Best Male Opera Singers

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

The greatest of all time. High Cs. I believe no one can match him. I have been hearing opera arias since I was more or less 7 years old, as my father used to play them all the time. The first time I heard Pavarotti, I said to myself, "this is it." Nobody can match, at least during my lifetime. The Babe Ruth of baseball, the Michael Jordan of basketball, the Tom Brady of football, the Yo-Yo Ma of violinists, etc.

Of course, Luciano Pavarotti is the top male opera singer. No other male opera singer, dead or alive, young or old, can compare with him. He leaves them all behind the starting blocks.

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

The world of music is diminished for not having modern recordings of his voice. Certainly the equal of the great Pavarotti, and even possibly superior. We will never know.

Pavarotti is the best that we know of, but we will always wonder. What if Caruso lived in modern times?

Fantastic voice but second as not much heard otherwise, most probably joint first with Pavarotti.

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).

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.

In my opinion, one of the most inspiring voices I have ever heard. His ability to perform across a number of genres is fascinating, and his ability to capture the attention of even the youngest listener is amazing.

At the age of 60, his voice absolutely sparkles in all registers. And now that upper register has beautiful depth and focus. Truly something the Lord has made!

This man has, in my opinion, the best male singing voice through time. What makes him better is that he has been blind most of his life, since the age of 12.

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

The best ever and the king of all opera singers. Unparalleled in all aspects of art and personality.

Franco Corelli

Best dramatic spinto tenor ever.

Giacomo Lauri-Volpi

Alfredo Kraus

René Pape

Antonio Cortis

He was known as the "Spanish Caruso." The ease in his singing of "Nessun Dorma" is remarkable.

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Jose van Dam

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Poul Bundgaard

Mario Del Monaco

Max Lorenz

Boris Christoff

Boris Christoff was a Bulgarian opera singer widely regarded as one of the greatest basses of the 20th century. He had a powerful and resonant voice that made him famous throughout Europe. His most acclaimed roles included Boris Godunov and other Russian bass roles in operas by Mussorgsky and Glinka... read more

Beniamino Gigli

James Morris

Dmitri Hvorostovsky

He was the fusion of power, dignity, and velvet. An extraordinary combination of talent, beauty, and the tragic story of his unfairly short life.

A greatly trained classical voice. I love his style.

Best baritone. For sure, Russian one.

Jussi Björling

The greatest opera recording of all time was Jussi Björling and Victoria De Los Angeles singing La Boheme in 1955.

He should be number 1. Listen to the Pearl Fishers Duet with Robert Merrill.

Jose 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.

The most beautiful voice in the world. Still fantastic at 70.

Very smooth voice and fantastic tenor.

Juan Diego Florez

Richard Croft

Tito Schipa

Jonas Kaufmann

Jonas Kaufmann sings appropriately for the role or song he's performing. He modulates his voice, not to overpower or to impress, but to express musical lyricism fitting with the performance (contrasted with Pavarotti thoughtlessly bellowing at anyone foolish enough to listen). He's the best and most versatile male singer I've ever heard.

Most versatile tenor of our time.