What do you void listening?

04-24-14: Schubert
One day coming in from a hard patrol in Vietnam I heard the great Swedish tenor Jussi Borling sing the "Un bel Di" aria from Madam Butterfly on short-wave from Australia, it froze me like a deer in the headlights.

Schubert, are you sure you have that correct? I've never heard of "Un Bel Di Vedremo" from "Madama Butterfly" being sung by a male. Might you have been referring to "Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio" from "Andrea Chenier"?

Best regards,
-- Al

Thanks, Schubert. Re "Nessun Dorma," considered by many to be Pavarotti's signature aria, I have performances by both gentlemen in various compilation CDs. And while to me both performances are thrilling, it's remarkable how different they are. And like you I would have to say that Björling's is the more special.

What a shame that Björling died at 49, and that Luciano is no longer with us either.

Best regards,
-- Al