Verdi's Requiem: Confutatis by Nikolai Ghiaurov

Karajan conducts the orchestra and choir of La Scala in 1967.

[@FedericoFrezzolinifrezZ]

Mi sono innamorato della voce di Ghiaurov ascoltando proprio questa Messa: potente, uniforme, senza cedimenti e sbavature, perfetta. Uno dei più magnifici bassi della storia della musica

[@romainlefranc3760]

Beau et une voix colossale et d’une douceur infinie

[@photo161]

Ghiaurov, What a superb instrument, and how very beautifully he sings!

[@gervis5312]

Voix non seulement magnifique, contrôlée, mais aussi touchante et émouvante, en harmonie parfaite avec cette belle et authentique personne.

[@92belisarius]

The fact that a voice this size has such control and beauty, complete evenness throughout the range is frankly miraculous. One of the greatest singers ever and so heartfelt

[@TheWiseMonkey8888]

3:58 :)

[@user-mf3td9iw6f]

До мурашек!!! Дух захватывает!!!

[@sanjamarinkovic9040]

My memories... I sang with great Ghiaurov my first Verdi's Requiem at Dubrovnik - international summer festival ( former Yougoslavia) . Wonderful concert! Maestro Z. Mehta was in public and applauded very loud, standing in the midle of church.

[@neapolis1982]

grazie maestro Ghiaurov... da brividi!

[@TheRaven757]

INCREDIBLE. I never grow tired of hearing him.

[@Anoush23]

Besides that he was a gorgeous singer, he was also a pretty handsome guy :)

[@gomist2018]

I had a crush on him 😉 Saw him in Don Carlo at CG, also in Milan.

[@oussamachouichi5677]

Beautiful souls, celestial music, most of the people here featured in this video departed already this earth, but left such a beauty.

[@MrMooseman485]

Verdi really knew how to write for the bass voice. I would love to sing this someday.

[@marcsimard2555]

Malheureusement décédé trop tôt. Une vraie BASSE avec une sensibilité incroyable!!

[@ESilva-gw9ig]

I've listened to many basses singing this part, but no one overcomes Ghiaurov's performance of Verdi's Requiem. Perfection.

[@yemahock]

Christoff, Ramey

[@giovannisanseviero5726]

What an absolutely stellar cast of von Karian's '67 Requiem of Verdi. God bless Nikolai and his entire larger-than-life peers.

[@madisoncastle5138]

And Nicholai sounded beautiful!

[@BazzasBest]

Oh the beauty, the power, the sensitivity, the musicality. What a satisfying experience to be in the presence of such a magnificent basso voice..

[@nadetomirkova4943]

NICOLAI GHIAUROV ???!!! GREAT VOICE !!! GREAT BASS !!! WORLD BASS !!! PRIDE FOR BULGARIA AND FOR ALL BULGARIANS !!! PRIDE FOR THE WORLD CULTURE !! GOD BLESS THE HIS BEAUTIFUL BULGARIAN SOUL !!! ALL MY FRIENDS, THE MY FAMILY AND I LOVE THE GREAT BASS NICOLAI GHIAUROV ENDLESS !!! WITH A LOT OF LOVE AND LIGHT N.Mirkova from Sofia - Bulgaria

[@hlukhi]

Ладно, ладно, мы вас то же любим!

[@abracadabranque]

Timbre propre,sans gutturalité excessive;aigus clairs et ronds à la fois.Une voix saine,sans traficotage.

[@TheBryanmantilla]

Nikolai Ghiaurov es el más grande de los cantantes operísticos del siglo 20.

[@madisoncastle5138]

Sí

[@golden-63]

Huge gorgeous voice, rock solid technique, and musicality of the first order. And he was an amazingly talented actor on the stage. IMO, the greatest operatic Bass of the 20th century.

[@Agorante]

Of course.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

Totally agreed. Though I think Pinza is the greatest bass of the 20th century. But Ghiaurov was simply incredible. Siepi too. They were GODS.

[@madisoncastle5138]

Yeah!

[@Sunflowers159]

I love bass voices and that sends shivers up and down my spine! An amazing voice and so expressive!

[@youski19]

What a voice

[@alessandrocolla2693]

senza parole.. da brividi

[@elainebmack]

I get chills listening to Ghiaurov.

[@evonnedalton9141]

His.voice and interpretations never failed to move me. For me, he was second to none. His voice reminded me of honey on velvet. I have been an avid fan since 1963 and have all of his recordings. Check out his King Phillip in "Din Carlo" - he is superb.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

And his Mephistopheles! He is the best Mephisto in Faust EVER!!!! And my personal favourite Godunov, too.

[@madisoncastle5138]

Yeah!

[@SoulNotes1]

Ghiaurov never failed to deliver the very best!

[@fabouw]

Without any doubt the best basso ever!

[@mudgebauer]

An excellent and clear video from such a long time ago. I wish the entire requiem of this concert was available.

[@Ramon34able]

Incomparabile in ogni senso!

[@Laurence-zk3mp]

un modèle du genre dans toute l'étendue du sceptre sonore

[@BaroneVitellioScarpia1]

sublime.

[@cecicardoza6235]

That transition between Confutatis and Dies Irae GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS HOLY SHIT

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

That's Karajan for you!

[@madisoncastle5138]

That’s right!

[@jordipanadesribera6890]

Amazing Nicolai young...

[@josealbertovelazqueza.4537]

EXCELENTE!!!! UN NICOLAI EN PLENA JUVENTUD.

[@bastianinicorelli]

Extraordinary, sensitive and moving performance that only Ghiaurov can give. Absolutely stupendous! A master class for singing, interpetation and humility to the genius of Verdi. Ghiaurov was Karajan's favourite bass through the 1960s and 1970s. For me Ghiaurov was the one and only bass during his (49 years) long career. And he still is!

[@harangue21]

une de nos plus belles basses verdiennes merci

[@gomongio]

Wow!!! that Confutatis followed by that Dies Irae .... such a display of power!!!

[@madisoncastle5138]

Yeah!

[@cyrilletremblay3039]

Nicolai Ghiaurov à ses débuts internationaux en 1961, avec sa voix cristalline envoûtant les mélomanes du monde entier !!!

[@sagarzon]

Que maravilla este señor.... Awesome interpretation and voice Grande Ghiaurov

[@nadetomirkova4943]

VERY HEART GREETINGS FOR KZbin BG / Bulgaria / FOR THE FANTASTIC MIX !!! Eternal Nikolai Ghiaurov"s FAN Nadya Mirkova FROM SOFIA - BULGARIA

[@sfkcbf]

He uses his great vocal instrument with great insight and musicality. Wonderful! Thank goodness we have recordings of him.

[@mordred1971]

MERAVIGLIOSO..........

[@onomogono]

amaizing......i have never heard something like that RIP maestro ghiaurov

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

He was one of the best.

[@ina5587]

@@xxsaruman82xx87 He was the best.

[@madisoncastle5138]

Yeah! I think he’s the best!

[@Evvivaverdi]

The excerpt between 3:48 and 4:15 is far beyond the excellence and musical genius. Evviva Verdi!

[@madisoncastle5138]

Yeah!

[@sinjoorim]

amazing voice…

[@lilbill88]

LOLOL props to the directors and cameramen! The swing over to the maestro after 4:01 is perfect 👌🏽

[@madisoncastle5138]

Yeah!

[@nadetomirkova4943]

Dear friends from You Tube, endless thank You for the FANTASTIC VIDEO !!! With love Nadeto Mirkova from Sofia - Bulgaria

[@chengjinkoh]

Beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking.

[@KirilIliev_Utube]

there's something in the timbre, something a chef would call butter in a sauce, gold if your are a jeweler, rose oil if you are a perfume maker, its difficult to describe ...

[@bastianinicorelli]

Sensational!

[@chiaralunaa]

Semplicemente meraviglioso!

[@FlamEnemY]

Superb.

[@hlukhi]

И Верди грандиозен и Гяуров бесподобен!

[@deyanangel1253]

Великият български бас Николай Гяуров ни напусна на днешния ден преди 17 години. The great Bulgarian bass Nikolay Gyaurov left us this day 17 years ago.

[@isisalejandrina4137]

Please that handsome was when young ❤️

[@Sparafucile11]

Two titans of the past 30 years. Siepi and Ghiaurov. I heard them both in the same theatre. The combination of size of voice and beauty of tone is unmatched. The system doesn't produce these voices now. So sad. Bravo Nicolai!!

[@baixobaritono]

Really an honor to read a report from someone who actually saw and listened two these titans live! Thank you, Mr. Patterson.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

Past thirty? Siepi began his career in the 40s. And Ghiaurov debuted in the 50s. But that must have been incredible to see them together. What did you see them in? And you are most certainly right about the lack of good quality basses. I don't really think there are any true basses on stage nowadays.

[@jamespatterson3028]

Indeed they were around for more than thirty years but didn’t perform much if at all past the late 8o’s as far as I know. I saw Siepi as Don Basilio in San Francisco in 1983 and as King Philip II in Long Beach Ca in 1986. I saw Ghiaurov as Prince Gremin in 1986 and as Colline in 1989 both in San Francisco. Both were well past their primes but still singing wobble free and with beautiful line and characteristic vocal beauty but less power than In their younger recordings.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

@James Patterson Wow! What an experience! How big were their voices?

[@jamespatterson3028]

@@xxsaruman82xx87 , they both still had fairly large voices but not huge dominating sounds. I understand from conversations with older mentors when I was a very young singer that Ghiaurov’s voice was huge as a younger singer but that he experienced some vocal issues and had to restructure his technique and it resulted in a slightly smaller sound as a result. Siepi’s voice was so beautiful that it didn’t sound as loud as it actually was if that makes sense. Jerome Hines had a larger voice that was truly heroic while Siepi always sounded refined and he never sounded “pushed “. Just beautifully resonant and regal!

[@jo-jiseok]

Your so great!!!

[@clarktrent8952]

Sublime musical marriage: Verdi and Basso Ghiaurov!!!

[@65attila]

Marvelous

[@josephvoiceofthunder5912]

wow ....amazing so expressive!

[@35Matteo]

generoso, portentoso, senza mai scadere nella teatralità della nota ad effetto, come Pavarotti in "Ingeminisco"!!! Bravissimi, naturalmente con Karajan che li conduce da par suo.

[@donboia]

Bravo Nikolai Ghiaurov!

[@jordipanadesribera6890]

Amazing Karajan young...

[@paulostroff99]

great singing! Bravo! TY. James

[@aleksa1981]

Wonderfull!!!

[@cieobt2]

Sometimes in zen practice I can sense and appreciate the subtleties and endless possibilities of the present moment that obliterate time and yet reveal life anew. Karajan does this, here, with this glorious talent in time and space. Awesome and transporting, indeed.

[@fedeymini]

Wow! Monstous voice

[@JoseAugusto-ov3ku]

Great Great Ghiaurov...unforgetable !

[@nadetomirkova4943]

GOD BLESS ALL YOU FOR THIS GREAT BEAUTY !!! Especially greetings for KZbin BG / Bulgaria / for the fantastic MIXx !!! GOD BLESS YOU Dear friends !!! WITH ENDLESS LOVE FROM BULGARIA AND FROM ALL BULGARIANS FROM ALL WORLD !!!

[@nadetomirkova4943]

NICOLAI GHIAUROV ???!!! GREAT BULGARIAN VOICE !!! GREAT BULGARIAN ACTOR !!! WORLD BULGARIAN VOICE !!! GREAT BEAUTY !!! DEAR FRIENDS, FROM KZbin BG / Bulgaria / , BIG, BIG, BIG THANKS FOR THE FANTASTIC MIX !!! ALL YOUR MIXx ARE FANTASTIC !!! MY SOUL, MY HEART ARE FULL WITH THIS BEAUTY !!! I LOVE, VERY LOVE CLASSIC MUSIC !!! I LOVE POP OPERA !!! I LOVE FOLK MUSIC !!! I LOVE BALLET . . . . . . . . . . . !!! ENDLESS THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC MIXx !!! ALWAYS WITH A LOT OF LOVE AND LIGHT N.Mirkova FROM SOFIA - BULGARIA

[@dynomax101]

Pinza reached greatness too, and I say so even though Ghiaurov is my favorite basso cantante. Why is it that so many of us must raise their favorite singers' stars higher by denigrating other singers? Is it possible only ONE singer has greatness? Bullhockey.

[@gabrielfrota4190]

Que homem

[@nadetomirkova4943]

Nicolai Ghiaurov ???!!! DIVINE BULGARIAN BASS !!! INCREDIBLE AND INFORGETTABLE BULGARIAN BASS !!! World VOICE - VOICE PRIDE FOR A SMALL BULGARIA !!! VOICE PRIDE FOR THE World CULTURE !!! ALL WE - ALL BULGARIANS LOVE ENDLESS THIS UNIQUE BULGARIAN !!! Always with a lot of love and light eternal Nikolai Ghiaurov"s FAN Nadya Mirkova and all my big family, and all my friends from Sofia - Bulgaria - Europe and all World !!!

[@yemahock]

What about Boris Christoff?

[@lucianasalis9216]

Dono del Cielo! Magnifico, spettacolare!

[@harryharting8803]

One of the few bass opera singers who can reach and sustain such high notes in the upper reaches of the baritone range.

[@Herur22]

Splendid. Thank you Jaason and James!

[@AnnaKarkowskaVirtuoso]

Amazing, breathtaking !

[@theponderingplumb9790]

All time favorite baritone

[@evandrovilasboascardoso5757]

Aos alunos de canto que assistirem a este vídeo, aproveitem a oportunidade para aprender a colocar a voz(impostação) , observando o mordente, a cobertura e a musculatura facial. Eis, aqui, uma grande aula de técnica vocal, em todos os sentidos.

[@ariasemusicaslegendadas7657]

Impossivel de discorda disso

[@tomvernon2123]

Magnificent!

[@BBozhkilov]

Yes, indeed. You are a very lucky man.

[@victorpaz7764]

Thank you 🙏

[@esterbruno8604]

Capolavoro 👏❤

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

My favourite is Siepi, Pinza a close second, then Ghiaurov third. But they were all simply incredible. I hope Verdi is proud of them, as well he should be.

[@user-di2qh5vm2b]

Undoubtedly, the greatest bas in XX c.

[@user-es5yq9cv5p]

Негасимая ЗВЕЗДА !

[@yaelpalombo4093]

💖💖💖💐

[@yaelpalombo4093]

❤❤❤❤

[@deyazlateva1502]

♥️♥️♥️♥️🙏🌷😔

[@vladimir47able]

Молодой Гяуров поет отлично.Но старость не красит!

[@ina5587]

This is valid for everybody.

[@stevevandien310]

Siepi had the most beautiful basso cantante I've heard. But Ghiaurov in his prime was a very close second.

[@joserobertocursod1341]

Giatof bella Voce más barítono q bajo pero no xcelente su canto fraceo y cubre muy bien el sonido de grandioso como como compositor y ser humano el irrepetible VERDI x los siglos d los siglos🎀

[@helenefichefet]

Quelle voix... d'habitude je trouve les voix de basses trop relâchées avec un vibrato trop large... mais lui c'est une basse qui chante comme un ténor!! Quel bonheur

[@ERIKEPAIOS]

Nikolai Ghiaurov is also the best Attila ever ......

[@kennethcoates5793]

ERIKEPAIOS j

[@BBozhkilov]

He is the best in every bass role. Otherwise, why would we call him "Re di Bassi?"

[@cm5071]

Match Pinza? Do you have any idea what he is singing? Confutatis maledictis (when the baddies are silenced) steely and forte , going on then to ' voca...' call me to the good ones please. This change of tone from sentencing or dishing out justice to pleading, this change of register is wonderful, this is true mastery. With Pinza, as much as I like his singing, it all sounds the same. Please listen and compare, it is the difference between good singing and divine. Pinza is good - Ghiaurov in his own class.

[@Dadacomero]

Pasero is even better

[@evonnedalton9141]

Love your comment, and you're right. He was in a class of his own!

[@bastianinicorelli]

Totally agree with your comments, Christian. People like Pinza, Siepi were great vocalists with excellent voices and smooth, extremely even vocal production but monotonous as interpreters.

[@SoulNotes1]

I salute you for your accurate comment! Fortunate are we who can hear the brilliance of this magnificent voice and the absolute mastery and that sheer stupendous voice!!

[@creatioexnihilo6599]

Couple of observations. Ghiaurov had great technique. This is not necessarily a credit. More a function of finding a voice teacher that teaches such. Also, he was french. They are very proud of their expressiveness. Only correct technique gives the freedom to express a full range of dynamic. This was a lot more hit and miss just 30 years ago. I finally got a decent teacher that taught correct technique. It is a toss up with older teachers, so find a fully qualified younger one if you can that studied Richard Miller. His observations from lab work observations back in the '80s turned teaching on it's ear. I studied under a few teachers, one of which was a career opera singer who never taught me correct technique. Find the 2nd passagio beyond shadow of doubt and you are on the right path.

[@henryv69]

Un mito

[@rogerwood5228]

Probably the greatest ensemble ever put together for the greatest music of all time.... cheers to the Russian Bear!

[@marianotoa4435]

He is Bulgarian.

[@blichilde]

He wasn't Russian,he was Bulgarian.

[@telegdyattilane8839]

[@tadeuszmrownik-dzikowski5335]

Marvellous performance! Of rare class and mastery. Even given the fact that actually is should be "cor CONtritum", not "cor CORtritum" (or maybe I just hear it wrong? or the dentally articulated N blends with the T into a sort of alveolar tap that sounds strongly resembles an R?)

[@uknowwho889]

It's definitely an alveolar tap, as you suggested. Just with a lttle ghost schwar between the 'n' and 't'. I see (hear?) what you mean though.

[@VinylToVideo]

Yet to hear anyone match Pinza in this solo.