Search - Giuseppe di Stefano :: In Chicago

A voice of gold - the best tenor ever!

10/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This rare CD shows "Pippo" Di Stefano at his very best. The "Salut, demeure chaste et pure" as well as "E lucevan le stelle" and "Parmi veder le lagrime" are great, regarding both interpretation and unmatched vocal skills. In a shape like this, Di Stefano just deserves to be hailed as the "tenor of the century" (or at least the second half of it). This recital (actually recorded in San Francisco) is the top of classical vocal art - just forget Del Monaco, Corelli or Bergonzi: Di Stefano was the king!"

The best recital ever given

F. Barton | 03/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Di Stefano excels in this live recording, rising to the level of quality and inspiration seldom matched on disc. His voice is in pristine health: dewy and velvety, utterly arresting in its ability to convey emotion; yet calculatedly polished in style and technique. His timbre is unique and incomparable - you can never mistake di Stefano for anybody else. The quality of recorded sound is passably good. The highlight of this recording is "Salut! demeure chaste et pure" from Faust, with di Stefano's signature diminuendo on high C, a vocal feat never repeated by any other tenor - and remember: this was taken live! There is a complete recording of Faust with di Stefano, taken in N.Y. on the New Year's eve in 1949, under Pelletier. You should find and buy that recording; it also has the high C diminuendo, among other vocal marvels. Another remarkable aria the "Chicago" CD is "O souverain o juge o pere" from Le Cid, a relatively rare aria, sung by di Stefano with literally perfect legato and wrenching expressiveness. Don't miss this CD!"

The best tenor recital ever,Bjorling was right,

F. Barton | 04/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"if you love tenors,you must buy this cd.the sheer beauty of voice is unmatched,the timbre is unmistakeable,and the interpretation is often copied but never equalled.before being afflicted with asthma in the late 1950,s,DiStefano was the tenor's tenor.ignore the critics,and listen to what his peers said:Jussi Bjorling:"DiStefano will be greater than all of us";Pavarotti:"if i have to choose a favorite,i will choose DiStefano ";Domingo:"DiStefano was the most impressive i ever saw";Carreras:"he was my idol""