A memorable score, the sequel: The readers have spoken. My, have they spoken. Judging by the volume of letters and phone calls in response to my Aug. 9 story in The Arts-an unabashedly personal survey of 20 voices that left an imprint on the 20th Century-I am far from the only voice lover around with passionate prejudices. Provoking strong reaction was a central aim of the piece.
Fans of the tenors named Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras were heard from. So were readers who felt that Carlo Bergonzi and Leonard Warren deserved to be upgraded from my list of Other Greats to the Top 20. (In retrospect, I agree.) Kurt Youngmann of Highland Park particularly lamented the absence of Giulietta Siminionato (”the greatest mezzo-soprano of the century”) and Mario Del Monaco (”any discussion of great tenors that passes him by is sorely lacking”). Noted.
Of the singers omitted from my lists for space reasons, readers`
favorites clearly were Victoria de los Angeles and Fritz Wunderlich. Other artists who found ardent champions-is there any other kind among singer lovers?-were, in no particular order:
Rise Stevens, Richard Tucker, Franco Corelli, Eileen Farrell, Luisa Tetrazzini, Galina Vishnevskaya, Nellie Melba, Lily Pons, Giovanni Martinelli, Ettore Bastianini, Amelita Galli-Curci, Bidu Sayao, Leontyne Price, Beverly Sills, George London, Ebe Stignani and Shirley Verrett. And Nelson Eddy. But not, interestingly enough, Jeannette MacDonald.