Re: Franco Corelli, opera's most thrilling voice, dies at age 82

I just thought I would mention that Corelli did record one Wagner
item:  Der Engel from the Wesendonck Lieder:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wesendoncklieder

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Ken B Lane) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> Franco Corelli, opera's most thrilling voice, dies at age 82
> 
> Ever since I heard his debut at the Met in 1961 (in Il Trovatore , debuting
> with Leontyne Price, Maestro Fausto Cleva at the helm), I, with legions of the
> public, performers and audiences alike, attended his performances with the
> anticipation that no matter what else occurred that day, his singing would cap
> the visceral excitement of the day.   
> 
> As no matinee idol ever before, the beauty of his singing voice combined with
> his Adonis-handsome physique made even the warhorse popular operas come alive
> with creditability and an intense romantic seething quality.
> 
> Born August 8, 192, debuting in opera in the role of Don Jose and closing his
> career in live opera appearances in the role of Rodolfo on August 10,1976 at
> Torre del Lago.
> 
> Corelli died in the afternoon of Wednesday, October 29th, after  recently
> suffering a stroke..  
> 
> No matter what role he undertook, Calaf, Ernani, Romeo, Cavaradossi, Rodolfo,
> Pollione, or the Meyerbeer tenor heroique genre, he exceeded his predecessors.
> 
> I mentioned to him that Tristan could be one of his triumphs.   For once a
> singer who could capture the essence of Wagner's romantic hero.   With high
> notes that express the yearning of Tristan's tryst in Act 2 as well as the
> torment of the hero's 3rd act marathon of narration, hallucination and finally
> tender "Isolde" greeting and demise.
> 
> The total gestalt of his charisma, voice and appearance could have at last made
> Wagner heldentenor roles totally what Wagner intended.
> 
> Like Melchior, Caruso, Del Monaco, Tauber, Gigli, and Bjoerling, his
> accomplishments will live on in the memories of those who heard him live and
> those whom recordings and videos vicariously relay the vibes of true vocal
> greatness.
> 
> Kenneth Lane, heldentenor
> Director, The Festspielhaus of Boonton
> www.WagnerOpera.com