khankonchak's video: Ivan Petrov- Tu sul labbro de veggenti

Ivan Petrov (1920-2003) When it comes to sheer tonal opulence and warmth of sound, Ivan Petrov ranks among the greatest of basses, Russian or otherwise. Born in Irkutsk to a family of German origin, he studied at the Glazunov School of Music in Moscow and made his Bolshoi Theater debut at the tender age of 23 (in Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette"). He initially sang mostly smaller roles, but became an established singer at the theater as the members of the leading bass "triumvirate"- Reizen, Mikhailov, and Pirogov- began to retire in the 1950's. Petrov also enjoyed great success during his extensive tours in Western Europe and Scandinavia, and made numerous recordings of operas in the Russian, French, and Italian repertories. Among contemporary works, he created the role of Bestuzhev in Yuri Shaporin's "The Decembrists"; a complete recording has been issued on the Preiser label. Unfortunately, Petrov retired from the stage rather early- in 1970, at only 50 years of age- mostly due to complications from diabetes. Although he didn't have the dominating, hulking physical presence of such basses as Mark Reizen or Boris Shtokolov (or the latter's profondo coloration), Petrov's voice was certainly quite ample, with a beautifully focussed core and an extended upper range. There is no wooliness, and the instrument is very smooth and finely polished in all registers. All of these qualities are present in this recording of 'Tu sul labbro de' veggenti' from Verdi's "Nabucco", to which Petrov brings a solemn dignity and seamless legato worthy of Pinza and Siepi, as well as some beautiful pianissimo singing. The only demerit is Petrov's heavy Slavic accent, but in light of the exquisitely nuanced reading that hardly matters. As with my video of Boris Christoff's 'Come dal ciel precipita', Verdi purists be forewarned: there is some scooping and portamento here, so you may wish to look elsewhere. I have no use for pedantism, however, and am grateful for this recording, one of the best the aria has had. Mark Ermler and the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra match Petrov's sensitive reading step for step.