Despite the scratchy quality of early 20th century recordings of Caruso, is his voice considered superior to Pavarotti's. And if so, in what ways?
2007-09-06 16:20:53 · 10 answers · asked by Rodolfo 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
If you look at the voices of these two on an oscilloscope you will notice that they both had in effect two voices. Instead of one strong trace on the scope there are two that are parallel. This is what gave their voices such richness.
The Caruso records that I have (my dad bought them new) are not that bad as far as being scratchy, it is the fidelity, the ability of that old system to capture all of a voice that is lacking. I would not say that one was "better" than the other.
The physical size and power of both men made their voices unstrained, they never lacked traction as it were.
2007-09-07 11:39:49 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Pavarotti Caruso
2016-12-15 18:01:30 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They both were excellent singers, just different, we never will really know what Caruso's voice was truly like because of the poor recording back in those days, so we'll never know exactly what Caruso's voice sounded, like, but from the scratchy version that I've heard he had a magnificent voice !!!!!!
2007-09-07 08:32:11 · answer #3 · answered by chessmaster1018 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Caruso was deemed a heavier sound than Pavarotti. He also had a faster vibrato, and there were phases in his life that one could definitely hear the stress in his voice production. Pavarotti probably enjoyed a freer, easier facility in technicalities.
However, let's not get infantile by asking who was better than whom. Each voice is individual, and thank God it's so. Can you imagine if we all started sounding alike? How absolutely boring. There are no absolutes in singing, as the voice is an accurate reflection of the body, and we know that the body changes from day to day, even minute to minute.Therein lies some of the greatness of both these men, and of thousands of other professional singers- keeping their instruments up to a high standard, day in, day out, even when they don't really feel good.
An anecdote ascribed to another departed legend, Birgit Nilsson, runs: " there was one night, only one night in my life that I was in absolute top form. Alas, there was neither a rehearsal nor a performance that night" So it goes for most of us. The moments that are caught on recordings are close to top form, perhaps, but even when they are not, think of what talent and training lies behind them as well, and leave the judging out of it.
2007-09-06 18:57:22 · answer #4 · answered by lynndramsop 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, the problem here is that the standard of what is a good voice changed a bit since Caruso's time, also the stylistic standards.
So, for his time, Caruso might have been the greatest, and for Pavarotti's time, he might have been the greatest.
And, it's hard to compare Pavarotti, whom we have heard in person, with someone who we have never heard live.
2007-09-06 17:45:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was comparing Caruso's, Beniamino Gigli's and Pavarotti's and Bocelli's. If you manage to use "Una Furtiva Lagrima" as a benchmark, which I used it out of convenience, it really depends on personal preference in defining what is best. Some people are the technicality-freaks, some look for the passion or emotive shaping of the vocals, some (like me) search for a best combination of both... aka Feel...
The reason I chose Beniamino is that he is the best of Power and Emotions. Pava has a sharp overtone to his singing that gives him both vibrancy and maybe a tinge of pierce. Although Bocelli has a emotive side but his singing is quite unsubstantiated by power (diaphragm-support) unlike Caruso, Pava and esp Beniamino. Caruso and Ben are both masters of vocal control together with diaphragm support. The ability to replicate emotions and transverse between vibratos and emotive expressions is truly breathtaking. What Caruso lacks behind Ben is sheer power. Look at the physical size of both guys. You will see the reason why. Pava is huge too but his vocals are meant for sharp and piercing reproduction.
The other benchmarks to look out for are twists e.g. crescendo or diminuendo. Check out the aspects like Power, Emotions, Styling, most importantly, Close your eyes and feel/imagine.
2007-09-08 04:16:47 · answer #6 · answered by Leonard E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Voice Compare
2016-10-01 01:54:11 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe so. I have heard the Great Caruso, Mario Lanza and Luciano Pavarotti and out of the three Caruso's voice was best, well, in my opinion anyway.
2007-09-06 16:30:27 · answer #8 · answered by kiwi_mum1966 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Equally; they are both dead.
2007-09-06 16:46:50 · answer #9 · answered by jms043 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
who are these people with Italian last names.........
2007-09-06 16:25:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋