Top 10 Best Male Tenors of All Time
Do you get goosebumps when you hear a perfectly executed high note? If so, you're not alone. The human voice is a powerful instrument, and the tenor voice in particular has an unmatched ability to stir the soul.
Tenors possess a unique vocal range that gives them the power to cut through an orchestra and send melodies soaring. Throughout history, some of the greatest tenors have left a lasting legacy on the world of music. They've made us laugh, they've made us cry, and their voices have become part of the soundtrack of our lives.
But who are the absolute best male tenors to ever grace the stage? That's where you come in. We want to know YOUR favorites. Think carefully about the singers whose voices send shivers down your spine, the tenors with the power, the control, and the charisma to capture your imagination. Then, cast your vote and help determine the all-time greatest.
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David Phelps
David Norris Phelps is an American Christian music vocalist, songwriter, and vocal arranger. He is best known for singing tenor in the Gaither Vocal Band. Phelps is widely respected for his vocal range and has also released several solo albums showcasing his talents.
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 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 what, but even better when you see him perform live. A very gifted man, I never tire of hearing that beautiful voice.
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Jonathan Antoine
Jonathan Antoine is a classically trained English tenor. He rose to fame after appearing on the sixth series of Britain's Got Talent in 2012 as one half of the classical duo Jonathan and Charlotte. Since then, he has released several solo albums and performed internationally.
Jonathan Antoine will go down in history, no doubt. His ability to touch people's souls at such a young age is incredible. Jonathan sings and becomes the music. He is unaware of many of his reactions while singing because he goes to a different place. He is not singing for fame, money, or any other ego-boosting reasons. He loves to sing, period. Who better to sing the best music ever written? I don't think there are words to describe how magnificent he will be in a few more years as he matures and trains more.
Jonathan is unique in every way. His sound is rich, powerful, and full of emotion. People are drawn to him not only because of his amazing voice but also because he is an amazing and courageous person.
Although he possesses this phenomenal talent, he is humble, gentle, and compassionate. He brings all of these qualities into his performances, which makes the listener feel connected to him in a way that is deeper and more intimate. Jonathan shares himself in his songs, and that sets him apart from other performers of his time. Even though he is young and just beginning to make an impact, his presence will grow and be felt for years to come.
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Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce, was an Italian operatic tenor who also achieved crossover success in popular music. Known for his televised concerts and media appearances, he became one of the most commercially successful tenors of all time. He was especially renowned for his interpretations... read more
I was brought up listening to different tenors. My father, a working-class man, was a great fan. He once came home with a record by a little-known tenor, Fritz Wunderlich, who was amazing but sadly died at age 33. Then my dad introduced me to the greatest tenor of all time, Pavarotti. His range and phrasing all appeared effortless. I don't care that he couldn't act or do opera. He sang from his heart. He was the maestro. He knocked the socks off any other tenor, past or present. We were truly blessed to have the great Luciano. There has and never will be another tenor like him.
Pavarotti's incredible silvery top notes, voice, power, and range make him one of the greatest opera singers of the recorded era. His interpretative abilities are immense, bringing life to truly living characters for decades.
He was not perfect. Some roles were not suited for his voice, and at times he displayed (especially in later years) not-so-solid technique compared to other tenors. He has become a milestone in the history of music, and there are many other things one could add and say about Big Luciano.
I must say it's amazing and quite sad not to see names like Björling, Gedda, Vickers, Di Stefano, or Gigli on this list, while seeing Jonathan Antoine in first place. He has a nice voice overall but lacks interpretative abilities, technique, and most of all, history. He is a product of the talent show industry that tries to sell very mediocre singers as stars.
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Placido Domingo
José Plácido Domingo Embil, known as Plácido Domingo, is a Spanish tenor, conductor, and arts administrator. He is widely recognized for his versatile voice and has performed in more than 150 roles, more than any other tenor in history. Domingo was also a member of the famous operatic group The Three... read more
Placido and Luciano are my favourite tenors. I love Amore Infinito with the Pope disc. It's pretty well done, with great tones and intonation. Bocelli in the top ten tenors is good too. Very enjoyable music and tunes.
Several years ago, I received tickets to the Met to hear Tosca, not realizing that Domingo was the featured tenor. I sat there, totally mesmerized by the combination of his velvet (no other word will suffice) sound, amazing dramatic presence, and striking good looks. In my book, he's got it all!
I've only had the opportunity to hear him on television and in recordings since, but I consider him the best tenor ever because he combines all elements of opera so successfully and beautifully.
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Enrico Caruso
Enrico Caruso was an Italian operatic tenor. He sang to great acclaim at major opera houses throughout Europe and the Americas, appearing in a wide range of roles from both the Italian and French repertoires. Caruso was one of the first recording artists to gain international fame through early phonograph... read more
As the world knows, Enrico Caruso is the god of tenor music. My grandmother, who is now 78, and I used to play his records continuously on Sunday mornings. I want to express how much we loved him. My grandmother even got to see him live.
My father also saw him. Our family name is Tahini, which means little houses. I hope that someday, when I get to heaven, I will have the chance to hear Caruso sing again. He was not just a king - he was the king, not Elvis.
I am a retired Navy Commander, having served for 20 years. I am proud to have served my country, but I will always cherish those memories with my family and the music of Enrico Caruso.
I never heard tell of the guy sitting in first place. Like, what, REALLY? I grew up listening to the great tenors - Caruso, Lanza, Pavarotti, then Domingo, more Pavarotti, Carreras - because my dad would sometimes hog the old floor model record player.
But Pavarotti IS #1, Caruso #2. He must be rolling over in his grave, sitting in the 4th spot under who? It's clear that a lot of people are watching too many TV talent contests where the TRULY GREATS elude them. Pity!
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Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli is an Italian classical crossover tenor, recording artist, and singer-songwriter. Born with congenital glaucoma, he became permanently blind at the age of 12 following a football accident. He has sold over 75 million records worldwide and is known for blending opera and pop music.
I love listening to him sing everything from arias to contemporary music. I don't understand why some call him a lounge singer, perhaps out of jealousy because of the millions of records Andrea has sold and continues to sell. He is an opera singer and he doesn't use a microphone when singing opera, yet he is well heard in the back. He controls his voice for the application of the music he sings. When using a microphone, he sings as if he is whispering a lullaby in the ear of a child. He sings differently when performing opera. Extremely intelligent and kind, he should be in the top 3.
Andrea Bocelli, in my opinion, is one of the greatest singers of our time. His beautiful tenor music is breathtaking. I know he was discovered by another artist, and his voice is so remarkable. I also love that he loves horses because I love them too. I owned incredible Morgans and rode an amazing five-gaited horse, winning a world championship when I was 15 years old.
Even though Andrea is blind, he is so much more capable than many. I hope and pray that he will be around for a long time and that we will continue to enjoy his music. As an Italian-American, my heart and soul resonate with his art. My name is Janet Kavandi, originally from the East Coast, New York. I love you, Andrea. I've seen you in concert, and I would do anything to help you regain your sight. I pray for you every night and hope that someday I can meet you because you have captured my heart and soul.
I've lost all my family. My sister died in 9/11, and my other sister, her twin, died of an aneurysm when she was only 23. My father died of a massive heart attack. His name was Giovanni Pascoli, and he loved Italian opera. Every Sunday, we would listen to it as a family. We didn't watch TV or do anything else. Just listened to the music. My father really loved Andrea Bocelli before he passed away. My mother had Alzheimer's and passed away as well.
I miss them all dearly. If I could live my life over again with my family, I would happily give my life for them. I am a retired Navy Commander and served for 20 years. I miss my family every day and will never forget the joy that music, like Andrea Bocelli's, brought into our home. Thank you.
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Mario Lanza
Mario Lanza was an American tenor of Italian ancestry, and a Hollywood film star of the late 1940s and 1950s. He began studying to be a professional singer at the age of 16. Lanza gained fame for his powerful voice and starred in films such as The Great Caruso (1951).
If you're judging only on freedom from technical errors, the magical Mario doesn't rank near the top. But if you're judging by rich, highly versatile vocal tonality, especially in the mid-tenor range where most tenor singing occurs, Mario's voice is, among those we have well-recorded (which doesn't include Caruso), the standard by which all others must be judged.
For instance, Pavarotti's highs were wonderful, but his mid-range was unexceptional, not particularly resonant, and weak in harmonics. Lanza's mid-range was incredibly great, yet his highs sounded clear while retaining nicely balanced harmonics, where most tenors lose them and sound strident by comparison. On balance, if judging by VOICE alone, Mario Lanza is still the best I've ever heard during the last 50 years of being a tenor.
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José Carreras
Josep Maria Carreras i Coll, better known as José Carreras, is a Spanish tenor from Catalonia. He is particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini. Carreras gained international fame as one of The Three Tenors, performing with Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
Slim and very good-looking, which was highly unusual for tenors in his era, Jose Carreras epitomized the romantic hero. His deeply moving, sincere singing always touches you. Once, someone described him as having a voice of extraordinary beauty. I could not agree more with this. What he has sung from his soul remains at an unreachable level of appeal to opera lovers.
Most of Carreras's 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. You measure all the rest by how close they come to his interpretation of ultimate beauty.
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Alfie Boe
The clarity of Boe's voice, whether in a higher or lower register, is outstanding. His voice has also developed a richness and warmth, which have 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 Bohème, The Pearl Fishers, 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. He received a four-minute standing ovation when he first performed in it.
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Piero Barone
His singing is effortless! His natural talent makes him the greatest. He's so young and sings with the mature, professional, and experienced voice of a 50-year-old professional tenor, yet his age isn't even half that. And he still has more experience to gain.
His singing is effortless! He can reach high notes without any trouble. Aside from his high notes, his low singing, when he sings pop, is just the most gorgeous sound in the world. Even when singing that style of music (pop), he does it beautifully and professionally.
Piero is the full package: young, good-looking, amazing tenor voice, amazing pop singing, charisma, etc. One of the most lovely things about him is his young age. When he works, he is serious. But aside from his work, he is a lovely, crazy teenager. I know he is twenty, but for me, he will always be a teenager, a gifted young singer with an amazing voice and a teen with a good-looking, happy life and amazing personality.
Piero Barone Ognibene is the most amazing singer in the world. He, with his amazing gift, has improved a lot, like experienced tenors in their 40s and 50s, and he will have many more years to improve and leave his mark on history.
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The Dark Tenor
Rock and classical music combined with a beautiful tenor voice is just awesome!
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Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour (1924-2018) was a French and Armenian singer, songwriter, actor, public activist, and diplomat. He wrote over 1,200 songs and sold more than 100 million records in multiple languages. Aznavour also served as Armenia's ambassador to Switzerland and as a delegate to the United Nations... read more
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Rolando Villazon
Tenors are often seen as the ninnies of the opera: not too intelligent and very vain. The famous conductor Arturo Toscanini even maintained that being an idiot would be the privilege of the tenors. Well, Rolando Villazon certainly demands this privilege. He not only has a wonderful, warm, and full tenor voice in the bel canto tradition of the great tenors but also a lot of brains.
He proves it as an actor and director on the opera stage, as a singer in concert, and as the author of a really interesting and exciting novel, which has managed to convince even literature critics. Villazon is one of the most interesting figures in the opera scene today, and besides, he's a wonderful, warm-hearted, generous, and witty human being.
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Ignazio Boschetto
Ignazio Boschetto's voice is quite simply delicious. I have never heard a voice as beautiful as his. It oozes warmth and masculinity, passion... it moves me to my core. Listen to Caruso or Quando l'amore diventa poesia from their album. His voice is like liquid, effortlessly pouring out of him like luminous gold. Sensual and divine. You feel wrapped up in it like an embrace.
There is a cry and a growl in his voice that is irresistible, and as gorgeous as his crystal clear high notes are, it's his rich and warm mid-range and low notes that make me sink... His vibrato is very powerful, seems to have a life of its own. Full of bounce. When holding long, strong high notes his voice seems to begin to 'spin' on itself. Stunning. Fantastic breath control and resonance. If he were to study opera he would most likely be one of the absolute best.
Apart from his amazing vocals he is jaw-droppingly beautiful in such a charming, animated way. Tall, broad-shouldered, handsome with black hair, gloriously thick eyebrows, olive skin, dimples, and that sparkling smile. Beautiful body language, dripping with charisma and stage presence. Ignazio is one of a kind.
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Josh Groban
Joshua Winslow "Josh" Groban is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. His first four solo albums have been certified multi-platinum. In 2007, he was the number-one best-selling artist in the United States, with over 22.3 million records sold.
Josh Groban, even though he emerged unexpectedly, has a voice unlike any I've ever heard. The first time I heard him was in a movie with a wonderful song, and since then, I've never experienced such clear, controlled, multi-range vocals in my life. I love the way he sings, acts, and dresses, and especially when he performs. He is an incredible human being, and I'm sure he will have a long career, lasting many years beyond today.
I wish I could meet him in person. I think he is so awesome. If this message ever reaches him, I want him to know how entertaining he is. As a retired Navy pilot and Top Gun commander, I want to let him know that we fought for him, we love him, and we will always be there to listen to him. God bless him, and may God protect him from all the evil in the world.
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Jussi Björling
Undoubtedly one of the best lyric tenors of the 20th century. There has been enormous talent in regards to tenor voices, and the lack of trustworthy records of many of them, as well as the different types of voices, makes it very difficult to make comparisons. I would never think about comparing a lyric tenor such as Jussi or Pavarotti with Alfredo Kraus, for example.
That is why when I try to write down my opinion, I am only considering lyric tenors. In spite of all these obstacles to making 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 reason or another.
Arguably, there could be tenors with more power or a broader range of tones, but I cannot find anyone with such a combination of qualities as his. He had amazing power, a very broad range of tones, technique close to perfection, and an extraordinarily well-rounded voice that was always under control. And the list goes on. He was capable of transmitting the deepest emotions even while singing in a language that was not his mother tongue. There is a reason why Maria Callas considered him the greatest male voice with which she had shared the stage.
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Franco Corelli
The greatest tenor ever... many imitate him. Villazon is a case in point, and others have learned from him how to sing properly. Corelli has no rivals. One can understand this by listening to one live recording, a Tosca from Bergamo, and then listening to all of the rest.
(Parenthetically, I heard him live at the Met many times. He had the audiences enthralled all the way through his turbulent career. Callas named him as her best partner in the many operas he sang with her.)
I like many of the choices here, but Corelli is number one.
Having heard most of the greatest tenors in the last fifty years live, 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.
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Fritz Wunderlich
Regarding lyric tenors, one cannot but admire Wunderlich's 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.
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!
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Wes Hampton
Wes is a wonderful singer. I love to hear him.
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor, widely dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll" and regarded as a pivotal cultural icon of the 20th century. His energetic musical interpretation and provocative performance style, bridging racial music traditions in a shifting era, both fueled his fame... read more
While Elvis was primarily perceived as a baritone and most of the tessitura of his songs was on the staff, he was, in my opinion, a tenor. Technically, he never properly worked to smooth his passaggio and bring more weight up to the top of his voice.
However, one has only to look and listen to much of what Elvis sang and recorded - especially from about 1974 onward - to realize that, had he gone in an entirely different direction musically, he could very well have sung opera. Although in bad physical shape toward the end of his life, the in-concert recordings from his last tour reveal, rather hauntingly, what might have been. Listen especially to the way he sang the Timi Yuro classic "Hurt." Vocally, he was incredibly exciting.
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Nicolai Gedda
For me, he is the best tenor and has the most beautiful voice. Of course, he didn't die at 35, falling down the stairs, as one of the comments said. He is still alive today.
He unfortunately died at 35 years of age, falling down stairs.
Gedda is still alive, born July 11, 1925. And he was marvelous!
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Sean Panikkar
Sean Panikkar has everything as an opera singer: a great voice, singing technique, acting skill, handsome looks, a nice body tone, and a gentleman-like, faithful personality, which make him fit for a primary or secondary opera role. He is also a member of Forte, a classical crossover singing group, and he demonstrates his singing skills in various songs, reflecting his heart along with his co-singers. He is a total package as a tenor.
Look into Sean's eyes when he is singing and you'll see how much it means to him. He exudes joy through 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.
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Josh Page
When Josh Groban called him up on stage, people were amazed that he sounded just like him! He founded the crossover group Forte, which 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!
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Fernando Varela
Great range, strong in the low notes and beautiful in the highest ones. But in addition to his technical skills, his unique style is especially admirable. In every performance, every song, he puts his heart and soul into it. He's a Latino, with that open, unabashed emotional expression. Beautiful singing from a true romantic.
His range and his power are amazing. He's finally getting the recognition he deserves. I hope he and his fellow Forte members are successful as a group and as individuals. His voice is a gift!
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Russell Watson
The first time I played his CD, The Voice, in the parking lot of a new Borders store, I just sat there and cried! The first violin notes of Nella Fantasia gripped me, and then Russell's voice. Yes, others are excellent tenors, but Russell reached my emotions and heart. His voice really ministered to me. He will always be my favorite tenor. And his story makes it even more fabulous. There is hope for anyone with talent like that. It is just too bad he was so ill for so long. He is still so very popular in the UK. Always sold-out concerts. A long way to travel for concerts from the USA, but well worth it.
Very glad Russell's fans have been alerted to this poll and have got him on the list, and hopefully more will follow. Insulting that he wasn't on it to start with! I've been a fan right from the beginning and seen him live countless times. His voice is just sublime. There's no one to match him, in my opinion, and no one else could touch my heart and soul like he does. Every concert is a special experience. Russell's an amazing person as well as an amazing tenor and is at last being referred to as a "national treasure"!
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Jonas Kaufmann
This guy is the best in the world today. Besides having a great voice, he has a matching personality. I can only explain his position at number 26 as a result of him not being heard as frequently as some of the so-called popular tenors.
He does not sing you a song. He does not tell you a story. He pulls you in, pulls you under, and when he finally lets you go, you find yourself dripping with emotions you might otherwise never have felt.
The easy, natural style, the superb quality of his tone, his remarkable versatility, and emotional range make him, for me, the best tenor in the world. I could listen to him all day.
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Joseph Calleja
This man has the most beautiful tenor voice I have ever heard. There is a magical quality to his voice that, to my ears, surpasses the best, both past and present. I can't stop listening to his fantastic CDs. He is able to control his voice in both the upper and lower registers with absolute perfection. Just wonderful.
Joseph is a great tenor, holding a rank among the top three. His articulation is much better than most opera tenors active today, and his soft, distinct vibrato makes his voice more than great.