FRANCO CORELLI SINGS AGAIN PUCCINI TOSCA " E LUCEVAN LE STELLE" LIVE 1955 RARE

In the summer of 1951, Corelli won the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence, earning a debut at Spoleto the following fall. He was originally scheduled to sing Radames in Verdi's Aïda and spent three months preparing the role with conductor Giuseppe Bertelli. However, Corelli eventually switched to Don José in Bizet's Carmen, feeling that at this point he lacked the technical finesse and legato for the role of Radamès. In November 1951, he made his debut at the Rome Opera as Manrico in Il trovatore opposite Maria Caniglia as Leonora. The next year he appeared in operas with smaller opera houses throughout Italy and on the Italian radio. In 1953 he joined the Rome Opera's roster of principal tenors where he spent much of his time performing through 1958. His first role with the company in 1953 was that of Romeo in Zandonai's rarely heard opera Giulietta e Romeo. Later that season he sang Pollione in Bellini's Norma opposite Maria Callas in the title role. It was the first time the two sang opposite one another and Callas immediately became an admirer of Corelli. The two performed frequently with each other over the next several years in a partnership that lasted to the end of Callas's career.
While singing at the Rome Opera, Corelli also made numerous appearances with other opera houses both in Italy and internationally. He made his first appearance at La Scala in Milan in 1954, as Licinio in Spontini's La vestale opposite Callas's Giulia for the opening of the 1954-1955 season. He returned several more times to that house over the next five years, singing opposite Callas in productions of Fedora (1956), Il pirata (1958) and Poliuto (1960).[1] He also notably portrayed the role of Dick Johnson in a highly celebrated performance of La fanciulla del West at La Scala in 1956, opposite Gigliola Frazzoni and Tito Gobbi, which was broadcast live on Italian radio.[1] Other important debuts for Corelli soon followed, including his first appearances at: the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence and the Arena di Verona Festival in 1955; the Vienna State Opera, as Radamès, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London, as Cavaradossi, in 1957;[1] the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the San Francisco Opera in 1958; and the Berlin State Opera in 1961. Among the many triumphs of the decade for Corelli were two highly celebrated performances at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, a 1958 appearance as Don Alvaro in La forza del destino opposite Renata Tebaldi as Leonora and a 1959 performance of Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur opposite Magda Olivero in the title role.
During his early career, Corelli sang in a number of rare operas in which he triumphed including performances of Spontini's Agnese di Hohenstaufen, Handel's Giulio Cesare and Hercules, Prokofiev's War and Peace, and the world premiere of Guido Guerrini's Enea. By 1960 his active repertory included some 30 roles including the title role in Giordano's Andrea Chénier, Turiddu in Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, Rodolfo in Puccini's La bohème, and the title roles in Verdi's Don Carlo and Ernani.
In 1957 Corelli met soprano Loretta di Lelio when she came backstage after one of his performances at the Rome Opera House to get his autograph. They began seeing each other romantically and married in 1958. After their marriage, Loretta gave up her fledgling opera career to serve as her husband's business manager, secretary, public relations agent, cook, and English translator. Their marriage ended upon Corelli's death forty-five years later. (Wikipedia)

[@Altonahh10]

What a treat. Corelli always sings in full voice, needs no tricks, there is no fleeing into the head voice because the piani don't sit. He has mastered his instrument and never sounds like a technical singer, but makes us suffer and love with the characters. Perhaps Corelli really is the best tenor of the last 100 years.

[@feliscorax]

In the rôles suited to his voice, I don’t think there’s ever been a tenor better.

[@makyhsmakyhs6766]

👍

[@lucillebonds2196]

Well, they called him The Prince of Tenors, The Magnificent Tenor for nothing.

[@rosadalessandro4725]

Sono d’accordo ti riempie il cuore di malinconia

[@natalinatollari9266]

Senza il forse!!!

[@SpecialtyHorseTraining]

I saw him in Tosca in the '60's. Huge voice with silvery resonance like a giant unbrella over audience. I melted. Couldn't move. That eternal "vittoria" like an orgasmic shock. And "E lucevan" showing the incredible deminundo with incredible length of breath. Got his autograph too. So handsome!!

[@king31XD]

The desperation in his voice brings tears to my eyes.

[@beatrizas5607]

💚💛/ Yes! I cried a river! PERFECT!!! /June 2022.

[@funwithFred]

I just love the way he sustains those notes. No one sings this aria with such desperate emotion, such anguish, as he, imo.

[@jbloveday9538]

For me, Jussi Björling is the best, especially when just listening, as his voice seems to express the emotion without needing to see him. But I like this too!

[@andrewtom8407]

Franco Corelli has the voice, the volume, the technique, the skill, the passion, and the acting ability, and he is so at ease reaching high notes. He is as unforgetable as Maria Callas.

[@sergiogrimaldi6055]

Divino indimenticabile. Grazie per la gioia che mi hai dato.

[@AchimKGK]

He is the best Cavaradossi of all

[@tonyg.6491]

this is excellent, but no one does it better than signore Caruso

[@pattinicholls3256]

He was the best at everything he did; always a revelation.

[@fredericmirabella5807]

Achim Klotz TRUE !! Forever & Ever.

[@estebanperezdeniz450]

Puccini quedó fascinado con Miguel Fleta, también su interpretación de esta aria de Tosca es magistral.

[@amantedellopera1681]

@@pattinicholls3256 he was good no arguments there but he certainly wasnt better than everyone else seriously, del monaco,caruso, tucker,bjoerling,gigli,and many otheres would disagree with you.in his prime he was great but had tendency to scoop and ended up much like del monaco with a thickened heavy voice that was not nice to hear.for me his chenier was the best and turandot but after that i listen to other tenors

[@katialosito]

Italian proud. Se solo potessimo tornare a questa tecnica di canto 😭

[@natalinatollari9906]

Mio Dio quanto sentimento in questo canto!!!!!!! Divina creatura❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@billsava7150]

The best tenor ever.

[@LeoniaAlba]

All about him is perfection - voice, looks, aura. Somebody called him half god. Oh how I agree.

[@shodanart]

Maria Kozlova Yes, the voice is spectacular and so is Corelli!

[@timtam7626]

Yes he is divine!

[@esterbruno8604]

Remove the _half_

[@carolghebelian2778]

@@esterbruno8604 u

[@SuperDflower]

Only half? I beg to differ

[@strictlycomments]

2:49 The only tenor whose inimitable spinto can put a lump in my throat and make my eyes get misty. To me, he was the greatest of them all.

[@roberta.stefan4203]

Bravo

[@giuseppeamodeo9293]

Senza alcun dubbio

[@carolenewman5180]

Dramatic. Powerful. The best. Corelli magnificent

[@dwighttenorio7800]

Grande Corelli incomparable

[@Prozelit_Alexandrian]

Вот, не вокалист, а исполнитель. Оперный Певец. Щемит же души, а современные теноры совсем не щемят наших сердец.

[@fabiofaranda483]

Just two words: The greatest!!!

[@bodiloto]

divino .

[@colegreen1291]

And he could act! For those lucky to have seen and heard the great Corelli and la divina Maria Callas, I envy you.

[@mariahelenabiscaia7209]

Ninguém canta essa ária igual a ele. Que voz! Que interpretação! Inigualável!!!

[@michaelscolaro2675]

Incredible performance. It brings tears to my eyes and melancholy to my heart. RIP Franco Corelli!

[@leonoradelagardie]

Precisely my sentiments!

[@TheTropicalgirl]

A timeless talent!!!...always be missed!

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

This is out of this world. And he is so beautiful too......!

[@KatieKaboom21]

oh my goodness, I could hardly bear his agony.

[@ca2082]

I'm a classically trained pianist, and luckily my instructor empharsized listening to all types and styles of music. I fell in love with Puccini, and my favorite opera is Tosca. I don't know why I've only learned of Frano Corelli...I didn't train for very long but I feel like I have to catch up. What I love that sets him apart from the rest is his performance is full...his expression, his voice is an extention of his performance. You feel it...he's not thinking of his technique and performing with emotion....honestly, blown away. I've seen a lot of opera singers...he's definitely the best. 4:25 where his voice rises then falls sweetly and softy mixed with the magnitude of this scene brings a tear to my eye.... brilliant

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

Very well said, I do think Corelli was the most emotional singer alongside Mario Callas.

[@mariagraziagottardelli551]

Avevi 34 anni eri talmente bello che tutte le donne avrebbero desiderato un tuo sguardo.La tua voce incantevole rimarrà per i tempi futuri.Grande, immenso Corelli

[@natalinatollari9906]

Struggente come nessun altro..... Superbo interprete. Unico e solo!!!!!!!!!

[@gemmadestate3216]

Che interprete completo é stato Corelli! Non mi stanco di ripeterlo:quest'uomo era nato per l'arte,a tutto tondo...

[@11calman]

Yep, this guy had lungs of iron, Just loved his voice

[@mortalclown3812]

His voice must've melted the entire audience when he was singing live.. plus he's an Adonis. I'd only heard him prior to this. Thanks for this upload... for all of them, actually.

[@creutzfeldtjakob7]

Oh my god where do you find a movie star looking man with that level of talent!

[@feliscorax]

Allow me to introduce you to Italy.

[@jphubert]

He captures the grief a man must experience when he is sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit and while desperately wanting to go on living, must die. The tragedy/helplessness he conveys in this aria is simply overwhelming. I have heard many others perform it but never as convincingly as this. Thank you so much for posting this. It is the first time I have had the joy/privilege of hearing it.

[@kellerdavidz]

I think one of the reasons I first fell in love with opera was exactly how actors can convey emotions that make me feel and partake of their grief, joy, their humanity. It's sad that this is something hard to find in opera singers. This short video hit the core of my emotions.

[@feliscorax]

@@kellerdavidz That’s because, almost uniquely amongst the other greats, Corelli actually knew how to act. His heart bled on stage and his singing gave it voice.

[@sabinewee_3D]

Divino♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@autumnleaves2766]

As someone who knows nothing about singing technique, it just strikes me as brilliant. He has power, passion, control, good diction, good acting skills, it is all there in one splendid voice. Somewhere else on KZbin I noticed the result of a poll amongst listeners to a specialist opera radio station, and Corelli had been voted the best tenor ever by about 30% of those taking part, I am beginning to understand why they voted that way.

[@maggiedeveney]

Autumn Leaves amen to that.

[@WAKirsten]

Thank your sharing your insightful observations. I am a singer (mezzo soprano, perhaps lyric soprano I may be duscovering) & this performance strikes me just the way you describe it/Corelli. Your notes also sustain my belief in myself in doing art, just as I do & seek to share so many beautiful songs. Thanks!

[@silverfox633]

@@WAKirstenlu

[@silverfox633]

Wonderfull

[@pwg510]

​Allora ascolti in KZbin il duetto del terzo Atto di AIDA con Franco Corelli e Fiorenza Cossotto! Un leone e una leonessa! Le auguro di seguire le loro orme..

[@sugarbist]

This was a great role and aria for Corelli.

[@shicoff1398]

there is another post of his singing this, excellent also, but later.

[@sugarbist]

Corelli said that his diminuendo came natural to him and was something he could not teach

[@jesusalvarezconcepcion1716]

¡¡cuanta pasión sale del alma de franco corelli,extraordinario!!

[@beatrizas5607]

💚💛/ Verdad!/ 19-06-2022.

[@davidmoisesteranperez8386]

¡Simplemente es una extraordinaria interpretación del Gran Maestro Franco Corelli!

[@jamesbain650]

He is not perfect but what singer is.In this role of Cavaradossi,he and Pippo are the tenors who most closely approach the ideals for the giovinezza to emulate.

[@prophetmanasseh]

One of the most gorgeous vibratos ever heard and his pianissimo is so well placed and spins with such a ring wow …. 😢

[@udohaderlein2398]

best and greatest

[@zbigniewbrzezinski8869]

Perfect !

[@miraonorma]

Maestro!

[@danielbonning]

Oh' how wonderful .....................!!!

[@fofinha445]

Tive o privilégio de ver e ouvir este grande tenor a cantar esta aria belíssima no teatro nacional de S.Carlos em Lisboa

[@luanllluan]

E que privilégio?

[@pesniyr]

Grande Maestro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@carollegarand2391]

TALL HANDSOME GREAT VOICE WHAT IS THERE MORE

[@georgealderson4424]

Yes life sometimes seems unfair to the rest of us haha

[@pips1963]

A mio parere uno dei Cavaradossi migliori di sempre. Un grande tenore capace oltre alla voce strepitosa, di avere anche padronanza scenica. Grande Franco Corelli.

[@giuseppeamodeo9293]

Vero. Ma addirittura supera se stesso a Parma il 22 gennaio (o il 21, adesso mi ricordo) del 1967; video reperibile on line e consigliatissimo. Mai ascoltata una cosa del genere e credo mai più ascoltabile. Insuperabile

[@victoriaballard7354]

Wow. Just wow.

[@wmnoffaith1]

What perfection! And I love him even more for the story of his marriage. He meets a soprano backstage looking for an autograph and marries her. They stay married until his death. A devout Catholic throughout his life. I admire people that can become famous and not let it change the essence of who they are. They don't become "Hollywood" or fame. They stay themselves .

[@arnoldamaral7406]

wmnoffaith1 Very rare indeed. A man's man BRAVO Franco. Arnold Bourbon Amaral 👱👴🌿🌹🌍🌏🌎🎶🎵🎼

[@shodanart]

wmnoffaith1 Great Story! Thank you for that! ❤️💔

[@anthonynewey3821]

And she never let him forget that she gave up her career for him . A strained marriage by all accounts

[@judithbereczky4114]

He was one of the most decent singers of his time. Also he knew when to leave the stage, when he thought that he can't give the quality of singing the people were used to. He retired early. Not like some others who lost their compass: Domingo.

[@PippaAT]

​@@judithbereczky4114o

[@minototta6702]

divino!!!

[@enricobocchia5395]

Inarrivabile Unici. Fantastico. Stupendo Meraviglioso. Incredibile. Magico.franco grazie.

Grande, Corelli.

[@giacomofoti264]

il più grande di tutti i tempi

[@giampierone010]

Immortale!!! Sia vocalmente che come interprete!!! Grazie

[@lucianozanella5833]

Inarrivabile

[@francescomazzella5940]

Quest'aria mi ricorda mio padre che non c'è più,la cantava sempre,e cantata da Corelli,un gigante,è per me ancor più commovente...

[@antonisonoufriou2734]

the best Cavaradossi ever!!

[@stefanoceccarelli5781]

Spettacolare il più immenso dei tenori!

[@sandram8750]

Emozionante, grande voce e grande interprete

[@debradorfman1232]

Heartbreakinglybeautiful

[@polskapianist]

fantastic

[@pattipage2122]

Incredible!

[@zambrocca]

perfetto

[@claudiopastorini1177]

Semplicemente grande!

[@marcgiardina4043]

Supernatural power unbelievable his amazing sound ,there is great and then there is greatness he qualifies for both!!!!!!!!!!1

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

MAGNIFICO, FRANCO CORELLI..

[@timtam7626]

Bravo!!! Simply sublime and powerful

[@minervavelez6678]

Cuanta emocion en esa voz

[@Amelia_PC]

Sublime!

[@joseleobardoromeroperez3898]

Un aria muy delicada y Franco corelli se oye sublime, solo superado por Franco corelli en parma. Inmenso tenor spinto heroico. El más grandioso tenor de todos los tiempos.

[@pwg510]

Lo penso anch'io. Ma lo preferisco in AIDA, TROVATORE, NORMA, sublimi opere del Belcanto

[@tommycanaparo443]

Masterpiece

[@Bobrogers99]

This was back when he was practically a kid, and I like his "younger" voice! As Corelli's voice matured it just got better, and he was smart to retire while was still at his peak.

[@fredojoaquim4764]

Corelli is a great tenor who`s voice is pristine.

[@shodanart]

Thank you, Jorge! So rare, indeed. If you had not uploaded this so many in the world would never have seen it. My compliments to you, kind sir! It’s spectacular. This is the best E Lucevan le Stelle I’ve ever heard!! Stunning voice by Corelli! 💔❤️

[@JuGGerNauTT32]

I know it might come in too late now, but I just wanted to suggest you listen to his live version at Teatro Regio di Parma in 1967. The aria was performed at almost half it's original speed. It was a very special night for everyone involved... and as maestro Corelli himself admitted later in his life... he was feeling his best shape that night and regarded it his finest singing of anything, ever. kzbin.info/www/bejne/poOrfn2YhtOKeMU Enjoy.

[@shodanart]

@@JuGGerNauTT32 Thank you so much! You’re right! So late in 1967 and yet as brilliant as I’ve ever heard him!!!!

[@Johnnysaintrizz]

E lucevan le stelle, e olezzava la terra stridea l'uscio dell'orto, e un passo sfiorava la rena. Entrava ella, fragrante, mi cadea fra le braccia. Oh! dolci baci, o languide carezze, mentr'io fremente le belle forme discogliea dai veli! Svani per sempre il sogno mio d'amore... L'ora e fuggita e muoio disperato! E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!

[@sandram8750]

30 ottobre 22. finalmente la Rai ha trasmesso quest'opera della Tosca, con l'interpretazione magica ed emozionante del divino Corelli. Grazie. Da brivido!!!

[@melparker9337]

Today's tenors ought to be shown this to demonstrate how to sing and do it with passion and feeling, something a lot are missing.

[@vale86301]

Meraviglioso ,intenso !!!

[@joseluistarazonarubio282]

El mejor tenor de todos los tiempos.

[@TheDanimal63]

Coincido Jose Luís, el Mejor de todos los tiempos....!!!

[@mariafernandavalleojea3276]

Maravilloso! !!!

[@barney5410]

Magnificent! Bravo!

[@venerarusso3774]

In tutto quello che canta, è insuperabile.Grandissimo

[@ursmue1937]

Mein absoluter Favorit, Kategorie - Tenor, Opernsänger.

[@robertsmale3714]

Brilliant! Bravo! Pure emotion. Vocal control amazing. This is how to sing this aria!

[@quiquerossetti867]

Uno de los más grandes tenores de todos los tiempos. Franco Corelli .Único

[@kevineduardomartinezreateg8939]

el mejor en esta aria

[@marcelpopa8018]

Una voce indimenticabile,una voce insuperabile ,un grande cantante lirico dramatico .

[@johnalce]

veramente stupendo

[@maggy6809]

Apasionado,imponente. Con una voz portentosa. El mejor de todos los tiempos

[@jamesbain650]

I love Franco and his stentorian voice of molten gold but I do think that the young PIPPO has the edge in pura passions in the extraordinary recording from Mexico in 1950!

[@natalinatollari9906]

Si. Il migliore in assoluto. Canta con voce cuore e anima!!!!!!!!!

[@albertodiaz6507]

Mejor Caruso

[@gennarosalvato4161]

Una Grandiosa interpretazione.Sublime!!!

[@giuseppeoliveri8638]

gennaro salvato sono d’accordo, grande Franco.

[@analemosferreira2842]

Maravilhoso !

[@salvatorebruno8772]

Struggente interpretazione ,da brivido alla schiena . Bravissimo Franco

[@user-do8wk3pl1t]

Браво Маэстро !

[@telmopereiradosreis7199]

Corelli, como sempre foi, soberbo, perfeito, incomparavel!

[@tammyjohnson1014]

Dear Jorge, Thank you so much for posting this. I love Franco Corelli and this is just breathtaking...Thank you!

[@johnoregan3494]

ThankYou Jorge for this great live Tosca with young Franco .This must surely convince the viewers why Corelli became the greatest tenor of them all.

[@Walker-ld3dn]

What can one say? This is simply the best. Oh, my.

[@esterbruno8604]

Bellissimo e bravo... Grande Franco! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

Que grande ""Franco Corelli"" ""Ylas estrellas brillaban"" ( tosca.) Estremecedora interpretación, que llega al alma.!!!

[@miraonorma]

Back around 1970, when Mr. Corelli stepped on the stage your heart would sing almost as loudly as his voice. He was first of all gorgeous and his voice and acting beyond beyond beyond. Some critics in The New York Times back then ranted about his high A. Crazy. He was fabulous!

[@TheTropicalgirl]

Truly, OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!🎶🎤 Bravísimooooooo!!!!!👏👏👏👏👏

[@194219742002]

Siendo maravillosa esta versión, sobre todo por tener la presencia personal del gran Franco Corelli, la de Parma 1967.,es definitiva, insuperable. Esa versión está también en You Tube.

[@beatrizas5607]

💚💛/ ESTUPENDO. PERFEITO. MAGNIFICO./ 22-06-2022. Brasil.

[@erichmayr7299]

I never cried to this aria! But i cry alot when i hear Franco Corelli singing it!!!