Otello

[donny48]

An excellent production of Verdi, Jonas Kaufmann was superb. More please BBC 4.

[dannyk13]

Donny, having listened to Jonss Kaufmann on many occasions I can't help feeling that his voice is more baritone than tenor.

[donny48]

He has had a vocal injury, there is a documentary about him on Ch 4, and this was his first since, the voice was good, Iago was particulatly good as well.

[dannyk13]

I heard him many times before his voice problems. I just think that his voice lacks a mellow quality compared to tenors like Gigli and Jussi Bjorling.

[donny48]

I think your ear may be better than mine, Danny. I do have a hearing problem that reduces but does not destroy my pleasure in opera. When I say your ear versus mine I do mean just that there is no criticism implied.

[dannyk13]

None taken Donny.Like you my type of music is classical.I have most of Gigli's recordings on re-mastered discs.

[donny48]

I have a wide range of musical tastes, very much depends what mood I am in. I like a lot of blues, good blues guitar and can also enjoy a lot of musical theatre music.

[dannyk13]

Have a listen to this Donny

[murraymints]

Gigli and Bjorling were 2 of dad's favs... had loads of old original recordings... he and I would sit in the conservatory for hours with his music... also old Mario Lanza pieces..crackles and all..happy times..
also Richard Tauber.. I went with dad to Tauber's grave in Brompton..we took flowers and played his music..very surreal

[murraymints]

makes me sob now...

[dannyk13]

Minty, when I was a youngster not a day would pass without one or other of those great singers being on the radio.

[donny48]

Tosca has long been a favourite and with such a simple accompaniment his voice really shows the anguish of the lyric. Without having a translation you still feel the pathos.

[dannyk13]

And when that was recorded he was 61 years old.

[donny48]

I know what music to get in when I install the sound system in the cupboard, Minty.

[murraymints]

alas...not enough of that ilk played daily..could listen to it for hours... not many of my circle enjoy good music and I have to put it on when nobody is around to listen without moaning from those ill educated in such matters !!

[murraymints]

bliss !

[dannyk13]

At times I found it hard to distinguish whether I was listening to Gigli or Bjorling, their voices were very similar in tone and range.

[murraymints]

they are at times Danny.... all good !

[donny48]

Very good Minty.
The emotion that a good singer can convey is amazing, you are beside him as he sings and feel his pain.

[murraymints]

I was born too late...!!

[murraymints]

some years ago an uncle took me to La scala to see la boheme... none of his family wanted to go..it was something he had wanted to do for a while..we had a lovely week's holiday..we later went to Monet's gardens a few weeks before he died.. we shared a lot of similar tastes..