I would have thought enk ( and Herlea) we’re both veering in the direction that Bonetan decries, in terms of production … Not way far there but glimpses of it. I’d take any of the above, I thought Merrill displayed some surprisingly sensitive touches on the opening phrases, but in general, I thought the other two showed a greater feel for the sweep of the area. Enk is showing some signs of a wobble, but at other times it’s completely under control. I must have heard Herlea before but I don’t remember my response. I thought he really sounded great. Aside from being just a little bit thick. Really no winner for me in but I think I’ll go with Herlea.
Round Three: Il Balen. Herlea, Enkbhat, Merrill
Herlea is a new discovery of mine for the contest. I think you will like him. Bonetan wanted both Enkhbat and Merrill
Nicolae Herlea, Romanian baritone sings from Verdi Il trovatore aria "Il balen del suo sorriso"
Amartuvshin Enkhbat: Il balen del suo sorriso (Verdi: Il trovatore)
Il Trovatore (1990 Remastered Version) , ACT 2 Scene 2: Il balen del suo sorriso (Count di Luna) · Robert Merrill · Orchestra del Teatro dell'Opera, Roma · Thomas Schippers
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I’m surprised you all hear NO darkening because I do and I think it’s why he has to put so much effort into his highest notes. As I’ve said, darkening, doesn’t bother me that much and I think he really has a beautiful voice.Yes, I believe this is very recent. Last year I believe. Here's a clip of his Germont at The Met that's even more recent.
You do realize Mr B, that if you were an officer of the law this would be entrapment 🤔😉😁🤓!!!Bonetan wanted both Enkhbat and Merrill…….Now that plenty have left their opinions on Enkbhat I want to state that I absolutely despise his singing lol.
No, I am sure Bonetan said it was darkened.I’m surprised you all hear NO darkening because I do and I think it’s why he has to put so much effort into his highest notes. As I’ve said, darkening, doesn’t bother me that much and I think he really has a beautiful voice.
I do what I am told to do if people ask nicelyYou do realize Mr B, that if you were an officer of the law this would be entrapment 🤔😉😁🤓!!!
Very much so. I consider this the modern day Warren. The vibrato will get wider and wider (I'll be surprised if he's listenable past 50), the high notes will become more and more strained, and we'll be left with another generation of baritones who believe these dark tones are how one should sing to be hired to sing Verdi at the Met. I will continue to rail against this type of singing because I believe Battistini's and Bjorling's still walk among us and that we can have that kind of singing again. I believe the modern style of singing and teaching needs to be rooted out if the like of these legends is ever to be heard again, so I'm especially critical of modern voices. It's very important to me, probably too important.No, I am sure Bonetan said it was darkened.
No, I am sure Bonetan said it was darkened.
Eventually!!! After he showed his cards!! I think I’m not crazy in finding the B-man a little sly on this one🤔🤔🤔! I think requests usually imply positive interest to some degree??? 0bviously in this case that would mean No Darkening!!!! Hmm??? Granforte/Pinza??? Am I out in left field on this one…. hmmm??😉No, I am sure Bonetan said it was darkened.
Since that was one of your more ardent declarations, I’ll pick it up. I know we’ve been here before, but this is the question looming in my mind in response to your passion… Which I admire, and I recognize has a great deal to do with the wonderful sound you are developing! But if kaufmann (from whom we have examples of before and after ) decides that the natural smaller sound will not get him a serious career and the dark, covered and sound will….??? What should he do?Very much so. I consider this the modern day Warren. The vibrato will get wider and wider (I'll be surprised if he's listenable past 50), the high notes will become more and more strained, and we'll be left with another generation of baritones who believe these dark tones are how one should sing to be hired to sing Verdi at the Met. I will continue to rail against this type of singing because I believe Battistini's and Bjorling's still walk among us and that we can have that kind of singing again. I believe the modern style of singing and teaching needs to be rooted out if the like of these legends is ever to be heard again, so I'm especially critical of modern voices. It's very important to me, probably too important.
I think we as fans must be able to recognize and acknowledge that he has a poor technique that should not be taught to young singers, even if we enjoy his singing. And we also need to be able to recognize the drop off from a Bjorling, Caruso level singer to a Kaufmann level singer.Since that was one of your more ardent declarations, I’ll pick it up. I know we’ve been here before, but this is the question looming in my mind in response to your passion… Which I admire, and I recognize has a great deal to do with the wonderful sound you are developing! But if kaufmann (from whom we have examples of before and after ) decides that the natural smaller sound will not get him a serious career and the dark, covered and sound will….??? What should he do?
The following may be stupid as hell, but I have an athlete's brain lol. To me it's like a basketball player having horrendous shooting form, but making shots, and then the basketball world forgetting proper shooting technique to adopt this players form. Time passes and eventually nobody can shoot anymore, so we start praising the best of the bad shooters.
I like that! No argument whatsoever!!!👍I think we as fans must be able to recognize and acknowledge that he has a poor technique that should not be taught to young singers, even if we enjoy his singing.
This may be stupid, but to me it's like a basketball player having horrendous shooting form, but making shots, and then the basketball world forgetting proper shooting technique to adopt this players form. Time passes and eventually nobody can shoot anymore, so we start praising the best of the bad shooters lol
You got me bro 🤣 there was even a wee bit of guilt when I saw that @Seattleoperafan had posted the contestEventually!!! After he showed his cards!! I think I’m not crazy in finding the B-man a little sly on this one🤔🤔🤔! I think requests usually imply positive interest to some degree??? 0bviously in this case that would mean No Darkening!!!! Hmm??? Granforte/Pinza??? Am I out in left field on this one…. hmmm??😉
Enkhbat seemed to me to be a bass. I would never distinguish artificially darkened timbre from a dark one. Though I like this particular timbre.
Merill sang as if he just fulfilled contractual provisions: well enough but, no more.
Herlea sounded as DiLuna should.
Merill sang as if he just fulfilled contractual provisions: well enough but, no more.
Herlea sounded as DiLuna should.
They latter is good, I hope his career would progress. The former is pale and dull. I feel something like that when someone changes out of place Sulimsky, Burdenko or Markov. Okay, there are also Yankovsky and Ganbaatar (another Mongolian baritone). But exceptions are rare.
As one of my countless shrinks said, “forget the guilt it doesn’t do a thing😆!” I think you added a new bit of spice to TC posts😁!!!You got me bro 🤣 there was even a wee bit of guilt when I saw that @Seattleoperafan had posted the contest
Is the request of modern baritones still actual?
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