tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post7160614462950349474..comments2024-03-05T22:44:45.962-05:00Comments on Great Opera Singers: Lauritz Melchior: Defining HeldentenorUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-23082019299150139562015-06-25T16:18:22.686-04:002015-06-25T16:18:22.686-04:00I see much speculation here about Melchior singing...I see much speculation here about Melchior singing Alfredo. It is true he appeared in "Traviata" but never as Alfredo. He sang Papa Germont in his early days as a lyric baritone. A Melchior Alfredo would have required at least a Flagstaff or Nilsson as Violetta to balance him. It's an amusing fantasy but I'll bet Nilsson could have pulled it off. After all, she used to play around with "The Queen of the Night" after finishing Brunhilde.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-59129652957866718382014-04-30T09:20:51.636-04:002014-04-30T09:20:51.636-04:00Very interesting blog; but I have to point out tha...Very interesting blog; but I have to point out that the 1934 Bayreuth clip is not of Melchior but Max Lorenz singing with the marvellous Frida Leider in Gotterdaamerung.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-34414012162215416662012-10-10T05:43:04.731-04:002012-10-10T05:43:04.731-04:00Great post! I've come to admire the blog. It&#...Great post! I've come to admire the blog. It's no wonder that with his effortless and clear emission he sang until his death. He knew exactly what the music demanded and he knew how to do it. That usage of the squillo and the tuning of the overtones reminds me of Tamagno. That is the way to sing heavy roles. Great blog and I hope to contribute more in future. I'll be making my way to the Gedda article soon - that really caught my eyes. Thanks, Mark Mark Giugovaznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-40275958025301347482012-09-29T21:50:56.724-04:002012-09-29T21:50:56.724-04:00Thank you very much for a lovely comment! I appre...Thank you very much for a lovely comment! I appreciate it, and I share your enthusiasm for Melchior. I also remember as a kid watching him on a black and white TV. I started buying LP's when I was 17, which is a long time ago. The first was a Caruso album, and shortly after that was a "Lighter Side of Lauritz Melchior" recording, which I still have, and all of which I have posted on my channel by now. Always been a fan. Yes, he was great, no doubt about it! Thanks again for the comment.Edmund St. Austellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14490721790447218365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-27959309556558982482012-09-29T21:35:41.573-04:002012-09-29T21:35:41.573-04:00Very nicely written article - thanks for sharing t...Very nicely written article - thanks for sharing this with people. I have always been a huge fan of Melchior. I remember watching him as a child and being touched by the combination of gusto, elegance and poise he brought to everything he did. I felt as though he were singing directly to me, and considering I was watching on a small B&W TV that's quite an accomplishment. There are singers who thrill with their voices, but Melchior did so much more than this...he really seemed to have the gift of being able to caress the soul of his audience with his wonderful singing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-2791148775123127272010-08-11T14:45:17.071-04:002010-08-11T14:45:17.071-04:00I certainly would be! I'll check it out right...I certainly would be! I'll check it out right away. Thanks so much for the comment and the tip!Edmund St. Austellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14490721790447218365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-86956324685189341702010-08-11T14:37:37.874-04:002010-08-11T14:37:37.874-04:00you may be interest in the unpublished biography o...you may be interest in the unpublished biography of Lauritz Melchior now available on the internet at www.lauritzmelchior.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-64076907698973399032010-04-30T18:52:05.161-04:002010-04-30T18:52:05.161-04:00I am very sorry to say that I do not believe any e...I am very sorry to say that I do not believe any exist; at least not any that have been made available. I too wondered that, at one point, and searched Youtube, to no avail. Neither can I find any commercially available film. I hope I am wrong about this, as he was a magnificent tenor, and it would be great to see him in action, as it were. There must be some someplace, but they are well hidden, I fear!Edmund St. Austellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14490721790447218365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-62732305089810350042010-04-30T17:59:26.749-04:002010-04-30T17:59:26.749-04:00You mention Set Svanholm. Do you know if there are...You mention Set Svanholm. Do you know if there are any performance clips of him anywhere? (Not just PowerPoint with audio but actual performance video.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-69529462684399886572009-08-14T08:37:52.486-04:002009-08-14T08:37:52.486-04:00Yes, "Discipline, dedication, and work,"...Yes, "Discipline, dedication, and work," as you mention. That is what makes the difference, and that is why there are so few who understand.JD Hobbeshttp://cinci.rr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-43695581261662991022009-08-14T06:42:23.694-04:002009-08-14T06:42:23.694-04:00Indeed. The disconnect is great, as I suspect it ...Indeed. The disconnect is great, as I suspect it is in almost all professions. Realities are always basic. In some ways, Mozart's lighthearted operetta Der Schauspieldirektor speaks to that very point--largely how expensive it was, even in the 18th century, to produce opera and how tiresome it was--and is-- to deal with the egos and the silliness of it all. I will say, however, that in the case of the classical arts, the discipline and dedication required can, when all else is in place, work toward the creation of something truly elevating; something that can inspire to the point of changing lives. I know my own would be much less were it not for the quality, beauty and sheer inspiration that is available in and through the world's greatest music and dance.Edmundhttp://gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-43073929839486151172009-08-13T21:29:45.213-04:002009-08-13T21:29:45.213-04:00Good point about the stagehands' union. The pe...Good point about the stagehands' union. The people I know are too often enamoured of opera or "great" music but have no idea of the reality of composing, performing, financing, and staging those productions. They dress up, go out to eat, drink wine, and follow the score. That is fine, but does it represent much knowledge of what all is required in the back rooms? Some speak of the concepts of Aristotle and other "greats." They should also look at the keen wit of Shakespeare and Goethe when they talk about directors, actors, writers, and the public whom they must please. On a more contemporary scene, they should take a good look at Christopher Guest and some of the really funny movies he has made about the world of performance, whether it is a dog show or a local, small-town theater production. "Perspective," as you say.JD Hobbeshttp://cinci.rr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-46673542343686872642009-08-13T09:36:25.083-04:002009-08-13T09:36:25.083-04:00Thank you very much. I appreciate your comment. ...Thank you very much. I appreciate your comment. Yes, I have seen it from the inside out (ask me anything about dealing with the stagehands union:) and it is perspective-building, to say the least. But, as you also wisely observe, it is very pleasant, after a certain age, to kick back and deal with it all at one or more removes. Lot easier on the nerves, too:) Thanks again, I always appreciate your comments, which are invariably spot-on. EdmundEdmundhttp://gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-21915203928632688122009-08-13T09:30:39.228-04:002009-08-13T09:30:39.228-04:00I like the comment above that you should write rev...I like the comment above that you should write reviews or letters for some opera or music publication. You know the business part of it too. So many of the critics have never "been there" from the ground up, so to speak. But I also understand your feelings. Some age and maturity bring independence and the freedom to pursue one's own interests.J.D. Hobbeshttp://gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-16524268063208972432009-08-08T14:43:02.663-04:002009-08-08T14:43:02.663-04:00Well, if memory serves, he was about 6 feet, 3 inc...Well, if memory serves, he was about 6 feet, 3 inches tall (190.5 centimeters) and around 130 kilos. Big fellow:) Yes, he could have sung Alfredo, but the voice would not be a fit. That role is usually given to higher, lighter, sweeter voices....like Lemeshev. He made a perfect Alfredo. Yes, dreadful stage direction and acting seem to be in vogue these days, especially in Europe. Netrebko, например:)<br /><br />And of course you make a good point about the realities of the Soviet system. I see what you are saying, and you are right. That would certainly help explain it.Edmundhttp://gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-45544833859037149552009-08-08T14:09:44.270-04:002009-08-08T14:09:44.270-04:00"I love the vision of that huge man as Alfred..."I love the vision of that huge man as Alfredo:)"<br />:)How tall is he? With good directing a big Alfredo can be OK. But if a director makes Alfredo manhandle Violetta, as they love to do now – it will be scary. I saw a big man, singing Werther (on Youtube); he chased Charlotte around the stage and looked like a sexual maniac. It was not his fault, as I understood.<br />“Kozlovsky really got away with murder, didn't he? It would be impossible to get away with a stunt like that during any historical period I know of in the West”.<br />Artists of the Bolshoi didn’t have villas or much money, but they could argue with conductors. Especially those artists, who sang for Stalin and Politburo. Kozlovsky was a champion, of course, but Lemeshev, Reizen, Pirogov could argue too, though in a different manner.<br /><br />n.a.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-40043005834469835212009-08-06T20:00:34.164-04:002009-08-06T20:00:34.164-04:00Thanks for video site: yes, indeed, Banks is a ve...Thanks for video site: yes, indeed, Banks is a very good bel canto tenor. He has all the attributes--squillo, high lyric placement and immaculate pronunciation. The voice rings like a bell. It's always heartening to see that kind of tenor making a name for himself. There is hope yet! :)Edmundhttp://gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-165348553320250012009-08-06T19:47:08.015-04:002009-08-06T19:47:08.015-04:00Thanks, Edmund. Reminded me of the opposite Barry ...Thanks, Edmund. Reminded me of the opposite Barry Banks, TINY guy but his voice cut right through the orchestra (not my favourite tenor, but very effective):<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGgs7GOjjYwAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-10501188855545097772009-08-06T19:42:12.802-04:002009-08-06T19:42:12.802-04:00Very kind of you indeed, my friend! I don't t...Very kind of you indeed, my friend! I don't think I would survive long in the area of commercial publishing. I'm too opinionated:) The blog format suits me just fine. If I took even a dime in advertising money, somebody would find out about it, and complain to the advertiser:) It's nice to be able to say whay you think, and besides, the enthusiasm of cognoscenti such as yourself and the faithful readers who comment is all the reward a fussy old man needs!Edmundhttp://gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-10230239996960709332009-08-06T19:34:37.543-04:002009-08-06T19:34:37.543-04:00another amazing post. you really should be writing...another amazing post. you really should be writing for OPERA NEWS ...<br />or doing a book on opera ... or some such.<br />or, hey, a blog! called GREAT OPERA SINGERS! that's exactly what you<br />should be doing.<br />anyway, thanks for doing it -- i continue to learn so much from you, every time.coraxhttp://gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-48785213610968638372009-08-06T17:41:34.009-04:002009-08-06T17:41:34.009-04:00I love the vision of that huge man as Alfredo:) Y...I love the vision of that huge man as Alfredo:) Yes, he would be fine today, basically for the same reason he was so successful in his time; the voice was extremely penetrating, and could be heard through even heavy orchestration and great volume. There are tenors who try to be heard by singing as loud as they can (Wolfgang Windgassen, Siegfried Jerusalem, Gary Lakes and Jess Thomas come to mind)and the result is a very "muscular" kind of singing that is not very musical or interesting to listen to, and it certainly isn't pretty. They also ruin their voices after while. Probably Ben Hepner, of the current crop of singers, comes closer than anyone else. He is superb, but even he doesn't have the squillo, or cutting power of Melchoir, who was unique. Kozlovsky really got away with murder, didn't he? It would be impossible to get away with a stunt like that during any historical period I know of in the West. Recently, in Milan, Roberto Alagna tried something similar, and walked off the stage when people in the audience booed his rendition of "Celeste Aida." The result was that he was banned from La Scala for life. In fact, of course, Kozlovsky was probably right. Some conductors think that opera is all about the orchestra, which of course it isn't. Very good and interesting comment, as usual. EdmundEdmundhttp://gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166918155946600787.post-21278171535617296602009-08-06T17:29:30.748-04:002009-08-06T17:29:30.748-04:00Yes, he is the ultimate heldentenor; even “Because...Yes, he is the ultimate heldentenor; even “Because” sounds heroic. His timbre is absolutely beautiful and clear, without any unpleasant tone in it. You wrote very interesting things about the size of his voice. I heard scary stories about heldentenors – that even a huge voice was not enough to sing Wagner, and sometimes poor tenors died onstage. I got the impression that Wagner’s music required superhuman strength from singers ; they really have to be gods and goddesses:) So, your words about Melchior’s voice correct that impression.<br /><br />I read that Kozlovsky fought against “symphonization” of the orchestral sound in opera in the 1930-40’s. He did it in his typical manner – he stopped singing when he thought that the orchestra was playing too loud. A conductor usually got scared and stopped the orchestra; then Kozlovsky showed off his voice in all its beauty. Other singers agreed with him, because the style of conducting gradually changed, demanding a bigger orchestral sound than what was called for in the period when Nezhdanova and Sobinov sang “Lohengrin.” Maybe the style of Wagnerian singing changed the same way. The question is silly, perhaps, but would it be possible for Melchior , if he was a modern singer, to become such a star in Wagnerian repertoire? Or they would make him sing Alfredo?:)<br /><br />n.a.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com