And now we listen to two tenors as Des Grieux in the other Manon, meaning Manon Lescaut (Puccini). This is a much more dramatic role than its French counterpart.

The aria is 'Donna non vidi mai', one of the most beautiful tenor arias in my opinion, ever. Although Puccini's Des Grieux is usually sung by a spinto tenor, many of the most famous interpreters (Gigli, Bjorling) had beautiful lyric voices.

Here, Bergonzi sings the aria in a studio recording (I don't know the date because it was taken from a huge Bergonzi collection I got from my grandfather). Tucker sings it live in a 13 July 1966 performance at Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires.

This particular aria is not one for dramatic outbursts or powerful vocalism like is needed for Act 3 and 4. It is to be sung in a very lyrical, passionate and beautiful manner.

So I don't have a favorite here. Bergonzi sings as always in his very tasteful poetic manner and Tucker gives a very lyrical and beautiful interpretation (contrasted with his exciting dramatic vocalism later in the opera). For this role as a whole I've yet to hear anyone sing it better than Tucker. But I cannot say I have a favorite as far as this particular aria is concerned.

Do you have a favorite? Who, and why? It doesn't have to be among these two. Who was in your opinion, the best Puccini Des Grieux?

PS
Listen to Tucker on those high notes, especially the final Bb. If that's not SQUILLO I don't know what is!

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