Did Franco Corelli use the Melocchi technique?
Let's clarify the facts surrounding Franco Corelli's vocal technique. There has been speculation about whether Corelli used the Melocchi technique or adapted it with guidance from Giacomo Lauri-Volpi. According to Corelli himself, he learned about the Melocchi technique through his friend Carlo Scaravelli, who was studying with Arturo Melocchi in Pesaro. Prior to changing his approach to singing, Corelli faced challenges singing notes above an A-flat and was even compelled to sing as a baritone. After practicing vocal exercises learned from Scaravelli's studies with Melocchi, Corelli experienced significant improvement. Subsequently, Corelli had a few direct lessons with Melocchi. While Corelli developed his technique with instructions from Scaravelli and some lessons with Melocchi, it's worth noting that he also engaged in extensive conversations about technique with Mario del Monaco, which likely influenced his approach.
Regarding Giacomo Lauri Volpi's influence on Corelli's technique, Corelli mentioned in interviews with Stefan Zucker that he didn't always agree with Lauri Volpi's approach. Lauri Volpi aimed to make Corelli's voice lighter and brighter, which would lead Corelli to close his throat. Corelli described his technique as laryngeal, emphasizing that the voice wasn't placed in the mask but in the laryngeal area. His main principle was opening the throat and maintaining a low larynx. Some statements suggest that Corelli modified his technique by letting his larynx float. However, observations from videos on YouTube show that Corelli's larynx consistently stays at its lowest position and goes up only for some consonants and never vowels. The sensation of the larynx floating simply meant that it wasn't forcibly held down but rather trained down using specific Melocchi exercises. When the instrument is fully formed through this type of training, there is no need for excessive muscular force to keep the larynx in place.
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