Franco Corelli's Spectacular Cavaradossi (and Birgit's Explosive C6)

Disclaimer - I own nothing

[@jasonhurd4379]

I can honestly say this is the finest rendition of E lucevan le stelle I have ever heard. The legato, the portamenti, the tenuti, the mezza voce, all the aspects that go to making this aria are in place and used masterfully. But it is not just beautiful singing. Corelli uses these musical tools, not just to create a gorgeous moment of tenor beauty, but to flesh out and define the character of Cavaradossi. This ardent young painter, half of whose love goes to Tosca and half to his republican cause, finally realises at the end of his life what was important all along, and it was not the revolution: it was the warm, intoxicating love he and Tosca had together. This realisation torments him, and he knows at last that he does not want to die. Heartbreaking and tragic, and Corelli's magnificent artistry brings it all to vivid life. No wonder the audience goes crazy! If his O dolci mani is not quite on the same rarefied level of magnificence, that is Puccini's fault, not Corelli's. To demand that, only a few moments after the heartfelt passion and torment of the earlier number, the artist suddenly switch gears and murmur a delicate paean to his lover, was an unreasonable request that Ricordi should have corrected when working with the composer. Such is life. Thank you, Lohengrin!

[@LohengrinO]

he is indeed flawless here... Flawless

[@aetion]

@Lohengrin O
As was Di Stefano in the video you uploaded not so long ago, wasn't he? However, Corelli is considered to be the best Cavaradossi ever. The one way or the other, you prove Jason's opinion that you have an excellent taste.

[@leonoradelagardie]

Jason Hurd, this is beautifully expressed and indeed describes the great Corelli perfectly! He was also of astonishing physical beauty.

[@maggiedeveney]

Jason Hurd what a beautiful and informed comment. Thank you!

[@numetutelare]

Inarrivabile... e si canta così quando si ha una tecnica solidissima e perfetta... la voce poi è un dono del cielo...

[@ryan.engstrom]

"That's what a tenor is supposed to sound like!" - my friend when be first heard Corelli

[@jasonhurd4379]

Your friend has excellent taste!

[@j.j.schlachtfeld9325]

I don't know what Puccini had for breakfast the day he composed 'E lucevan le Stelle', but that's what I want to eat for the rest of my life. What a beautiful aria! What a rendition by Corelli! Monumental... Simply spectacular.

[@leandroabreu9532]

Corelli...Corelli forever !!!

[@lieliannenasgy2649]

Il Maestro Franco Corelli, unico magnifico, eccellente.Grazie caro Lohengrin O.

[@marilynmichaels8358]

Franco Corelli... beyond hot and great... BRAVO!!!!

[@natalinatollari9906]

Spettacolare!!!!!!! Il migliore!!!!!!!

[@victoriagrapsidou3474]

I just adore his immense Voice!!! Grandissimo Franco! Divino tenoro ...

[@marcoscorvo2514]

5:20 that explosive C6

[@BellaFirenze]

"...le belle forme disciogliea dai veli!" is one of the miracles of recorded sound. I was fortunate, at age 19, to have seen/heard these artists in Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera House (June of 1970), Francesco Molinari-Pradelli conducting. It was a matinée performance, but I do not recall if it was broadcast. Bravissimi!

[@nkalinina2012]

Holy mother of God, this is the first "E lucevan le stelle" I've cried for. The audience applause here is damn well earned.

[@folliefollymops7676]

Spectacular....A HISTORIC performance! So Beautiful! Thank You!!!!

[@renepaccard7914]

Bonjour merveilleux incomparable mr corelli cette voix sublime un régal unique comme le superbe tenor merci grâce à vous et cette vidéo nous le retrouvons bien present ca fait plaisir et bravo a l incomparable

[@nathandavis3002]

Franco corelli is in my mind the absolute definition of what a tenor is supposed to be. Utterly and completely complete, in a way we have not yet heard from a soprano, even the greats. He just embodies ALL the qualities any tenor should strive to be.

[@elsaasta5164]

... Esordisco così, caro Lohengrin0, il mio Corelli è sempre stato spettacolare in ogni sua performance, forse mi ripeterò all' infinito... ma Lui è stato e sempre sarà il mio idolo. I love my Franco!! Thank you dear Lohengrin0 and bye.. bye.. Elsa "♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️l love Corelli.

[@numetutelare]

Corelli è un patrimonio italiano che canta al mondo...

[@elsaasta5164]

@@numetutelare.... Questo immenso Artista e grande uomo m'ha preso il cuore!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Elsa

[@p.b4287]

This is unbelievable! Now I understand why people are always referring to Corelli. I was guided to listen to him by a person in the comments.

[@aetion]

This rendition is far better than the famous Parma one (21.1.1967), which IMHO is exaggerated and finally not human. Nilson also very good in this performance.
Thanks, dear Lohengrin O. You always choose the best.

[@dimitrigiok]

Nothing wrong with non-human performances. I would give anything to have been there in Parma that night... the audience went insane - rightly so

[@billtroop6138]

Let’s say it is as good as Parma. They are both very different. It is a measure of Corelli’s artistry that he could sing the role so differently but with equal success.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Corelli AYE Dios MIO. HERMANO. No tengo palaves AMIGO. TY FOR POSTING. ONE OF THE GTOAT 👑 Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@nestordilullo9831]

Magnifica interpretacion como tantaa que realiso

[@cosimoepicoco7022]

Tosca! La mia opera preferita.Purtroppo il vigliacco Scarpia trasformerà' tutto in tragedia.Illudera'Mario che non dara' giustiziato,Tosca pero', orgogliosamente accortasi dell'inganno si togliera' la vita "O Scarpia avanti a Dio." Quest'opera la conosco parola per parola,nota per nota...Tosca: "ancora non ti muovere...su Mario,su..Mario! Mario...finire cosi'.." Grazie.

[@numetutelare]

Senza Scarpia non avrebbe avuto senso l'opera Tosca... sarebbe stato il solito romanzo d'amore ... Così è un amore immortale reso eccelso dal sacrificio...

[@fernandorivas7419]

How anthological dueto in this gorgeous Tosca.
Thanks you very much dear virtual friend Lohengrin O for sharing this wonderful video.
Best regards from Santiago ,Chile .
Ut Benedicat tibi Dominun.
Dr. Fernando Rivas-Burattini

[@yaelpalombo4093]

💖💖💐💐💖💖💐💐💖💖💐💐

[@jannavanbellen9085]

❤️

[@amandajean7738]

When was this performed?

[@mao1878]

As always Corelli is all fire.. but i do understand why people object to Nilsson in italian repertoire.. somehow i get the same feeling like listening to her i get when listening to Tebaldi... yet when Franco sung this aria with Callas, it was a totally different realm. Even if Tosca for her at that time in her career wasn’t exactly the greatest choice...
I prefer Nilsson and Corelli in Turandot for an amazing pairing of the two than Tosca. Dana

[@francogimelli8150]

Che cosa dire grande!

[@cosimoepicoco7022]

Elena Asta: cara amica, attendo tuo parere.

[@elsaasta5164]

.... C'è poco da dire caro Cosimo, io stravedo per il mio Corelli, addirittura rasento la ridicolaggine se così si può chiamare la mia forte passione per Franco, ammiro tantissimi protagonisti lirici... ma Lui lo venero a tal punto che quando lo ascolto mi ammutolisco e sento una forte tristezza e commozione della sua assenza... Cosimo ti posso confessare una cosa.. è come se Lui facesse parte ancora di questa era!! Soddisfatto?? Vediamo se c'è qualcuno che ha bisogno di criticare o di ridire... Ciao caro Cosimo sei sempre tanto gentile... a risentirci... Elsa. 😎😎😎😎😎

[@cosimoepicoco7022]

Elsa Asta ......Toto' diceva:" l'artista non muore mai.Hai visto Tosca in formato film del' 92, con Domingo,Malfitano,Raimondi?

[@elsaasta5164]

@@cosimoepicoco7022.... Si Cosimo quello che ha lasciato detto il Grande Toto è pura verità... Chi è stato in qualche modo particolarissimo nella vita... La morte attenua l' attenzione del soggetto... ma lascia un 'indelebile traccia per molti anni!! Basti pensare ad Enrico Caruso... ancor oggi nominato in continuazione e portato ad esempio per la sua stupenda voce!! Mi chiedi se abbia visto il film di Tosca con Placido Domingo... non ricordo... però mi sembra di aver visto in televisione Domingo in questa performance.. Sbaglio?? Un ciao a te... Elsa

[@cosimoepicoco7022]

Elsa Asta ....si titolava "Sui posti e nei luoghi di Tosca."Mattina sant'Andrea della Valle, Mezzogiorno Palazzo Farnese,Alba giorno dopo Castel Sant'Angelo.Direttore Zubin Metha.Ti racconto un' aneddoto occorso al tenore Fabio Armiliato: durante "la fucilazione," fu davvero ferito seriamente tanto da sospendere il finale.Tosca era Raina (il cognome non so scriverlo) recito' 400 volte il ruolo di Tosca.Ciao.