The young Jose' Carreras
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Derek McGovern
Feb 8, 2008, 6:41:25 PM2/8/08
to The Mario Lanza Forum
While browsing through youtube recently, I came across this live 1976
clip of the 29-year-old Jose' Carreras singing La Dolcissima Effigie
from Cilea's Adriana Lecouvrer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYP2vu0DjFA
The beauty of the young Carreras's voice here took my breath away! I
think we tend to forget what an incredibly ravishing timbre Carreras
possessed in his heyday, and what an ardent singer he could be.
Definitely the most gifted tenor to have emerged in the last 40 years
or so.
There are other clips from the same performance on youtube - all of
them with the wonderful Montserrat Caballe.
clip of the 29-year-old Jose' Carreras singing La Dolcissima Effigie
from Cilea's Adriana Lecouvrer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYP2vu0DjFA
The beauty of the young Carreras's voice here took my breath away! I
think we tend to forget what an incredibly ravishing timbre Carreras
possessed in his heyday, and what an ardent singer he could be.
Definitely the most gifted tenor to have emerged in the last 40 years
or so.
There are other clips from the same performance on youtube - all of
them with the wonderful Montserrat Caballe.
jora...@comcast.net
Feb 8, 2008, 10:30:12 PM2/8/08
to The Mario Lanza Forum
Just BEAUTIFUL, Derek! I never realized how much his bout with C took
away from him~~but now I do. His breath control was also outstanding
then . Thanks for posting this.
away from him~~but now I do. His breath control was also outstanding
then . Thanks for posting this.
Lou
Feb 8, 2008, 10:49:10 PM2/8/08
to The Mario Lanza Forum
"The beauty of the young Carreras's voice here took my breath away!"
Mine, too, Derek! I have a DVD of the whole performance, which I
thoroughly enjoy as much for the wonderful chemistry between Carreras
and Caballe as for their glorious voices. In one scene, one of
Caballe's earrings fell off and landed deep in her cleavage. Carreras
nonchalantly fished it out and handed it back to her, all the while
continuing to sing. Delightful!
Sam
Feb 9, 2008, 12:08:29 PM2/9/08
to The Mario Lanza Forum
Simply gorgeous singing. Of the Three Tenors, Carreras was my
favorite, even though his voice had deteriorated. Funny story, Lou,
about the earring!
> > them with the wonderful Montserrat Caballe.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
favorite, even though his voice had deteriorated. Funny story, Lou,
about the earring!
>
> - Show quoted text -
Jana
Feb 9, 2008, 3:40:34 PM2/9/08
to The Mario Lanza Forum
Sorry, Jan, but was it due to his illness? Armando wrote somewhere on
this forum, and in his book, that Carreras, similarly to Di Stefano,
ruined his voice by singing spinto roles too early. Perhaps the
illness had something to do with it, too?
Nevertheless, this clip is awesome, I must certainly purchase some
DVDs with the young José Carreras! I feel my horizons are broadening
the speed of a lightning, thanks to you all :-)
Jana
> faint_grain1.jpg
> 1KZobrazitStáhnout
this forum, and in his book, that Carreras, similarly to Di Stefano,
ruined his voice by singing spinto roles too early. Perhaps the
illness had something to do with it, too?
Nevertheless, this clip is awesome, I must certainly purchase some
DVDs with the young José Carreras! I feel my horizons are broadening
the speed of a lightning, thanks to you all :-)
Jana
> 1KZobrazitStáhnout
Derek McGovern
Feb 9, 2008, 7:25:13 PM2/9/08
to The Mario Lanza Forum
Jana's quite right: Jose's vocal problems began long before the onset
of his leukaemia. As early as 1978 - when he was barely 32 - he
started experiencing difficulty with his upper register - basically a
result of two things: faulty technique and singing roles that were too
heavy for his essentially lyric tenor. His gorgeous, velvety middle
register remained more or less intact, though, and he was still
capable of singing beautifully right throughout the 1980s and even
into the 1990s. I last heard him in person in 1994 (in Auckland, NZ),
and I thought he sounded much better there than at any of his Three
Tenors concerts. He also sounds very good on the 1993 Stiffelio from
Covent Garden.
Yes, his vocal decline pretty much paralleled that of Di Stefano, but
I'd have to say that Carreras's voice still lasted quite a bit longer
than Giuseppe's.
Jana: I suggest you stick with audio recordings of Carreras from the
period up to 1977 to start with. There aren't that many videos around
from this period, unfortunately. Ironically, he only became a
household name *after* his voice was in decline. One of his best
recordings is the 1976 Tosca with Caballe and Wixell for the Philips
label.
The best of his later performances on video/DVD from the 1980s include
his 1985 Andrea Chenier from La Scala (with Marton and Cappuccilli)
and his 1982 La Boheme from the Met with Teresa Stratas. I think there
are clips from both DVDs on youtube. I also love his West Side Story
from 1984 - yes, the accent is all wrong, but his Maria and One Hand,
One Heart are stunning renditions. There's a great DVD available of
the recording of this album.
Happy Jose' hunting!
> > 1KZobrazitStáhnout- Hide quoted text -
of his leukaemia. As early as 1978 - when he was barely 32 - he
started experiencing difficulty with his upper register - basically a
result of two things: faulty technique and singing roles that were too
heavy for his essentially lyric tenor. His gorgeous, velvety middle
register remained more or less intact, though, and he was still
capable of singing beautifully right throughout the 1980s and even
into the 1990s. I last heard him in person in 1994 (in Auckland, NZ),
and I thought he sounded much better there than at any of his Three
Tenors concerts. He also sounds very good on the 1993 Stiffelio from
Covent Garden.
Yes, his vocal decline pretty much paralleled that of Di Stefano, but
I'd have to say that Carreras's voice still lasted quite a bit longer
than Giuseppe's.
Jana: I suggest you stick with audio recordings of Carreras from the
period up to 1977 to start with. There aren't that many videos around
from this period, unfortunately. Ironically, he only became a
household name *after* his voice was in decline. One of his best
recordings is the 1976 Tosca with Caballe and Wixell for the Philips
label.
The best of his later performances on video/DVD from the 1980s include
his 1985 Andrea Chenier from La Scala (with Marton and Cappuccilli)
and his 1982 La Boheme from the Met with Teresa Stratas. I think there
are clips from both DVDs on youtube. I also love his West Side Story
from 1984 - yes, the accent is all wrong, but his Maria and One Hand,
One Heart are stunning renditions. There's a great DVD available of
the recording of this album.
Happy Jose' hunting!
Joe Fagan
Feb 9, 2008, 7:50:36 PM2/9/08
to mario...@googlegroups.com
Do you think Mario was close to peaking also.? His voice certainly darkened
over the years but it seemed to me that his breath control and richness was
, if anything, even more remarkable . (Sounds like I have asked a question
and then answered it. I think I need some vacation...lol).
over the years but it seemed to me that his breath control and richness was
, if anything, even more remarkable . (Sounds like I have asked a question
and then answered it. I think I need some vacation...lol).
Derek McGovern
Feb 9, 2008, 8:28:25 PM2/9/08
to mario...@googlegroups.com
Hi Joe: No, I don't think that Lanza was close to peaking vocally. Had
he been able to pull himself together healthwise, I agree with Armando
that the harshness that we hear in his voice at times on the 1959
Student Prince and Christmas Carols, in particular, would have gone,
and that he would have sounded similar to how he does on the Cavalcade
album of 1956. A richer, more even vocal production than he'd had in
the early 1950s, and still with that thrilling top. (In fact, you
could argue that his B-flat ending on the Albert Hall Because You're
Mine - just 21 months before his death - is the best he ever sang that
note.) Equally importantly, as a singer, he would no doubt have
continued to improve. Even on the 1959 recordings, in spite of the
fact that he is ill on most of them, the singer we hear is often a
greater artist than the younger Mario.
he been able to pull himself together healthwise, I agree with Armando
that the harshness that we hear in his voice at times on the 1959
Student Prince and Christmas Carols, in particular, would have gone,
and that he would have sounded similar to how he does on the Cavalcade
album of 1956. A richer, more even vocal production than he'd had in
the early 1950s, and still with that thrilling top. (In fact, you
could argue that his B-flat ending on the Albert Hall Because You're
Mine - just 21 months before his death - is the best he ever sang that
note.) Equally importantly, as a singer, he would no doubt have
continued to improve. Even on the 1959 recordings, in spite of the
fact that he is ill on most of them, the singer we hear is often a
greater artist than the younger Mario.
No one around him - not even the wretched Paul Baron! - felt that
Lanza's voice was in decline during those last months. It was just the
man himself who was physically falling apart at an alarming rate.
Mike McAdam
Feb 11, 2008, 10:34:36 PM2/11/08
to The Mario Lanza Forum
I had a chance to watch the YouTube clip of the young Carreras singing
the aria from Adriana Lecouvrer. What timbre and voice production he
displayed. Marvellous.
I then spotted 'Granada' from his "Mario Lanza Tribute" concert. I was
surprised to see him do a voiceover of a muted clip of Mario in the
BYM scene. I gather there may have been a large screen at this venue
for the audience (and José) to follow Mario with. José did a pretty
fair job of lip-synching and seemed to be enjoying himself. Pity he
was forcing a bit at this stage of his career. Think I'll put together
a Musica Proibita montage featuring 3 or 4 Tenors, Carreras being one
of them. His early recording of this piece is superb.
Cheers, M.
(P.S: what a shame that some low-class jerk on YouTube had to comment
that he couldn't see how the handsome young Tenor could serenade "such
a fat pig as Caballé")
On Feb 9, 9:28 pm, "Derek McGovern" <derek.mcgov...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Joe: No, I don't think that Lanza was close to peaking vocally. Had
> he been able to pull himself together healthwise, I agree with Armando
> that the harshness that we hear in his voice at times on the 1959
> Student Prince and Christmas Carols, in particular, would have gone,
> and that he would have sounded similar to how he does on the Cavalcade
> album of 1956. A richer, more even vocal production than he'd had in
> the early 1950s, and still with that thrilling top. (In fact, you
> could argue that his B-flat ending on the Albert Hall Because You're
> Mine - just 21 months before his death - is the best he ever sang that
> note.) Equally importantly, as a singer, he would no doubt have
> continued to improve. Even on the 1959 recordings, in spite of the
> fact that he is ill on most of them, the singer we hear is often a
> greater artist than the younger Mario.
>
> No one around him - not even the wretched Paul Baron! - felt that
> Lanza's voice was in decline during those last months. It was just the
> man himself who was physically falling apart at an alarming rate.
>
> > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
the aria from Adriana Lecouvrer. What timbre and voice production he
displayed. Marvellous.
I then spotted 'Granada' from his "Mario Lanza Tribute" concert. I was
surprised to see him do a voiceover of a muted clip of Mario in the
BYM scene. I gather there may have been a large screen at this venue
for the audience (and José) to follow Mario with. José did a pretty
fair job of lip-synching and seemed to be enjoying himself. Pity he
was forcing a bit at this stage of his career. Think I'll put together
a Musica Proibita montage featuring 3 or 4 Tenors, Carreras being one
of them. His early recording of this piece is superb.
Cheers, M.
(P.S: what a shame that some low-class jerk on YouTube had to comment
that he couldn't see how the handsome young Tenor could serenade "such
a fat pig as Caballé")
On Feb 9, 9:28 pm, "Derek McGovern" <derek.mcgov...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Joe: No, I don't think that Lanza was close to peaking vocally. Had
> he been able to pull himself together healthwise, I agree with Armando
> that the harshness that we hear in his voice at times on the 1959
> Student Prince and Christmas Carols, in particular, would have gone,
> and that he would have sounded similar to how he does on the Cavalcade
> album of 1956. A richer, more even vocal production than he'd had in
> the early 1950s, and still with that thrilling top. (In fact, you
> could argue that his B-flat ending on the Albert Hall Because You're
> Mine - just 21 months before his death - is the best he ever sang that
> note.) Equally importantly, as a singer, he would no doubt have
> continued to improve. Even on the 1959 recordings, in spite of the
> fact that he is ill on most of them, the singer we hear is often a
> greater artist than the younger Mario.
>
> No one around him - not even the wretched Paul Baron! - felt that
> Lanza's voice was in decline during those last months. It was just the
> man himself who was physically falling apart at an alarming rate.
>
Derek McGovern
Feb 11, 2008, 11:03:08 PM2/11/08
to mario...@googlegroups.com
Hi Mike: Just to clarify: Carreras wasn't lip-synching (to himself or
to Lanza!) on his 1994 Tribute to Mario concert, and in fact I don't
think he was even aware that Lanza's on-screen Granada was going to be
shown at one point while he was singing. That was done during the
post-production.
to Lanza!) on his 1994 Tribute to Mario concert, and in fact I don't
think he was even aware that Lanza's on-screen Granada was going to be
shown at one point while he was singing. That was done during the
post-production.
I do wish that Carreras had performed his tribute concert tour 10
years earlier, when he had more voice and more vocal stamina. There
are moments during the concert when he lets the orchestra take over
when he really should be singing (presumably so that he can get his
scond wind); from memory, this happens on Musica Proibita and the
Student Prince Serenade.
Derek McGovern
Feb 11, 2008, 11:06:44 PM2/11/08
to mario...@googlegroups.com
PS Jose' is in somewhat better voice on his 1993 With a Song in My
Heart tribute to Lanza CD - the disc that led to this tour. He does a
beautiful Musica Proibita, and the interesting thing is that some of
the arrangements are the same as Lanza's (eg, the SP Serenade).
Heart tribute to Lanza CD - the disc that led to this tour. He does a
beautiful Musica Proibita, and the interesting thing is that some of
the arrangements are the same as Lanza's (eg, the SP Serenade).
Derek McGovern
Feb 12, 2008, 2:02:01 AM2/12/08
to The Mario Lanza Forum
This is not quite young Carreras (well, he's almost 38 here), but a
fascinating behind-the-scenes look at recording West Side Story with
its crotchety composer Leonard Bernstein:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfsLQwnQjwA&feature=related
Although José can't quite pull off the song Maria here (he's obviously
worried about the looming & sustained high B-flat he has to hit on
"MAAAAria!"), he does come back the next day to sing it brilliantly.
I'll let you know when that clip has been uploaded!
fascinating behind-the-scenes look at recording West Side Story with
its crotchety composer Leonard Bernstein:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfsLQwnQjwA&feature=related
Although José can't quite pull off the song Maria here (he's obviously
worried about the looming & sustained high B-flat he has to hit on
"MAAAAria!"), he does come back the next day to sing it brilliantly.
I'll let you know when that clip has been uploaded!
Michael McAdam
Jun 15, 2011, 4:38:22 PM6/15/11
to mario...@googlegroups.com
Well, José's not overly young here (1986) but what a lovely rehearsal sequence with Dame Kiwi ;-) and nice, held-back delivery from both singers.
Picture the two lovely and handsome (respectively) South Philadelphians standing at those podiums instead. H-mmmm.
Michael McAdam
Jun 15, 2011, 11:18:37 PM6/15/11
to mario...@googlegroups.com
Silly devil! Forgot to put the link to the South Pacific recording sequence in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQR9plC4FJ8&feature=fvsr
Derek McGovern
Jun 16, 2011, 2:25:02 AM6/16/11
to mario...@googlegroups.com
Hi Mike: I've always loved that recording of South Pacific, and saw the "Making of..." programme on TV at the time. Unlike the Carreras/Te Kanawa West Side Story pairing of two years earlier, the stars' accents are (almost!) right here, and what beautiful singing -- especially from Carreras, who was just a year away from being stricken with leukaemia. His Some Enchanted Evening, which you get a bit of here, is very touching -- as is his This Nearly Was Mine. And Sarah Vaughan was an inspired choice for Bloody Mary (even if she does stray a bit from the score).
It's interesting that Kiri struggles with such a simple melody in the Twin Soliloquies duet.
Imagine if we had a "Making of The Student Prince" doco in the same style!!
Cheers
Derek
leeann
Jun 17, 2011, 12:24:46 PM6/17/11
to mario...@googlegroups.com
Dear Mike, these are as fun--and perhaps enlightening--to watch as the Met HD broadcasts in the theatres. Thank you for posting them. I love Bernstein's comment, "that is not pianissimo!" How might he have responded to other tenors, I wonder. The intensity and details of the interaction between all the parts--especially conductor and voice is fascinating. Rather tense, here. Clearly, too, neither Bernstein or Carreras were concerned about "making nice" for the camera! Best, Lee Ann
JimT
Jun 18, 2011, 3:13:21 PM6/18/11
to mario...@googlegroups.com
Wonderful discussion on the young Carreras, Derek and thanks for the thread. I had the thrill of hearing Carreras in concert with Caballe at Alice Tully Hall in NYC in the late '80 I believe.
I thought he was terrific and there was great rapport between the artists. I especially remember his aria from "La Juive". I also heard him in concert following his illness: first at Carnegie Hall with piano and then at Radio City Music Hall in his tribute to Mario show with full orchestra. Although the vocal brilliance was pretty much gone, there was still alot of feeling and verve in his deliveries. The Carreras voice I love are in my LP collection on Phillips: Verdi-Donizetti-Rossini arias, Bellini- Verdi-Mercadante-Ponchielli arias, another arias release, his Paolo Tosti LP, Love Is: movie and Broadway songs including Because You're Mine, Romantico, featuring gorgeous Spanish songs, his Neapolitan LP, Zarzuelas LP, You Belong To My Heart & other lovely songs, his Granada & Be My Love LP, the first one I bought, another arias LP and his duet album with Katia Ricciarelli. And of course there are some CD's, some of those after his illness.
When I first heard Jose I thought here might be the closest to Lanza's magic; that is, voice, looks, personality. Still there is only one Lanza! To all who write here: it is a pleasure to "read" you!
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