Here is the great man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://vimeo.com/174245102

On or off stage, I love this guy...Who doesn't????

Carlo Bergonzi emerged as one of the greatest artists in opera history. Here,in 1986, he returns to the Met. He was born on 7/13/24.

The "slancio" is incomparable...a GOD in music!!!

Rare stage appearances by Virginia Zeani. She just told me they did a festival in her honor in Romania.

Who deserves it more?  Remember she is my "sister."

When I find a new voice,I want others to sample it.Note remarkable pianissimo tones, AND mixed chest voice on "Crudel," which pleases me so much.

Eleonora Buratto was born in Mantua, Italy. After graduating at the "Lucio Campiani" Conservatory, she continued her studies for three years under the guidance of Luciano Pavarotti and then with Paola Leolini. 
She made her debut in the role of Musetta in La Bohème in 2007, winning the competition " Adriano Belli " in Spoleto.
In 2009, conducted by Riccardo Muti, she debuted in the role of Creusa in Demofoonte by Jommelli at Salzburg Festival, Opèra Garnier and Ravenna Festival. In 2011, again under the baton of Riccardo Muti, she was Susanna in I due Figaro by Mercadante at Teatro Real Madrid, then at Salzburg Festival, Ravenna Festival and at the Colòn of Buenos Aires. In 2012, conducted by Riccardo Muti, she was Amelia in Simon Boccanegra at the Opera Theatre in Rome and in 2013 Norina in Don Pasquale at Teatro Real Madrid and in Rome and she sang in Chicago in the Mass in C minor with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Riccardo Muti. In 2014 she was again Amelia on tour in Japan with the Rome Opera Company.

You cannot judge by this clip, but the second this delightful lady sang the first Norina line, it was as if she was "miked." What a fabulous,most unusual resonance. I was thrilled!!!!!

  May she go far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was born into an Armenian family living in the Russian city of Vladikavkaz, where his father was a mineworker. Pavel first worked in diamond drilling, then as a welder apprentice hoping to follow his father's steps. He first began to sing in a church choir before moving to Leningrad to study cello (1930).

As a strong-voiced soloist of a local amateur group he was commissioned to the Leningrad Conservatory.

He started his vocal career in the Maly Leningrad State Opera Theatre and then in the Yerevan Opera House, where he performed the leads for three years.

From 1940 to 1966, Pavel Lisitsian was the soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre and performed parts of Yeletsky, Onegin, Mazepa, and Robert (in Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, Evgenie Onegin, Mazepa, and Iolanta respectively), Germont and Amonasro (in Verdi's Traviata and Aida), Escamilo (in Bizet’s Carmen), Tatul (Spendiarov’s Almast), Arsaces II (Arshak II) (Chuhadzhyan’s Arshak II), Napoleon (in Prokofiev's War and Peace), and others.

During a concert tour of the USA in 1960, he appeared at the Metropolitan Opera as Amonasro. He died in Moscow.

Tchaikowsky and Rachmaninoff Songs.

  Since he lived from 1911-2004, Dmitri Hvorostovsky told me he knew him;there are similarities, since these two have gorgeous voices.

Here is the "Miracle of the Opera World," Magda Olivero, at Padua on 4/7/71 (only 61 yrs.old),accompanied by the famous soprano Irma Adami Corradetti.

 Manon,Turandot,Francesca,Adriana(Poveri Fiori),Pelagio (Mercadente),Manon Lescaut,Adriana (Io son l'umile ancella), and Manon Lescaut (Sola,perduta).

Go to youtube, where she sings at 83, and I know from her caretaker that she had to get rid of her piano,since people asked her to sing, into her 90's.

I called her every birthday until about age 102, but then things got more difficult until she passed away at 104.

GOD BLESS HER!!!

Just a note to thank all of you, from Angola to Zanzibar, for your interest.

Total stats from the start of my podcasts are: 1,692,009 hits.

I am sorry I am unable to allow comments, since I get a horrendous number of ads. However, any comments or suggestions you may have can be sent to Placido21@aol.com.

   My best  Charlie

P.S. I am grateful for a fan who wants more of the audio podcasts.I am aware..I had so many computer glitches..but now can do more...I appreciate your input..Keep it up!!!!!