Ru
EnWang Shizhe
Artistic figure of Luigi Lablache: strokes to the portrait
The article outlines the creative portrait and the main milestones of the artistic life of the outstanding operatic bass singer of the 19th century, Luigi Lablache (1794–1858). His voice type was classified as basso cantante, and later his parts became the property of baritone singers. Lablache’s operatic repertoire included parts in operas by Mozart, Paisiello, Cimarosa, Rossini, Mercadante, Pacini, Meyerbeer, Halévy, Carafa, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, and his vocal career took place on the best opera stages in Italy, Austria, France, England and Russia.
Lablache’s vocal skills were honed by his studies at the Pietà dei Turchini Conservatory of Naples under Giovanni Vallesi and Giovanni Ansani. Lablache’s voice covered a small range of one and a half octaves, but if necessary, the singer used the head voice, adding five or six high notes. Witnesses of Lablache’s stage performances admired the strength, depth and uniformity of his timbre, and also noted the perfect accuracy of intonation, distinct articulation, voice flexibility, and a sense of proportion in the acting. The perfection of Lablache’s vocal instrument was combined with outstanding acting skills, which the singer owed to the Italian basso-buffo Luigi Raffanelli, who taught him to reproduce the subtle nuances of the Italian comic opera style. The truthfulness of Lablache’s vocal and dramatic intonation allowed him to brilliantly play the role of a comic bass, as well as embody the image of tragic heroes in serious Italian operas. The vocal and dramatic universality of the singer stemmed from a thorough artistic training, vast stage experience, a versatile musical and historical outlook, and tireless self-improvement. Lablache was a prominent representative of the generation of singers who were formed under the influence of Rossini and laid the foundations for the performing style of romantic opera.
Key words
Luigi Lablache, Rossini, bass, basso cantante, basso buffo, opera, vocal art, acting.
For citation
Wang Shizhe. Artistic figure of Luigi Lablache: strokes to the portrait // South-Russian Musical Anthology. 2023. No. 2. Pp. 91-97.
