The Greatest of Tenors

[vivandorron]

I have posted in the Music section which appears to be a venue for more modern members of AB who are into Pop music. Hence the reason for my thinking that Historians are more qualified to give an answer to my original question which is:-

I put forward the question, "Who in your opinion has been the world's greatest Operatic Tenor?.

I say, John McCormack (1884-1945) who,unfortunately, is best remembered as a sinjger of Irish ballads. However, at 23yrs of age was (possibly still is) the youngest Tenor to have performed major roles at London's Covent Garden Opera House.

It has been said that when he met the Great Caruso and enquired "How is the world's greatest tenor?" the response he received was " Since when have you become a baritone.!

Ron.

[Buenchico]

Hi Ron!

Hmmm

As a (poor) student of philosophy, I know that comparative discussions tend to be meaningless unless they're based upon clear definitions. So what, I have to ask, constitutes 'greatness'? If it's an ability to sing every note exactly as it appears in the score, then perhaps you ought to consider a 'technical' singer, such as Peter Pears, as a candidate for the word's greatest tenor.

If, on the other hand, 'personal interpretation' is more important than simple 'technical ability' then John McCormack certainly becomes a candidate.

The 'majority opinion' seems to favour Placido Domingo:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/ worldwidestories/pressreleases/2008/03_march/m usic_magazine_domingo.shtml

However, Luciano Pavarotti's opinion was that the title 'the maestro' belonged solely to Giuseppe di Stefano.

Chris

[vivandorron]

G'day Chris.........It's always a pleasure to hear from you because your comments are sensible and I know that if I see the name of Buenchicho in AB, there will follow something which is worth reading.

I acknowlege that Peter Pears is an excellent singer but his performances are too precise on notation. Furthermore, I would not describe his voice as 'Bel Canto' for which I have a liking.

Already I'm getting out of my depth....My singing abilities can be classified as zero and my keyboard capabilities are purely self taught. ( Viv has looked over my shoulder and has said that I have mis-spelt 'poorly'.)

Thanks for the clickable link......Pity it didn't list the full top twenty tenors.... I think Domingo came out on top as a popular vote because of his numerous appearances on TV......John Mccormack didn't even have Radio when he hit the headlines.

Best wishes....Ron.

[reinganum]

Buenchico has already asked what constitutes "greatness"; but I have to ask what do you mean by "tenor"? There are lyric tenors, heldentenors and those who confined themselves to oratorio and song.

I'd probably say Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau if it's songs, with Peter Pears a close second; Pavarotti and Bjorling in the lighter, lyric tenor mould; Placido Domingo in the "middle range" e.g. the heavier Puccini roles and Verdi; but my favourite heldentenor without a doubt was Lauritz Melchior, whose recordings in various Wagnerian roles have been in my collection for many years.
(I don't agree that it was difficult to judge singers from the 78rpm era, except for those from before the age of electical recording (before 1925). Recording engineers from the 1930s and 1940s were capable of extraordinary technical ability, and those recordings have usually been available ever since, both on LP and CD.)

[vivandorron]

In A Pickle........If you are, I certainly am. (Apology for my supposed witticism.)

It is difficult to assess any singer from what are tantamount to 100yr old recordings; as is the case with most of J.M's. Nevertheless,I am pleased that you acknowledge him to have been a great lyrical tenor.. I think he devoted about 15yrs of his life to opera before restricting his performances to the concert platform; because he believed his voice to be God given ( sorry, but I'm lost on that point) and wanted the poor folk to be able to afford to hear his wonderful voice. Incidentally, it can be said that he made more money from the 'Pop world' than he would have in Opera; where he was a very bad actor.

By the way I've heard of all the past tenors which you have listed but getting old ( o.k. I am already) I've failed to keep up-to-date with the modern members and Florez is the only one which rings a bell. However, he's getting on to forty and hasn't achieved as much as J.M. had by the time he was 23yrs of age.

I've certainly dug a hole for myself with the original question because reinganum has now moved my thoughts into the field of Lieder and I must confess that I had never heard of 'Heldentenor' which my dictionary says is "A singer with a powerful voice for heroic operatic parts." Furthermore, I had forgotten about Lauritz Melchior who began his career as a Baritone.

Ron.

p.s. You are right I-A-P , Del Monaco was a shouter.

[vivandorron]

Hi, In A Pickle....I hope you are still threaded to my original question because I've another one especially for you.

You did suggest that further views and or arguments would be welcomed.

O.K. for the mere fun of it, "Where would you place in your ranking of Greatest Tenors, the lesser known 'Giovanni Foli'.

I feel sure you will have heard recordings of the Tenor concerned; although many Opera Buffs will not have even heard of his name.

Looking forward to your further comments; along with those of any other ABers who are interested in matters.,............Ron

[cantatrice]

My choice would be Tito Schippa

[vivandorron]

G'evening cantatrice.........I must confess that old age had made me forget about Tito Schipa who was of the same generation as John McCormack.

T.S. may not have had a robust voice but his technical abillities were really something. Shall we put him up the top with J.M. and let the viewers decide the number one spot.?!!

Incidentally, because I posted my question in two sections of AB, there are a few other comments in the following clickable link.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Music/Question5 73701.html


Thanks for having reminded me about T.S............Ron.

[vivandorron]

I must confess that I did have wishful thinkings that someone may have asked..." Who in the Irish is Giovanni Foli" Perhaps you were all aware that it was the name which John McCormack used for a short while in his endeavours to be accepted by the Italian opera houses; but having made it with his own name, at Covent Garden, he reverted to his original name of J.M.

Sorry if I am boring you with my admiration of J.M.....Ron.