High notes

"donpaolo" wrote in message
> Actually, once I did, because it surprised the hell outta me.
> It was in Ballo, w/Franco Bonisolli, during the "di tu se fedele". I cannot
> think of the words right now & am too lazy to check a libretto, but I'm
> certain that you are familiar with the passage. Anyway, Franco sang such a
> surprisingly strong, deep & low note that I've never heard from any other
> tenor. I wondered if perhaps a member of the bass section of the chorus
> actually did the note for him!

It's only a C. I sing that aria rather often, that's why I know. The only "famous" tenor whom I heard sing that as written was Jon Vickers at the ROH, way back in the early 70's. Bergonzi never did it as written, taking it one octave up.
J.

It's only a C. I sing that aria rather often, that's why I know.
The
only "famous" tenor whom I heard sing that as written was Jon Vickers
at the
ROH, way back in the early 70's. Bergonzi never did it as written,
taking it
one octave up.
J.
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Bjoerling recorded the Di tu se fedele, with the low C, in 1957. It was
part of a glorious recital he recorded to make a 4th side for the 3
sided Cav with he and Tebaldi.

Also, in the revival of Ballo at the Met in 1955, Tucker sings this low
note in the broadcast, with Mitropoulos conducting. Usually tenors sing
this low C one octave higher, which would only be a middle C. And
Toscanini allows Peerce this higher, but unwritten option in his Ballo
broadcast/recording.

Best
Ed