Mirella Freni & Franco Corelli - LIVE Dec. 3, 1966 - "Signor ascolta!...Non piangere Liù!"

[@jphubert]

What a beautifully posted video of a stunning performance. Thank you so much Roberta.

[@racheleleeba]

Truthismaster timjph So happy you enjoyed it. I appreciate your comment very much.

[@jphubert]

@@racheleleeba I absolutely loved Franco Corelli and Mirella Freni in Romeo et Juliette. I saw them at age 16 in Minneapolis during one of the MET US spring tours, roughly 1968 as I remember. My high school music teacher introduced me to opera and Mr. Corelli when I was 15. She eventually made me the male lead (Curly) in the HS musical Oklahoma but told me she wanted me to see what a spectacular tenor was really like before opening night. Our school chartered a bus for her and her students. We traveled for over 3 hours to see the above performance. I had never heard anything like it and never have since. I was totally hooked on opera and Franco Corelli ever since. I only recently stumbled upon your channel. It is one of the most professional I have seen. I greatly appreciate the time and loving care you obviously put into this channel. I am currently writing a tribute to Mr. Corelli which I would love to share with you.

[@racheleleeba]

Truthismaster timjph How lucky you were! I wish I'd had a teacher like that. I came too late to opera to have seen Corelli, discovering him on KZbin only a few years ago. I would absolutely love to read your firsthand account of hearing him live.

[@jphubert]

@@racheleleeba It was other-worldly. I had by then, heard many operatic recordings, including those of Franco Corelli and many other major opera stars of that period. I was totally unprepared for the experience of live opera. Even the tuning of the orchestra was mesmerizing to me then. I suppose I would have been extremely impressed with even second-tier singers at my first live performance. Can you imagine your first live opera with Franco Corelli as Romeo and Mirella Freni as Juliette? I had no idea what lay in store and no clue what a special privilege it was to be present at that event. When the orchestra began their overture (which ranks with some of the very best), I was stunned despite having prepared for it by listening before hand to the entire opera on recording. When the curtain rose and the scene of the Capulet Ball appeared on-stage, I was simply overwhelmed. The first aria sung by Juliette is incredible and I have never heard anyone better than the young Mirella Freni at performing it. When Mr. Corelli appeared and began to sing, I simply could not believe the sound of his voice, the way in which he comported himself while singing and the grace with which he moved about the stage. The sword-play was nothing for him physically. Soon enough I saw him assume physical positions while singing that were hard to believe. He was able to sing full-voice while laying down. The "Soi beni" chorus with the principles was absolutely incredible and later, it was repeated as a duet with only the principles and incredibly enough it was almost as moving. After all these years, it remains not only the first live operatic performance I attended but my all-time favorite as well. Nothing today compares to what Corelli and Freni brought to their roles, IMHO.

[@maggiedeveney]

Truthismaster timjph Thank you so much for your detailed, heartfelt remembrances of that night. Everyone who ever heard him live seems to have been astounded by his voice and stage presence. You were so fortunate!

[@GwenWoods-bb3mz]

Wonderful!

[@lidianeghme4274]

Qué genio Corelli en un papel inolvidable.Nadie alcanzó a este gran Calaf.La soprano rusa está en su nivel Grandes interpretaciones

[@bokewilhelm1452]

habe corelli in dieser spinto-partie in verona gehört-diese beiden klassesänger

[@vladimirhofmann1609]

Quelle merveilleuse intensité émotionnelle ! Une interprétation sublime et un enregistrement mémorale = Corelli incoparable Calaf !

[@gennaroschisano1647]

Grandissime voci... Inimitabili artisti... Tecnica vocale perfetta.... Oggi voci così non esistono più solo corvi gracchianti.... Gioie d altri tempi... Bellissimi ricordi

[@fredobatista4367]

💚 Freni . 💚 Corelli.

[@MichelePearson-dn4tb]

Exciting, la puissance de ces voix fait vibrer l'âme..ah! que d'être témoin de cette performance..

[@petermichael9378]

Love these archival performances shows us what is lacking in today's singers

[@kneeman66]

What a shame the Metropolitan Opera Never filmed or videoed any of Corelli's performances there. I would give anything to see him on stage on there alive on film

[@ksol1460tv]

Boy, you and me both. There was a movement in the mid-70s to arrange for filmed or live Met performances on tv with subtitles and feature Franco and other really superlative, unusual voices. The Met opera management was against it for I'm not sure what reasons but it was probably $$.

[@purisermonisamator]

@@ksol1460tv В своем предположении вы абсолютно правы. Администрация "МЕТ" считала, что это означает пилить сук, на котором они сидят, ибо это снизит посещаемость театра.

[@draganvidic2039]

Freni had a great lyric soprano with core, squillo and 0 wobble. Just perfect!

[@artistsf1]

i remember listening to this broadcast performance. "... there was a time when gods walked the earth... "

[@racheleleeba]

Rest in Peace, dear Mirella Freni.

[@luisaleoni2166]

Due grandi immensi Mirella Freni Franco Corelli ineguagliabili siete sempre nel cuore di chi ama la musica quella vera

[@paolopecchioli9793]

Mirella voce calda e potente grande interprete , Franco stellare , un attore con una voce unica.

[@raffaelamontanari2373]

Non solo calaf,manrico,chenier,ma cavaradossi,Dickinson e José questi sono i personaggi in cui Corelli è insuperabile, senza trascurare poliuto riesumato per lui, e via di seguito è veramente il " sovrano" dei tenori.

[@baritone-ffa4568]

Ai personaggi GIUSTAMENTE citati aggiungerei anche Radames dell'Aida...

[@mariachines6985]

Per l'Andrea Chenier è stato unico!

[@valeriafolescu1805]

Si nu aveau tehnologia de astazi.voci superbe nemuritoare.

[@stevevandien310]

Now THIS is grand opera. We have no tenors of Corelli's caliber today. Nor basses of Giaotti's. Not sure indeed if we have any lyric sopranos comparable to Freni in her prime. As she is here --

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

Couldn't agree more. Especially about Giaiotti, who doesn't receive nearly enough recognition as he deserves.

[@mariagraziagottardelli551]

Corelli, Freni per una Turandot da favola. Bravissimi.

[@lucianadelpiero7923]

Nessuno mai come lui. Resta sempre un mito

[@rosy3385]

Merveilleuse Mirella Freni qui vient, hélas, de nous quitter !

[@marujaaparicio1009]

¡Esa voz! Franco Corelli es lo màximo

[@stevevandien310]

De acuerdo, absolutamente.

[@ballaratboy1]

Two of the greatest! We miss them both so much.

[@stephenschmall9029]

Wow! What a fantastic performance. Almost electric! Freni in this time period has a voice of liquid gold. Beautiful lyric soprano tone!!!!!! Corelli sounds really fine here . True open throated clear tone!!! Love it!!!! Giaiotti, fine Basso with a rich tone. Fine singing overall!

[@fredojoaquim4764]

Fantastic Freni 🌹 and Magnificent Corelli. 🌷 Also the choruses are sublime. 🌻 💖💖

[@魚-c3d]

This is out of this world. Corelli was truly the goat in this role. But can we talk about the bass dominating the other voices despite his lower voice? I'm genuinely impressed! I would've loved to be there, unfortunately Corelli passed away before I was born ;-;

[@grahamdouglas6752]

My three favourite Corelli roles are Calaf, Chenier and Manrico. His recordings of these roles are testament to the fact he has no equal in them. As I write, it would have been Franco's 99th birthday yesterday! In the comments thread 'fernhill36' mentions seeing Corelli's Calaf with both Freni and the wonderful Anna Moffo as Liu and Birgit Nilsson as Turandot. What a lucky person! I tried to get to Verona to see him near the end of his career but, as a penniless student, I couldn't afford the trip to Italy from England; it was just financially beyond me. Today I could easily get anywhere in the world (notwithstanding the Covid-19 crisis!), but alas, he has been long gone...Heyho! Thank you Roberta Huebner

[@Alagares43]

And Cavaradossi, if you let me, my regards.

[@kneeman66]

How about a 100th birthday tribute next year

[@artistsf1]

Yes, yes, and yes. I see someone added his Cavaradossi. I would include like to include Maurizio as HIS, as well. For me, those five roles are all Corelli.

[@grahamdouglas6752]

@@kneeman66 Well Peter, we passed the day! The Editor of Opera Magazine told me they will be doing a centenary tribute to Franco later this year.

[@massimocassano2545]

Avrei voluto assistere a questa recita del 3 dicembre 1966 Mi avrebbe segnato per sempre Cast stellare e Franco nella leggenda

[@leandroabreu9532]

Perfect cast 👏 ❤ 💐 !!!

[@ingriddoppler]

Mr. Corelli´s voice is like Glimmery Metall ~ absolutely exciting and beautiful !!

[@albanvic]

Franco was one of the most underrated tenors ever. Do a KZbin search you will find some wonderful stuff albeit 60s/70s Try O te O cara from il Puritani IMO the best recording of this ever.

[@folliefollymops7676]

For many of us, he is rated among the Gods!!!

[@oijfbg]

OMG, and the Tosca in Parma?, the best!

[@gregsolovieff6711]

Victor Cowen He was/ is hardly underrated. He was numero uno, highest paid tenor at the Met, “ Mr. Sold Out”, “ Prince of Tenors” during his prime time there. Those of us who heard him have not heard his like since.

[@mailandshiphub8384]

@@albanvic Huh?!? I think you got your Franco's confused....I'm sure you meant Bonisoll.

[@hallu6666]

Stunning performance. Immortal voices that make your heart burst from the uncontrollable tide of emotions.

[@bozofurioso]

The culmination of all the beauty of Puccini and Illica lies in these brief moments of wondrous melodies of Liu.

[@carolenewman5180]

Thank you Roberta. This is magnificent.

[@leonoradelagardie]

Ms Freni would have been the ideal Liu,vulnerable and delicate and with a voice from heaven.(It seems even strange that Calaf would prefer the conceited Turandot. But that's opera. And here we have the most desirable Calaf of all...

[@LocutusBorgOf]

Think of Turandot as the ultimate woman who plays hard to get.

[@matOpera]

The difficulty is that Liu is the most generous-hearted girl, who truly loves Calaf unto death. For all Turandot's desirability, she has nothing on Liu, except perhaps her kingdom, but the story would have us believe Calaf does not think pragmatically and instead geniunely falls for the Icy Princess. The audience, however, falls in love with Liu, which is why Calaf and Turandot are unpardonable to us.

[@justanotherbohemian3827]

@@matOpera No, Calaf and Turandot are unpardonable because Turandot is overly-cruel, vengeful, bloodthirsty and ready to do anything to win and Calaf is selfish, arrogant and a hypocrite who pretends to care about his father and Liù while he simply doesn't...

[@simonebu]

And we've now lost also this great Liu

[@Yves_Ka]

"would have been" ?? she WAS the ideal Liu

[@williamgruner6081]

The days of this kind of beautiful singing and artistry are sadly gone!

[@albanvic]

Yes all we are fed is garbage from some boy band whatever that means these days.

[@williamgruner6081]

What is going on in the Opera Houses of the world is nothing to brag about either!

[@terrietackett8964]

William Gruner I'm deeply saddened by the state of Opera these days. Talented singer's driven like cart horse's, destroying their voices in ten years, subpar singer's pushed on an audience, very little talent on the horizon, young singer's making the choice to not pursue a career...Makes me feel like Opera is a dying art in today's world.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Please Stop my friend. THANK YOU. 😢

[@魚-c3d]

@@terrietackett8964 but how can we make it better and save it?

[@dandaniel3488]

This is OPERA.

[@albertogallegos101]

No he encontrado ninguna voz de Calaf que con Virilidad nos entregue esa certeza de los 3 turandot al gong, como lo hace Corelli, ni siquiera de lejos. El dominio que ejerce en la escena, la fuerza. Gracias Roberta, tu labor es realmente hermosa.

[@aetion]

Mirella Freni's ""Signor ascolta!" is absolutely amazing! I am deeply impressed.Thank you, dear Roberta.

[@adityapurohit8232]

One of the finest rendition of this majestic aria by madame Mirella Freni & signor Franco Corelli of Turandot under the baton of Maestro Zubin Mehta. Thanks for the upload.

[@nicolacalabrese5773]

Immenso Corelli

[@estherluciamorelli6105]

Corelli inigualable maravilloso

[@alessandramenini6828]

Che meraviglia Corelli unico a farmi piangere, bravissima la Freni .

[@Herur22]

Extremely beautiful performance by both of them.

[@folliefollymops7676]

Nothing will ever surpass this performance, it is beyond beauty, timeless!

[@mercedesrius8080]

La voz lirica y joven de M.Freni,. La exuberancia,el tempo, la pastosidad, la grandiosiosidad y el timbre inconfundible de F,corelli

[@brendanmccarthy6368]

Beautifully.sung with emotion and sincerity for the theme. A beautiful art so slowly being lost.

[@geshtin]

Bonaldo Giaiotti is amazing. Sadly not as well known these days as Nilsson, Corelli and Freni but is absolutely at the same level. Amazing voice.

[@stephenlord9]

and a super colleague

[@tiziana2776]

corelli e celestiale unico immenso stratosferico mirella e sublime nilsson oltre le divine sfere grazie di essere esistiti

[@fernhill36]

I saw this Turandot twice, once with Anna Moffo as Liu and once w/Freni. Nilsson and Corelli were ,of course, incredible.Hasn't been anyone like him since. Thanks so much for posting the Roberta.

[@AydarAkhmady]

how lucky you are!

[@lukasmiller486]

I have the performance with Anna Moffo! She is the best Liu I’ve ever heard! She makes the drama real and compelling. When she sobs at the end of her first aria, it sounds real and she gave a real scream for the torture scene not like these other sopranos who make these fake signs. The lines she sings right after the scream are so powerful because of the way she grits the tone and literal my spits the words out. She really broke my heart with that performance and I would have loved to have taken a time machine to see it.

[@guycondroyer864]

cette soirée reste une des plus mémorables du met avec un Corelli stratosphérique et une Nilsson surhumaine. ce CD je l,écoute encore et encore. …

[@魚-c3d]

Vous étiez ? (simple curiosité ^^)

[@monkmonk6068]

B E A U T I F U L !!

[@artistsf1]

I remember hearing that broadcast on radio. ... a few years ago. LOL

[@mariahelenabiscaia7209]

Inigualável Corelli!!

[@sab-zy5kq]

This is so beautiful, thank you, Roberta! I love Franco singing this aria (more than Nessun dorma).

[@jbut1208]

Marvellous! Two great stars together! Who is better than these two??

[@daenarofnandor972]

WTF? Who is better, your mom or dad?

[@Alagares43]

Que belleza todo!!!!

[@shodanart]

This emotional depth of Freni’s Signor ascolta and the melancholy thrill of Non piangere Lìu, from the brilliant Corelli can bring one to tears. Thank you for posting this rare gem of a recording, with translations. You do a great service to opera lovers by such generosity, we might never otherwise hear. ❤️

[@LionelBrunet]

This is such a beautiful opera. Thank you Roberta.

[@analemosferreira2842]

Maravilhoso!

[@francescopiotto9510]

magnifico!!!! ho conosciuto la signora Freni e non mi è stata molto simpatica, (magari aveva la giornata storta, chissà)...ma che voce!!! :D stupenda!! :D

[@roosterrooter13]

Just beautiful singing.

[@bodiloto]

Divino Corelli Grazie !

[@vincenzoanzoletti1296]

E la Freni non è da meno, o no? Io adoro la sua voce, anche se è molto piccola, devo ammetterlo.

[@bodiloto]

La Freni ? Era una grandissima attrice ! Durante le sue recite tirava 200% delle sue possibilità. La mia modesta opinione è che nell'arte lirica non esistono voci grandi o piccoline,esistono delle voci ''intelligenti'' e meno ''intelligenti''. Per il conto mio preferisco una vocalità meno grande ma bella e saggia davanti una voce enorme e poco sensibile. C'è repertorio per tutti. È ovvio che nel repertorio drammatico adoro dei soprani tipo La Ponselle,la giovane Callas,la giovane Tebaldi,La Nilsson etc.etc.etc.... ma anche adoro la vocalità unica per esempio delLa Muzio che non aveva una voce grande ma nella sua arte era semplicemente divina. La Freni era una bravissima cantante.

[@bodiloto]

segue la vocalità di Corelli fa parte dei miei tenori preferiti à livello artistico delLa Callas,La Tebaldi,La Ponselle...... La voce delLa Freni in questo ruolo mancava di ''colore'' cioè Liu non è Mimi... il suono dell'orchestra anche se creato del fenomeno Giacomo Puccini è molto diverso. Per Liu ci vuole una vocalità pastosa,ampia e nello stesso tempo angelica,in caso contrario la voce non arriva di oltrepassare l'orchestra come succedeva à volte con la voce delLa Freni. ciao.

[@fedecastaldi]

sono perfettamente d'accordo: calaf è franco corelli ma liù, pur non togliendo merito alla splendida voce di mirella freni, è magda olivero. ascoltarla con franceso merli.......

[@bodiloto]

Lei parla del Tenore Franceso Merli?!... La prego,lasciamo i Dei à pace... un mio amico basso baritono wagneriano negli anni 60 mi raccontava che quando cantava Merli durante le sue recite tremavano i muri del teatro dalla bellezza unica della sua voce. Franceso Merli - un fenomeno fra tanti... era veramente fortunatissimo il pubblico di quest'epoca! adoro più di 100 tenori - tutti meravigliosi,Veri. purtroppo da anni la commedia è già finita.

[@fredojoaquim4764]

Signore asculta😍, Liu's first aria from the opus Turandot Puccini's last opus. I love Freni 🌹. The aria Non Piangere Liu 💟by the unknown prince( who's name is Calaf) is sung here by Corelli 🌷 whom I also adore profoundly. ☀️

[@folliefollymops7676]

This IS Opera! but Alas, it is no more,...TOO beautiful....Thank You!

[@dandaniel3488]

Thank you Roberta

[@patrickwilenchik1718]

Brings back lovely memories for me thank you for this

[@MrPAPAGAYO46]

Una de las arias más conmovedoras de la ópera TURANDOT es esta, y los solistas no podrían ser mejores: Mirella Freni como Liú y Franco Corelli, como Calaf. Yo tengo la ópera grabada con Renata Scotto, también magnífica, pero esta versión es igualmente magnífica con la recia voz del Príncipe, que ha tenido en Franco Corelli uno de sus más destacados intérpretes.

[@miguelsalinas4143]

Que belleza Bravisimo!!!

[@claraleonori999]

INDIMENTICABILI|||||||

[@Ettoredipugnar]

Two tremendous voices of the 20th century!

[@gregsolovieff6711]

Ettoredipugnar THREE tremendous 20th century voices. Giaiotti ( Timur) had a voice for the ages! His closest rival historically would be Pinza, imho!

[@Ettoredipugnar]

I saw him in a production of Macbeth in Philadelphia 1978 with Piero Cappucilli and Antonio Savrestano . I can’t remember Lady MacBeths name .?

[@GermanOperaSinger]

Haven't attended a live opera in several years now. Why pay all that money to hear second rate singing when you can listen to something like this for free? By the way, Giaiotti as Timur is fantastic here.

[@gregsolovieff6711]

GermanOperaSinger Giaiotti had an amazing voice. To hold his own as a basso against all these higher voices and the orchestra all singing & playing fortissimo is really something special!!

[@DavidoffGustav]

Live is nothing like a recording

[@gregsolovieff6711]

David Hodel Giaiotti sounded as good in this ensemble LIVE from the Met during the Saturday afternoon broadcast of Turandot , conducted by Stokowski, early after its revival at the Met in 1961.

[@artistsf1]

@@gregsolovieff6711 Giaotti was wonderful !!!

[@herbfontecilla6650]

I feel the same way. Corelli was unique. Glad I saw him in Turandot, Boheme, Tosca, Aida, Don Carlo, Giovanna, Chenier and Romeo.

[@hakonstrong-stomp8155]

4:26 the most thrilling sounds of corelli

[@Zashorigin]

WOW... incredible beautiful singing!These days you don't hear a Calaf or Liu or even a Timur like that. What a shame!Thanks for posting!

[@BellaFirenze]

Bravissimi tutti!

[@johnblasiak607]

All round great performance 🎭 sadly missed today in comparison

[@silviabrunialti3342]

This is my favourite scene in this opera. Many times more exciting than Nessun Dorma.

[@vladtepes71]

Thanks much again and again for posting. What a night that must’ve been…

[@paolopecchioli1650]

Fantastico

[@pattipage12]

Astonishing! Thank you for this....

[@albertogallegos101]

Gracias Roberta. Un placer escuchar al maestro.

[@stevevandien310]

The ultimate Calaf. Some before Corelli undoubtedly approached this standard. And we've had admirable Calafs since. It must also be be noted that Bjorling's Calaf on his recording with Nillson is something else altogether, although the the role would have overwhelmed the great Swede onstage. But none have surpassed Corelli.

[@fredojoaquim4764]

My Lord listen to me. Do not cry, Liu. Lovely. 😍🤩 🌻🌼

[@vstoussaint]

Thanks PUCCINI

[@melparker9337]

"And the angels sang".

[@Orfeus80]

Liu suits Freni perfectly, pity she moved on to heavier roles. The aria´s ending was a bit overdone for my taste but otherwise she sounds great and so does Corelli of course!

[@sabinewee_3D]

amazing

[@hakonstrong-stomp8155]

His best version.

[@ettoredipugnar6990]

I listen to Corelli here , and think of the tv broadcast of Domingo acting like he got the note at the end of Nessun Dorma .

[@clementinabignardi4614]

La leggenda di Corelli rimasti a

[@giuseppedimarco8358]

Great!

[@ladyrotha5420]

Thrilling!

[@iwanttogrow2003]

RIP ROMEO ET JULIETTE

[@christopherrobinwattsthoma6318]

Non lo sentiamo più! 😞

[@volkerkuhne8859]

Corelli mit Träne in der Stimme !

[@alfredbernasek3912]

CORELLI FRENI EINFACH TRAUMHAFT

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

A God and a goddess

[@kneeman66]

I think someone should write an opera about when Turandot gets divorced about a year later. Now that would be drama as she lawyers up.

[@bmwinther8971]

Modern times😂

[@hakonstrong-stomp8155]

2:38 the prince .

[@Ettoredipugnar]

Don’t forget the great Bonaldo Giotti

[@charleswebb8230]

What a great performance! Is it available on DVD? Henry Webb

[@racheleleeba]

The only Turandot film Corelli made is the 1958 black-and-white RAI studio production.

[@kyleaustin6061]

It's a pity that the Live from the Met series wasn't available when Corelli was active. A Corelli in HD would be to die for

[@yaelpalombo4093]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️