Franco CORELLI and Birgit NILSSON on Sweden TV show

[@FelipeViannaNutriUFRJ]

The only tenor who could sing with Nilsson without being swallowed by her monstrous voice. Amazing!!!

[@ozielich]

Yet he was in Turandot at the Met!

[@FelipeViannaNutriUFRJ]

@@ozielich The best Turandot and Calaf: Nilsson and Corelli... Hehehehe'

[@bharp4390]

In spite of his status as one of the greatest tenors in history, he was a very humble man. Extremely likeable person. Bravissimo Franco.

[@billobrien5118]

@Enoch Tse I think his wife, Loretta, often spooked him and was always sitting in the wings ready to criticize Franco at every opportunity. She was disliked by other singers for her tendency to interfere and yes she did ruin a few projects along the way. In '64, Franco was set to do an album of duets with Maria Callas. They got as far as the AIDA which wound up being the only take surviving. Mrs. Corelli had a COW about something so she pulled her hubby off the project. I think she was harboring jealousy re: Maria because Loretta began singing tiny roles in Italy though her career went nowhere - then she found Franco and the rest is history.

[@vincentfrisari9395]

P⁰]

[@gregsolovieff6711]

@@billobrien5118Some say his wife on net enhanced his career; who knows; he was VERY high strung/temperamental/anxious. I’m sure the marriage had difficulties. Performing at the level he performed is fraught with challenges!! God bless him for sharing his incomparable gift with us in spite of all the difficulties for him personally.

[@leslieackerman4189]

And more handsome than the competition!

[@TimothyJonSarris]

@@billobrien5118a tenor ( teacher of mine) who often had to cover Corelli’s performances, spoke about the fact that the wife of the Italian tenor did not make things easy for him. He also said that she was Gobbi’s ex-mistress, but that is another story as are the rumors that Scotto spread about he and Bastianini.

[@voro5527]

Franco Corelli had the essence of timelessness. His voice was hard as diamond and ductile as gold.

[@mariaruskova6054]

Not even at the peak of his career, Corelli could fit all of today's tenors in his pocket. All of them, in a single pocket. RIP, Maestro, you will be remembered.

[@towmlvb3423]

I do not think he would have wished to so soil his pocket.

[@SagEinmalAmore]

Many of them are not worth even his pocket, indeed.

[@DinoZ-t1r]

100% correct. Corelli's era had an incredible mixture of legendary tenors.

[@axelino_]

This is so touching to see the reaction of Birgit Nilsson when Franco Corelli starts singing from the background. You can really see and feel how happy she is hearing and finally seeing him again. Two titans of opera giving us a little insight into their relationship. So much was written about the competition and there was one as Franco confirms but you can see that it was a healthy and friendly one. I have seen the first 30 seconds now 4 times and always had tears in my eyes. What would I have given to hear Franco and Birgit live. But thanks to both of them for the wonderful moments they provide via their recordings.

[@flannerymonaghan-morris4825]

You can tell that the two are/were good friends. Their chemistry is off the charts!

[@ancamg]

Franco looked so handsome and elegant even when he was old. His voice:Niagara of tenors.

[@wotan10950]

What a treasure! I never saw Corelli onstage, but I did see Birgit several times. I even met her once. She was so happy and lovely. And she wore sensible shoes!

[@desperatehell]

Oltre ad essere bellissimo, aveva una voce paradisiaca. Estensione e potenza, profondità e un colore meraviglioso. Franco Corelli rimarrà per sempre nel mio cuore.

[@hakonstrong-stomp8155]

My goodness what kind of joy you can see in her face when he started to sing and she realised who it is.

[@vinemp]

Like a little girl remembering her neighborhood buddy from childhood. IT. WAS. PRECIOUS!

[@JRSoubasse]

Goodness, I cried hearing his voice and seeing her reaction. Two beautiful people!

[@poptate5041]

Justin, same.

[@ozielich]

me too!

[@gregsolovieff6711]

I cried listening to her, because I could hear THEM in Turandot. They both still sound great here, but more of her vocal greatness comes across in this snippet than his. You hear just a bit of what got people out of their seats for him at the very end of this song he sings here.

[@jairosantanafigueroa4139]

You can see how the nerves and the anxiety creep into Franco as he's talking to the piano from 6:38 onwards. He was a very nervous person, and that took, on one hand, a great emotional toll, but on the other hand, that's what contributed to his virile and exuberant interpretations. Such a marvellous singer. One of a kind.

[@flanplan5903]

However, when he talks to Nilsson, he’s much more relaxed.

[@leonoradelagardie]

Quite right, and people with "nerves" have definitely more insight into life's more intricate emotions and Franco did certainly know how to express these. His romantic beauty added to the reality he expressed n his gorgeous voice.

[@LucasBernalGarcia-w3g]

I think he woold've sung for a couple of years more if it weren't for his nerves. And maybe he would've sung Otello, Rigoletto and Un ballo in maschera

[@corneliuswhite5139]

WOW!! This was an exquisite treat!!🥰 Hearing Maestro Corelli sing stops me in my tracks. He's an absolute wonder, But I wasn't prepared for Nilsson to also honor us with a song. Two absolute giant legends just enjoying the art of singing. God rest them both.🥰🥰

[@giselamarch1994]

A real friendship. I just love this meeting of two Greats.

[@sprezzatura8755]

This caliber of opera singer with Incredible Star Quality and appeal sadly no longer exists.

[@СветланаКоломыйченко-ц1ж]

К сожалению. И уже давно...

[@krrainey77]

KING AND QUEEN

[@secrethandlebelongstome]

Prince and princess

[@flannerymonaghan-morris4825]

I just love the moment when he starts singing, her face just lights up almost instantly. It’s so sweet!

[@marie-jeannevallecalle9991]

Bravo à ces immenses voix merci franco corelli 💕 💕 💕 💕 💕 💕 et merci nilson 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@PinaOliva-dp1ig]

Due giganti della lirica. Corelli sempre nel mio cuore. ❤❤❤❤

[@jlb9368]

Oh my word, I am on my knees as I am watching this! Two of the Olympians of operatic singing!

[@essevikt]

Великий Корелли - tenore di forza - и неподражаемая Нильсон! У меня до сих пор хранятся пластинки фирмы "Мелодия" с записью их "Турандот". Как же это было давно! И в то же время как живо и близко в памяти. Благодарю вас за то счастье, которое доставляло людям ваше пение! Покойтесь в мире, великие и незабвенные!

[@giselamarch1994]

What a delightful meeting of friends.

[@luigimaffei9132]

Credo sia stato l'abbinamento vocale più importante nel repertorio oroico nella storia dell'opera lirica. In TURANDOT i due hanno posto l'asticella talmente in alto che sembra impossibile a delle ugole umane raggiungere tali perfomance.. Era una gara a chi andava sempre più in alto e non c'era un perdente ma due trionfatori alla pari!!!!!! CORELLI il più grande Calaf per colore di voce , armonici, potenza, estensione, squillo fraseggio principesco, il top del personaggio... NILSON.. Turandot per eccellenza, la pietra di paragone nel ruolo. Vederli ancora uniti anche se in abiti comuni, ma sorridenti consapevoli di essere stati inarrivabili, è una grande emozzione. Grazie per questa testimonianza. Beautiful 🌹🙏

[@lz43p15]

Grande commento che io condivido in pieno.

[@shicoff1398]

Corelli sounds wonderful here!

[@道-p2e]

Extremely charming, seems so happy and free, mind and spirit! Not sure which year, but the sound is indeed young...Dream to see both be in Turandot. Most handsome Calaf with large warm wrapped top, and she can clean cut steel like laser beam, nail all to be back of the seat, no matter where seated, even sitting in the back deep corner, cannot avoid her powerful beam. Glorious old days!

[@1kokomojoe]

Both of these singers have 3 a.m. voices, instantly recognizable even if awakened out of a sound sleep. See how quickly Madam Nilsson responds to her long time colleague and friend. So rare today! - I recall a few years back while perusing a Juilliard at Night catalog, a course offered in the music appreciation area was called Nilsson and Corelli. Such was the impact and legend surrounding these two giants.

[@cuestionesjuanmurillo9989]

Enorme cantante. Grande Corelli, y la gran Birgit Nilsson.

[@esterbruno8604]

Come sono carini! 🥰 Due grandissimi cantanti e persone!!!

[@morganchan2465]

What a golden age of opera it was

[@laprimmadonna2341]

Así es…época dorada, años maravillosos…

[@charliegold3227]

Golden age are the 20s

[@charliegold3227]

Golden age is from 1900-1930

[@PBXVIILY]

This is so wonderful, Corelli was a very nice man.

[@ransomcoates546]

There must be a great bond between artists who can look at each other and think, ‘We were the absolute best.’

[@ransomcoates546]

@silver bud Clearly you don’t know a lot about opera singers. Nilsson and Farrell were on a Met broadcast intermission once and the host asked Farrell if she had ever heard Nillson in the theater. She said no. Nilsson: ‘You have no idea what you missed.’

[@ransomcoates546]

@silver bud Who do you think each of them supposed was a superior Turandot and Calaf compared with themselves during the time they were singing? And for anecdotes let’s not forget Milanov to Bing after hearing Freni: ‘Rudy, this girl is wonderful. She sounds just like a young me.’

[@sugarbist]

Many people see a singer in their declining years, but many still show their great appreciation for what the singer contributed in his prime, which in Corelli's case was insurmountable. R.I.P. A great tenor

[@shicoff1398]

Agree 100% he sounds very good here, even being older.

[@道-p2e]

"insurmountable" is so right on him. But Corelli looks so elegant and youthful, his contribution, just gigantic and cannot be duplicated. He has that class, just gorgeous!

[@tinkerwithstuff]

He sounds a lot better than DiStefano on such occasions ;) (not dissing GDS, it is what it is)

[@shicoff1398]

@@tinkerwithstuff Well it's a very different type of voice, FC is more a dramatic spinto then GDS who was a Lyric tenor really, and you must not listen to late GDS to catch him at his best, and some voices do record better then others, I saw both men in house a few times and saw GDS in the late 1950s and later, but they are so different, anyhow Corelli was more spinto then Di Stefano, it's all just whoever or whatever you like, no right or wrong.

[@sugarbist]

@@tinkerwithstuff On such occasions, many great tenors sounded better than one another. Each captivating in different ways.

[@renepaccard7914]

Bonjour ca fait plaisir de voir ces deux grands de l opera un mr corelli superbe et mme nilson superbe de simplicite et toujours tres agreable de gaieté merci pour ce beau moment

[@laprimmadonna2341]

Genial! Bello registro. Corelli gran, gran tenor…era un hombre guapo. Gracias.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Nilsson and Corelli, the greatest Turandot and Calaf in operatic history.

[@Walter1950]

These two great artists together are just beautiful to see and what they gave for unforgettable moments on the opera stage is history that will take generations to repeat.

[@armandobona6487]

Thank you! Thank you! To have heard Franco and Birgit sing together was like being in heaven!

[@道-p2e]

What a class!!! Magnificent and legendary... both, and so much chemistry there, Bravo!

[@chrisbean]

I admire them both, and as I am watching and listening to each of them they seem so much younger. Their speaking voice is so nice to listen to.

[@xxirapax8830]

La reazione della Nilsson quando sente cantare Corelli è qualcosa di fantastico... questi artisti non li vedremo più purtroppo...amici prima che colleghi

[@consubin67]

....purtroppo, dopo loro il vuoto !!

[@xxirapax8830]

@@consubin67 vero

[@jbvivlui4823]

La voix.est loin d'être merveilleuse! il a perdu sa voix très tôt car n'a pas l'air bien âgé.

[@Tkimba2]

Veramente pare che a lei non piacesse particolarmente come collega

[@xxirapax8830]

@@Tkimba2 non si direbbe da questo video 👍🏻

[@mohsenarambon]

Thank you .. Great Tenor CORELLI

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

And great soprano?!

[@道-p2e]

@@xxsaruman82xx87 She is my greatest Chinese Princess in Turandot! Finest laser clean cut voice that nails everyone into the back of the seat all night!

[@vladimirsolodovnikov945]

ПРАЗДНИК ДУШИ ! БОЖЕ , КАКОЕ ВРЕМЯ БЫЛО !

[@luisnorbertogomez7058]

Dos gloriosos cantantes

[@DiomedesDioscuro]

What a lovely lady she was!

[@jontew]

Thank you for this gem. You have given so many people the pleasure of seeing two giants of the opera is such a sweet setting and singing so beautifully later in life.

[@xxirapax8830]

Bellissimo video, bello rivederli insieme, con grande ammirazione e amicizia reciproca

[@WolfgangAPalm-ju9er]

Immortal legends ❤️

[@michaelotruba1308]

Nilsson had such joie de vivre, combined with a voice even Franco Corelli was awed by when performing. I would have loved to have been at a party with her.

[@sfopera]

OMG! What greatness has passed. No one since has been greater.

[@kneeman66]

It's so interesting that his speaking voice is so much different than his singing voice. You would not expect the volume and tonality to come out of him listening to him speak

[@Sacha_Kudli]

Peter Gibbons agree

[@stevenburton7922]

Very true. He is like a formula race car that quietly idles but when you apply the accelerator....holy cow! Look out!!!

[@andreacosta74]

Agree 😂. When he speaks remember to me the little voice of Federico Fellini. It’s almost identical

[@kneeman66]

We are reminded that the tenor has a very unnatural voice and this proves it

[@landras5355]

How lucky we are, that he sang opera and didn't deal with poems... 🤓🤓🤓

[@MrPAPAGAYO46]

El tenor italiano Franco Corelli y la soprano sueca Birgit Nilsson cantaron juntos en numerosas funciones de ópera, pero sin duda alguna la mejor conjunción vocal entre los dos fue en Turandot, de Giacomo Puccini, en la que sus propios timbres eran absolutamente brillantes y grandiosos, y en este programa de televisión demostraron sus impresionantes calidades de grandes maestros del canto lírico.

[@meisterwue]

2:05❤ love them both ❤

[@renepaccard7914]

Bonjour un grand tenor toujours agréable a ecouter et chanter malgre ke temps un grand tenor et une grande soprano tres agreable aussi un duo exceptionnel inegale bravo a eux merci pour cette vidéo

[@giselamarch1994]

This meeting is so touching.

[@TheBaronescarpia]

Unforgettables Artist

[@adrianahear2023]

Grandi, splendidi cantanti

[@susanhilmi8679]

wonderful

[@renepaccard7914]

Bonjour un vrai plaisir de les voirs ces tres grands i interprètes un regal merci

[@giovannicavedon9482]

....Corelli da brivido!!!!! Insuperato!!!! Nilsson: finezza e musicalità assolute!!! 👍

[@simonbrown6441]

He was often very very shy but he is so clearly comfortable to be with her. Even when required to use English. Wonderful friends.

[@carolpaynter8181]

The video quality is really very good, I have watched this before somewhere and it was very blurry. Franco looks really good and he is 60 here

[@flanplan5903]

Wow. 60 years old. Looks more like early mid 50’s to me.

[@maggiedeveney]

Finally! This marvellous interview in a clear format! Just wonderful to get a glimpse of the real Corelli with Nillson. He seems to be delighted to be with her. Thank you so much for doing this magic. I appreciate it so much! All the best from England !

[@georgesoperaworld5898]

🤗🤗🤗

[@michaelotruba1308]

She seemed thrilled to see him, as well, with almost childlike excitement at the beginning of the show when she realized who was coming on. She would have been great to know in person, no doubt.

[@maggiedeveney]

@@michaelotruba1308 the response from both of them was delightful! So genuine. I come back from time to time to bask in the smiles!

[@angr3819]

Thank you

[@Sacha_Kudli]

What a class!!

[@angebrowne1730]

Thank you. Delightful.

[@ridvansadirxanov1503]

MERAVIGLIOSO ! UN GRANDE RICORDO !!!

[@nilsbrownmusic4507]

Two incredibly generous Artists working in very difficult acoustic and performance conditions, post-career. And enjoying the experience nonetheless. Legends Pianist did well on the night. Good host.

[@lieliannenasgy2649]

Molto grazie George's Opera World,video meraviglioso.

[@donquijote9058]

No escuche mejor tenor que Franco Corelli, es increible!!

[@francoterrana4867]

Grande incontro di due Grandi della Lirica

[@bejingmao]

its as if that song was written for HIM! this whole clip is such a treat!

[@KenWangpiano]

Wonderful video! His speaking voice is such a surprise, almost sounds like he would be suited for a comedian role in some movie. Yet his singing voice is so rich and powerful

[@lucianadelpiero7923]

La sua entrata in scena è sempre di grande effetto, anche fuori dal palcoscenico.

[@consubin67]

Nessuno prima, durante e dopo di lui con cotanta regal portanza !!

[@fabriziomariagarzi5534]

Pero' la Nilsson alla radio disse che il suo Calaf preferito era stato Giuseppe Di Stefano.

[@christinemuller4663]

Zwei Herzensmenschen ❤❤.. zeitlos schön Zwei traumhafte Stimmen ❤️❤️….für die Ewigkeit Danke für‘s Teilen 🙏

[@gokouson180]

Wow! First time I heard his speaking voice. It sounds so different from his singing voice.

[@flanplan5903]

Apparently this is quite often the case when people hear his speaking voice.

[@giusizarra9230]

@@flanplan5903la tecnica! Quello che manca completamente oggi è per questo anche i cosiddetti “cantanti” oggi urlano e non si fanno neppure capire

[@Giovis968]

He speak english not Italian ,

[@user-cg6cb9tu2y]

La scuola antica produceva grandi cantanti

[@susanhilmi8679]

a treasure to watch ,

[@DanRobSo]

Thank you for posting this! Good to see this again!

[@raphaelhudson]

OMG i have never heard him speak english with a high tenor voice like this

[@adriand6883]

It was always just the beginning clip I saw. Didn't realize there was more and with such clear video.Yay!

[@lilianeblume7595]

Magníficos!

[@anthonyrussell3626]

Wow, how wonderful to see these two together. Nilsson with that enormous instrument (Corelli is not exaggerating here) & great control (even if many feel not suited to Verdi) & him, actually on another level of greatness & possibly the greatest tenor in living memory (but make sure you listen to the black & white recordings & nothing after 1964).

[@johnhoie1]

Nothing after 1964? Their outstanding Turandot recording was made in 1965?

[@anthonyrussell3626]

@@johnhoie1 You’ve got a point there John, I have to hand it to you! 🤪

[@vladtepes71]

Many thanks for posting this!

[@johnblasiak9331]

Fantastic what a god

[@LiederBrasilis]

thank you! that's incredible

[@MMB.__]

This is a treasure!!

[@laprimmadonna2341]

Absolutamente cierto

[@BulletTaxi001]

Wunderbar!

[@davidsimmons654]

Love this, thank you ‼️❤️

[@angelamariarigoli6997]

bellissimo, grazie!

[@silviabianchera3769]

Grandi.grandi grandi!!!!

[@riccardobarreca8066]

Video assolutamente STRAORDINARIO. Anche perché ci si può rendere conto che sono due persone NORMALI, nel senso che posseggono una qualità maggiore dell'ordinario ma non sono quegli esseri sovrumani che vuol far intendere la pubblicità commerciale. Valore artistico a parte, che qui non è in argomento, resta la tristezza del tempo passato che fugge irrimediabilmente.

[@depressedlarynx]

Mother and father

[@Luifernal6]

Thank you!!!!

[@angebrowne1730]

God should let great singers, composers and musicians be in their prime and live forever. Great dancers also, be they ballet, Ukrainian or whatever wonderfully skilled dance.

[@meisterwue]

Love this meeting, this heartbreaking moment when Franco comes to Birgit .....and in this time Birgit wasn't retired , but Franco already 5 years

[@silvanamodica7655]

Sempre Grande!

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

I love how he finished the song, as Tosti wrote, though the ending is weak. God bless France. The Prince of Tenors.

[@gsgs-ye8ju]

das ist einfach nur wunderschön !

[@MEMORIA1316]

Che bello momento!

[@operaloversabater3690]

Fantastic! What year was this..Late 70’s early 80’s? Thanks for sharing this gem!

[@williamadolphe7921]

Sweden had no idea how good they had it with Nilsson!