Chaque nouvelle écoute de London est une émerveillement, c'est décidemment la plus belle voix de basse baryton et peut-être la plus belle voix grave d'opéra de l'histoire. Une splendeur vocale.
Maestro London was my teacher for two years in the mid-70’s and he was a force of nature. To answer: He lost his voice due to a paralyzed vocal chord for which he was treated by the world’s best laryngeal experts to no avail. He died after suffering 4:47 several strokes none of his own making. He was not a smoker or drinker, and always maintained a slender visage.
Tremendous singing. He is at his best here. Just goes to show you that it used to be that bass-baritone meant a singer who could sing bass or baritone. Now it is a singer who really cannot sing either very well.LOL!!
Is there any video to see him performing live, I know it is 1950's, but there has to be one on the last stages of his carreer, if any of you know anything plis let me know. I would love to see him perform!!!
Mr. Billings, while I, personally, have not studied Mr. London. From what I have heard he damaged his vocal cords due to the placement of his voice. To my understanding he used to place his voice in the sternal notch. This created a darker more dramatic sound and was used by the great tenor: Franco Corelli. To my knowledge, he slipped while singing and damaged his vocal cords. That is the danger with that particular voice placement. Hope this helps, and best wishes. CalumT.
I too, have no intimate knowledge of George London apart from what we all hear in his wonderful recordings. But I do know that singers can give less and therefore extend their careers or give more for a shorter time. It used to be called singing with your capital or your interest. Two baritone rivals of an earlier time exempltify this perfectly: Titta Tuffo, maybe the greatest baritone of the 20th crntury, had a short career while his nearest rival, Giuseppe Di Luca, who sang more jiudiciously, performed for much longer. Ruffo when told that De Lucca was still singing, reportedly said "the mouse can still squeak but the lion can no longer roar." Listening to any London recording, you can easily hear that he is giving 100% all the time. This was obviously calculated. He knew as well as any of us that this would seriously shorten his career. It was likely generosity; giving the audiences what they expected (and paid for). We owe him our thanks.
Back when the word "Bass-Baritone" meant what it states, you sung both Bass and Baritone arias and repertoire, not just sung one or the other to cover your ass because you couldn't sing either! He sounds good singing up in the rafters and his low to middle vocal registers are well connected, albeit a little husky.
"Nice high notes" as a description does this singer a disservice. George was a Bass-(low) Baritone singing a Tenor (high) Baritone aria. Take a look at Verdi's Falstaff score. edt
Favoloso, stupendo basso London. Bravissimo
Once again, a stellar performance by the late Mr. London. I regret that he never recorded Handel's MESSIAH.
Chaque nouvelle écoute de London est une émerveillement, c'est décidemment la plus belle voix de basse baryton et peut-être la plus belle voix grave d'opéra de l'histoire. Une splendeur vocale.
I will always regret that London never sang Jochanaan in "Salome". He would've been perfect for the part!
4:15 MASSIVE high G
Perhaps the greatest Wotan on CD....not to mention his Dutchman. Truly one of the great voices of the 20th century. We miss him........
On CD and on stage.
The greatest Amfortas ever as well.
Maestro London was my teacher for two years in the mid-70’s and he was a force of nature. To answer: He lost his voice due to a paralyzed vocal chord for which he was treated by the world’s best laryngeal experts to no avail. He died after suffering 4:47 several strokes none of his own making. He was not a smoker or drinker, and always maintained a slender visage.
The CD is called "George London Recital" I believe. The label is Myto.
Tremendous singing. He is at his best here. Just goes to show you that it used to be that bass-baritone meant a singer who could sing bass or baritone. Now it is a singer who really cannot sing either very well.LOL!!
❤❤❤❤Weltklasse!!
magnifico .
vocalità legendaria .
Holy ****!!!🙀🙀🙀
Is there any video to see him performing live, I know it is 1950's, but there has to be one on the last stages of his carreer, if any of you know anything plis let me know. I would love to see him perform!!!
I believe some attribute that to a faulty technique, though I'm not sure what exactly.
H P his technique was a blessing for his vocal chords
ΓΙΏΡΓΟΣ ΣΟΦΙΑΛΙΔΗΣ blessing? He killed his vocal cords by manipulating them in overdone sounds and climaxes. This caused paralysis of these cords.
Which CD is this off of? It's great. Thanks for posting.
Did he ever play Falstaff?
@MrCafiero hillariously true!
I'm very glad you liked it ! :)
PS: Thanks for the beers, lol !!
Love his voice. But he lost his voice early. Anyone know why?
Paralysis of the vocal chords.
Mr. Billings, while I, personally, have not studied Mr. London. From what I have heard he damaged his vocal cords due to the placement of his voice. To my understanding he used to place his voice in the sternal notch. This created a darker more dramatic sound and was used by the great tenor: Franco Corelli. To my knowledge, he slipped while singing and damaged his vocal cords. That is the danger with that particular voice placement.
Hope this helps, and best wishes.
CalumT.
I too, have no intimate knowledge of George London apart from what we all hear in his wonderful recordings.
But I do know that singers can give less and therefore extend their careers or give more for a shorter time.
It used to be called singing with your capital or your interest.
Two baritone rivals of an earlier time exempltify this perfectly:
Titta Tuffo, maybe the greatest baritone of the 20th crntury, had a short career while his nearest rival, Giuseppe Di Luca, who sang more jiudiciously, performed for much longer.
Ruffo when told that De Lucca was still singing, reportedly said "the mouse can still squeak but the lion can no longer roar."
Listening to any London recording, you can easily hear that he is giving 100% all the time. This was obviously calculated. He knew as well as any of us that this would seriously shorten his career.
It was likely generosity; giving the audiences what they expected (and paid for).
We owe him our thanks.
In response to Mr. Billings, London was forced retire from singing in the late 60s because of a paralyzed vocal cord.
nice high notes
A carbon copy of Warren, therefore Magnificent!
Warren was baritone, and London dramatic bass-baritone
London had no need to copy anyone.
Back when the word "Bass-Baritone" meant what it states, you sung both Bass and Baritone arias and repertoire, not just sung one or the other to cover your ass because you couldn't sing either! He sounds good singing up in the rafters and his low to middle vocal registers are well connected, albeit a little husky.
Did he e
"Nice high notes" as a description does this singer a disservice. George was a Bass-(low) Baritone singing a Tenor (high) Baritone aria. Take a look at Verdi's Falstaff score.
edt