Famed tenor
Luciano Pavarotti wrote the foreword for the Drake biography
of Richard Tucker. Here is an excerpt:
"For me, Richard Tucker was, and always will be, an
'Italian' tenor. Like Jussi Bjoerling, he proved that one
does not have to be Italian-born in order to win the critics
and public in the Italian repertoire--which explains the
reception Richard was given at his La Scala debut.
But let us not forget that Richard Tucker was more than
one of the greatest 'Italian' tenors of our time. His sense
of style was so adaptable, and the timbre of his voice so
pure, that he became a great interpreter of French opera, a
highly acclaimed oratorio singer, and a widely respected bel
canto--I preferred hearing Richard in. But he did each of
them so inspiringly that I never really had to
choose.
What made Richard Tucker such a phenomenon?
First and foremost were his voice and technique. His
voice was not only beautiful--shimmering, silvery, and very
powerful--but also incredibly enduring. For thirty years his
voice remained youthful and vibrant, and his technique as
close to perfect as one can get. Considering the length of
his career and the diverse repertoire he sang, I dare say
that not ten tenors could have kept their voices so fresh so
long.
Yet his voice alone does not entirely explain his great
success. We have to look also at Richard Tucker the man for
a complete explanation....I found him to be a superb
colleague--always encouraging, always ready to share the
wealth of performing knowledge he had amassed during his
long career.
As a man, Richard was an intriguing combination of
qualities. He was not only a great artist, but was also a
very caring, very sweet, man who took people into his heart
just as they took him into theirs. Any artist who gives
himself to the public--and who gives his best every time he
steps onto a stage--will never be disappointed by the
public. Richard Tucker gave himself to his public, and his
public not only admired him but loved him for it....
La Bohème,
by Giacomo Puccini
Richard Tucker as Rodolfo
One of my fondest memories of Richard's singing came
near the end of his long career, in a matinee performance of
La Bohème broadcast 'live' from the Metropolitan. Because
Rodolfo is very dear to me, I listened to the broadcast and
was utterly astonished at the style, lyrical approach, and
the sheer beauty of voice Richard brought to the role. By
the time the broadcast ended, I was so moved that I
telephoned him in his dressing room.
'This afternoon you've showed us again,' I said, 'that
you are the master of us all.'
In death, as in life, Richard Tucker is still a master,
still a model and inspiration. May the memory of the man and
the artist endure as long as opera itself." |