Today he is age 73, his birthday today , (Born June 2nd. 1949) probably the greatest Lyric tenor who trilled me the most in house all around, not just acting but the whole package!
Neil was and is very humble about his own voice and career, no way was he ever a big egotist about his own voice and if anything very self critical like few ever have been, anyone saying he was is a lair, he also had the high C if needed live, even if not a high C tenor and so singing this as B is not unusual, even the great tenor Bjoerling transposed it down as B, when singing it live on occasion, yes and so what.
Bravo!!! a so solid round voice for a tenore lirico. He for me is a row model for all liric tenors actually. The voice well placed,great apoggio and legato, a great balance between maska and chest voice...one of the best ever!!!BRAVO!!!
I once told Neil Shicoff his filmed La Boheme performance from Covent Garden in London, would make him famous. It's certainly an opera tailor made for him by Divine Providence. Many thanks to Shicoff 1 and Edmund St. Austell for posting this lovely aria from his Chicago Lyric Debut.
Steve, Wishing more were available online. The Met's Opera On Demand has 3 to rent - Video--the fab Hoffmann of 1988; audios--La Juive 12/13/03 and Adriana Lecouveneur 2/26/83. Alas, not the 84 Boheme nor the 86 Romeo!!
Grazie mille, caro Edmund anche mio amico Steve, per questo video unicale con mio amoroso Neil Shicoff! Una delle piu belle Gelida Manina! E' un amore! Bravissimo!!!!!!
Neil Shicoff, tenor extraordinaire! A wonderful and passionate rendering of this aria of arias. A slight metallic tinge to his voice, which I don't usually associate with him - it must be the recording. Thank you both, Edmund and Steve!
Thank you for this posting--I have the '82 performance on dvd, but this is beautiful! I'd love to see a posting of his Tosca with Gwynneth Jones as Tosca--I have a dvd of it that was taken from someone in the audience's taping of it, which, being un-professional, lacks quality, but the chemistry between them is palpable. I'd love to see a better quality post on YT, if anyone has one. Thank you again for this, and the many other Neil Shicoff postings you have done.
SHICOFF1 I'm glad then,he didn't suffer too much..many great Artists suffer stage fright...glad he was valued in Europe,at least...ironic he studied and struggled with Corelli who once said he detested Voice Coaches! I agree,he was the greatest American Tenor after Tucker...though I loved the voice of Neil more,after I saw his Debut at Convent Garden in La Boheme with Ileana,my favourite Mimi..thx for the information tc
SHICOFF1 SHICOFF1 Yes,you are correct...it is wrong to compare voices when they are different...I grew up with Pav,Domingo and Carreras! There are some wonderful Tenors out there yet we only hear of the Big 3 which is such an injustice! One young Brazilian Tenor impresses me and reminds me of Neil..what are your thoughts: ua-cam.com/video/Bd-esvds8fA/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/g1JTfZK4SWk/v-deo.html
@@rationalsceptic7634 In order to really know a voice 100% you need to see it in house, not even live or studio records are 100%, as in house but you do get an idea from live rec. more then studio, now seeing so many greats is not possible, they are gone but I saw so many, of course Neil S. , Bjoerling, Peerce, Tucker, Tagliavini, Bergonzi, 3 tenors, Schipa and many many more since 1957.
@@shicoff1398 Thank you for the great recommendation - and for making the post available in the first place!!! This is gorgeous singing, very impressive... both pleasant and exciting for the ears and touching for the heart...
Shicoff was called in after Jose Carreras canceled. Both the Spanierd and his girlfriend Katia Riciarelli bowed out of this Boheme production due to their breakup.
@SHICOFF1 Mr. Schicoff1, it sounds to me that his voice has many similar quality to Jose Carreras, but Jose's voice is more open or wild sometimes. Carreras is the sweetest voice among 3 tenors, I like his voice the most. Neil's voice is rather more refined and crafted, controled or contained artistically within. Not sure if this is the right view???
@SHICOFF1 You mention Puritani, it is so high C, bad story, yet, it seems very popular at Met everytime it was on, I guess the music is beautiful. You heard and saw those tenors at their 20's and 30's, I can only imagine what it be sound like, ringing Squillo, it is important to me, since I am not technical and only care of the beauty to ears... I agree that Stefano has bigger voice, but not as beautiful timbre as Jose, maybe many disagree and I saw some comment that Carrares copied or tried to be Stefano, too hard to tear up... I have no idea but it is painful even now to read this. I think Jose got the right total package, drawing audience all over, his presence as in many opera were close to perfect to the roles... I hate to say that most people care more of looks than the voice!!! I am so glad that I come close to your opinion on these 3 great tenors... love your writing, best.
@SHICOFF1 I do not know that many tenors, but Josef Schmidt did hit me hard, what a tragic death! Yet he recorded a ton within short period of time, and how can he get the strength to sing that powerful, his high notes are heartbeating, almost you be afraid of them jumping out off his mouth with no return! It is not coincident that they all from Jewish circle, who love arts and enjoy great singing from birth on. Love to read through and many thanks to you...
@SHICOFF1 Bjorling is so masterful, also his voice has a timbre of snow mountain type of cleanness, and a sense of sadness, somehow to me, maybe only personal view. I will search Monaco, I have no idea. Appreciated,
@SHICOFF1 That is part of my wonder, what is wrong with him, he must have a lot of contacts and friends or fans, millions things he could had done to divert the evil thing upon himself at very least... maybe he was deeply naive or involved locally, such a sad ending that could had been avoided through money and fame.
Hey Ben, Shicoff is 30 years old here. He only ran into a little trouble when studying with Corelli sometime in the 1980s, but then recuperated after parting with Corelli as a coach. What later years are you speaking of?
@@bencopeland3560 In 2005 Shicoff was 56. Corelli officially retired at age 55. I think almost every tenor voice starts declining after age 50 with few exceptions of coarse,and by age 55 they still have some glimpses of their greatness but are of course passed their prime.
@@bencopeland3560 In 2006 he sang a great Don Jose in Chicago, with Mezzo Denise Graves, I was there in house, but of course at age 57 it wasn't quite like in 1990 when he sang it also that time in Chicago, but he lasted well as was said here, after he stopped working with Corelli and perhaps went on singing and making some great recordings in the 1990's, he had made his opera debut in 1975 at age 26 and so by 2005 he was 56, a long time 30 years to last well--- after all GDS lost his prime a lot faster, so what GDS was great in those years -- Corelli quit after his early 50's and so did others. Shicoff lasted well a long time as Sugarbist stated correctly.
@@sugarbist Shicoff started in opera in 1975 making his debut at age 24, his debut was when he did sub. for Richard Tucker, in Ohio. Tucker had died suddenly earlier that year, and then in 1976 Neil sang his met. debut and radio brdcst. debut. A long career all in all.
@@downfromkentuckeh That is as you say an asinine comment made by someone who does not know that in this aria many at times singing it live a tenor will transpose it, even tenors with easy high C's like Bjoerling live sometimes did transposed it down because the entire aria fit his voice better down, so the guy is wrong, also about his ego, the man never had a big ego at all, I know him and his wife, so he is wrong about the ego thing.
@@downfromkentuckeh Yes, your right, he was never egotistical about his own voice and was in fact very self critical and honest about his voice when he felt not at his best. I know him and his wife Dawn very well.
Shicoff is very beautiful and impressive. His Italian is excellent as well as his beauty of voice. He was a fine terrific tenor.
I sure do agree whole heartedly with you and that top voice in house was loaded with Squillo, here at age 30.
Today he is age 73, his birthday today , (Born June 2nd. 1949) probably the greatest Lyric tenor who trilled me the most in house all around, not just acting but the whole package!
@@shicoff1398 I remember Shicoff being a very fine tenor
The lyric voice he had rang up top with terrific bell like Squillo in those days. You don't here it as much records as in the house, like here.
Neil was and is very humble about his own voice and career, no way was he ever a big egotist about his own voice and if anything very self critical like few ever have been, anyone saying he was is a lair, he also had the high C if needed live, even if not a high C tenor and so singing this as B is not unusual, even the great tenor Bjoerling transposed it down as B, when singing it live on occasion, yes and so what.
Vielleicht das schönste "Hohe C" daß ich je gehört habe...
The top of his voice, when he was young (as here) rang with "Squillo" like a bell, as here in the opera house!!!!!
How have I not heard of him before? Very fine!
Bravo!!! a so solid round voice for a tenore lirico. He for me is a row model for all liric tenors actually. The voice well placed,great apoggio and legato, a great balance between maska and chest voice...one of the best ever!!!BRAVO!!!
Thank you Shicoff 1 , Neil has a fantastic voice
Your welcome!
I once told Neil Shicoff his filmed La Boheme performance from Covent Garden in London, would make him famous. It's certainly an opera tailor made for him by Divine Providence. Many thanks to Shicoff 1 and Edmund St. Austell for posting this lovely aria from his Chicago Lyric Debut.
*****
Steve, Wishing more were available online. The Met's Opera On Demand has 3 to rent - Video--the fab Hoffmann of 1988; audios--La Juive 12/13/03 and Adriana Lecouveneur 2/26/83. Alas, not the 84 Boheme nor the 86 Romeo!!
SHICOFF1 hello goodbye my friend. Very underrated Tenor indeed! 👍👂🎶🎻
@@arnoldamaral7406 True!
Nothing left to say ,but Thankyou for bringing this to our and my attention.
right up there with the best.
This is absolutely PHENOMENAL, HOLY COW!!!!!!! Thanks for this recording, I love Neil’s voice so much, one of the greatest there ever was!!!
HE WAS VERY SPECIAL.
Grazie mille, caro Edmund anche mio amico Steve, per questo video unicale con mio amoroso Neil Shicoff! Una delle piu belle Gelida Manina! E' un amore! Bravissimo!!!!!!
Great, great! Bravissimo! After such perfomances my "gelido manino" becomes warm:-) Thanks Edmund for posting such rare treats.
Neil Shicoff, tenor extraordinaire! A wonderful and passionate rendering of this aria of arias. A slight metallic tinge to his voice, which I don't usually associate with him - it must be the recording. Thank you both, Edmund and Steve!
I had seen Neil Shicoff's "La Bohème" (1982) in the TV. Mimi was Ileana Cotrubas. I like his voice.
Thank you for the post.
A pleasure, my friend!
It's on DVD as well!
Thank you for this posting--I have the '82 performance on dvd, but this is beautiful! I'd love to see a posting of his Tosca with Gwynneth Jones as Tosca--I have a dvd of it that was taken from someone in the audience's taping of it, which, being un-professional, lacks quality, but the chemistry between them is palpable. I'd love to see a better quality post on YT, if anyone has one. Thank you again for this, and the many other Neil Shicoff postings you have done.
Великолепное исполнение!!!
Спасибо, мой друг!
Εκστασιακή, μαγευτική, τρυφερή μουσική !!!!!
Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ? Εκτιμώ το σχόλιό σας!
1st range❤
A great Tenor who seems underated as he didn't guide his Career very well!
SHICOFF1
I'm glad then,he didn't suffer too much..many great Artists suffer stage fright...glad he was valued in Europe,at least...ironic he studied and struggled with Corelli who once said he detested Voice Coaches!
I agree,he was the greatest American Tenor after Tucker...though I loved the voice of Neil more,after I saw his Debut at Convent Garden in La Boheme with Ileana,my favourite Mimi..thx for the information tc
SHICOFF1
SHICOFF1
Yes,you are correct...it is wrong to compare voices when they are different...I grew up with Pav,Domingo and Carreras!
There are some wonderful Tenors out there yet we only hear of the Big 3 which is such an injustice!
One young Brazilian Tenor impresses me and reminds me of Neil..what are your thoughts:
ua-cam.com/video/Bd-esvds8fA/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/g1JTfZK4SWk/v-deo.html
SHICOFF1
Indeed..that's why I'm praising him
..he has the quality of a young Lyric Tenor like Neil et al
@@rationalsceptic7634 In order to really know a voice 100% you need to see it in house, not even live or studio records are 100%, as in house but you do get an idea from live rec. more then studio, now seeing so many greats is not possible, they are gone but I saw so many, of course Neil S. , Bjoerling, Peerce, Tucker, Tagliavini, Bergonzi, 3 tenors, Schipa and many many more since 1957.
@@shicoff1398
Thank you for the great recommendation - and for making the post available in the first place!!! This is gorgeous singing, very impressive... both pleasant and exciting for the ears and touching for the heart...
Shicoff was called in after Jose Carreras canceled. Both the Spanierd and his girlfriend Katia Riciarelli bowed out of this Boheme production due to their breakup.
@SHICOFF1 Mr. Schicoff1, it sounds to me that his voice has many similar quality to Jose Carreras, but Jose's voice is more open or wild sometimes. Carreras is the sweetest voice among 3 tenors, I like his voice the most. Neil's voice is rather more refined and crafted, controled or contained artistically within. Not sure if this is the right view???
@SHICOFF1 You mention Puritani, it is so high C, bad story, yet, it seems very popular at Met everytime it was on, I guess the music is beautiful. You heard and saw those tenors at their 20's and 30's, I can only imagine what it be sound like, ringing Squillo, it is important to me, since I am not technical and only care of the beauty to ears... I agree that Stefano has bigger voice, but not as beautiful timbre as Jose, maybe many disagree and I saw some comment that Carrares copied or tried to be Stefano, too hard to tear up... I have no idea but it is painful even now to read this. I think Jose got the right total package, drawing audience all over, his presence as in many opera were close to perfect to the roles... I hate to say that most people care more of looks than the voice!!! I am so glad that I come close to your opinion on these 3 great tenors... love your writing, best.
@SHICOFF1 I do not know that many tenors, but Josef Schmidt did hit me hard, what a tragic death! Yet he recorded a ton within short period of time, and how can he get the strength to sing that powerful, his high notes are heartbeating, almost you be afraid of them jumping out off his mouth with no return! It is not coincident that they all from Jewish circle, who love arts and enjoy great singing from birth on. Love to read through and many thanks to you...
@SHICOFF1 Bjorling is so masterful, also his voice has a timbre of snow mountain type of cleanness, and a sense of sadness, somehow to me, maybe only personal view. I will search Monaco, I have no idea. Appreciated,
@SHICOFF1 That is part of my wonder, what is wrong with him, he must have a lot of contacts and friends or fans, millions things he could had done to divert the evil thing upon himself at very least... maybe he was deeply naive or involved locally, such a sad ending that could had been avoided through money and fame.
Leona Mitchell please.
He sounds great here but this voice was lost by the later years of his career.
Hey Ben, Shicoff is 30 years old here. He only ran into a little trouble when studying with Corelli sometime in the 1980s, but then recuperated after parting with Corelli as a coach. What later years are you speaking of?
@@sugarbist I'm thinking around 2005
@@bencopeland3560 In 2005 Shicoff was 56. Corelli officially retired at age 55. I think almost every tenor voice starts declining after age 50 with few exceptions of coarse,and by age 55 they still have some glimpses of their greatness but are of course passed their prime.
@@bencopeland3560 In 2006 he sang a great Don Jose in Chicago, with Mezzo Denise Graves, I was there in house, but of course at age 57 it wasn't quite like in 1990 when he sang it also that time in Chicago, but he lasted well as was said here, after he stopped working with Corelli and perhaps went on singing and making some great recordings in the 1990's, he had made his opera debut in 1975 at age 26 and so by 2005 he was 56, a long time 30 years to last well--- after all GDS lost his prime a lot faster, so what GDS was great in those years -- Corelli quit after his early 50's and so did others. Shicoff lasted well a long time as Sugarbist stated correctly.
@@sugarbist Shicoff started in opera in 1975 making his debut at age 24, his debut was when he did sub. for Richard Tucker, in Ohio. Tucker had died suddenly earlier that year, and then in 1976 Neil sang his met. debut and radio brdcst. debut. A long career all in all.
I am surprised to see this egoistic tenor did not have any problem in singing this aria with a low key.
Asinine comment
@@downfromkentuckeh Right!
@@downfromkentuckeh That is as you say an asinine comment made by someone who does not know that in this aria many at times singing it live a tenor will transpose it, even tenors with easy high C's like Bjoerling live sometimes did transposed it down because the entire aria fit his voice better down, so the guy is wrong, also about his ego, the man never had a big ego at all, I know him and his wife, so he is wrong about the ego thing.
@@downfromkentuckeh Yes, your right, he was never egotistical about his own voice and was in fact very self critical and honest about his voice when he felt not at his best. I know him and his wife Dawn very well.