The greatest performers in music history: great tenors await you on medici.tv!
With their warm timbre, vocal precision, and the highest singing notes of the male register, capable of impressing even the most demanding audience, tenors have secured a prominent place in the world of opera since its origins, becoming protagonists in some of the most beautiful works. While bass singers are often chosen to portray villains, thanks to their deep and imposing voices, tenors frequently take on lead roles: whether they are heroic Germanic princes in Wagnerian sagas, tender and romantic lovers, or elegant Schubertian dandies, the spotlight is often on them! Among the great tenors, we cannot fail to mention iconic singers like Enrico Caruso, Fritz Wunderlich, Beniamino Gigli, Peter Pears, José Carreras. Certainly, among the most recognized and beloved names for the general audience, we find Luciano Pavarotti, Jonas Kaufmann, Rolando Villazón, and Juan Diego Flórez! Pavarotti, the most popular of the great tenors, was introduced to singing by his father, a baker with a passion for classical music. He began his career in the local choir, marking the start of a path to success. Notably, he stood out in his efforts to spread operatic music to the public, demonstrating a strong social commitment that made him one of the most beloved and recognized among the great tenors. A tangible testament to this is the legendary 1991 event, in which, with a masterful interpretation of Neapolitan ballads, he convinced the exuberant crowd to close their umbrellas despite the rain in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales! Another outstanding tenor is Jonas Kaufmann, a German singer whose distinctive vocal feature is his dark and resonant timbre, as well as an extensive range that allows him to interpret a very wide repertoire. On the other hand, among the great tenors, the Mexican-born Villazón is a natural actor, and with his unmistakable timbre, he has made some of the most famous and beloved roles his own. These include Rodolfo in Puccini's La Bohème, Alfredo Germont in La Traviata, Macduff in Verdi's Macbeth, Don Ottavio in Mozart's Don Giovanni, and many more! Furthermore, the "Peruvian diamond," as Juan Diego Flórez is also nicknamed, stands out for his bright and pleasing timbre. Combined with an enviable technical preparation, this makes him one of the finest tenors of all time, especially in terms of agility and coloratura! These artists, following in the footsteps of great tenors from the past, continue to offer extraordinary performances to the audience, upholding a musical tradition that continues to touch the hearts of music lovers around the world! What are you waiting for? Get to know the faces of the great tenors of today, and what better occasion to rediscover the greatest tenors of the past centuries than in legendary concerts like the Three Tenors concert, featuring José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti performing together! Join an ageless story that is still being written today. On medici.tv, you can reserve a front-row seat in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, both past and present, all from the comfort of your own living room to watch the greatest tenors of all time!
Allow yourself to be captivated by the magnificent voices of the great tenors of our century: discover their extraordinary interpretations of the most famous arias!
Like every element in the intricate history of classical music and opera, the category of tenors has undergone an evolution. While today, the great tenors often take on leading singing roles in the plots of operatic works, in the Baroque melodrama, they were frequently assigned antagonistic parts in relation to the voices of castrati, or even secondary roles like those of elderly and disreputable women (performed naturally en travesti). It was only with the Romantic era and the gradual disappearance of castrato singers that great tenors assumed a prominent role in operas, extending their vocal range and even adopting the so-called "chest voice" technique in the upper registers. Over time, the tenor voice has differentiated into various nuances, reflecting the vocal characteristics of different performers and allowing for the subtle specializations of the great tenors. Today, in fact, several types of tenor are distinguished: the "tenore di grazia," with a clear and limpid timbre and agile, virtuosic technical abilities, perfect for the demanding roles of Rossini and Donizetti’s works; the great "tenore lirico," with a warm and full voice, typical of Verdi and Puccini roles; the great "tenore drammatico," sometimes also called "Heldentenor", with an almost baritonal timbre and intense volume. But one could still speak of the "robust tenor," "baritenor," "haute-tenor," "tenor contraltino," and many other great tenors! Thanks to live concerts, along with unique genre documentaries and incredible masterclasses, medici.tv offers you the opportunity to explore all the shades of great tenor voices and uncover all the secrets of classical music. From the most beautiful Italian opera works to contemporary creations, discover the best interpretations of your favorite operas! Subscribe now to embark on a musical singing journey that spans centuries, connecting you with the enduring artistry of legendary singers and the timeless beauty of the tenor voice.
