Tenore robusto

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (September 2007)

"Robust tenor", a style of forceful singing (hence the alternative title of tenore con forza, coming into fashion by necessity in the mid 19th century. Due to the thicker orchestral textures employed by Verdi and his contemporaries as the orchestra grew in size, a stronger voice than the Rossinian tenore di grazia was needed. Domenico Donzelli used a very robust chest voice earlier in the century to great effect, but it wasn't until Verdian roles that this was the norm.

Verdian roles such as Manrico in Il trovatore (created by Carlo Baucardé), Alvaro in La forza del destino (written for Enrico Tamberlick, one of the great robusti) and Radamès in Aida (first sung by Pietro Mongini) are exemplary of the forceful style. It is arguable that Otello (created by another great robusto, Francesco Tamango) is also a robusto role, but it is more often called a heldentenor role due to the demands made on the singer.

Franco Corelli and Mario del Monaco are two of the most famous tenore robusti of modern times.