Franco Corelli: The Unknown Recordings

Franco Corelli was in a class by himself from the mid 1950s until the early '70s, when he was a leading tenor in most of the world's great opera houses. And to this day, no tenor voice has surfaced with such a huge, steely, brilliant top, dark, handsome middle and bottom--and sheer animal magnetism. His bad habits--scooping up to notes, aspirating vowels, holding on to high notes too long--would be a joy to hear again if the voice attached to them were as glorious as Corelli's. This short (45 minutes) CD contains arias never before released for one reason or another. They were recorded in '65 and '67, when the tenor was at his peak and if you've forgotten--or never experienced--his sound, the visceral excitement will knock you out. The Boheme and Trovatore selections each contain high Cs which just don't exist in any current tenor's throat, and elsewhere, his beautiful sound is always a joy--bad habits and all. The Le Cid and Forza arias are particularly thrilling. And the price is absolutely right. --Robert Levine Amazon.com

Unknown Corelli That Should Be Known

A perfectionist -- only the greatest artists are like that -- Corelli felt these recordings needed more work. That they were not good enough. Well, that may be, but only compared to his own standards. However, hearing these splendid sounds, one wonders who else has come that close to perfection?

Track 1, of Luisa Miller, and track 10, of Un Ballo in Maschera, make one really sad that he never did these two roles in their entirety. But let us be grateful for what we have.

Tip: track 2, the aria of La Forza del Destino. Those who got the DVD or CD of his celebrated debut in that role in Napoli, 1958, may think they have heard it all. That version is, indeed, a definitive rendition, if there ever was one. But here, on this CD, you will discover his 1967 version to be a bit different. Enjoy the difference.
January 10, 2008

Questionable taste

"There is nothing more thrilling in the opera house than to hear a heroic Italian tenor in full flight, and for many opera fans in the 1960s the most exciting exponent of this kind of singing was undoubtedly Franco Corelli." (From the program notes included with this recording, and very true.)
The program notes also indicate that these are recordings Corelli did not want released, because he felt they needed further work. Some of the "problems" can be heard even by my undiscerning ear. There is also an incomplete "Che gelida manina."
The "Questionable taste" of this review's title refers not to Corelli--He knew that these recordings were not up to his standards of quality. Questionable taste refers to EMI for releasing work that the artist did not believe ready for release.
However, the ringing high C that ends "Di quella pira" and the recording makes it all worthwhile. December 11, 2007

Excellent

Franco Corelli has some lovely moments in this CD. It is amazing that it was not released long time ago for the minor musical mistakes that rarely occur.

There are two arias which were sung to pre-recorded orchestra (recorded for another tenor of the time). This restraint lends a whole new and wonderfully musical quality to Corelli's work.

He has a roaring quality to his voice that I enjoy and this CD captures it fully. A rare and appropriate buy for Corelli fans. December 28, 2003

At long last...to hear THAT voice again!!

These recordings, recorded in London in 1967 (with the exception of two pieces, recorded there in 1965), bring THAT voice to us again...in all its virile glory! These extraordinary selections, delayed in their release to the public in that Maestro Corelli wanted to do additional work on them (but never did), demonstrate why fans consider Corelli the premier tenor of the twentieth century! While Maestro Corelli recently passed away, leaving his loyal fans bereft,...these recordings trumpet his musical genius and our gratitude and astonished response to him are, once again, beyond expression! Bravissimo!!! October 22, 2003

More reviews at Amazon.com ...