Mario Lanza had only sung a few complete operas. However, he sang with an unmatched verve, making him a sought-after artist beyond opera theatres. Hollywood success brought him widespread popularity among music and movie lovers. He sang mostly opera excerpts and film songs with his rich bel canto voice. One of those who attended his live performances was Queen Elizabeth II.
Franco Corelli was the only one among the four to have enrolled in a conservatory. Yet, like the other three, he was more self-taught. His singing style was to keep the larynx low, producing a big and somewhat metallic sound. Naturally, with this “lyric-spinto” voice, he was in demand for the heavier roles including Pollione, and found himself collaborating with the one and only Maria Callas in the title role of Norma.
Giuseppe di Stefano sang unreservedly with his unique “open” voice even when reaching the high notes. He had such a vocal gift. At his prime, he could sing a challenging high-C in full voice, then gradually and seamlessly transforming into a well-supported and ethereal pianissimo. He was famous also for his interpretation of Neapolitan songs. While the four tenors all specialised mainly in the Italian (and a bit of French) operatic repertoire, di Stefano was the only one to have recorded a complete stage work in German, and that’s Lehár’s The Land of Smiles to critical acclaim.
Find out more about the lives and art of these glorious voices in The Four Tenors.
~transcribed by Yan Lam