Incredible acuti - superb operatic top notes - all live

[@lindagan4]

I was present in the Met when Bjoerling sang this VITTORIA. It was November 21 1959. I later waited from him at small exit room and we had a chat. This is my greatest moment of my life in Opera

[@hrh2842]

Oh, lucky, lucky you. What a memory to take through life.

[@enocjordanabi4207]

Wuuaaao

[@MrTrackman100]

I attended Tosca sometime in Nov., 1959, with Bjoerling, Warren and Milanov in the cast. Not sure what the exact date was. I was 18. Could Nov.21 be the date? I believe it was a Fri.or Sat.night performance. Love to know as it is a treasured memory!

[@MrTrackman100]

Just researched the Tosca performance I saw. It was Friday, Dec., 11. 1959. That was the only performance that fall with the 3 singers I mentioned. Memories.

[@stephengoldman553]

I was present too. What a great evening. The three were made 4 each other

[@titimathy1155]

The only tenor that can equally sing with Nilsson is Corelli, what an electrifying duet. And Filipeschi, wonderful discovery of this unknown tenor.

[@johntsoukas8723]

Filippeschi had a CANNON of a voice!!!!

[@hakonstrong-stomp8155]

Dang right and where is corelli in this list anyway???

[@victoremmanuell_ptbr1902]

In fact, Corelli was the only tenor I remember that sang with Callas and Nilsson without being drowned out by the voice of the two powerful sopranos.

[@justintime42000]

It's unbelievable that Franco Corelli was omitted here! Nobody sang Cavaradossi, Radames, Manrico or Calaf better than Corelli, and he could always match Nilsson in power and volume. He also sang with more beauty, heart and passion than any other tenor who ever lived. Nobody had a more thrilling and glorious voice. Not to mention he had the best diminuendo ever. The other tenors represented here were all great but Corelli was in a unique class all by himself!

[@larmun]

Were apparentely dealing with a bunch of anti correlians. Your 100 per cent right I heard corelli with nilsson and callas he matched all of them . He was the greatest tenor of modern times. Nobody else came close . Your not alone.

[@bluebird5361]

Absolutely! Very well said. Pavarotti said Corelli "had vocal cords of steel". He is in a class apart from every other singer. Just Sublime!

[@SpecialtyHorseTraining]

Yes, yes. yes!!! I saw him in Fanciulla, Chenier, Verdi Requiem, and....Tosca with that "Vittoria" that went round the world, and E lucevan le stelle, .... like an orgasmic tightrope. I wanted to jump up and scream "Bravo" but my legs had melted. Got his autograph too. He's far more handsome than any photos of him.

[@cliffgaither]

_Cathy Wood ::_ _when something like this happens, it's obviously not something comprehensive and unbiased -- it's deliberate !_ _when this happens, we don't need the opinions of others, we actually have corelli's voice & the vocal memories he left ; & faces still wet w / tears after hearing him sing 'Don Jose' w / leontyne price, the greatest singer of that heart-breaking character._

[@juanprc10]

"He also sang with more beauty, heart and passion than any other tenor who ever lived." Apparently you've never heard Gigli, Caruso, Schipa or Di Stefano. Corelli himself stated that Gigli had the most beautiful voice. "Nobody had a more thrilling and glorious voice." Once again, Caruso and Gigli, as far as tenors go.

[@john.arnold1860]

The Callas E flat in Aida is iconic but I also love the one she added to the act 2 finale of her 1952 Mexico City Traviata, heartbreakingly fragile and with a perfect diminuendo, never heard anyone else attempt it

[@Jacob-ry3lu]

Zambon and filippeschi's voices are non-human. Insane

[@roberttillman8872]

No matter the criticism, these singers are top notch. Not seen today.

[@hrh2842]

Bullshit! Florez and Kaufmann, for starters.

[@umaratabilgi161]

H R H i watched florez from the vip tickets couldnt even hear him kaufmann not much different swallows his tongue

[@hrh2842]

@@umaratabilgi161 How different our experiences have been!

[@hrh2842]

@@umaratabilgi161 You part of the Carreras claque?

[@umaratabilgi161]

H R H no way but you clearly are a kaufmann craque shame on you

[@operabilia]

Mario FILLIPESCHI is the most impressive and what a handsome and charismatic singer (like Corelli) Legends.

[@mariofilippeschi4855]

trully agree

[@afrofinka]

My goodness, if Lauri-Volpi's recording is from 1957, he was 65 years old... Impressive !

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Bjorling had the most beautiful tenor voice that I have ever heard. As far as I'm concerned, he is the greatest tenor in the world. Magnificent. And Corelli was fantastic. He had a huge, glorious voice.

[@vickiw3335]

Bjorling’s voice is the most beautiful I have ever heard.

[@francescop1023]

Nilsson, Nilsson, Nilsson, e ancora Nilsson!!!

[@CallasfanRecordings]

Callas is simply amazing in this performance - search Aida Del Monaco -Callas Dal vivo 1951 Messico for a great clip of it.

[@angelabender8132]

CallasFan Callas cried before a performance in Mexico with her mother from fear Now I know why

[@stevecampo1618]

I have been a devoted Tebaldi fan all my life. With that said, she is well below pitch on the C. I would have chosen the Bb at the end of 'Pace, pace mio Dio'. In addition - and it's taking a great deal of courage to acknowledge this - Callas' Eb is astonishing!

[@kyleaustin7045]

She didn't. The C is dead-on

[@silvr94]

@@kyleaustin7045 No, it's not. It's slightly flat.

[@hrh2842]

Like Domingo, Tebaldi was always short on top. B-flat was always dependable. Above that, a crap shoot. Nevertheless, a magnificent and adored artist. I grew up on her and Del Monaco. How lucky can a guy get!

[@photo161]

---@@kyleaustin7045 ---No, sorry, she's flat, clearly. It is a beautiful sound, big and rich and flat...as was frequently the case with the great Tebaldi...

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

@@kyleaustin7045 ....ummmmm.......nope

[@valebruz]

Splendida carellata! Filippeschi, magnifico.

[@mdfiras]

They are all humans when compared to Callas. Before she attacks this incredible note with such tremendous power against the orchestra and all the singers one can already hear a metallic voice standing apart from all the singers. Like a volcanic eruption she annihilated everybody. She is literally unique among all male and female singers of the whole human history.

[@draganvidic2039]

This recording is also an acoustic thing regardless of what everyone says. But incredible nevertheless. The metallic ping is awesome!

[@Zva26]

Nicola Rossi-Lemeni's high E at the end of King Phillip's aria (second sample) is absolutely incredible.

[@luanllluan]

One of my favourite performers of all time

[@terrietackett8964]

Bjorling is astronomical! Tebaldi, no words, Bartioni nearly blows my hair off, Nilsson, the greatest Soprano who ever lived, an unstoppable force of nature, Zambon, power and clarity, Filippeschi, his voice is like a sharp knife, bright and clear........

[@RossyT80]

Filippeschi e Barioni...Li puoi ascoltare mille volte,ma è come se fosse sempre la prima! Grandissimi!

[@lll1030]

Filippeschi best of the best

[@SilfredoSerrano]

I think the audience was so happy that Tebaldi got there that they just had to scream in approval!

[@acacia-bloom]

Exactly!

[@rogerpropes7129]

I swear she was very flat and they screamed in horror!

[@machovoce6826]

That would make you very stupid, indeed.

[@rafaelalfonsoq]

Those Filippeschi high C's just got my chakras into perfect alignment lol!! Magnificent!

[@MrStpendouslvforjo]

you did a fantastic job with this! and I agree Filipecshi was extraordinary

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Nilsson was the greatest Turandot of the era. And Corelli was the greatest Calaf. To hear them sing together is marvelous.

[@CallasfanRecordings]

I have to thank you, AfroPoli, for all your videos over the years. They have entertained, but also helped me to broaden my operatic tastes beyond (the still incomparable) Maria Callas. I can't believe it's been 14 years since I commented on this video.

[@giovannispada4970]

Filippeschi grandissimo

[@maurobernardini143]

Si grandissimo nel guglielmo tell ma meno in quella rappresentazione dell' aida in quanto un po calante

[@terencemolnar4133]

The Lauri-Volpi from La Fanciulla is magnificent. I just love it. He was already in his early 60s. There is also on You Tube a live recording from La Scala 1956 with Corelli who at 47 minutes lets fly with it. I checked my window panes for cracks afterwards. Of course, Corelli was only 35 at the time.

[@collecram]

3:40 only Corelli could fight with Nilsson on the C !

[@pieritlyon]

AfroPoli, gracias por ésta original y buena selección de inerpretes de la lirica.. Causa extrañesa que no esté el Gran Maestro Franco Corelli, la más bella e imponente voz e inalcansablemente hermosa interpretaciones, o uno de los más grandes tenores.

[@enriquesanchez2001]

Gosh, thank you so much for letting me hear these thrilling moments - it's hard enough to know just which ones to look for - but even harder to know where to find them anywhere. ♥

[@marcellepesek3038]

Thank you, AfroPoli, for showing us this splendid compilation! It was a totally different era, and we are very lucky to be able to watch the greats of then, and now. Best wishes.

[@yonkoff]

I can not agree that the high B of Giacomo Lauri Volpi is effortless! Believe me - I am tenor myself - I know about effortless. But he is still great singer!

[@hrh2842]

The goal is to make it look effortless. That's professionalism!

[@hrh2842]

….look and sound effortless.

[@umaratabilgi161]

He's around 65 at that recording kind of wobbling check out his earlier records he is sublime

[@llcooljay520]

It sounded very effortful to me.

[@ilecier]

You are absolutely right. I am a tenor myself and also know what effortless means. This one isn't.......

[@ilgattopardo3231]

1:26 - arguably the most beatiful and thrilling tenor high C ever recorded.

[@vickiw3335]

YES!!!!!!

[@MrStpendouslvforjo]

I loved that!! I agree.....there are many great tenors.....but Fillipesci is the ultimate

[@gmmix]

This is a thrilling assemblage of outstanding singers. The poster's obvious liking for Filippeschi is readily understandable--and until today I never heard of the man! What makes this collection so fascinating is that the singers did their particular thing to thrill their audiences...and they succeeded admirably.

[@emma41093]

Yes Nilsson!!!!!!!!! Awesome!

[@lpizzella]

Callas y Bjorling por lejos los mas grandes cantantes de opera de la historia, lo que uno busca en la voz ellos te lo dan, magnificos. Muy bien filipeschi, tambien me gusto mucho.

[@dubbelhenke854]

They sang together at Chicago Opera 1955. Il Trovatore. Critics and audiences were ini a frency and it is considered one of the best performances ever recorded…..or rather it WAS to be recorded but some sound technician flopped….*Crying*

[@vickiw3335]

Immense loss!

[@MrQbenDanny]

LOVED!!! This magnetic post!!! I am not a trained singer or musician, just a fan. That said, I find Filippeschi the most free sound of power, clearly a gift also Bjorling. I replay the Tebaldi several times and sound flat, am I wrong? Nilsson is from another dimension, Lemeni I got chills. GREAT post!!! *****

[@flicfan416]

My God! When Nilsson hits that C, time stops!

[@draganvidic2039]

The one and only especially in this specific matter…

[@Pachinanonim]

Eso solo pasa con Tebaldi.

[@vincebossi46]

Penso che disquisire su queste interpretazioni sia inutile.siamo di fronte a voci stratosferiche cui possiamo benevolmente perdonare lievi imperfezioni e gigionate grazie alle emozioni adrenaliniche che ci regalano.

[@TreblesBasses]

AWESOME NILSSON!

[@hayerwhophtow6700]

Tebaldi n’a jamais eu des aigus faciles, même jeune. Ici, comme très souvent dans ses enregistrements connus, la note n’est pas libre, et la tension tire la justesse vers le bas 2:09 Le DO de Mario Filippeschi dans « O si fatal » est extraordinaire !!! 7:39 Pas seulement cette note, mais toute la phrase et sa tenue. Chapeau bas 👏👏👏 Et quel bel homme…

[@Ramon34able]

Intrigante, ottimo montaggio

[@ethana.8653]

With Nilsson...where does the tenor GO? It sounds like he just stopped singing altogether. That was scary.

he was scared shitless, ran away

[@manolis.799]

It was hilarious. How about Callas? She made the whole cast of Aida and the orchestra disappear.

[@ethana.8653]

That's because Callas probably cracked the foundations of La Scala with one sustained high D. Birgit sang loud all the time, while Maria did not, but when she did...Jesus...Ethel Merman would've shat herself.

[@manolis.799]

Right? When she decides to let one fly, it FLIES.

[@allanwilkinson715]

Birgit certainly did not sing loud all the time. She had wonderful high soft notes that I heard in Tristan.

[@acacia-bloom]

Barioni - impressive and beautiful ring to the voice. Apart from Björling's stunning tops, listen how he hits that bottom note just after the "vittoria", spot on pitch! Most tenors cant get down there after they have emptied their lungs on the "vittorias" and are either terribly sharp or tend to speak the next phrases.. That was definitely no C that Tebaldi sings. One almost senses she is going to be horribly flat because she procrastinates getting up there - she sounds like she is dreading the mere thought of attempting the C

[@DaDooshinator]

Signed on to say EXACTLY the same thing. No one can phonate today after their mediocre Bb -toria. Spectacular singing from Jussi

[@hrh2842]

Del Monaco so admired Barioni he said something to the effect that if he hadn't stopped singing we'd (tenors) be reduced to picking radishes!

[@gemmadestate3216]

La Nilsson,Turandot killer dei tenori,ha trovato pane per i suoi denti con Corelli,eccome!Penso che duettare con lui l'abbia soddisfatta!

[@angelabender8132]

Gemma D'estate La Nilson canto coi PIU grandi tenori del secolo Ne era fiera

[@RRydnew]

Beautiful collection of notes wobbles and all! Thanks for posting.

[@JoanSutherlandFan]

Loves Nilsson notes.

[@Pachinanonim]

2:08 that sound Very HUGE.

[@draganvidic2039]

Because it is and Tebaldi had an amazing squillo

[@esuna6352]

Tebaldi was slightly flat in io quella lama. But holy shit that visceral and powerful thrust with her voice. She isn't the most bright when it comes to pitch, but Give her credit where it's due

[@XPRT10R]

FILIPPESCHI Is FANTASTIC!!

[@machovoce6826]

Tremendous compilation. Many thanks.

[@renettayorka6883]

Thank you for this astonishing selection of masters of the highest and longest notes and your descriptions of each. Quite unique!

[@Tenorliebe]

Beautiful video, and impressive notes!

[@palymusic]

Grazie per aver pubblicato questo video..

[@newdor1672]

Many thanks for this compilation - wonderful and very much appreciated.

[@g_vezz]

One more reason to fall in love with Bjorling.

[@vickiw3335]

Bjorling!

[@terrietackett8964]

The Golden Age of Opera!!

[@antemahoney4376]

When Björling sang the la speranza it sounded like a soprano was singing with him an octave above

[@hermajesty52]

Zowie!!! Thank you.

[@KaptenKlaenning]

Nilsson and Björling together in "In questa reggia" from 1959 is an incredible rendition.

[@hrh2842]

That was not long before JB died. His voice had darkened and amplified from the gorgeous lyric tenor of his youth. Verdi "Requiem" from about the same time is equally thrilling...…..For decades, he was the Tenor's Tenor. Then had to scoot over a bit (OK, a lot!) to make room for Pavarotti who shared his attributes of lovely sound, rock solid technique that allowed them both to sing well even when not feeling well, and good musicality.

[@vickiw3335]

Bjorling forever!

[@helmaschine1885]

Björling isn't even on the same plane of existence as the rest. He exceeds the written notes straight to heaven.

[@vickiw3335]

Great response and dead on!

[@napejack]

Thanks, beautiful!

[@Xerxes89]

Amazing video, thank you so much!

[@iRockBilly7]

no Franco Corelli ?

[@massimoturrini9146]

Mario filippeschi ate them all

[@terrietackett8964]

A stunning collection....💕

[@BarEscm]

Those mid century tenors. Great tecnique and beatutiful high notes, but man, what a show-offs! Yes, we get you have a good acutes, cut it out already. Some "Vittorias" in particular are so way too long that I believe Tosca has fled with Scarpia once they are done with it...

[@daphnebeloved]

Hahahaha....

[@absdyna]

Ahahahah isn't the whole punt of opera 'una grande spettacolo'? :P

[@sgnmath1234]

Thank you!!!!!

[@vickiw3335]

Bjorling!

[@tonygomes6306]

Jussi Borling, PERFECTION ........

[@vickiw3335]

ABSOLUTELY!

[@ferociousgumby]

Thank you for the captions! A lot of KZbin compilations have no identifying marks on them at all, as if it doesn't matter. A singer's a singer, right?

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

Wow Domingo blew me away.

[@draganvidic2039]

Impressive yes

[@riccardoturi7691]

Filippeschi il Re dei Tenori. E infatti tale fu reputato da Lauri Volpi in una cartolina a lui spedita nel 1978 (si noti l'anno!!),quando c'erano tanti celebrati tenori e Lauri Volpi scrisse "oggi lei sarebbe il Re dei Tenori"!!!

[@muchogusto491]

Filippeschi è un miracolo. Che nella sua patria sia praticamente sconosciuto è invece una vergogna.

[@riccardoturi7691]

Per fortuna possiedo tutte le registrazioni di Filippeschi,sia quelle in studio che quelle live,alcune delle quali gentilmente inviatemi da un nipote.

[@65attila]

@AfroPoli Friend I am looking forward to your next great post with Gertrude Grob-Prandl included. Thanks for so much wonderful music and regards-John

[@VincentTitone]

Just thrilling!!!

[@DiomedesDioscuro]

What a pity, being totally unable to hear something similar to that in theatre nowadays!

[@mathildehb0076]

Domingo had a great period that ended in the 80's. I think it was especially when he joined the two other tenors and lost his roots that kept his feet on the earth, without him flying away in dream land. He lost his mind and his voice was affected by that

[@dariobussolino1384]

Domingo,non solo in questa circostanza!dimostra che la potenza dei suoi acuti è vera e trascinante!

[@CurzonRoad]

@gmmix Thank you AfroPoli for this fine, wonderful posting... and thank you gmmix for sharing!

[@eveadams991]

Some people are so critical! What we like depends on our particular sound aesthetic. Opera performances are not competitions in which one singer is trying to "annihilate" the other. If you like Callas, that's who you like. Please don't treat this art form as a silly competition for your favorite performers. If that's what your about then watch sports. Btw this is coming from someone who performed opera for 27 years in the US, Europe, & South America. No I didn't make it to the Grand Opera houses, but I'm sure some of you operaphiles will slam me for that!

[@millonety123]

@AfroPoli , Estupenda recopilacion!!....Sorprendido de Domingo porque la gente no para de decir que nunca tuvo ningun agudo, y menos en los ochenta, y todavia sigue cantando! ...pero que riqueza de timbre!...Baroni excepcional largura, vivió despues de la función? hahaha!. Todos son unos fenómenos totales! Muchas gracias!

[@Beth29252]

Nilsson and Fillipesschi are absolutely wonderful, as are Bjorling, DelMonaco and Domingo. I love the volume on Tebaldi and Callas' notes as well. If you had more time on this video, which was very well done and interesting, I personally would have included Joan Sutherland's E flat during the mad scene in Lucia di Lamermoor or even Rigoletto during Si Vendetta, and Sherrill Milnes' A flat in the Pagliacci prologue at the Met, one of the most thrilling baritone notes I have heard.

[@Oetti]

holy crap, that MDM high B from Tosca is just amazing!

[@XPRT10R]

fantastic compilation! my favourite comment is "Li mortacci tua"!! Just one little note: in M Filippeschi's "W.Tell" top C cadenza the words are not "O si fatal", but "Oggi Fatal... (cosi)" Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@MrStpendouslvforjo]

you did a fantastic job with this! and I agt

[@SeansLipSyncingSock]

That high C Nilsson sings with Prevedi...I wonder if he was the tenor she mentioned in her autobiography that wouldn't actually SING the high C, but only open his mouth like he was. It fooled a lot of people.

[@manolis.799]

That's hilarious

[@hrh2842]

On a Saturday Met broadcast, Prevedi sang "Di quella pira" transposed down a whole tone to B-flat. Still wonderful. Many sing it in B-natural.

[@larmun]

That probably goes for every tenor she sang it with. outside of Corelli. 😊

[@65attila]

I heard Domingo ons stage - that Bb was a huge warm wave of sound.

[@Milordvega]

Wow, Placido, on 6:36 to 6:47, is that really you? Sei tu? Eres tu? It seems that all tenors with the name "Mario" had marvelous voices. Del Monaco and Lanza everyone knows but why was Filippeschi not so famous? He had such a great voice!

[@familypondman]

Dear sir, I went to the Rosenkavalier in Amsterdam last Thursday to the première and very interesting, you should go and tell me what you think of it!

[@luigipagnoni4273]

meravigliosi questo è cantare

[@MAPIAKALLAS]

Jussi Björling high B from tosca was Orgasmic love it totally and the high C of Tabaldi in tosca was just so beautiful and Birgit Nilsson on turandot haaaa love it Now CALLAS E FLAT IN AIDA SHE IS A GOD....

[@bAdAbAdA13]

I must say I was very impressed by Domingo's beautiful and secure high note as well as by the way Lauri Volpi manages to control his wobble and give the audience another stunning acute. As for Callas, she developed a wobble in the early 50's which became more pronounced with the years. However, this is not in evidence in this Aida. Far from that. For a person who had been singing demanding parts since her teens she is in excellent vocal state. Those seeking a Callas wobble must look elsewhere.

[@hrh2842]

Callas was having "artistic disagreements" with the tenor (Kurt Baum?) she showed him who was boss with that E-flat. I think the Nile scene was delayed so they could wipe the blood from the stage.

[@FelipeViannaNutriUFRJ]

Domingo stops the high notes at a High B-flat. Above that, he suffered... Hehehe'

[@80Mrmirko]

E' impressionante la quantità vocale e la proiezione in avanti della voce della Tebaldi

[@leadoffeohippus]

Wow...booming high c from Tebaldi in that Tosca clip!!!

[@philippel.2492]

filipeschi,incroyable!!

[@Oetti]

yep, what I always say is that it has a near-Nilssonian power with that beautiful Italian legato and passione most Germanic voices are devoid of. Tebaldi is my favourite soprano!

[@leat5766]

Waouh 😀Amazing voice🇫🇷🎧

[@Galoises73]

Callas unbelievable !!!!!!!

[@maramos68]

INACREDITÁVELLLLLLLLLL !!!!!!

[@Luifernal6]

Muchos tenores la cantan y cantaron en ''Fortissimo'' ''Del Monaco, fillipeschi, giacomini... no muchos tenores cantan el morendo que en realidad se dice que el morendo se referia a la orquesta mas no al tenor... sin embargo creo que el unico que lo hizo en serio fue Franco Corelli

[@sugarbist]

Imo, Sutherland could sing for days with her impeccable technique. I believe that she was a little cold artistically and her Italian was not good. Callas always sang with feeling and was very captivating. Callas's Italian was excellent and her interpretations were amazing

[@draganvidic2039]

Sutherland had impeccable coloratura technique and drive. But the rest? Chestvoice? Diction? Acting? No.

[@sugarbist]

@@draganvidic2039 Sutherland actually taught Pavarotti to breathe properly. She was a singing machine

[@Oetti]

stupendous!!!