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Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup

11 Dec 03 - 06:45 PM (#1070565)
Subject: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: CET

Maybe this belongs under BS. I am trying to find the name of the Argentinian baritone who sang the national anthem at the opening match of the Rugby World Cup. He had a voice that could make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

Edmund


11 Dec 03 - 07:44 PM (#1070593)
Subject: RE: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: Margret RoadKnight

Don't know HIS name, I'm afraid, but the Australian woman who sang a duet with him & the Oz anthem was the Aboriginal classical singer Deborah Cheetham


11 Dec 03 - 09:04 PM (#1070638)
Subject: RE: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: McGrath of Harlow

Where's Escamillo to settle this?

Great anthem - here it is (without the singer, I'm afraid, but with the words in Spanish with an English translation and with the tune).


12 Dec 03 - 08:42 PM (#1071299)
Subject: RE: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: The Shambles

He did have a fine voice, does anyone know his name?


12 Dec 03 - 08:48 PM (#1071309)
Subject: RE: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: The Shambles

Maybe it was our friend Escamillo?


13 Dec 03 - 06:05 PM (#1071737)
Subject: RE: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: CET

Well, I have my answer thanks to a Google search. I entered "Argentina", "Rugby World Cup", and "baritone", and somehow came up with Jose Cura, who is not a baritone (shows how much I know) one of the leading tenors in the world, and a great interpreter of Verdi (also a rugby player, before he had to give up the game in favour of his career). He had such a big rich voice that it sounded baritone.

I will have to look out for his CDs.

Edmund


14 Dec 03 - 03:55 AM (#1071924)
Subject: RE: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: Escamillo

oh, I'm late. José Cura is indeed a phenomenal tenor. One of his favorite roles is Verdi's "Otello". A very rich voice and excellent actor too, José is everything a singer may dream to be. I'm glad that you discovered him. As usual, he was ignored at the small circle of opera directors of Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, until he made a brilliant career in Europe, then he was invited to sing at the Colón Opera House, and he accepted without any hard feelings.

Watch at his CD of popular songs, they are excellent too.
Un abrazo,
Andrés


14 Dec 03 - 04:36 PM (#1072264)
Subject: RE: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: Escamillo

One may wonder why so many singers are ignored in their own country until they make a career in Europe and this could leave the impression that local directors and teachers are not very wise, but it is important to note that once a singer lands in Europe, a hundred opportunities open for him/her because there are lots of resources and the most important teachers in the world. First, he/she may easily find a way to dedicate to the art and not have to work in something else for a living. This is something a singer could not dream of in Latin America. In Argentina there are several teachers of the very first international level, but they are too few, and the resources are very small, because politicians continue to govern the cultural affairs.

Thus a singer who has been singing and studying in Europe is very different to the same singer when he was studying in his country.
Bravo for José Cura.

As for myself, I'm still 57 y.o., so I'll try a career in Europe when I grow up. Un abrazo,
Andrés


15 Dec 03 - 12:42 PM (#1072997)
Subject: RE: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: CET

We're familiar with that phenomenon here in Canada too. I've really only been listening to opera for the last 2 or 3 years, so I'm no expert, but judging from his performance at the World Cup I think Jose Cura can be mentioned in the same breath with the truly great tenors: Jussi Bjoerling, Carlo Bergonzi, Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, etc.

For the next World Cup, how about a concert with Cura and Bryn Terfel!?

Edmund


15 Dec 03 - 02:45 PM (#1073104)
Subject: RE: Argentinian Singer: Rugby World Cup
From: Escamillo

A duet with Cura and Terfel would be more interesting than the World Cup :)

Un abrazo,
Andrés