Who is the greatest classical singer in recorded history?
In the rich history of classical music, countless singers have made significant contributions, each leaving a unique legacy. Some, like Maria Callas, are celebrated for their dramatic intensity and unmatched emotional depth in opera. Others, such as Luciano Pavarotti, are revered for their flawless technique and powerful, soaring tenor. Joan Sutherland’s incredible vocal agility and purity of tone have also placed her among the greats, while Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is often lauded for his expressive interpretation of Lieder. Renata Tebaldi's voice is remembered for its warmth and beauty, and Plácido Domingo's versatility across tenor and baritone roles has captivated audiences worldwide.
Considering these iconic figures and many others, who do you believe is the greatest classical singer of all time? What specific qualities or performances make them stand out in your mind? How do their contributions compare to those of other legendary singers? Bonus points for links to your favorite recordings!!
10 replies
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I recently discovered Jussi Björling. Ever since Julia Radosz of the ToneBase Whistle Tone 2-week intensive told me she’s 95% sure I am a tenor, I have been scouring streaming services for recordings. Björling has both lightness and power. To my ears and taste, he is the best operatic tenor. Warner Classics has a wonderful 5-disc set, remastered at Abbey Road Studios, “Jussi Björling: the Swedish Caruso,” that I have been listening to on Presto, my favorite streaming service.
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My favorite of all recorded: https://youtu.be/LYU4cXZa3cU
I also enjoy Bruce Ford, Gregory Kunde, Paul Nilon, Richard Croft, etc.
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My favorite tenor overall, though, is Ian Bostidge. His pronunciation and interpretation of Lieder is exquisite. He has a wonderful disc of Die Schöne Müllerin accompanied by Mitsuko Uchida, a gorgeous Dichterliebe with Julius Drake, a lovely Schwannengesang with Lars Vogt, a passionate Winterreise with Thomas Adès, and is my favorite interpreter of two of the best art songs ever, Widmung and Die Erlkönig (listen to his interpretation of the king of the elves! So light, magical, and, in the end, sinister).
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There are so many singers who are supreme reflections of their art like Leontyne Price, Fritz Wunderlich, Luciano Pavarotti, Arleen Auger, John Aler, etc. But my favorite will always be Jessye Norman at her best. Her recordings of Four Last Songs (Strauss), Five Ruckert-Lieder (Mahler) and Liebestod (Wagner) are often cited as definitive recordings. It's often a mystery what attracts us to particular timbres and vocal interpretations, but this is a voice that for me is timeless and resonates with me deeply.
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LOVE all these replies.. they really speak to the individuality of our art form. The tent is truly a large one when it comes to beautiful singers and what individually resonates with each of us - pun intended ;)
I'm just happy to be moderating on this one and not answering it myself. Such an embarrassment of riches!! Feel free to keep sharing on this thread! So many amazing singers to celebrate and discover! -
I've always been a big fan of Cecilia Bartoli, Magdalena Kožená and Edita Gruberová.
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Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing.