Giovanni Consiglio..a mystery..
Charlie Handelman
Giovanni Consiglio!!!! Does the name ring any bells? I saw this tenor at
the old Salmaggi Opera Company in the 60's. My recollection is rather vague,
and all I recall from that evening (Trovatore),is that the anvil fell on a
chorister's foot in act two. Subsequently there were some tapes floating around
of this tenor, but he never really made it big as far as it went. Over the
years his name came up as being a potentially fabulous tenor, but totally
unreliable,accounting for his inability to make a great career.
Well,this week I was handed a CD of rare material by this man, and let me tell
you that only Caruso himself might surpass what I heard. Il Signor Consiglio
possessed one of the most remarkable SQUILLANTE dramatic tenor voices, with the
ability to move into the passaggio with ease, with a golden ringing quality
that one would place in the very forefront of all-time great tenors. The
opening of the Leoncavallo Boheme 'Testa adorata" threw me for about twelve
loops, and I was totally amazed that a voice of this magnitude was never really
recognized for what it was;however, knowing that he had a reputation for being
one of those tenors (quoting Anna Russell) with "resonance where the brains
should be,"I could well understand what had occurred.
What a great pity! I am trying to think of other singers whose candle
burned out so quickly for various reasons. I guess Elena Suliotis would
qualify, but at least she rose to a position of being able to sing in the great
opera theatres, whereas Consiglio never really went much beyond the Brooklyn
Academy of Music,although he is a Cavaradossi on a Philadelphia Tosca with
Zinka Milanov. Is the man alive? I wish someone would tell us something more
about him,because the man surely is deserving of some recognition. I do now
recall someone years ago comparing him to the likes of Caruso, and I probably
laughed...that is,until this week. Bravo Giovanni!!! (I saw that show). Charlie
My best, Charlie. Check out my website dedicated to the wonderful world
of opera, and request my huge free catalogue of live opera tapes.
donpaolo
from the past!!!!
Consiglio made his NY debut in a Carnegie Hall recital about a year or so
prior to Corelli's Met arrival. I recall the reviewer saying something like
"We have not heard such high notes since Giacomo Lauri-Volpi".
He sang several operas with Salmaggi at BAM; but the highest he rose was a
seriues of Canios with NYCO.
His problems were a lack of consistency & an uncanny deposit of phlegm that
would creep into his voice at the most inopportune & embarrassing times.
Physically, he was far from a dashing figure - rather short, with huge
shoulders (looked like a mini-linebacker).
BUT, the man had a huge, ringing top; darkish coloration & was a pure
spinto/drammatico (reminded me a lot of Riccardo Tucker & Labo) & when he
was "on", nobody could beat him.
I have several live performances with him, including an Il Trov, from
Philadelphia & various concerts, where he sings "ah tu che in seno",
"Rachel", "nessun dorma", etc., equal to the very best I've ever heard.
IF he were in his prime today, no tenor could come close to being serious
competition for these Italian/French spinto roles.
Understand that he is alive, residing in Connecticut & teaching voice.
Thanks again for bringing him up!
DonP.
"Charlie Handelman" <plac...@aol.comnojunk> wrote in message
news:20020814044848...@mb-fp.aol.com...
Dubium
"Charlie Handelman" <plac...@aol.comnojunk> wrote
> Giovanni Consiglio!!!! Does the name . . . yak yak yak . . . >
Marcia
Wow, memories! I coached with Maestro William Spada for a few years and he
gave benefit concerts at Carnegie every year for "Boys Town of Italy"
Consiglio sometimes coached with him and he sang in these concerts..
Fantastic voice.. Very shaky musicianship and very nervoso.. I sang several
duets with him and was amazed at how wonderful his voice was but in general
I guess that wasn't enough for fame. He had high notes to die for!"Charlie
Handelman" Best regards to you and bless your tapes..Diva
3..<plac...@aol.comnojunk> wrote in message
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>
Pmalora
and all.The radames that I saw was Consiglio.Allthough he might have been
having a bad nite his reputation preceeded him.One mezzo that sang with him
told me he sounded like Tucker only better.
Pineiro Boccanegra
sounds like you an asshole without a career, but at least you can
write your autobiography" the story of a butt fucker at the opera with
Rosen"