Russell Thomas, one of the leading Verdi tenors of his generation, curates a playlist of the great artists who sang the roles of Otello, Radamès (Aida), Manrico (Il trovatore), and Don Alvaro (La forza del destino).
Russell Thomas’ performance in the title role of Verdi’s Ernani opens the 2022/23 season of Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Giuseppe Verdi: Messa di Requiem
II. Dies Irae – Ingemisco
Russell Thomas, tenor
New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor Verdi: Requiem
New York Philharmonic NYP-20150104
Verdi: Otello
Aria, “Ora per sempre addio”
Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, tenor
Professori d’orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Milan
Gino Marinuzzi, conductor Prima Voce: Giacomo Lauri-Volpi sings Verdi
Nimbus Records NI-7853
Verdi: Aida
Aria, “Celeste Aida”
Carlo Bergonzi, tenor
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Georg Solti, conductor Verdi: Aida
Recorded live December 7, 1963
Myto Records 2 MCD 934.84
Verdi: Aida
Trio, “O terra, addio”
Catarina Mancini, soprano
Giulietta Simionato, mezzo-soprano
Mario Filippeschi, tenor
Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI
Vittorio Gui, conductor Il Mito dell’Opera: Mario Filippeschi Vol. II
Bongiovanni GB-1084
Verdi: Il trovatore
Aria, “Ah! sì ben mio…Di quella pira”
Franco Corelli, tenor
Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra
Fausto Cleva, conductor Verdi: Il trovatore
Recorded live February 4, 1961
Sony Classical 88697 91006 2
Verdi: Luisa Miller
Aria, “Quando le sere al placido”
Richard Tucker, tenor
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Thomas Schippers, conductor Verdi: Luisa Miller
Recorded live February 17, 1968
Sony Classical 88691 90994 2
Verdi: Rigoletto
Aria, “Parmi veder le lagrime”
Luciano Pavarotti, tenor
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Bonynge, conductor Verdi: Rigoletto
London 414 269-2
Verdi: La forza del destino
Aria, “La vita è inferno all’infelice…O tu che in seno agli angeli”
José Carreras, tenor
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Roberto Benzi, conductor José Carreras sings Arias
Decca 480 814-2