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

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.   

FrancoAs 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
(973) 335-0111