Friday, December 10
Franco Corelli - Sfolgorò divino raggio [Poliuto]
With what seems to be strep throat or just the plain flu, the tissues of my thoat have swollen slighty, so when I descend my larynx to sing or swallow, there's a slight clicking sound akin to the cracking of knuckles. The feverish mid-day naps and the shivering, staggering trip to the doctor have undone my ability to form detailed, coherent thoughts for you. I apologize.
Speaking of fever-inducing and throat-swelling, have a listen:
Download Franco Corelli - "Sfolgorò divino raggio."
One of my favorite Corelli moments, from the 1960 performances of Donizetti's Poliuto that brought Maria Callas back to La Scala. While she scored points for her dramatic turn as Paolina, Franco Corelli brought the vocal fireworks to the title character, despite some critics' having called him vulgar. Here, Poliuto is ruminating over the idea that Paolina has been unfaithful to him ("Veleno è l'aura ch'io respiro"), when a Christian interrupts to tell him that their leader, Nearco, has been taken in chains to the Temple of Jupiter and Poliuto must come help free him. Poliuto is inspired by a divine light from God ("Sfolgorò divino raggio") to renounce his vengeance and show forgiveness.
You don't absolutely have to listen to all of the track. Not to say that Corelli isn't excellent throughout; he's his usual swaggering, smouldering, heroic self, and the voice is gorgeous. But really, this performance is about one thing—the penultimate high C at 3:57, where he says "F*ck vowel modification and all that crap that choir directors say about attacking the pitch from above." Call it unrefined; call it tasteless. But at least he had balls. This is the Corelli wind-up at its best and most thrilling.
Speaking of fever-inducing and throat-swelling, have a listen:
One of my favorite Corelli moments, from the 1960 performances of Donizetti's Poliuto that brought Maria Callas back to La Scala. While she scored points for her dramatic turn as Paolina, Franco Corelli brought the vocal fireworks to the title character, despite some critics' having called him vulgar. Here, Poliuto is ruminating over the idea that Paolina has been unfaithful to him ("Veleno è l'aura ch'io respiro"), when a Christian interrupts to tell him that their leader, Nearco, has been taken in chains to the Temple of Jupiter and Poliuto must come help free him. Poliuto is inspired by a divine light from God ("Sfolgorò divino raggio") to renounce his vengeance and show forgiveness.Sfolgorò divino raggio;
Da' miei lumi è tolto il velo…
Voce santa come il cielo
Di perdono a me parlà!
Obliato è già l'oltraggio;
Più vendetta il cor non chiede…
Dio quest'anima mi diede,
Pura a Dio la renderà, etc.
You don't absolutely have to listen to all of the track. Not to say that Corelli isn't excellent throughout; he's his usual swaggering, smouldering, heroic self, and the voice is gorgeous. But really, this performance is about one thing—the penultimate high C at 3:57, where he says "F*ck vowel modification and all that crap that choir directors say about attacking the pitch from above." Call it unrefined; call it tasteless. But at least he had balls. This is the Corelli wind-up at its best and most thrilling.
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