LANZA AND CARUSO

New Zealand Listener, Volume 26, Issue 656, 1 February 1952, Page 5

LANZA AND CARUSO

Sir,-It is obvious after listening to Lanza’s operatic recordings that he does not understand what is required of him. Such arias as the popular "Che Gelida Manina" are sung in an all-out style from start to finish, and that hungry, devouring expression never varies. I agree that’ these faults arise from inexperience, but it is ridiculous to suggest he excels Caruso as he is now. Where does W. S. Flint get the idea that at the age of 30 Caruso had a "weak, but pleasant, voice?" One of the chief qualities gor which his voice was famous was its exceptional power, and the critics of those days agreed that the period of his greatest vocal brilliance was 1904-1907, or from the age of 31° to 34. It was when he reached middle age that he was considered past his best, as-his voice had darkened through over-use. As for Caruso’s "years of study," all the musical training he ever had was for one year when he was 18. listening to a famous singing teacher. Virgine, teaching a class of pupils. Virgine would not include Caruso in his class, for although he said the boy had the most powerful voice he had heard, he considered it unmusical. That was the extent of his "years of study." Incidentally, another young man whom Virgine predicted would be the world's greatest tenor became, instead, Caruso's assistant valet in later years, so with all due respect to Dr. Serge Koussevitzky’s opinion of Lanza, it would seem that even great men can be mistaken.

It is a great pity Enrico Caruso did not live long enough to make electric recordings, then we today could get a much better idea of the power and quality of his voice. I wonder how many people in New Zealand ever witnessed any of his performances. Lanza is a good singer with a gcod voice, but I doubt if he will ever reach the standard of Gigli, Caruso, Martinelli.

etc:

RIGOLETTO

(Katikati).