Ezio was my neighbor when I was in high school in Ossining, NY. He used to come into the supermarket I worked in after school and buy a carton of cigarettes. I was appalled even back in the '60s that someone with that instrument would risk it with tobacco. He was, by the way, a friggin' GREAT guy.
Over all, the best performance I know of this daunting aria. Flagello brings some kind of sense to the somewhat fragmentary emotions Verdi included in this showcase. He was such a great singer in a wide variety of roles.
Few could match his LUCREZIA BORGIA aria (Caballe recording) where he sang beautifully besides ranging from LOW E flat (aria) to high A flat in the cabaletta! What a guy!
A really GREAT voice. I only heard him LIVE once during the late '70's in a Verdi Requiem in Seattle & he was a little past his best during this performance BUT from the late '50's until mid 70's there was, besides Siepi, no better bass voice (Italian Rep) at the MET despite Hines, Macurdy, & Giaotti. Ghiaurov, of course, but he was not around the MET consistantly during this time.
This recording is presented at too high a volume. The voice is too closely miked. You might try to remaster it. It's easy enough with Cyberlink PowerDirector.
Ezio was my neighbor when I was in high school in Ossining, NY. He used to come into the supermarket I worked in after school and buy a carton of cigarettes. I was appalled even back in the '60s that someone with that instrument would risk it with tobacco. He was, by the way, a friggin' GREAT guy.
Ezio was my Grandfather
Rick Chalek haha!!! Great story! ))) I always like to hear about ordinary life of such GREAT opera legends!!! Thanks! )
basso meraviglioso !
un attore bellissimo,un grande basso fra i grandi !
che meraviglia !
Meraviglioso artista.Ezio Flagello basso di grande nobiltà e interprete straordinario!
Over all, the best performance I know of this daunting aria. Flagello brings some kind of sense to the somewhat fragmentary emotions Verdi included in this showcase. He was such a great singer in a wide variety of roles.
Ezio Flagello was a pupil of the Australian baritone John Brownlee. Ezio was a very fine human being and a wonderful bass.
Grande Ezio, voce calda, timbro bronzeo... un vero basso della vecchia scuola.
Few could match his LUCREZIA BORGIA aria (Caballe recording) where he sang beautifully besides ranging from LOW E flat (aria) to high A flat in the cabaletta! What a guy!
Also love that duet with Caballe! It was, and is, one of my favorites.
I agree with Peter Graham, he is marvelous as Alfonso in the Lucrezia Borgia recording with Caballe.
A really GREAT voice. I only heard him LIVE once during the late '70's in a Verdi Requiem in Seattle & he was a little past his best during this performance BUT from the late '50's until mid 70's there was, besides Siepi, no better bass voice (Italian Rep) at the MET despite Hines, Macurdy, & Giaotti. Ghiaurov, of course, but he was not around the MET consistantly during this time.
I would add Tozzi to that list.
Happy birthday with Jesus kingdom, may the lord bless us all. My lod friend 😢
This recording is presented at too high a volume. The voice is too closely miked. You might try to remaster it. It's easy enough with Cyberlink PowerDirector.