Tagliavini, Tullio - Curiosità,

#Tagliavini #Tullio-Curiosità #undefined

https://www.fondazione3m.it/page_scheda.php?id=3926

L'Elisir d'Amore, 1949

http://www.reddit.com/r/OldOpera/comments/1q0ut4r/lelisir_damore_1949/

Tonight, I decided to go back to one of my favourite operas, L'Elisir d'Amore. It's actually the second opera I ever listened to in Italian on 5 March of this year. It was so early in my journey that I didn't even write a proper review of it, except to say that I enjoyed the singers and hated the English libretto that I found. I still do, but sadly, for some odd reason, I didn't save the excellent translation from the Italian that Perplexity wrote for me, so I just read Wikipedia and listened to the beautiful singing.

Libretto

https://www.opera-arias.com/donizetti/l%27elisir-d%27amore/libretto/english/

To save you the headache of the above link, here is the Wikipedia entry. Why on Earth they skip both this recording and another from the same year in their discography section is completely beyond me! That said, don't skip the commentary at the beginning or in the middle, because it explains the plot very well and even what the singers are wearing! This is a great advantage of radio shows over videos for the blind, because without being told such things, even the sighted listeners have no idea about them without trying to find old pictures!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27elisir_d%27amoreWhile

Recording

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZXd43gtYIA

The story is a sweet and innocent one that does away with the violence and tragedies seen in so many operas. Instead, there is a love-sick young peasant in love with a landowner (though it's worth mentioning that the announcer describes her as wearing peasant clothing), and a sergeant determined to take her heart, not to mention a hilarious quack doctor trying to take advantage of the situation with a fake love potion. Of course, all ends happily, with everyone getting what he wants, even Belcore, since, as he says, there are plenty more women in the world. In short, it's exactly the sort of plot and opera that I love.

I really wish that Schipa had recorded this, as I consider Una Furtiva Lagrima to be one of his signature arias. But you really can't go wrong with Tagliavini. He is the only one to equal Schipa in this, and his Quanto è bella, quanto è cara is incredibly beautiful, and is, in my opinion, one of his best arias, though I prefer the studio version. For some reason, I thought Baccaloni was in this, but although he would have sung the part wonderfully, I was confusing it with Don Pasquale. Instead, we get Tajo, who is another of my favourite basses. I don't know why, but I forgot to add Bidu Sayão to the list of female operatic singers whom I know and like! Musically, this is exactly what I expect from an opera; wonderful arias, lovely harmonies, duets, trios, even great chorus parts, and good recititives. At no point did I feel it dragged. I was involved from the first moment to the last. I do wish they had included the Opera News on the Air and the Opera Quiz, though, as both sounded like they would have been interesting.

I enjoyed this when I first heard it,and I still do now. My other choice would have been Martha, which has a similar light and comedic feel, but I don't regret my decision, and I highly recommend this to anyone,but especially those new to opera. I will be revisiting my very first opera, Don Pasquale tomorrow, because it's a great way for me to start the year.

Edit. There is one with Baccaloni! It's the other one from 1949 that I mentioned. I didn't realise he was in it! And most of the other cast members are the same as well, so now, you can choose which one you want. That said, Tajo was still great, so you wouldn't lose either way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1c5EmlT-i0

#Donizetti #opera #review #Tagliavini

The only singer I've heard approach Tagliavini's sweetness and softness(at times) is Gigli. Here is one where they are both equal, or at least, so good that it's difficult to decide between them. This is one of my favourite songs of all time. I love Tosti. And yes, I have and adore the Schipa version of this, but he doesn't really fit the current contest.

Tagliavini

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQCX0i2mC3Q

Gigli

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXbKaZ4vI0k

Since I rarely get to do this, as their paths don't often cross, here is Carlo Buti, known for his sweetness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b96oZ3cwuYc

#Buti #Gigli #opera #Tagliavini #Tosti

(Note. The bit about watching/listening and Tagliavini refers to a Reddit post in which I asked about four different versions of La Boheme that I have in my large list of opera links. Also, Schipa is still my favourite singer of all time. But Gigli is second, Tagliavini is third, and Battistini is fourth.)
"I just finished listening to La Boheme from 1938. I say "listening" because several people mentioned that I said "watching" in the post where I was trying to decide on a version. I am totally blind, so it's all listening for me, whether there is a video or not. But I'm accustomed to saying "watch" when referring to things that I find on Youtube, which is odd, as I usually download them as mp3s, but anyway. This is the full opera.

youtube.com/watch?v=mE5vRfD7uC…

This is the libretto that I used.

opera-arias.com/puccini/la-boh…

The first act basically told the story of the characters themselves. The second made me laugh in several places. Marcello and (Musetta were quite funny, in general. Poor Alcindoro) kept trying to calm Musetta and was ultimately stuck with the bill, but that was clever. The third, of course, was more serious, and forshaddowed things to come. I'm glad the fourth act had some comedy in it, because the ending was heart-breaking. Even though I knew what would happen, it was played so well that it brought me to tears, and I had to calm down before writing this review! Even Schipa himself couldn't do that, and I have the last scene with him in it! Gigli was an absolute master of this role, and while complaining about his sobs in other instances may be justified, he used them expertly in this performance, and truly brought the character of Rodolfo to life. What really surprised me is how much I liked Licia Albanese. I am usually not a fan of high-pitched female voices, but for some reason, I liked her, and the chemistry between her and Gigli's characters could be felt. I am really glad that I chose this version and would highly recommend it to anyone."

"Since I mentioned being caught between Gigli and Tagliavini in my other post, here is Che Gelida Manina by both of them.

Gigli
youtube.com/watch?v=b5Ba_MSygG…

Tagliavini

(I am providing two versions because he sings them quite differently. The first is extremely sweet and the second less so, but it still sounds like it's before the voice change. I have always loved his version, but I don't know how he would handle the rest, particularly the really dramatic parts.)

1
youtube.com/watch?v=ux1QuTbQsc…

2
youtube.com/watch?v=2DdPoNsTRD…

Now for Schipa.

youtube.com/watch?v=gqcuAAA_2m…

And this is the final scene that I mentioned in my review. Naturally, it is played well, as Schipa always sang everything beautifully. But Gigli added his own elements to it.

youtube.com/watch?v=IMTQ7gGyuw… "

Since I mentioned it, here is my large list of operas.

dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/242…

#BeniaminoGigli #FerruccioTagliavini #Gigli #LaBoheme #opera #Puccini #review #Tagliavini #TitoSchipa #Schipa