Robert Briggs sings in a Luciano Pavarotti Masterclass

Bass Robert Briggs sings Colline's aria "Vecchia Zimarra" from Puccini's "La boheme" in a Masterclass of tenor Luciano Pavarotti at the Juilliard School of Music with pianist John Wustman.

[@lorenzomarco1113]

The young Pavarotti was extremely genuine and extremely poetic. He tries to teach love and poetry!

[@goatboy7698]

Like a good italian

[@dreamer_4937]

When Pavarotti demonstrates you can just feel the different league. How can such a quiet, simple passage be performed so beautifully? The delicacy, sensitivity, ease, purity, lyricism... wow. What a miracle of a voice.

[@thomaslehmanbaritone]

It's FASCINATING!

[@PwerGuido]

Actually, it’s most because he is a tenor so he is singing way lower than he is used to

[@justanotherbohemian3827]

This passage is, in my humble opinion, one of the most moving moments in opera history. La Boheme is a very heartfelt work and many people find themselves crying at the finale, but I always cry during this small aria...

[@hutchinson151176]

Because he is Italian like me . And he gives the right meaning to italian words.

[@user-uq9kb2uf1z]

Pavaroti is inimitable

[@tpnotes]

Briggs was a one of a kind. You don't hear voices like this often.

[@ryanwolfe300]

The mood of this aria is so tough to execute. Bravo Briggs. Tragically died at 39

[@deltasquared7777]

Incredible sensitivity in Pavarotti's singing....INCREDIBLE ! !

[@sirhymer]

Amazing. Briggs' tone was beautiful. Pavarotti's rendition was so poignant - even brought tears to my eyes, despite the fact that he was singing barely above a whisper and as a bass, rather than a tenor. We lost two great talents with their deaths.

[@musicalfreestyles]

sirhymer we certainly did 😭

[@Ivanhoe2]

Robert Briggs had a superb voice,,,such a tragic loss.

[@martinajones7537]

I feel blessed that I lived in the world when Pavoritti was alive and got to witness that amazing voice. Once in a lifetime.

[@HeatherGlen33]

I am not a singer, and do not read notes. However, It is the "feeling" in the voice that makes the difference. Pavarotti, has a massive chest area. Also a larger head, than average. I have bought all of his concerts and operas. Nobody else. Because his voice will live forever. He becomes the "character" he is playing. So beautiful.

[@Robert-gm8ig]

Yeah you can't be a singer or read notes without the experience and practice, which I can tell by your spelling, you're too young and inexperienced, yet you like many others, have appreciation for music and make some interesting points. Thanks for the read.

[@Endrit719]

man, Pavarotti is something else

[@IsraelLeviHernandez]

NO MATTER WHAT HE SINGS....the man is phenomenal

[@BenOnuMuDiyorum]

Man! I watched a few of these lesson / Tv shows. They increase my admiration on Pavorotti. The difference between the first singing and the one after Pavorotti's feedbacks is like day and night.

[@jacksvoice]

His demonstration was prefect. Live the song, rather than 'singing' it. Bravo.

[@oliverliu1195]

A real singer !

[@justanotherbohemian3827]

The second time Robert sang, I really felt it...

[@cabodaciolo8148]

Vecchia zimarra senti Lo resto al pian , tu ascendere Il sancro monte or devi Le mie grazie ricevi Mai non curvasti Il logoro dorso ai ricchi ed ai potenti Passar nelle tue tasche Come in antri tranquilli,filosofi e poeti Ora che i giorno lieti fuggir Te dico: addio ! Fedele amico mio! Addio, addio!

[@bh5606]

RIP Mr. Briggs...beautifully sung.

[@alfredoihldausend4093]

Magnificent legatoline sang by the maestro! So beautifull! Could hear it for hours.

[@mariaantonietta8485]

Wow - he left for us memories of his beautiful voice and amazing technique.

[@nthdegree1269]

Briggs had a beautiful tone, didn't he? Very nice

[@lordkrandel]

Pavarotti was able to really convey the message and the feeling with the piece. The voice is clear, Italian his native language. Decise and dramatic, still melanchonic and light, recitato. Dynamics at their best, listen: "Ai ricchi ed ai potenti"... I'm impressed how much far he still remains from almost everyone else.

[@archiloque]

God, he was a-ma-zing ! Too bad he died indeed ! The "addio" in the aria is all the more heartbreaking.

[@melaD333]

First I’m not sure my heart could have taken Pavarotti signing that while looking directly into my eyes… but his instruction was so brilliant. The feel and emotion between the two performances was night and day. The first felt like a display of his vocal talent the second like a man mourning. Of course Pavarotti’s was my favorite but that’s a given… 😂

[@violetta47]

Pavarotti is poetry and music...Mr Brigss is also wonderful..

[@RafikHalim]

That guy is really good !

[@laurakatemarshall7330]

I marvel and i learn. Thank you for posting.

[@vickersman]

wonderful voice...wow

[@KnjazNazrath]

Not heard this aria before, and it hit me right in the guy and the heart simultaneously. Also, Luciano singing sitting down is enough of a bar that most singers I know wouldn't even be able to hit it when they're standing up!

[@Alceambidestro]

Grazie, Patti!

[@Alceambidestro]

Grazie, Patti

[@flaze3]

beautiful bass

[@andressoria8092]

ambas interpretaciones son magicas, el timbre oscuroo de briggs es genial, y pava despues nos muestra la luz, la tendrian que cantar un rato cada uno genial

[@miralazic9621]

King forever Luciano Pavarotti !!!🏆🕊️🕊️✨✨🌞🌏🦜

[@AbadonBelial]

grazie !

[@romeobianca2605]

Bravo !

[@michelleschulman914]

When Pavarotti sang it, it gave me goosebumps!

[@raynardi7243]

Che belle voce Briggs

[@ShawDAMAN]

That was beautiful. Pav. should have made a recording of that aria, ha ha. =)

[@roberto_ik5640]

maestro!!

[@felipeborbon3202]

Gran voz de brigs

[@user-uq9kb2uf1z]

Pavaroti is inimitable!

[@stefanosxenoudakis8812]

is there any more songs from this wonderfull voice of mr briggs.

[@ahmedmahmoud-pz4dy]

verey good

[@TheVerdiBaritone]

@judelko I don't know what preceded your comment, but the hubris of Domingo singing baritone (Boccanegra and Rigoletto) is stupendous!

[@jenni4claire]

I think you are right- if I knew it , I have no doubt at all that Pavarotti knew it, he studied for his art for many years, an dby this stage had been a professional for 20 years at least. He says 'must be considered, in my opinion, bel canto'- he is aware this is an unusual view, obviously. Some would prefer to think he was just lucky to be born with that voice but I think the life of study is evident, and just as admirable as the natural gift.

[@potatosalad69420]

I Love that he calls him Roberto.

[@aidacabrera572]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@josephcold]

WOW HE IS GOOD.

[@Dragonianfire]

@ShawDAMAN When sung by a great voice which isn't too covered or dark, they can sound incredible. My singing teacher often sings the tenor parts in during my singing lessons, he's a lower voice type than me and it's incredible! Also, there is a recording of Hvorostovsky singing O Sole Mio, you should search for it, what a voice!

[@gofer9156]

Lowest note is C#3 and highest is D#4, which obviously is no problem for Pavarotti!

[@bradleymonroe6443]

Even though it is a bass aria it's no problem for a baritone and a tenor to sing C#3 since all tenors have low C sharps as well as baritones

[@Un_Gordo_De_Derecha]

no the highest note without falsetto is a Eb5,byt her voice lowest note is a G#2

[@vitorlacerda620]

ELIAS.A.B.C_YT No his Highest note is a C#3 like in notte e piscatore

[@Un_Gordo_De_Derecha]

Vítor Lacerda nope, his lowest note is a Ab2

[@drangue4733]

@hawabonga zothew 0:56 too

[@markhh]

Pavarotti sings this aria almost as well as Caruso, lol! Seriously though, what a fine singer Mr. Briggs was. A sad loss to opera.

[@JackOperaMan]

You opera queens make me laugh. To suggest that Pavarotti didn't know Puccini was a romantic composer is absolutely ridiculous. Bel canto is a style of singing, not just a period in classical music history. You're trying to prove how smart you are by throwing mud into the conversation. Abraham Lincoln said "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Good advice for you. Pavarotti is the best!

[@steveepic5957]

Well said

[@ittellir3800]

Jack T Puccini is not a Romantic composer, he is a Verista

[@olivierkeegel]

@@ittellir3800 Puccini is certainley not a "verista" in the true sense of the word. The "standard"veris mo opera is Mascagni's Cavelleria rusticana. Leoncavallo's Pagliacci as well. And, true, Puccini's Il tabarro can be characterized as verismo. As, before, also Carmen could be considered veristic: workers in a factory, but there is also the "exotic," romantic world of smugglers. Puccini's La Bohème is more romantic than veristic. These lives are romanticised. Madama Butterfly exists in a very exotic an glamorous setting.

[@ittellir3800]

STV TRANSLATIONS I know, but if you take tosca, the the use of the speaking voice and the themes is a lot verista, that’s why studying Music History he is with Mascagni and Leoncavallo, even if he is a lot different the main reason he is with them is because of the themes

[@ittellir3800]

STV TRANSLATIONS sorry about my English, but I’m Italian 😰

[@xinthrau8520]

5:23 he sounds like a cello to me

[@stillkikkin2]

this one needs a smile like Pavarotti

[@FacePaster]

What a beautiful voice. Probably closer to a baritone than a bass. What a shame he died so young.

[@rc3strategies863]

Exactly... definitely not a bass...sounds even light enough to possibly sing tenor with training

[@benjaminlorr1486]

Thank you to Patti Smith for many reasons, but now this too

[@ShawDAMAN]

@Dragonianfire I haven't heard a bass singing a tenor aria but I'm sure it could be good. ;P It's unfair sometimes, I know, but there's a reason that tenors get the most attention. But I agree that lower voice types are unfairly in the shadow sometimes. I myself am a baritone (not professional though.) haha

[@zuraiashvili8647]

Pavarotti uses lots of head voice which creates melancholic sounds he is talking about

[@Dragonianfire]

@ShawDAMAN I'm just fed up with tenors getting all the attention, a tenor records a bass song higher, and everyone says it's great, but if a bass records a tenor song lower, you get loads of people saying it doesn't fit in context being that low... if they pay any attention at all.

[@Kafkandinsky]

Agree and disagree on you. Yes, singing full aria it wasn't necessary with this great bass. Singing a couple of lines would be more than enough. But I gotta admit he was a bit spot on. Using legato makes it sound more melancholical than serious. And yes, the bass guy sings it so much better. What a pitty that this beautiful and rich bass voice got lost.

[@ShawDAMAN]

@Dragonianfire U dont have to be. Caruso recorded this aria and I believe some others. ;-P

Pavarotti whitout autotune!

[@marja011]

Grazie Patti (anche se nella spiegazione hai confuso Colline con Rodolfo)

[@diogenes1351]

What is the sound effect called on the piano at 0:23?

[@Dragonianfire]

@ShawDAMAN If he was a bass, then yeah! :3

[@JavierArveloCruzSantana]

Being taught by Pavarotti on the spot in front of an audience. PRICE-F'ING-LESS!

[@Guitsandthings]

HAHA wow, he did that in the same key as Robert Briggs!

[@stone8193]

Guitsandthings so? That's well within a comfortable lyric tenor range. Nothing particularly low

[@manuredrum4754]

Yep but the color of the voice it s completely different

[@Kafkandinsky]

He probable will say that Bellini is a Verismo composer, just to keep his consistency on this theme. Although he commited a blooper, I think you're exagerating a bit. He was neither mechanical or clueless about the words.His performances from the 70's speak for themselves.

[@stefanogrimaldi503]

Luciano potrebbe cantare con grazia anche L elenco del telefono

[@judelko]

@mdcam89 placido not egocentric - you're kidding?

[@Mooorhe]

A little more legato from Pavarotti?

[@Kafkandinsky]

This guy had a beautiful bass voice. He had so much potential. He won the Luciano Pavarotti International Vocal Competition in 1985 and was appointed as a great potencial musician. Too bad his life of excess lead him to a premature death.

[@musicalfreestyles]

Kafkandinsky did you know him personally? I did. Robert was a wonderful colleague, so talented, kind to all. Unfortunately, he lived in an era where medicine had not yet caught up with proper treatment of the disease. Given the same circumstances today, he would probably still be with us.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

@@musicalfreestyles yes, practically 99% normal life with early intervention medication today, to the point the viral load in undetectable. it's not a cure, but the closest to it.

[@davidbarth80]

Like how Mr. Briggs following Mr. Pavarotti's hand instructions. 2nd performance was better even to my untrained ears. I think at least.

[@Kafkandinsky]

Maybe you have a point in there. Off course for an opera singer is a rewarard of a life to have a Master Class with Maestro Domingo, but he barely let the students/professionals sing without interrupting. It's not really productive. It would be like a 100m athlet being stoped for each meter and be corrected.Ok, maybe I'm misdjudging his way of directing the masterclasses,but I kinda saw it this way.

[@ginaceballos7074]

I wish i can understand the words..

[@whupass95]

Tenors have vocal chords like paper; bass' and baritone's are like bull-balls. That said, il maistro is correct. Every word.

[@piax00]

bravo pavarotti! just a little more legato it would be smashing

[@ryanblanchfield1380]

I don’t think Pavarotti needed to perform the entire piece lol.

[@juanmycontreras2178]

Ahora recogerte chaval

[@robertotitta640]

Interessante sentire cantare Vecchia Zimarra da un tenore...

[@andreinicolae6154]

How does Robert died?

[@oldtwinsna8347]

died of AIDS in 92

[@mnalbayrak]

The tune of the piano is very weird

[@Kafkandinsky]

By the way, if you disliked this Pavarotti's Masterclass conduction, you will surely hate Domingo ones. Domingo is very annoying. Always interrupting and trouting. He even orders the piano player to let him do the piano too.There's always someone more egocentrical :S

[@shahbazwarsi727]

Warsi

[@simulacrumx2318]

tragic

[@wishlist123]

he died at 39 .... AIDS..

[@Tkimba2]

Thats so sad...

[@wishlist123]

@@Tkimba2 ikr :(

[@spgtenor]

Yes, Luciano sang it well, but he's not there to give a concert. How humiliating for the student to watch him sing the whole aria for him. Everything Pav said before "per esempio" was good advice, and then he had to indulge himself with an aria he loves, and the only opportunity to sing it for a captive audience.

[@operaticsnyc]

Haha... Pavarotti is useless in the masterclass department...

[@rosalindseymore4543]

This is a one off, trust me he doesn't usually just sing