He is the gold standard for the role of Gerard as well. His voice was always too attractive to play villains and too cool and “correct” to play heroes, but the conflicted villain-turned-good guy was right up his alley.
I was at Covent Garden the night this performance was being being filmed for TV and video. Julius Rodel was not happy how the second Act started . And with maybe three minutes in., he stopped the performance. Placido Domingo looked very confused. Giorgio Zancaro's " Nemico della patria" was the finest I have ever seen. Comparable to the very best of Gino Bechi in the impassioned 1941 recording with Gigli as Chenier. And under the supervision of Giordano himself ! Of course Ettore Bastianini was another very fine Gerard. Right at the end of this excerpt . You may hear my BRAVO !! The lady sitting in front of me in the stalls turned round and gave me a dirty look. I retorted to her that she had just seen and heard the finest Nemico della patria she is ever likely to hear.
Maybe the last bel Canto baritone. Excellent in Puritani, but great here as well. Very old school style, and technique. Like a direct line from De Luca.
@josh95263 talking vocal technique not composition style. Bel canto singers premiered the varismo operas. Because there were no " verismo singers" yet. Too bad it didnt stay like that. Delt a serious blow to vocalism. A few like Zancanaro stayed true to their tradition
@@jefolson6989 interesting you think this. Bel canto really existed during the time of Bellini and Donizetti. The first chest high C (C5) was sung in 1831, close to the end of these composers’ activity. This piece premiered in 1896. By the time this piece premiered, the era or Verdi was approaching its end. Verdi music isn’t sung like Bellini’s because it has more difficult requirements of the singer, especially considering that singing chest voice high notes for male singers has become common place (higher notes, character singing vs prioritizing line, etc.). The singers premiering this music were not bel canto singers, just like the singers who premiered don giovanni weren’t bel canto singers. True bel canto does not account for navigating the passagio, as when “bel canto” was in effect, uncomfortable/high notes could just be sung in falsetto. So no, the singers that premiered Andrea were verismo singers and nit bel canto singers, just like Giorgio Zancanaro. Have a good day!
I’d like to add that the singers of the 1950’s did sing differently from those of the late 1800’s, but it was a different type of singing, just like how some modern singers today sing differently from those in the 1950’s. However, this does not mean that they were bel canto singers.
@@josh95263…and I know what I’m about to say is a completely different conversation… but nowadays, “modern singers”, are simply actors pretending to be opera singers. So you’re right… VERY DIFFERENT 😂😂😂
Lacks drama? He is feeling guilty for condemning Chenier. After this he pulls down the Tricolore. Puccini was very impressed when he saw an early performance. And for sure there is a resemblance to Tosca When Gerard meets Madelaine. after this aria. Other than Gerard is honest in his empathy after " La Mamma morta" Whist Scarpia is cynically opposite.
![Cornell MacNeil - Nemico della patria [Andrea Chenier] - Live 1983](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cyypBeBlRnE/mqdefault.jpg)
No one will ever sing this better than Zancanaro.
He is the gold standard for the role of Gerard as well. His voice was always too attractive to play villains and too cool and “correct” to play heroes, but the conflicted villain-turned-good guy was right up his alley.
I was at Covent Garden the night this performance was being being filmed for TV and video.
Julius Rodel was not happy how the second Act started . And with maybe three minutes in.,
he stopped the performance. Placido Domingo looked very confused.
Giorgio Zancaro's " Nemico della patria" was the finest I have ever seen. Comparable to the very
best of Gino Bechi in the impassioned 1941 recording with Gigli as Chenier. And under the
supervision of Giordano himself ! Of course Ettore Bastianini was another very fine Gerard.
Right at the end of this excerpt . You may hear my BRAVO !! The lady sitting in front of
me in the stalls turned round and gave me a dirty look. I retorted to her that she had just seen and heard the finest Nemico della patria she is ever likely to hear.
Zancanaro, il più rifinito, composto e rigoroso dei baritoni italiani del secondo novecento. Il più artista, nel senso più nobile del termine.
Uno dei migliori baritoni del 900
Stupendo😍
Zancanaro, il Gerard per eccellenza. La sua voce insieme alla presenza scenica sono da brividi!
Grazie signor Zancanaro
Zancanaro è Gerard per eccellenza!
Zancanaro, Bechi, Bastianini, Herlea, Merrill. Gli indimenticabili.
Siamo in presenza del Patrimonio dell’Umanita’ Opera Lirica Italiana.
I was at one of these performances. GZ was fantastic. Domingo and Tomowa-Sintow too. The remarkable Anny Schlemm as Madelon!
Very, very high level. Great barriton.
3:20 - 5:05 beautiful part!
Maybe the last bel Canto baritone. Excellent in Puritani, but great here as well. Very old school style, and technique. Like a direct line from De Luca.
This is verismo opera… just saying..
@josh95263 talking vocal technique not composition style. Bel canto singers premiered the varismo operas. Because there were no " verismo singers" yet. Too bad it didnt stay like that. Delt a serious blow to vocalism. A few like Zancanaro stayed true to their tradition
@@jefolson6989 interesting you think this. Bel canto really existed during the time of Bellini and Donizetti. The first chest high C (C5) was sung in 1831, close to the end of these composers’ activity. This piece premiered in 1896. By the time this piece premiered, the era or Verdi was approaching its end. Verdi music isn’t sung like Bellini’s because it has more difficult requirements of the singer, especially considering that singing chest voice high notes for male singers has become common place (higher notes, character singing vs prioritizing line, etc.). The singers premiering this music were not bel canto singers, just like the singers who premiered don giovanni weren’t bel canto singers. True bel canto does not account for navigating the passagio, as when “bel canto” was in effect, uncomfortable/high notes could just be sung in falsetto. So no, the singers that premiered Andrea were verismo singers and nit bel canto singers, just like Giorgio Zancanaro. Have a good day!
I’d like to add that the singers of the 1950’s did sing differently from those of the late 1800’s, but it was a different type of singing, just like how some modern singers today sing differently from those in the 1950’s. However, this does not mean that they were bel canto singers.
@@josh95263…and I know what I’m about to say is a completely different conversation… but nowadays, “modern singers”, are simply actors pretending to be opera singers. So you’re right… VERY DIFFERENT 😂😂😂
ideal baritone
Le falta dramatismo
Lacks drama? He is feeling guilty for condemning Chenier. After this he pulls down
the Tricolore. Puccini was very impressed when he saw an early performance. And
for sure there is a resemblance to Tosca When Gerard meets Madelaine. after this aria.
Other than Gerard is honest in his empathy after " La Mamma morta" Whist Scarpia is
cynically opposite.