It’s just a teensy bit late for Verdi’s birthday, but La Cieca thinks you’ll enjoy the latest vocal ID challenge, cher public: 16 baritones singing the opening phrases of Posa’s “romance” from Don Carlos.

For this lyrical quiz prepared by Our Own DeCaffarrelli, your task is to identify as many Posas as possible, in the correct order, in the comments section.

Whoever identifies all 16 correctly first will win a coveted Amazon Gift Card. All decisions will be made by La Cieca, which I don’t think I need to tell you implies finality. La Cieca will keep this competition open for seven days, finishing on Saturday, October 19 at 8:00 PM.

Dear DeCaffarrelli has supplied the following start times of each singer’s contribution in the above track.

01. 0:00
02. 0:37
03. 1:13
04. 1:50
05. 2:39
06. 3:07
07. 3:40
08. 4:22
09. 5:00
10. 5:36
11. 6:14
12. 6:50
13. 7:29
14. 8:02
15. 8:41
16. 9:19

Now, cher public, start listening!

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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