Opera singers are on another level. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at the most gifted and accomplished singers in opera.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Placido Domingo!
00:03Yes?
00:05What do you do?
00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're looking at the most gifted and accomplished singers in opera.
00:11Now I look forward to this season.
00:13Grazie.
00:14Bravo, bravo.
00:15What a wonderful voice.
00:18Number 20, Andrea Bocelli.
00:21Operatic pop actually has limited pop appeal as a rule.
00:24Andrea Bocelli may be the ultimate exception,
00:27as accomplished in commercial music as he is in his refined tenor.
00:31Blind since childhood, he used his vivid ear for great singers to develop a richly eclectic voice.
00:36We were born to shine.
00:44Luciano Pavarotti himself helped give Bocelli his big break into the mainstream.
00:48Since then, Bocelli has earned renown with his blend of classical and various forms of pop.
00:53He's performed with the likes of Sarah Brightman, Rene Fleming, and Bryn Tervel,
00:57as well as Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, and Céline Dion.
01:00Never mind his three musically gifted children.
01:03Commercial savviness aside, Bocelli has a voice to enchant anyone.
01:15Number 19, Nicola Ieda.
01:18Born in Stockholm, Sweden, it didn't take long for this former bank teller to become
01:21one of the most extensively recorded tenors of all time.
01:25After being tutored by a well-known Swedish tenor, he made his Royal Swedish Opera debut at 26,
01:30where he aced one of the most challenging tenor arias in existence.
01:40Before long, he was appearing in opera halls from La Scala in Italy to the Royal Opera House in
01:45London. This brilliant tenor, renowned for his work in Palestrina and I Puritani,
01:50continued performing well into his 70s.
02:01Number 18, Monserrat Caballé.
02:04Monserrat Caballé rose from a modest background in Spain to become a star for her sweeping vocal
02:09range and clean phrasing. But it was the distinctiveness and emotional purity that
02:14made this voice so iconic. Caballé's popularity was further raised by Barcelona,
02:19a classical crossover album with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.
02:31Of course, many of her recorded renditions of masterpieces,
02:34particularly by Verdi, are among the most recognizable.
02:38She won four Grammys, as well as honorific titles and orders of merit in several countries.
02:43The only title one needs to recognize is La Superba,
02:47the Superb One. With technical mastery and unmistakable passion,
02:51Caballé is considered one of the quintessential sopranos of her era.
03:03Number 17, Nikolai Gyarov.
03:06Not many basses have hit the professional high notes of Nikolai Gyarov.
03:10His rich voice simply commanded attention. The Bulgarian classical prodigy won a scholarship
03:15to attend the esteemed Moscow Conservatory, and starred in some of the most prestigious
03:20opera houses in the world. He was particularly prolific at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
03:25Gyarov's warm, weighty interpretation of some of the most coveted bass roles in opera made him
03:42a uniquely towering figure in his register. His voice and stage presence were so powerful that
03:48a mountain in Antarctica was named after him. That, and many accolades, usually granted to
03:53upper register singers, barely suggest the scope of Gyarov's brilliance.
04:09Number 16, Renata Tebaldi.
04:11When legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini opened La Scala,
04:15he boasted that Renata Tebaldi had quote, the voice of an angel. The nickname La Voce d'Angelo
04:21would follow her throughout one of the most celebrated opera careers of the 20th century.
04:33Tebaldi's unique style layered soprano variations over robust breath control.
04:38Her either smooth or sweeping legato was particularly well regarded. Still,
04:42she continued training throughout her career, retiring at age 54 for fear of losing consistency.
04:48Alas, few recordings fully capture a voice that was too powerful to unleash directly into
04:54microphones. Tebaldi's force and versatility are at least recorded by her stardom,
04:59awards, and alleged rivalry with Maria Callas.
05:02All we can confirm from interviews is that Callas envied Tebaldi's angelic tone.
05:08Number 15, Leontine Price.
05:20With opera's tragic history of discrimination, its color barrier took too long to break.
05:25Soaring spinto-soprano Leontine Price shattered it.
05:37She was raised on gospel in Mississippi before excelling in classical training at Juilliard.
05:47She then rose from Broadway to become one of the most revered American singers on the international
05:52stage. Price's stern presence and immense voice were simply undeniable. Her cultural significance
05:58was matched by her patriotism, and she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.
06:03Of course, the caliber of her roles, accolades, and influence transcended race.
06:08Price's eclectic style alone marked a breakthrough in the modernization of opera.
06:13However, few can challenge the voice that helped diversify a whole art form.
06:27Number 14, Cecilia Bartoli.
06:35Creativity, emotion, and technical ability are hard to reconcile at their heights.
06:39But Cecilia Bartoli makes it look effortless as a regular one-voice symphony.
06:44The mezzo-soprano's flexible register and idiosyncratic vibrato are delivered
06:48with hypnotic passion, and her signature fast-paced runs are simply spectacular.
06:59Bartoli's bold style made her a global sensation,
07:02performing the most iconic operas of the Baroque and Classical eras.
07:06Her honors include five Grammys, a Polar Music Prize, and the highest orders of cultural merit
07:11in Monaco and her native Italy. At the same time, some have been taken aback by Bartoli's
07:17exaggerated aesthetic. With what she's capable of though, it is always a wonder to hear her perform.
07:32Number 13, Renée Fleming.
07:47Born in Pennsylvania to two music teachers, Fleming showed an interest in music at an early age,
07:52gradually moving into a musical education that also included studying at the prestigious Juilliard
07:57School. It was while still a student there that she began to sing opera professionally,
08:01later winning the Metropolitan Opera auditions at the age of 29.
08:05Since then, this award-winning lyric soprano has appeared all over the United States and
08:10the world performing in operatic roles ranging from German to Russian to French.
08:15And she has been praised for her singing in the works of Mozart, Strauss, and others.
08:26Number 12, Kiri Te Kanawa.
08:28Kiri Te Kanawa earned popularity in the 1960s by bringing an operatic technique to theatrical pop.
08:34After her 1971 debut at London's Royal Opera House,
08:37the New Zealand lyric soprano became one of the most celebrated singers in the world.
08:45With impeccable range, lush tone, and an incredible resume,
08:59she's won many of the highest accolades in opera.
09:02She also continued to masterfully adapt musicals, jazz, and other genres.
09:15Te Kanawa's outspoken love of music is enough to make her a star.
09:19She notably favored intimate venues before her retirement in 2017,
09:23and has been dedicated to promoting the next generation of virtuoso singers.
09:27Of course, not many could reach her vocal and professional heights.
09:38Number 11, Yossi Björling.
09:46Known as the Swedish Caruso, this tenor was taught to sing by his father,
09:53and made his first public appearance when only four years old.
09:57Though his career was tragically short, dying at the age of 49 due to heart problems,
10:02he left a legacy that inspired many men to come after him, including Luciano Pavarotti.
10:07Known mostly for his shows at the Metropolitan Opera in New York,
10:10he was so dedicated he still performed La Bohème at the Royal Opera House,
10:14despite suffering a heart attack just hours before.
10:26Number 10, Kirsten Flagstad.
10:40Born in Norway to a conductor and pianist, Flagstad received training in the capital Oslo,
10:45and made her debut there at age 18 at the National Theatre.
10:48Her vocal flexibility and eagerness to take on new roles progressed her quickly,
10:53and while touring in Scandinavia, caught the attention of the chairman of the Metropolitan
10:57Opera, and was soon invited to New York, where her popularity shot through the roof.
11:02Known for her performance in Tristan und Isolde, among others,
11:05this beauty and virtuoso in line and tone has been called the voice of the century.
11:18Number 9, Franco Corelli.
11:20While Franco Corelli was nicknamed the prince of the tenors partly for his good looks and charisma,
11:25his voice was kingly.
11:26He studied at the esteemed Pesaro Conservatory of Music,
11:30but forwent formal training to develop a unique style by ear.
11:33Corelli made it into a mainstream phenomenon with his sweeping, soulful technique.
11:53His extravagant showmanship may have polarized opera traditionalists,
11:57but it granted him a unique level of stardom by the 1960s.
12:00He was particularly well-known for his extensive work in New York's Metropolitan Opera.
12:05With such power, however, Corelli retired with vocal fatigue just 25 years into his career.
12:11In that time, he redefined not only the image of an opera star,
12:15but the standard of ability and creativity.
12:31Number 8, Dmitri Vorostovsky.
12:33At age 26, Dmitri Vorostovsky made his international breakout
12:38as champion of the Cardiff Singer of the World competition.
12:41Just six years later, he won the highest artistic title in Russia.
12:45His baritone voice was pure gold, with chilling depth and marvelous scope.
12:49And the way he utilized it in lyrical relation to emotion and melody was as seamless as it was haunting.
13:00Vorostovsky became one of the most sought-after baritones around,
13:14performing brilliantly until his final days.
13:17His death from cancer at age 55 was a great tragedy in the world of opera.
13:21Still, his massive body of work lives on as a prime example of his register
13:26and singing in general at their most enchanting.
13:31Number 7, Jesse Norman.
13:38Esteemed music critic Edward Rothstein once described Jesse Norman's voice as a,
13:43quote,
13:43grand mansion of sound.
13:45That just barely suggests the scope of this unreal talent.
13:49Raised on gospel and trained at the Peabody Institute,
13:52Norman was capable of several voice types.
13:54As a dramatic soprano above all,
13:57she had a heavenly force and fluidity to overpower any orchestra.
14:16Her seemingly effortless mastery won many high honors around the world
14:20and five Grammys, including one for lifetime achievement.
14:24She performed in the most prestigious venues and at ceremonies for world leaders.
14:28It was a prolific career all the way to Norman's passing at age 74.
14:32Not simply a once-in-a-generation phenom in technique,
14:36Norman sang with the very sound of divinity.
14:49Number 6, Enrico Caruso.
14:54Born to a poor family in Naples, Italy,
15:01this man, who originally sang on the street to raise money for his family,
15:04ended up becoming one of the most famous celebrities of his time.
15:08Debuting at the Teatro Nuovo in Naples,
15:10it wasn't long before Caruso found himself at the Metropolitan Opera,
15:14where he showcased his powerful voice which could hit high C with confidence,
15:18even in his later years.
15:20Having toured through Europe and the Americas,
15:22the success and talent of the singer long surpassed his short life.
15:26The legacy he leaves behind, and the fame he still holds,
15:30make Enrico Caruso a true legend of opera.
15:43Number 5, Joan Sutherland.
15:52Born in Sydney, Australia,
15:58Sutherland was drawn to music after hearing and attempting to copy her mother's singing
16:01at an early age.
16:03Although she made her concert debut in Sydney and studied music in several institutes,
16:07her breakthrough performance was in singing Lucia di Lammermoor at the Royal Opera House.
16:12Touring the world and with the likes of Pavarotti,
16:14her dramatic soprano voice and incredible intonation,
16:17staccatos, and unique trill earned her the respect of audiences everywhere,
16:21and the nickname La Stupenda, or The Stunning One.
16:37Number 4, José Carreras.
16:39Born in Barcelona to a working-class family,
16:52he developed a love for singing early on,
16:55and first sang publicly at the age of eight in a broadcast on Spanish national radio.
17:00After receiving an extensive musical education and support from the renowned soprano Montserrat
17:04Caballé, he progressed as an acclaimed tenor speedily.
17:07Known for his appearances in the works of composers like Verdi and Puccini,
17:11Carreras is said to have one of the most beautiful tenor voices of his time,
17:15and grew to even greater fame as one of the three tenors.
17:25Number 3, Plácido Domingo.
17:38This nine-time Grammy Award winner, tenor, and conductor was born to
17:42zarzuela performers that encouraged him to likewise pursue a musical career in Mexico.
17:46Known for his incredible versatility in voice,
17:49having performed some of the most difficult baritone musical pieces,
17:52as well as in role, with 147 roles to date,
17:56this multi-talented performer has also appeared in television,
18:00film, and the Olympics closing ceremonies.
18:02One of the best-rounded tenors in history,
18:04his performances as one of the three tenors and solo
18:07have been described as quote, monumental and quote, unforgettable.
18:26Number 2, Luciano Pavarotti.
18:35Born in northern Italy to a poor family, this former school teacher who allegedly never learned
18:41to read music later became one of the most commercially successful tenors in history.
18:46First appearing internationally in Belgrade, Serbia, his talent took him to greater places,
18:50and his debut at the Metropolitan Hall in 1972 was so impressive that he received 17 curtain calls.
18:57Touring far and wide, both on his own and as a member of the three tenors,
19:02his performances of the classic Nessun Dorma are perhaps some of his most memorable.
19:16Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.
19:20Mario del Monaco.
19:21The Brass Bull of Milan was famous for his silky, sophisticated tenor technique.
19:32Marilyn Horne.
19:35A highly decorated mezzo-soprano of celestial beauty.
19:48Mario Lanza.
19:49As much a tragic Hollywood idol as he was a cinematically gifted tenor.
20:02Beverly Sills.
20:07The superstar soprano stunned with her perfect pitch and extended legato.
20:26Bryn Terfel.
20:27The swaggering bass baritone is one of Wales' most famous and decorated singers.
20:32Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
20:48You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
20:52If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
20:58Number 1. Maria Callas.
21:02Hailed as the greatest soprano of all time and considered an influence on countless musical
21:13artists, Callas was born in Manhattan, studied music in Greece, and launched her career in
21:18Italy. Though her life was marred by a difficult childhood, strained relationships with family
21:23members, weight problems, scandals, love affairs, rivalries with other singers, and personal
21:28tragedies, her vocal and dramatic gifts always outshone the negative. Though she was severely
21:33visually challenged, she brought life, humanity, and beauty to nearly every role she took on.
21:39And for this, she has been called La Divina, the Divine One.
21:51Which opera singers do you most love to hear? Give us your note in the comments.
21:55I have been blessed with a voice that is even to me breathtakingly beautiful.
22:06That's total immodesty. I do not apologize for that.
22:10Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
22:13And be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.