Richard Tucker live at the Met in 1957 - "Che gelida manina" from Puccini's "La boheme" 

Yes, and live he was more impressive in the opera house then on studio recordings, as I saw him abut 20 times in house from 1961 in his prime as here and into the 1970's A large rich voice and he had an excellent technique that lasted with over 700 times at the Met. and hundreds more in other cities and countries, in Europe, South America, Canada ,Israel and Asia. Here the act one duet with Dorothy Kirsten also, posted here by VinylToVideo from this live performance at the Met. a 1957 radio Brdcst.

underrated? I don't think so...he is widely regarded all over the world as one of the greatest singers ever....

Live here with Tucker at age 43, in his Prime years. Bravo. RIP.

This was from the Complete Met. radio Saturday afternoon Brdcst, (I have it complete) with all singers in great voice, . I agree about Tucker and in those days, he was in his very great Prime. RIP.

Met opera Brdcst. March 30, 1957 (this from the complete Brdcst.) Richard Tucker Born, Brooklyn NY. August 28, 1913, Died Jan. 8th, 1975 . RIP.

Yes it was the Met. Saturday Brdcst. and Tucker was Prime here at age 43, as you said, Plush casting in 1957, with all three Great leading singers in their roles for Boheme .

i saw him about 20 times in house, including this role in Chicago not so long after this, it was a very big rich voice with ringing squillo, he had it all. RIP.

Great cast and these where the days when Tucker could still manage very well, roles like this, the more Lyric roles then both Forza, Carmen, Don Carlo and Chenier (which he was singing live, starting in 1952) roles like this, Rigoletto, Lensky and Traviata, here he was age 43 and of course age must be considered, if you heard Martinelli in his prime, he was another sensational tenor, and in some Lyric roles early, later in many great more dramatic roles including Otello which my good friend and neighbor, Romanian Soprano Stella Roman told me he was a favorite tenor partner of hers, and she sang many Otello's with him. Ponselle said much the same about him, she loved singing with Martinelli, even more so then Lauri Volpi, not that she didn't care for his voice which was a great one, especially up top, but his ego, and she said in her Biography by Mr. James Drake that "you never knew what Volpi was going to do on stage," Jim Drake, he also told me that Ponselle said that Richard Tucker "sounded far better in house then on his studio recordings" and I know that was true and in fact I saw him over 20 times in both Opera, Concerts and also as a ordained Cantor in temple. Peerce appeared as a guest Cantor also, but no, did not ever make his living as a professional Cantor which Tucker did for many years and was at the time in the 1930's and beyond among the greatest in the liturgy in the world and many lesser cantors where jealous of him, as he had both, a big opera career with that voice and technique and a great Cantorial one, as did tenor Herman Jadlowker early before opera, and also tenor Josef Schmidt in concerts, films, radio live Brdcsts. and also some on stage operatic singing in spite of his 4 foot ten height.

This was pretty much how he sounded in the house in those great days with Richard Tucker

@@shicoff1398 There is no more thunder of Mr. Tucker... I do enjoy these recordings! And I am planning to see Nabucco at Met the coming season. So long, not to enter that house. I was at the old Avery Fisher Hall last week, it is no longer the same. With piles of lounge sofas chairs, and bar, restaurant... the lobby is worse than a shaddy model entry way. It is so frustrating to see that kind of reality check. In general, the whole NYC is more the same way. Not clean and not close to neat... everything is no longer the same. But Met Opera House has not trying to make money that way YET. It is ABT season. Enough complaining... Hope everything is going well with you. Stay safe and strong and hoping to hear more new great voices asap!!! Best,

It sure was, Tucker here at age 43, still singing more Lyric roles then Forza or Chenier and with great l beauty and spinto Power besides when needed, he had it all back then, as the Met. opera's leading tenor in the Italian wing. RIP.