this footage !

[@malcolmrichardson4044]

An amazing treasure, the more so because he appears *not* to be lip-synching. Almost all films of opera singers before television were lip-synched, with only a handful of exceptions, like John McCormack's concert appearance in Song of My Heart. And as everyone has said, Granforte was certainly one of the very greatest Italian baritones, not sufficiently appreciated in the US.

[@suffes1]

Great to see him "live" like this! He is incredible! Best version of this aria I have ever seen !!!

[@321abcable]

He is the best operatic baritone -he is marvelous in complete recording Trovatore with Pertile also great!

[@especiasuy]

This is the first time I listened to him. I really liked his performance but I was too abstracted staring at his gorgeus and elegant hands.

[@ancamg]

His frazing and diction are incredible, and I am comparing him with other Italian great baritones. Amazing recording! I have never heard of Apollo Granforte.

[@buddhistsympathizer1136]

Wow! What a voice - What charisma - Excellent! ♥

[@marokt]

Fantastic clip! It1 so electryfying to hear a real dramatic baritone is this aria!

[@jameslapham4326]

This is my favorite rendition of this incredible piece. What power behind a great voice! Great personality in his performance, as well!

[@dieterhohlheimer]

Who can imagine a better performance? Better singing? Perhaps the people who dislike it have better skills as Apollo Granforte and should try to top it. Good luck. :-)) This film is amazing - !

[@carmenferraioli4861]

Questa è una LEZIONE DI CANTO.....UDITE PSEUDOMAESTRI....

[@bodiloto]

Carmen Frraioli no cara , i pseudomaestri come hai detto tu non devono cantare ... siete voi giovani che dovreste studiare mettendo nei vostri studi tutta l'anima e i vostri cuori ! ma visto che la giovane generazione siete dei giovani pigri e presuntuosi /vi credete più grandi del Dio.../ come volete studiare ?!... mi ricordo che 60 anni fa La Riccardi durante una lezione di canto mi chiese di cantare la cavatina di Figaro 6 volte senza fermami !!! avevo soli 13 anni !!! oggi incominciate gli studi à 22-26 anni quando già io cantavo da anni sul palco Figaro,Posa,Oneghin e compagnia e a 26 anni cantavo Ezio,Rigoletto ... per la prima volta difendo questi così detti da te pseudomaestri perché i giovani negli ultimi 30 anni non lavorate giorno e notte sulle vostri voci ,siete pigri e distratti . ecco cosa siete . il vecchio ps. non conosco il mestiere del maestro di canto, all'epoca ero baritono verdiano. i giovani avete poco talento per la lirica e non vi rendete conto di questo fatto. sono pochi tra di voi che di natura hanno delle voci bellissime,purtroppo loro non fanno parte dei giovani cantanti ''eletti'' ... i giovani oggi di avete YT,internet, allora ascoltate e studiate come cantavano i cantanti dell'epoca d'oro al posto di perdere il vostro tempo prezioso nei ristoranti, nei bar e nelle discoteche ... cordialità il vecchio

[@lucabernard489]

Such artistry just leaves you in awe

[@IRA77GEOTENORE]

IMMORTAL

[@antonioschiavi6870]

In mezzo a tanta gentile potenza, il falsettino FÌÌÌÌgaro come un rasoio... Arte.

[@ronnieince4568]

With the first name if a God and a family name of Granforte you would be expected to perform like a God and he certainly does not disappoint expectations .-simply magnificent .

[@ronalcuricastaneda9969]

impresionanteeeeee que gran voz simplemente brillante

[@auknu]

Thrilling, indeed. Thank you very much for sharing it. Rob in Seattle

[@bastianinifansempre]

Grazie di cuore, una meraviglia!

[@alexandervinogradov4184]

Спасибо! Очень живой и артистичный баритон!

[@cimbassovr]

Di APOLLO GRANFORTE ho già detto in questo "nobile"sito.Siamo nel 1932!!! contestualizzando la performance dobbiamo apprezzare la maestosità della voce e la tecnica sopraffina!!! Grazie Vitellio della RARITÀ

[@silverkitty2503]

This is a thing of beauty.

[@johnward9626]

Glorious! What a voice.

[@dom4638]

What Personality!! I would have loved to meet this man and go fishing with him

[@numetutelare]

Bel timbro, grande scuola, tenuta di fiati impeccabile ed acuti lucenti. Notare il perfetto immascheramento nella emissione della lettera A. Chi ha studiato canto sa cosa intendo , emettere la A con la bocca che sembra emetta una O..... Bei tempi.....

[@bodiloto]

GB parole sante !

[@Ilvermibaleno]

Quella della di mettere la A con la O non è una regola fissa. Anzi, qui secondo me Granforte, che è stato un baritono Meraviglioso (che oggi c'è da piangere) , è un po' ingessato vocalmente proprio perché spinge un po' troppo e pronuncia non raccolto ma chiuso. Insomma spinge coi muscoli della gola. Alcune A invece sono proprio A e tra l'altro sono le più squillanti e sonore. Non è una questione di fare O ma di cantare bene sul fiato. Non è una polemica contro di lei ma mi sembra giusto ribadire che si, esiste una tecnica, ma che il canto non è meccanico ma pieno di sfaccettature e a volte paradossi. È arte non catena di montaggio. Tutto influisce sulla performance:ambiente, aria, acustica..finanche lo stato d'animo.

[@bodiloto]

llvermibaleno bellezza , ti immagini un elefante in un negozio di porcellana ?! di più questo elefante non deve rompere nessun oggetto ,nessuna tazza .... questa e' l'immagine della voce gigantesca di Granforte nel repertorio rossiniano ... fa esplodere con la sua voce Meravigliosa tutto il negozio ! ahahahahahahahahahahah ! lascia le teorie sterili à parte ! per cantare ci vuole di avere tre cose : 1 LA VOCE 2 LA VOCE 3 e ancora una volta LA VOCE LIRICA VERA. il resto come e dove canta il Grande Apolo Granforte le vocali ''O'' ''A'' ''E'' ''I'' ''U'' queste teorie sono per noi mortali ... e loro fanno parte di una parola magica - la tecnica, della quale il mondo moderno capisce poche cose ... Apolo Granforte e' un Artista immortale e la sua voce Meravigliosa canterà per sempre nell'Eternità . cordialità il vecchio p.s. e' una regola fissa e' come ! dipende dove e quando al posto della ''A'' canta la ''O'' e viceversa ,una cosa strettamente legata con l'impostazione della voce... Granforte canta con una tecnica perfetta per la sua voce , è un fatto.

[@Ilvermibaleno]

@@bodiloto mi fa piacere la sua sicurezza. Lei conclude le frasi con "è un fatto", non mette mai in discussione nulla. Approfitta della sua età per pensare di sapere tutto. Contento lei...

[@bodiloto]

llvermibaleno sono contentissimo che avevo provocato i sentimenti di piacere in te... vedi che la mia sicurezza viene della mia lunghissima esperienza nella materia ... conosco il mestiere e anzi vecchio grazie a questo fatto mi sento ancora in piena forma, mi sento à soli 26 anni !... sono un vecchio forte gremito d'energia positiva anche se mi trovo nel tramonto della vita mia e quando canto con i miei giovani amici loro sono molto sorpresi del fatto che dopo quasi una giornata di canto non mi sento stanco mai anche se la mia vecchia schiena ''sente'' il peso del nostro lavoro ... cordialità il vecchio p.s. parlando delle discussioni ... parlando dell'arte lirica e i suoi canoni, sono sempre pronto per una discussione intelligente , umana e semplice tra noi due e' come ! non ci sono dei segreti per me quando parliamo della lirica , conosco il mestiere . N.

[@janetkenny1974]

Bravo bravissimo!!!! Thank you for adjusting the pitch! What a magnificent singer!!!

[@remonannetti4122]

Great to see footage of this excellent baritone who I know only from 78's. Thanks for posting!

[@oldwhippersnapper3]

Beyond perfect!

[@j.pablop.1998]

I'm speechless... What a wonderful video! Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱🇨🇱

[@_mephisto_pheles_]

i like the way that he always makes up a vowel before a word that starts with a consonance. granforte is superb to ruffo when it comes to covering.

[@brianward7724]

Terrific! Hard to believe it comes to us from 1932, just a few years after 'talkies' began.

[@trrill]

The one with Richard Bonelli is from 1928, even! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWLYqqCLq7SahKs

[@Agorante]

That voice and dimples too! That is great danger in listening this recording. Soon you may become one of those opera bores who thinks the only good singers are old singers. It's not true but I can't think of another Figaro this good except possibly Stracciari.

[@bodiloto]

Figaro = Mario Ancona,Mattia Battistini,Giuseppe Danise, Titta Ruffo, Giuseppe de Luca,Carlo Galeffi e compagnia ...

[@Agorante]

I've heard all of them and don't think any of them match up to Stracciari.

[@oldwhippersnapper3]

Yes - I'm jealous. I can't sing a note and I ain't got dimples. Just not fair.

[@jayfogelman]

This is a great performance. I'm in favor of a world that also includes the spectacular voice of Leonard Warren. Check out his Largo.

[@tenore8]

Sorry pal, I guess that I am one of your so-called "opera bores". But I would amend your statement to: "Soon you may become one of those opera bores who thinks the only GREAT singers are old singers".

[@danielamanoeldeoliveira5107]

Que bela voz,não conhecia,meu filho tem 18 anos e adora opera

[@opertutto]

Bravissimo! Thank you for this treasure of a beloved artist.

[@Goetterdaemmerung86]

4:12 like a cannon!

[@joannabosededixon3734]

WOW, this is brilliant! The only other voice I would put before Apollo Granforte's rendition, is that of my now 32 year old son's, age 3, valiantly copying the voice of the dog, a Disney cartoon character, singing Largo al Foctotum🤩!

[@bardassa4029]

It is extremely rare indeed. I would love to know where you found it as there were possibly more made in Australia by the Efftee film company of visting and local performers.

[@patrickcottington2199]

Unbelievably great! My new fav next to Warren. Great video, thanks!!

[@dianeclarke6263]

For me along with stracciari there have been no better baritones very many great ones like battistini,de luca,danise,ruffo, but granforte and stracciari stand out as possibly the greatest

[@blascortes8391]

Grande!!

[@davidcolman1766]

stunning performance! thank you so much for posting.

[@stranraerwal]

Bravo...Bravissimo, Signor Granforte!!!

[@CristianIonita-nm6xb]

Follow his larynx ;)

[@silverkitty2503]

WOW

[@emilgilels]

Wow - Thanks for sharing this absolute gem!

[@williammorris584]

After listening to this and the other few clips, I’m ordering a recording of Tosca. I’m afraid he may spoil every other Scarpia.

[@gemmadestate3216]

Fra i grandissimi baritoni di sempre...come giocare con una voce poderosa, guidandola a suo piacimento...

[@Alessandro-tk2ll]

Fantastico.

[@edmondscott7444]

Marvellous video.

[@ezequielsilveira5658]

Hermoso se le entiende perfecto

[@jl2caliban926]

Grazie mille, fantastico, un tesoro....

[@Cavaradossi10]

Incomparabile, straordinario, grande.

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Magnificent singing and acting.

[@donnrutkoff922]

If opera singers like this had run the governments, WW 1 and WW 2 never would have happened.

[@user-ic5xu4jh6z]

Ein wahres Vergnügen Apollo zuzusehen und ihm zu lauschen! Ein grandioser Künstler, dessen Leben nicht gerade einfach begonnen hatte. Möge der grosse Meister nun in Frieden ruhen! Vielen Dank für das Video!

[@jayfogelman]

Spectacular!

[@danielamanoeldeoliveira5107]

Magnífico

[@leonoradelagardie]

A true delight! Thank you!

[@ivanrainbird2416]

my god you have just blown me away i have never seen anyone this good your in league of your own thank you for putting this footage up on you tube a complete treat

[@vioricabalteanu8564]

Favolosissimo!

[@desatormentandome]

Thanks a lot for sharing! This is REAL singing.

[@nkkbee]

Look at those dimples! Amazing voice!

[@tenorschofield]

MARAVILLOSO!!!!

[@LolCon-jd6zk]

👌👌Magnificent 👌👌

[@martinmariani8974]

Un grande cantante, con una tecnica di altri tempi e con le note al posto giusto... immenso!

[@rafladen]

Una obra de arte!

[@johnbratincevic3634]

Wow. Thank you.

[@anninamarcella8532]

Una meraviglia! Una gioia! Grazie.

[@Jacob-ry3lu]

So insane to hear that instant and massive switch in vocal emission at 4:12 from a speaking level to super dark and engaged. I wonder if 4:10 is what his normal speaking voice sounded like? It’s also interesting to observe how at the very point of change between the two tones, his jaw drops, his tongue retracts, his lips are outwards and oval shaped, and his posture is upright with a slight retraction in his jaw and neck (as opposed to sticking out his jaw and neck)

[@trrill]

You can briefly hear his real speaking voice here at 10:57: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ7bfpaAlNCbppI

[@wiltrudfriesch6781]

I also like 4:12 to the end most, because his voice sounds so powerful.

[@Ignasimp]

@@wiltrudfriesch6781 the last high note in a ee vowel is just amazing, so deep yet bibrant and the perfect vibrato, a very existing sound.

[@antonzimmerling5518]

Thank you for uploading this! One of the great dramatic baritones after Titta Ruffo and before Gino Bechi. Other contenders: Cesari Formichi, Rudolf Bockelmann, Friedrich Schorr (in Germany)

[@badbear3942]

Recording quality seems excellent given the vintage. The power of that voice!

[@Rosangela161]

Fascinante! Gracias

[@giannistsoukatos4205]

The great Apollo Granforte!!!!!

[@RITCHITA]

EXTRAORDINARIO...UNA JOYYA!

[@bodiloto]

divino .

[@HellasItalia4]

Questo giovanotto fa i 100 metri in 6 secondi!!! Veramente Divino!!! Che suoni.... sia profondi e puntati.... Capolavoro questo video!

[@bodiloto]

si carissimo hai ragione ! di più con la sua voce stupenda che aveva lo stesso giovanotto poteva cantare oggi il repertorio del basso visto che aveva una voce molto più grande,bella e pastosa di un certo Samuel Ramey... e di più questo ''giovanotto'' come hai detto tu non era da solo,accanto à Granforte cantavano dei fenomeni tipo : Mario Ancona,Mattia Battistini,Titta Ruffo,Carlo Galeffi,Carlo Tagliabue, Giuseppe de Luca,Giuseppe Danise, Giuseppe Bellantoni,Riccardo Stracciari,Ettore Bastianini e compagnia ... questi erano i tempi d'oro per la lirica italiana... cordialità .

[@lz43p15]

Se non sbaglio ha registrato uno stupendo trovatore assieme al suo quasi concittadino e altrettanto immenso A. Pertile.

[@bodiloto]

@@lz43p15 È vero .

[@lz43p15]

@@bodiloto Scusi se mi permetto ma è vero che lei è stato un cantante d'opera? Se fosse vero lei è stata una persona fortunata perché avrà cantato alla pari o da spalla con i più grandi cantanti di tutti i tempi cioè la generazione dei Corelli, Del Monaco, Bergonzi, Di Stefano e altri grandissimi. Io mi sarei accontentato di fare la comparsa per poter godere delle prestazioni di tali leggende. Con simpatia

[@hwh1946]

Amazing! Every single word.

[@peterschmitz8364]

was für eine tolle. stimme.

[@angolleangolle9697]

magnífico!!!