October 4, 2013 | Theatre,

Baritones Through History

 

First used at the end of the 15th century, the term “baritone” originates from the Greek barytonos, which translates to “deep-sounding.” It lands smack dab in the middle between the deep, low tones of the bass and the higher notes of the tenor.  Baritone voices have a distinctly mellow quality often with great flexibility that allow them to play a wide array of characters from heroes to villains.

The baritone is the most common male vocal range, but, as you will see in Baritone Unbound: Celebrating the Uncommon Voice of the Common Man, there are few opportunities for the voice in show business today. Why should we care, you ask? Well, let’s take a look at some of history’s baritones (you’ll be surprised at how many names you recognize) to see just how valuable they are in our cultural landscape:

Michael Buble

This Canadian singer-songwriter/actor has skyrocketed to the top of the charts from the moment his first album debuted in 2003. His sultry sound has been compared to Frank Sinatra’s (who, surprise, surprise, was also a baritone).

Bruce Springsteen

Born in the USA in 1949 (see what I did there?), Springsteen has been delighting crowds since the 1970s with his unique brand of heartland rock and poetic lyrics:

Sir Thomas Allen

This British opera singer, is admired internationally for his voice, the versatility of his repertoire, and his acting. Many regard him as one of the best (if not the best) lyric baritones of the late 20th century. Here he is singing Sea Fever by John Ireland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbQEuIBzuNk

Elvis Presley 

Elvis “The King” Presley re-defined rock-and-roll during his brief career in the mis-20th century. He rose to fame at a time when baritones were plentiful in mainstream, popular music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MnmIVBSZYM

Titta Ruffo

Alive from June 1877 to July 1953, this Italian native was known as the “Voice of the Lion.” He was beloved not only by audiences but also among his peers in the opera world, one of whom even said that “his was not a voice, it was a miracle.” His was a new style of singing in which power, force, and sheer vocal muscle was flexed in favor of technical agility and ornamental ability.

Charles W. Clark

Regarded as the first American baritone to “make it big” in Europe (not to mention one of the best baritones of all time), Charles W Clark sung to great acclaim at the major opera houses of Europe and America before his death in August 1925.

Mattia Battistini

Battistini is one of the best celebrated baritones simply because of his undeniable talent. Audiences and critics alike are dumbfounded by his perfect blends of registers and sophisticated use of ornamentation, portamento and fil di voce, as well as an array of rubato and legato effects. He was nicknamed “King of the Baritones” and “The Glory of Italy.”

There have been many famous baritones since the vocal range was officially differentiated from the bass and the tenor in the 17th century. When did it all start, you ask? Well, it is thought that the first ever true baritone role was Figaro in Gioachino Rossini’s opera, Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) in 1782.  Here he is played by opera star Bruno Taddia at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in January of 2011:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdPSwxIZWEw

 

Baritone Unbound: Celebrating the Uncommon Voice of the Common Man runs at ArtsEmerson: The World Onstage October 08-20th, 2013. For more information and tickets click here.