I recently found out about an incredible tenor who's been singing at all the great houses for the last 30 years, but who has somehow managed to fly under the radar, fame-wise. His name is Giuseppe Giacomini, and why he is not a household name is beyond me. Seriously, the more I listen to this guy the more his high notes make me gesticulate wildly and cheer out loud.
He sounds like a baritone. A baritone with the best B natural on the freaking planet! See if you can stay in your seat listening to this one.
How did you do? I managed to stay sitting this time, but I had to beat the air with my fists during the high notes. And I let out a little "bravo" at the end, though I tried so hard not to.
The fact that this man sang like this for 30 years at every great house from Scala to the Met, and is not a household name like Corelli or Pavarotti is amazing to me. Amazing, and sort of depressing. So I consider it a mitzvah to pass on this forbidden knowledge to you. Now go and share the gospel of Giacomini with all of your friends.
Wed, 2008-05-21 13:29
duuuuuuuuuude.
:)
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»Wed, 2008-05-28 22:22
He's pretty fabulous isn't he? I saw him twice: once in Forza del Destino and as an overpowering Canio in Pagliacci. There is a video of his Forza (with a very late, but still wonderful Leontyne Price). It's well worth watching.
I hope all is well,
Rich
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»Sun, 2008-06-01 14:07
Jesu Criste! Definitely the timbre of a bass-baritone. What a range!
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»Sun, 2008-06-08 19:29
I "discovered" Giacomini this year on youtube and he's definitely become my latest obsession. I'm listening to his cd as we speak. Occasionally, he forgets what key he's singing in (rarely, but it happens) and sometimes his trumpet-like top notes sound as if his shorts are strangling him, but, the sound is phenomenal.
And, there is a spirituality in his singing that is profound. I don't have the link anymore, but there's an interesting three-part interview that you can google of his interview with an Italian publication.
He has replaced my previous obsession, Ben Heppner. For the sheer joy of singing, I recommend his youtube Der Rosenkavalier fragment, Di Rigor Armato.
The only Giacomini I don't enjoy is the 2008 stuff (he's 68, born in 1940). By this time, that huge and wonderful voice has developed a wide vibrato (tremolo?) and, because I admire him so much, it upsets me to listen to him at this stage.
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»Mon, 2008-08-18 15:05
Um.. :)
He is pretty well-known so using the word "discover" is sort of silly. There are 4 names that come to mind when you say "dramatic tenor". Corelli, Del Monaco, Domingo and Giacomini.
Watch him with Sherrill Milnes. You will understand the difference between a baritone and a dramatic tenor.
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