Giorgio Zancanaro

Born 1939, this magnificent Italian baritone made his debut in 1970. Although less famous than a number of his contemporaries, his combination of virile tone, magisterial phrasing and exceptional evenness of production across his vocal range made him arguably the finest baritone of his time. Not a great actor, he nonetheless had an imposing stage presence. Zancanaro was widely admired in Verdi; while his unmatched "Nemico della patria" from Giordano's "Andrea Chénier" can be enjoyed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-71vXpQc4Wg