Top Ten Greatest Male Tenors

I never leave a Phelps concert without having received a blessing. His gift of voice is so wonderful and pure, as he lifts his voice toward heaven what a beautiful and sweet sound. His range is amazing, his ability to reach those high notes, and hold them, is so phenomenal. But more than anything, I appreciate the fact that he uses his gift to reach people all over the world for Christ. He knows from where his gift comes, and acknowledges that. He is a wonderful guy, whose presence is just a joy. He is who he says he is, and wonderful to see and be around. I wouldn't miss a concert at all if I could get there. He is great, no matter, but even better when you see him perform live. Very gifted man. I never tire of hearing that beautiful voice.

Phelps' voice is so strong and pure, he could sing the alphabet and make you cry! His voice gets nothing but clearer and richer in the higher he sings. He can hop on a high note that most men would be proud to hit, then do all kinds of vocal acrobatics with it way up in those high registers. Just listening to that is entertainment in itself, but he is so genuine and personable from the stage that his live shows should not be missed. Being better in person than in the studio is what should make him number 1 on this list.

When I found David Phelps, I found my dream artist. His voice goes to my heart and soul. At times, I realize I haven't been breathing while listening for his final note. No other voice does that to me. He writes beautiful lyrics which encompass many emotions that people can relate to. He also makes time for his fans and gives his attention fully to what you want to say. What a powerful artist he is, which is only made better by him using his gift to express his faith and inspire others. There is no chance of losing interest when David opens his mouth to sing, although you will feel the best kind of chills!

David Phelps voice is a gift from heaven! - lauralynnh

Slim and very good looking, which was highly unusual for tenors in his era, Jose Carreras epitomised the romantic hero. His deeply moving, sincere singing always touches you. Once someone had described him as having a 'voice of extraordinary beauty'. I could not agree more with this. What he had sang from his soul remains at an unreachable level of appeal to opera lovers.

Most of Carreras opera performances set a standard of pure perfection, with his expressive phrasing, laser-precise timing and appealing voice. And, you cannot help but compare every other performance you come across to his one, and measure all the rest by how close they come to his interpretation of ultimate beauty.

His incomparable velvet voice. Even his late recordings sound in a very elegant, deep and sincere way. I also like his passion in each song, that sounds like it is done the last time forever. These things are much more important than only high notes, that most critics like ro mentione while talk about Carreras.

Josep Carreras is the best tenor.

Alfie has great warm notes in the middle and lower register with a lyric, flexible upper register. His versatility in singing all genres of music from opera (in which he trained at the Royal College of Music, National Opera Studio, and the Royal Opera House) to singing Elvis at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee shows the variety of his repertoire and his belief that there are only two kinds of music, good and bad, and he wants to sing the good stuff. He continues to defy expectations and reach more audiences with his remarkable voice. His superlative starring role as Jean Valjean in the 25th anniversary concert of Les Miserables helped redefine expectations. This past year, he was invited to sing "Bring Him Home" with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and at the Washington D.C. memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the US Capitol. Finally, listen to his "Alfie Warbles a Bit" YouTube version of "Nessun Dorma" and you will hear a tenor of the highest quality.

I love Alfie Boe's voice and he is such a skilled performer. He engages and holds his audience whatever he sings. Recently made a Fellow of the Royal College of Music he dedicated nearly 20 years to training that voice and working at perfecting his natural and God given talent. He has appeared on the Opera stage worldwide and received much deserved glowing reviews. But as important as those accolades are - when he sings he stirs the heart. And that is the sign of a truly great tenor.

The clarity of Boe's voice whether in higher or lower register is outstanding - his voice also has a flexibility which enables Alfie to use in all the many genres of music in which he is interested. His voice has now developed a richness and warmth which has invested his fine lyric tenor with even more intensity, so important when singing classical music or indeed any other style. His lead performances in La Boheme, Pearlfishers and other operatic roles have won him plaudits although it is probably his performance in that most operatic of musical theatre pieces Les Mis for which he is best known, having won a 4 minutes standing ovation when he first performed in it.

I've seen and heard Alfie 3 x since 2015. Going to see him again Sept 2 at Tanglewood. He is technically superior to several above him on this list. He has an extensive range and can sustain a note for longer than most realize. His chest voice has developed significantly due to recent tour. While several others above him are deceased, he was exposed to Caruso and Lanza as a young man. He has an ear for harmony and his key changes are amazing. He also sings pop,opera, classic and rock with expertise.

Ignazio is 19 years old, and has nothing but a great future ahead of him. He's been singing professionally since he was 14 years old. His voice sounds crystal clear, like a body of water that you can see the bottom of even though it is miles away.

Ignazio has the most glorious lyric tenor voice! He is one-third of the Il Volo, a group which, once you hear them, you will not be able to enjoy any other nearly as much. Ignazio Boschetto is a name we will hear for many, many years to come.

Ignazio Boschetto has a voice like the clear tones of a French horn. If you hear him sing without seeing him you will expect to see a man of 45 not a teenager of 19. His career is in it's infancy and there is no limit to what he will achieve. He is part of the classical pop trio, IL VOLO, from Italy. His voice is magical.

Ignazio has an exquisite voice that can soar over an orchestra or be like a soft caress to the ear and heart. He has an amazing range in at least three octaves and beautiful extension. Ignazio is also a composer and arranger. Such achievement for a 21 year old is mind boggling. And the best is yet to come!

Of the younger school this voice is currently my favourite - the emotion, the passion he brings to the fore is, for me, outstanding and I consider his to be a fine instrument.

The only tenor I have heard live who transports me to an ethereal place. His voice was so good before his medical problems and I pray he will rise again to those dizzy heights.

Has magical charisma as well as one of the most beautiful voices - his passion for music is always there. Viva Villazon!

Really good

To be honest, Pavarotti has no emotional effect on me. Pavarotti has a lot of power but lacks in dynamics and sensibility, rather boring really. Jussi Björling on the other hand gives me the shivers every time.

His voice make tears flow, so beautiful!

Undoubtedly one of the best lyric tenors of the 20th century. There has been enourmous talent around in regards to tenor voices, and the lack of trustworthy records of many of them as well as the different types of voices make it very difficult to make comparisons. I would never think about comparing a lyric tenor such as Jussi or Pavarotti with Alfredo Krauss, for example.
That is why when I try to write down my opinion, I am only considering lyric tenors. In spite all of those obstacles to make a fair comparison (which ultimately go against Jussi since his recordings are very old), I believe Björling is one step beyond the rest of the lyric tenors of this century for one or another reason. Arguably, there could be tenors with more power, or a broader range of tones, but I cannot find anyone with such combination of qualities as his. He had amazing power with a very broad range of tones, techique close to perfection and an extraordinarily well rounded voice, always, always under ...more

I have 90 percent of Jussi Bj recordings what a cheek to put garbage on the same listings as this man. He has everything you want in a Tenor voice. I studied with one of the worlds best teaches who idolised this man and no wonder a number of singers on this list would only be choristers in a World Class Opera House.

Hearing live most of the greatest tenors in the last fifty years, Franco Corelli at his best, was in a class of his own. There are great tenor voices and then there was Corelli's. Do yourself a favor and listen to some of Corelli's great recordings, and even better, his live performances. If you're unfamiliar with his voice you will understand what I mean.

Unfortunately for many, the voice of Corelli is unknown! Music is such a subjective choice as to what one likes to hear in a voice. Having listened to opera for nearly 60 years, I can tell you that certain tenors lend themselves best to certain operas. If you truly want to hear the beautiful power of Corelli's voice, then listen to his role in "Andrea Chenier". His mastery of this opera has never been matched!

By any measure this list is hackneyed and bizarre. NO ONE matched Corelli's vocal athleticism, his fire in the blood intensity and fearless attack with high risk to achieve with consummate technique what is aberrant, electrifying and powerhouse glorious in the moment. That is where art needs to be.

Probably one of the greatest italian tenors of all times!

Definitely the best tenor on the list! His beautiful recordings of the Mozartian tenor arias have no equal! And, unlike the Italians, he manages to go high without sounding like his balls were cut off; a true male voice. Another tenor not mentioned, and worth mentioning, is Frank Kelley, superb with both Bach and Mozart!

Regarding lyric tenors one cannot but admire Wunderlichs artistry, his expression and also technical excellence. To make a list of the "best tenors" is quite ambivalent as there are different "prerequisites" for different composers. Wunderlich and Mozart fit perfectly, whether Wunderlich and Wagner would have matched no one can say...

Finest tenor sound by far - ever. Listening to his old recordings is an aural delight!

Just listen to his rendition of "granada"

Sean Panikkar has the voice of an angel, which is only fitting because he IS an angel on earth. In his voice you hear the voice of God, in his eyes you see the light. His voice is one for all tenors to aspire to, and his character one that all should aspire to.

He is not only an incredibly talented young man but he exhibits such humility, thoughtfulness, and gentlemanly characteristics in all that he does. An outstanding young man who just happens to be one of the very best tenors to enrich our lives.

Look into Sean's eyes when he is singing and you'll see how much it means to him. He exudes joy from his music, not only to himself but to everyone who listens to it. I get chills when I listen to him-especially when he sings classical music. He has a gorgeous voice like no other.

His voice is like melting chocolate!

He is the best

Fantastic technique and versatility.

The most beautiful tenor voice.

Gadda is still alive, born 11 July 1925. And he was marvelous!

Perfection all the time!

I knew he was going to be a star from the moment he was pulled on stage by Josh Groban, his amazing vocals were even noted in the New York Times review of this concert. He is an incredibly versatile performer and can go from singing opera to classical crossover and then rock/pop with his brother Zach in their group Brothers Page. I've seen him perform with Jackie Evancho and their rendention of the prayer is my all time favorite duet! I'm thrilled he has joined forces with Sean Pannikar and Fernando Varela as Forte is now my favorite tenor group, their voices blend into the most amazing harmonies! Josh Page is incredibly gifted and talented and at only 23. I'm looking forward to watching his talent develop and his career soar!

When Josh Groban called him up on stage, people were amazed that he sounded just like him! He founded the crossover group Forte that was a finalist on America's Got Talent. Now, Forte has released their first CD and performed at Carnegie Hall. A very talented young man who is on his way up!

Josh's voice has just become better and better as time has passed! I have watched him on YouTube and his beautiful voice has made me cry. He sings with such passion and emotion that you can feel it every time you hear him!

Gifted with a wonderful powerful voice and is at ease on stage alone or with others and loves to involve the audience through a great good sense of humor.