"Caro Mio Ben" -The Most Famous Italian Concert Aria Ever?
This popular piece is often sung by novice voice students. But to perform it well is actually quite challenging.
"Caro Mio Ben" was written for a concert in London in the early 1780s. For many years, it was thought that Giuseppe Giordani (1751-1798) was the composer. However, many modern music historians now believe that Tommaso Giordani (c. 1733-c. 1806, no relation to Giuseppe) composed it. Or possibly Tomamaso's father, also named Giuseppe Giordani. Take your pick.
Whoever composed this arietta (short aria) had has had the privilege of his creation stand the test of time. The piece has been recorded by many famous opera singers, including Luciano Pavarotti, Cecilia Bartoli, Ezio Pinza, Giuseppe De Luca (at age 70!), Richard Tucker, Fritz Wunderlich, Jose Carreras, Beniamino Gigli, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Montserrat Caballe and others.
Bass Marc Berman is heard on the present video.
The vocal range of "Caro Mio Ben" is only an octave and a minor third. This explains why it is voice teachers commonly assign the aria to beginning students. Nonetheless, what the song lacks in range, it more than make up for in its demands for a smooth legato, good breath control, and dynamic variation.
Meeting these demands can be challenge even for the most experienced singer. Not to mention the issue of adequately interpreting the words in a manner that conveys the tortured emotions of the rejected lover who is the aria's protagonist.
No doubt, as long as opera will continue to be sung, singers, some young in age, and others young in spirit, will be performing Giordani's charming masterpiece.
Here is a translation:
My dear love,
believe at least this:
Without you, my heart breaks.
I am faithful and long for you.
Please stop treating me so cruelly.
My dear love, ...etc.
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