Thank you! Both versions are masterful. Each one in its range and style, precious without a doubt. Today the applause is for the channel and its contribution to culture.
You can tell here why Bjorling was so often compared to Caruso. For emotional resonance and musicality, Caruso is still my favorite, but Bjorling is an extraordinary tenor, flawless in technique and style. It is the extraordinary artistry of Caruso that sets him above others: he draws you into the music like no other.
Bjoerling was not so often compared to Caruso, nor is there any reason he should be, Few tenor voices could be more different than Bloerling's and Caruso's. Bjoerling worshipped Caruso and was nearly obsessed with trying to emulate him. Every aspect of Caroso's legato was nearly perfect, his top was large and solid, perfectly even and it matched his mid-range perfectly, seamlessly...None of this is true of Bjoerling, certainly not to the same degree. And importantly, Caruso's voice defined the sound of the Italian tenor. There was little if anything "Italianate" about Bjoerlings Swedish sounding voice. Since the majority of the repertoire of both tenors was Italian, the Italian sound was essential in order to fulfill the composer's intentions. When Caruso sang Cavaradosy (sp.) you surely heard the character as Puccini meant it.
@1906sfjd I agree with you. The 1904 Caruso recording is in my opinion the best recording of this aria ever made by any tenor. One can only guess at how incredible it must have sounded live...
I have to agree. Though Bjorling is my personal favourite, here Caruso definitely has it. At 8.00, the hairs on my arms stood on end. I repeated this several times, with the same effect. God bless both of them.
Agreed', Tom. Caruso's recording is the best of Donizetti's finest aria, recorded mechanically - the machine making little indentations on the recording disc, 20 years before electronic recording. What's extraordinary is how Caruso's voice sings through the limitations of the recording equipment to trump all other tenors. His Don Jose, Canio, Nemorino, Duke of Mantua, Cavaradossi - all difficult to match. Una Furtiva Lagrima shows his range and emotion like no other aria.
There are artists and people with skill. Being a skilled singer doesn't make him an artist. Being an artist doesn't him a skilled singer. Some are both. The greatest artists make you feel something. They feel and you feel for them, and their feelings are neither exaggerated for effect or ignored, because the artist forgot to show artistry. Caruso was a great artist, and if people were curious, he'd be a great artist among all the singers of all time. He was a singer who caused others on stage with him to weep, and he'd weep himself when offstage. That said, sometimes it's hard to work through the technical challenges of early recordings. Not every recording captured the best of Caruso. Maybe none.
@1906sfjd Yes, amazing that Caruso was able to "beat" the primitive technology produce such masterpieces - all in one take and no technical manipulation possible.
@1906sfjd I guess there is no musical term to describe the effect Caruso's singing has on the listener. Terms like legato, color or timbre don't really describe it. He sang the words for themselves and really meaning them. Richard Strauss said he sang the soul of the music.
It bothers me way more than it ought to how I'll never be able to hear how either of these tenors sounded in life. Instead of remastering these old recordings, somebody should process Pavarotti's (and others') versions of this lovely aria to sound as though they were recorded on wax cylinder. It would make for interesting comparisons to have everyone equally hampered by technology.
@Aetion Well, I still have to look through all the uploads and compare them with my website - big job :-) I'll carry on with Björling/Caruso a while ....
No me puedo imaginar lo extraordinario que sonaría Caruso con la tecnología actual. Parte de su grandesa estriba no tan solo en la calidad de su voz si que también en los detalles, los diferentes matises,y el sentimiento que imprimía a cada una de sus interpretaciones.
I never understood the fascination with Bjorling's voice......was he a great tenor, ny all measure yes but the best or even the second best?Screeching quality to the voice, sliding into the high register, weak and unsubstantiated middle register and on and on. His voice was undoubtedly very expressive and emotional but the very vocal quality is not all that impressive, nor was his technique unsurpassed. In this recording Caruso is immensely more expressive and clear winner.
If you dont understand the greatness of his voice maybee because you dont know yourself and what all the life handle about ...in my opinion you might have a big problem.
Caruso è bravissimo ma un pò mieloso, quindi per il grosso pubblico è preferito, Bjorling tecnicamente e vocalmente non ha assolutamente nulla da invidiargli, è solamente più sobrio.
The best RUclips Channel ever. Thanks for updating these songs, they are priceless and they make real sense to this life.
Thank you! Both versions are masterful. Each one in its range and style, precious without a doubt. Today the applause is for the channel and its contribution to culture.
You can tell here why Bjorling was so often compared to Caruso. For emotional resonance and musicality, Caruso is still my favorite, but Bjorling is an extraordinary tenor, flawless in technique and style. It is the extraordinary artistry of Caruso that sets him above others: he draws you into the music like no other.
Bjoerling was not so often compared to Caruso, nor is there any reason he should be, Few tenor voices could be more different than Bloerling's and Caruso's. Bjoerling worshipped Caruso and was nearly obsessed with trying to emulate him. Every aspect of Caroso's legato was nearly perfect, his top was large and solid, perfectly even and it matched his mid-range perfectly, seamlessly...None of this is true of Bjoerling, certainly not to the same degree. And importantly, Caruso's voice defined the sound of the Italian tenor. There was little if anything "Italianate" about Bjoerlings Swedish sounding voice. Since the majority of the repertoire of both tenors was Italian, the Italian sound was essential in order to fulfill the composer's intentions. When Caruso sang Cavaradosy (sp.) you surely heard the character as Puccini meant it.
Caruso....hands down....such control.
@1906sfjd I agree with you. The 1904 Caruso recording is in my opinion the best recording of this aria ever made by any tenor. One can only guess at how incredible it must have sounded live...
I have to agree. Though Bjorling is my personal favourite, here Caruso definitely has it. At 8.00, the hairs on my arms stood on end. I repeated this several times, with the same effect. God bless both of them.
Agreed', Tom. Caruso's recording is the best of Donizetti's finest aria, recorded mechanically - the machine making little indentations on the recording disc, 20 years before electronic recording. What's extraordinary is how Caruso's voice sings through the limitations of the recording equipment to trump all other tenors. His Don Jose, Canio, Nemorino, Duke of Mantua, Cavaradossi - all difficult to match. Una Furtiva Lagrima shows his range and emotion like no other aria.
There are artists and people with skill. Being a skilled singer doesn't make him an artist. Being an artist doesn't him a skilled singer. Some are both. The greatest artists make you feel something. They feel and you feel for them, and their feelings are neither exaggerated for effect or ignored, because the artist forgot to show artistry. Caruso was a great artist, and if people were curious, he'd be a great artist among all the singers of all time. He was a singer who caused others on stage with him to weep, and he'd weep himself when offstage. That said, sometimes it's hard to work through the technical challenges of early recordings. Not every recording captured the best of Caruso. Maybe none.
Caruso's #1 fan : }
Beautiful singing of both maestros. But listen to Björling’s version on youtube channel: GreekCallas - that is a beautiful version.
meravigliosi entrambi .
@1906sfjd Yes, amazing that Caruso was able to "beat" the primitive technology produce such masterpieces - all in one take and no technical manipulation possible.
Outstandingly beautiful !
Caruso mi emoziona a dir poco decisamente di più
@1906sfjd I guess there is no musical term to describe the effect Caruso's singing has on the listener. Terms like legato, color or timbre don't really describe it. He sang the words for themselves and really meaning them. Richard Strauss said he sang the soul of the music.
It bothers me way more than it ought to how I'll never be able to hear how either of these tenors sounded in life. Instead of remastering these old recordings, somebody should process Pavarotti's (and others') versions of this lovely aria to sound as though they were recorded on wax cylinder. It would make for interesting comparisons to have everyone equally hampered by technology.
Caruso sings with more dynamics, expression and soul; Which I think was quite rare in his day.
@Aetion Well, I still have to look through all the uploads and compare them with my website - big job :-)
I'll carry on with Björling/Caruso a while ....
No me puedo imaginar lo extraordinario que sonaría Caruso con la tecnología actual. Parte de su grandesa estriba no tan solo en la calidad de su voz si que también en los detalles, los diferentes matises,y el sentimiento que imprimía a cada una de sus interpretaciones.
Göttlich,unique!
Bass Jerome Hines: Bjorling sounded like 3 Caruso's on records, but in the theater it was virtually a small voice.
Nessun confronto tra due grandi. Chi ha qualcosa in più e chi di meno tra due maestri.
¿ Cuántos habitantes tiene Italia y cuántos Suecia?. Ahí la diferencia?
Great Caruso ! But in these ária
Björling . Thanks Maestros!
Agreed.
I have to say Caruso.
Björling had a marvellous voice, but not suited for that many operas.
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I never understood the fascination with Bjorling's voice......was he a great tenor, ny all measure yes but the best or even the second best?Screeching quality to the voice, sliding into the high register, weak and unsubstantiated middle register and on and on. His voice was undoubtedly very expressive and emotional but the very vocal quality is not all that impressive, nor was his technique unsurpassed. In this recording Caruso is immensely more expressive and clear winner.
If you dont understand the greatness of his voice maybee because you dont know yourself and what all the life handle about ...in my opinion you might have a big problem.
! Excepcional! , aunque realmente creo que la versión de Lanza es sumamente notable
Caruso è bravissimo ma un pò mieloso, quindi per il grosso pubblico è preferito, Bjorling tecnicamente e vocalmente non ha assolutamente nulla da invidiargli, è solamente più sobrio.
Bjorling e Gigli x me sono migliori di Caruso.
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