In the early opera in Florence and Naples (1600) no voice was clearly defined, the only distinction was that a singer could sing high or low. There were basses and high or higher male and female voices. The castrato, performing as the heroic soloist, was introduced in Europe only after 1640. In Montverdi’s later works from 1640 on, there is a clearer definition of the vocal parts.

To learn much more, read The history of tenor voice.

The top 10 greatest tenors by Warwick Thompson

(source Sinfini Music)

Who are the greatest tenors that ever lived? Trying to pin down any Top Ten list is bound to cause disagreement – and so it should – but opera expert Warwick Thompson has compiled his own, Do you agree? Who would you include? Let us know what you think.

Enrico Caruso (1873-1921)
Lauritz Melchior (1890-1973)
Beniamino Gigli (1890-1957)
Jussi Björling (1911-1960)
Nicolai Gedda (1925)
Jon Vickers (1926-2015)
Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007)
Plácido Domingo (1941)
Jonas Kaufmann (1969)
Juan Diego Flórez (1973)