jmc's classics
today is the Birthday of Enrico Caruso one of the early Great tenors. the predecessor to Pavarotti , Lanza Etc. On February 14 it is the birthday of Russian basso Feodore (Theodore) Challiapin. both born in 1873 the same year as Russian composer Sergie Rachmaninoff.
Caruso was one of the first opera singers to make a fortune in recordings. In 1999 some of his recordings were re-recording with a modern orchestra. He recording techniques of 100 years ago were very primitive compared to what we have now. I do not think that the opera singers of that day stack up to the ones of today. Their voices sound different. Many of them had heavy accents in their voices. Most of them in my opinion would not make it today if they were around. Everybody has heard of the Three Tenors. They have excellent voices. Placido Domingo is now singing as a baritone. Pavarotti appeared on children's TV shows. Carraras wanted to be a soccer player. The last two were Spanish. Pavarotti was Italian. Italy has produced many excellent tenors. So has Sweden. Of the Tenors from the Past Jussi Bjorling in my opinion had the best voice. Caruso sang mostly Italian and French roles. He had done some of Wagner's operas early in his career but did not record them many of Wagner's roles are very demanding on opera singers. It would take too long to explain. In the TV show MASH There was a scene where Winchester played one of his records. Winchester was also supposed to be a classical music lover. Challiapin and Caruso were friends. They did not make any recordings together. Challiapin married and Italian Ballerina and had children with her as well as his mistress. one of his sones Feodore Challiapin Jrr. (1907-1992) was a famous actor.
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