khankonchak's video: Robert Ilosfalvy- Jozsi s aria from Zigeunerliebe Lehar

Robert Ilosfalvy (1927-2009) The Hungarian tenor Robert Ilosfalvy surely deserves better than the neglect into which his reputation seems to have fallen. A lirico-spinto with a smooth, burnished timbre and ringing high notes, he first came to international attention after the release of a 1967 Qualiton LP of original-language arias. This was followed by an EMI LP of Verdi and Puccini arias, as well as the title role in Roberto Devereux for the famous Beverly Sills recording. That, however, proved to be his only non-Hungarian, major label operatic venture in the recording studio. And despite a long tenure with the Cologne Opera and appearances in Rome, London, Madrid, and San Francisco, Ilosfalvy's career never really took full flight internationally, though of course he remained very popular in his native Hungary. Here then is an example of Ilosfalvy in his considerable prime. The clip is from Franz Lehar's wonderfully melodic 1910 operetta "Zigeunerliebe" ("Gypsy Love"), about a girl who must choose between the wild gypsy fiddler Jozsi and her rather staid betrothed. Ilosfalvy sings Jozsi's aria 'Weit weg ruft mich die grosse Welt...' (in Hungarian), and gives ample evidence of the talent the world seems to have overlooked. He is accompanied by the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra led by Tamas Breitner.