Italian town streams a tenor’s centenary
NewsTomorrow, the 100th birthday of Luigi Infantino, his hometown Racalmuto will stream highlights of his life and recordings.
Here’s a sample.
Infantino died in 1991.
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Such a treat to hear this. Great voice alongside the golden years of recording technology. Fantastic balance of sound.
Bravo, Luigi!
Wonderful tenor – properly trained with a clear, pleasing open sound and no throatiness or constriction. Completely idiomatic in his chosen repertoire. There’s no one like him today, and if there were the small voices would complain that he sings too loudly.
Thanks for this! Never heard him before Clear ringing sound. What a wonderful voice.
I first Heard Luigi Infantino sing in 1955 when he first toured New Zealand. I was 15 at the time and he was the first internationally -known opera singer I had heard live. I thought he was marvelous, and this was reinforced when he made a return tour a few years later (with a bigger and darker voice). I acquired some of the few records I could find and regarded him as the epitome of lyric tenors. This group includes the young Pavarotti (before he became a superstar) who I heard around 1966 – the latter lacked the vocal beauty of Infantino.
How often is it that the first time you hear a particular work or artist becomes the model “best experience” of your life? Example: the best orchestral concert I have ever heard was the first time I listened to an orchestra of international repute – Czech Philharmonic under Karel Ancerl. The best piano recital ever was the first – Julius Katchen. Is this reality or a psychological phenomenon?
Well, in your particular case, i’d say it was a mixture of luck to strike marvellous quality at first go, plus the psychological impact of discovery. The Czech Phil/Ancerl left a lasting impression on their NZ tour, playing, in those days for their lives, but also confirmed in many superb recordings; the favorite orchestra of my youth.
And Julius Katchen made a huge impression when he invited the small audience- due to terrible weather- in Dunedin Town Hall, to all gather round closer, giving an unforgettably intimate recital, (this according to several friends; i missed it!). He was my first Beethoven 4th concerto in concert….the music made its full poetic effect straightaway.