Comments on: Giuseppe di Stefano 1921-2008 http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/ where opera is king and you, the readers, are queens Sat, 11 Sep 2010 01:53:03 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 FightGravityPDX commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-4/#comment-28534 FightGravityPDX Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:03:59 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-28534 gosh, yet another great one joins our angels... wondering if teatro cielo is possible.... thanks for sharing the clips; getting the full stuff from my library now.... gosh, yet another great one joins our angels… wondering if teatro cielo is possible…. thanks for sharing the clips; getting the full stuff from my library now….

]]> FightGravityPDX commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-4/#comment-28533 FightGravityPDX Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:03:23 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-28533 gosh, yet another great one joins our angels... thanks for sharing the clips; getting the full stuff from my library now.... gosh, yet another great one joins our angels… thanks for sharing the clips; getting the full stuff from my library now….

]]> JERRY commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-4/#comment-8565 JERRY Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:25:16 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-8565 NOT MANY TENORS HAVE BEEN COMPAIRED TO PIPPO, BOTH BEFORE HIM OR AFTER HIM. TO ME ONLY JOSE CARRERAS HAD "SOME" OF THAT PURE NATURAL BEAUTY. THE REASON TO ME IS QUITE SIMPLE, NO OTHER TENOR COULD BE BLESSED WITH SO MANY TALENTS!! ONE CANNOT "LEARN" TO HAVE SUCH VOCAL BEAUTY, ONE CANNOT LEARN TO APPROACH THE ACROBATIC SPUR OF THE MOMENT VOCAL TRICKS HE WOULD PERFORM. ONE COULD NEVER APPROACH TO PUT HEART, SOUL , PERFECT DICTION, ACROBATIC SINGING,ACTING WITH THE PASSION HE WAS SINGING, ALL COUPLED WITH THE MOST THE BEAUTIFUL TENOR VOICE EVER SO GIFTED, UNLESS HE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE ESPECIALLY SAVED AND THEN SENT TO THOSE OF US LUCKY ENOUGH TO EXPERIENCE. YES, THE GOOD LORD, WAITED FOR ONE SPECIAL PERSON TO TO BE SO GIFTED - PIPPO DI STEFANO WAS THAT "VERY SPECIAL PERSON"!!! MAY PIPPO NOW LIGHT UP THE CHOIR OF HEAVEN, ALWAYS TAKING THE TENOR PART FROM NOW TO ETERNITY!!!! NOT MANY TENORS HAVE BEEN COMPAIRED TO PIPPO, BOTH BEFORE HIM OR AFTER HIM. TO ME ONLY JOSE CARRERAS HAD “SOME” OF THAT PURE NATURAL BEAUTY. THE REASON TO ME IS QUITE SIMPLE, NO OTHER TENOR COULD BE BLESSED WITH SO MANY TALENTS!! ONE CANNOT “LEARN” TO HAVE SUCH VOCAL BEAUTY, ONE CANNOT LEARN TO APPROACH THE ACROBATIC SPUR OF THE MOMENT VOCAL TRICKS HE WOULD PERFORM. ONE COULD NEVER APPROACH TO PUT HEART, SOUL , PERFECT DICTION, ACROBATIC SINGING,ACTING WITH THE PASSION HE WAS SINGING, ALL COUPLED WITH THE MOST THE BEAUTIFUL TENOR VOICE EVER SO GIFTED, UNLESS HE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE ESPECIALLY SAVED AND THEN SENT TO THOSE OF US LUCKY ENOUGH TO EXPERIENCE. YES, THE GOOD LORD, WAITED FOR ONE SPECIAL PERSON TO TO BE SO GIFTED – PIPPO DI STEFANO WAS THAT “VERY SPECIAL PERSON”!!! MAY PIPPO NOW LIGHT UP THE CHOIR OF HEAVEN, ALWAYS TAKING THE TENOR PART FROM NOW TO ETERNITY!!!!

]]> Abel commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-4/#comment-7759 Abel Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:43:36 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-7759 Why, men, di Stefano's 'Ecco ridente in cielo' really put JDF to shame! A wonderful array of Pippo's best stuff. Thanks ever so much! Why, men, di Stefano’s ‘Ecco ridente in cielo’ really put JDF to shame!
A wonderful array of Pippo’s best stuff. Thanks ever so much!

]]> Abel commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-7758 Abel Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:37:54 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-7758 Sorry, but it is SO difficult to hear Caruso in any decent accoustics. Sorry, but it is SO difficult to hear Caruso in any decent accoustics.

]]> Carl commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-7248 Carl Sat, 08 Mar 2008 02:05:57 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-7248 The young Di Stefano was wonderful, but the grandest tenor of the century was Caruso. The young Di Stefano was wonderful, but the grandest tenor of the century was Caruso.

]]> Pippofan commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-7244 Pippofan Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:20:05 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-7244 Di Stefano was the grandest tenor of the 20th. century. No one sang with such passion and feeling. The Tosca with Callas, Gobbi, De Sabata (La Scala 1953) is, in many reviews, the greatest opera recording ever made. He sang as though Puccini wrote the opera specifically for him - easily the greatest "E lucevan..." ever! God bless you Pippo, you now sing only for him. Di Stefano was the grandest tenor of the 20th. century. No one sang with such passion and feeling. The Tosca with Callas, Gobbi, De Sabata (La Scala 1953) is, in many reviews, the greatest opera recording ever made. He sang as though Puccini wrote the opera specifically for him – easily the greatest “E lucevan…” ever!

God bless you Pippo, you now sing only for him.

]]> Ian Brooks commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-7106 Ian Brooks Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:47:37 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-7106 I was blessed to hear Pippo in 1973 in a London recital and later in 1984 in Stamford, CT. Such thrilling events - not least for his wonderful presence and magnificently beautiful singing. Sublime and simuultaneously so masculine. He took my breath away over 40 years ago when I played a 45 rpm record of him singing Puccini arias. RIP. I was blessed to hear Pippo in 1973 in a London recital and later in 1984 in Stamford, CT.

Such thrilling events – not least for his wonderful presence and magnificently beautiful singing. Sublime and simuultaneously so masculine.

He took my breath away over 40 years ago when I played a 45 rpm record of him singing Puccini arias.

RIP.

]]> Patrick Byrne commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-6832 Patrick Byrne Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:03:31 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6832 I saw Giuseppe at the end of the career, in the mid 70's. He forced the top, crooned, and fudged a lot of the notes, but he absolutely made you believe the text of whatever he was singing. His voice was infused with passion and ardor, and he could melt your socks with a look. I saw Giuseppe at the end of the career, in the mid 70’s. He forced the top, crooned, and fudged a lot of the notes, but he absolutely made you believe the text of whatever he was singing. His voice was infused with passion and ardor, and he could melt your socks with a look.

]]> Annetta commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-6795 Annetta Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:59:24 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6795 Giuseppe was a great artist. He will always be loved and remembered. May he rest in peace. I have created a tribute for this great Tenor. Please feel free to share your tributes and memories for him at http://www.respectance.com/GiuseppeDiStefano/ Giuseppe was a great artist. He will always be loved and remembered. May he rest in peace. I have created a tribute for this great Tenor. Please feel free to share your tributes and memories for him at

http://www.respectance.com/GiuseppeDiStefano/

]]> Barak commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-6734 Barak Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:45:58 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6734 Dear La Cieca! Is there a way to download your "Giuseppe di Stefano" Tribute? I thought the selections were absolutely wonderful! BARAK Dear La Cieca!

Is there a way to download your “Giuseppe di Stefano” Tribute?

I thought the selections were absolutely wonderful!

BARAK

]]> amneris commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-6722 amneris Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:58:40 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6722 r.i.p. maestro, you are much loved... r.i.p. maestro, you are much loved…

]]> Melot's Younger Brother commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-6721 Melot's Younger Brother Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:28:20 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6721 The Reuters wire story went as follows, and refers to his "many recordings with Pavarotti." WTF? "Italian tenor Di Stefano dies aged 86 03/03/2008 1:08 PM, Reuters Italian tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano, to whom Luciano Pavarotti owed his launch to stardom, died in Milan on Monday. He was 86. Di Stefano died after a long coma caused by an attack during a robbery at his Kenyan holiday home in late 2004. Fellow Italian tenor Pavarotti, who died last year, had his big break when Di Stefano dropped out of a performance of "La Boheme" at London's Covent Garden in 1963. Pavarotti performed as the stand-in and a star was born. Local media said Di Stefano had never fully recovered from the savage beating he received from unknown assailants at his villa near the eastern Kenyan resort of Mombasa. Treated for serious head injuries, he was moved to a hospital in Milan where he slipped into a coma last December. Born in Sicily, Di Stefano made his operatic debut in 1946 and his debut at La Scala in Milan the following year. He made many recordings with Maria Callas and Pavarotti." The Reuters wire story went as follows, and refers to his “many recordings with Pavarotti.” WTF?

“Italian tenor Di Stefano dies aged 86

03/03/2008 1:08 PM, Reuters

Italian tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano, to whom Luciano Pavarotti owed his launch to stardom, died in Milan on Monday. He was 86.

Di Stefano died after a long coma caused by an attack during a robbery at his Kenyan holiday home in late 2004.

Fellow Italian tenor Pavarotti, who died last year, had his big break when Di Stefano dropped out of a performance of “La Boheme” at London’s Covent Garden in 1963. Pavarotti performed as the stand-in and a star was born.

Local media said Di Stefano had never fully recovered from the savage beating he received from unknown assailants at his villa near the eastern Kenyan resort of Mombasa.

Treated for serious head injuries, he was moved to a hospital in Milan where he slipped into a coma last December.

Born in Sicily, Di Stefano made his operatic debut in 1946 and his debut at La Scala in Milan the following year. He made many recordings with Maria Callas and Pavarotti.”

]]> La Cieca commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-3/#comment-6719 La Cieca Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:38:38 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6719 Please don't hold La Cieca to this, but she is almost sure that the "Tosca" selection is from the live Mexico City performance with Callas from May 1952. (This run of performances was di Stefano's first Cavaradossi, and even back then there were not that many theaters where encores were permitted -- even when so richly deserved as here!) Please don’t hold La Cieca to this, but she is almost sure that the “Tosca” selection is from the live Mexico City performance with Callas from May 1952. (This run of performances was di Stefano’s first Cavaradossi, and even back then there were not that many theaters where encores were permitted — even when so richly deserved as here!)

]]> closetdivo commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-2/#comment-6712 closetdivo Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:25:28 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6712 I was fortunate enough to hear him in Andrea Chenier at the Cincinnati Summer Opera. It was one of the most wonderful and unforgetable evenings of my life. His Maddalena, BTW, was an incandescent Mary Curtis-Verna. The next week he sang in Mann Lescaut which I missed because my parents carried me off kicking and screaming to a vacation spot in Michigan. I also heard him twice in those recitals with Callas in the 70's. One of his encores was Marechiare---fabulous. I have always counted him as one of my favorite tenors, not only for his beautiful voice, but also for his superb diction. He always sang with passion, something that is very rare these days. RIP, Maestro. I was fortunate enough to hear him in Andrea Chenier at the Cincinnati Summer Opera. It was one of the most wonderful and unforgetable evenings of my life. His Maddalena, BTW, was an incandescent Mary Curtis-Verna. The next week he sang in Mann Lescaut which I missed because my parents carried me off kicking and screaming to a vacation spot in Michigan. I also heard him twice in those recitals with Callas in the 70’s. One of his encores was Marechiare—fabulous. I have always counted him as one of my favorite tenors, not only for his beautiful voice, but also for his superb diction.
He always sang with passion, something that is very rare these days.
RIP, Maestro.

]]> MaestroFurioso commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-2/#comment-6703 MaestroFurioso Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:20:48 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6703 I, too, would be interested in knowing the occasion of the E lucevan le stelle. Really a magical moment to have recorded. I, too, would be interested in knowing the occasion of the E lucevan le stelle. Really a magical moment to have recorded.

]]> bolshoipavel commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-2/#comment-6702 bolshoipavel Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:13:05 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6702 WOW! That clip of <i>E lucevan le stelle</i> is incredible! Do we know what the venue was? Because as glorious as the singing was, and it was glorious, the audience response is fabulous! So full of enthusiasm, love and admiration! WOW! That clip of E lucevan le stelle is incredible! Do we know what the venue was? Because as glorious as the singing was, and it was glorious, the audience response is fabulous! So full of enthusiasm, love and admiration!

]]> bolshoipavel commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-2/#comment-6701 bolshoipavel Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:12:25 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6701 WOW! That clip of <i>E lucevan le stelle</i> is incredible! Do we know what the venue was? Because as glorious as the singing was, and it was glorious, the audience response is fabulous! So full of enthusiasm, love, and admirations! WOW! That clip of E lucevan le stelle is incredible! Do we know what the venue was? Because as glorious as the singing was, and it was glorious, the audience response is fabulous! So full of enthusiasm, love, and admirations!

]]> brett commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-2/#comment-6694 brett Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:42:08 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6694 There's a difference between emulating musicality/technique (which is what voice students are, of course, instructed to do) and imitating a singer (you could call me a Fleming flapper, but her Beverly Sills impersonation in Baby Doe's Letter Song doesn't do it for me) and his/her career. There’s a difference between emulating musicality/technique (which is what voice students are, of course, instructed to do) and imitating a singer (you could call me a Fleming flapper, but her Beverly Sills impersonation in Baby Doe’s Letter Song doesn’t do it for me) and his/her career.

]]> MaestroFurioso commented http://parterre.com/2008/03/03/giuseppe-di-stefano-1921-2008/comment-page-2/#comment-6693 MaestroFurioso Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:27:41 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=564#comment-6693 Thank you so much, LaC, for the E Lucevan le Stelle you put on the player. What beautiful, subtle phrasing and dynamics he uses on it. And if that weren't enough, one gets to hear the tremendous crowd response and the even more tender, delicate, subtle encore...just magnificent, thanks ever so much. Thank you so much, LaC, for the E Lucevan le Stelle you put on the player. What beautiful, subtle phrasing and dynamics he uses on it. And if that weren’t enough, one gets to hear the tremendous crowd response and the even more tender, delicate, subtle encore…just magnificent, thanks ever so much.

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