Cornell MacNeil

Composers

Biography

Born: September 24, 1922; Minneapolis, MN  
Although not regarded as a great operatic actor, Cornell MacNeil possessed one of the most sumptuous baritone voices of the twentieth century's second half. A mainstay at the Metropolitan Opera, his rounded, heavyweight instrument coursed magnificently through such roles as Tonio, Amonasro, Rigoletto, Germont, Nabucco, and Scarpia, making vocal points impossible to ignore. MacNeil's occasional tendency toward unsteadiness was mitigated by the Read more sheer splendor of his sound. MacNeil was one of the last of the true dramatic Verdi baritones, and the end of his career left a void that is still unfilled.

After study with Wagnerian bass-baritone Friedrich Schorr at the Hartt College of Music in Hartford, CT, MacNeil sang in Broadway musicals before he created the role of John Sorel in Menotti's The Consul in Philadelphia on March 1, 1950. He made his debut with the New York City Opera in 1953, singing Germont in a March 21 matinee performance of La traviata with Frances Yeend as Violetta. He remained with the company until the fall season in 1956, singing among other roles Escamillo, Rigoletto, Valentin, and Stephano in the American premiere of Martin's The Tempest (Der Sturm). In 1955, MacNeil made his debut in San Francisco as Escamillo, his acting tepid, but his voice having "the ring of great promise."

A 1957 production of Manon Lescaut with Tebaldi and Björling introduced him to Chicago audiences on October 21. He followed that with a powerfully sung Alfio two nights later and returned for the 1958 season as Ford and Sharpless, also singing the Prologue in Pagliacci before yielding to Tito Gobbi as Tonio. In 1965, MacNeil offered his Rigoletto in a production regarded as otherwise lackluster.

Debuts at both La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera occupied the baritone in 1959. In Milan, he appeared as Carlo in Ernani, while at his March 21 Met debut the role was Rigoletto, the first of nearly 500 performances ranging over 26 roles. MacNeil's large, rolling voice found a congenial home at the old Met and, later, in the even larger new theater. In addition to the great Verdi roles for which he was so well-suited, he mastered such verismo roles as Michele in Il Tabarro and the chilling Gianciotto in Francesca di Rimini, the latter in a production televised to a large national and world-wide audience. In the latter part of his career, his interpretations showed increased dramatic specificity and vitality; some indeed were strongly compelling.

In addition to his performing career, MacNeil took time to serve as president of the American Guild of Musical Artists beginning in 1969.

In bass Jerome Hines' book, Great Singers on Great Singing (1982), MacNeil is outspoken about a variety of issues facing both fledgling singers and established artists. Given his long career (he was still singing leading roles in his mid-sixties), his words merit attention. MacNeil is particularly critical of the term "color," insisting rather that singers think about intent. "Breath control," too, is a term he disparages, preferring to believe that good singing results from balance of physical elements. On the issue of support, he considers that the diaphragm is "enormously overrated" as the basic means. Rather, he states that the floating ribs of the singer's back provide the cushion on which breath is made available -- and that most singers take in more breath than is necessary. Read less

Featured Cornell MacNeil CDs & DVDs:

Puccini: Tosca / Conlon, Pavarotti, Verrett, Macneil, Metropolitan Opera
Puccini: Tosca / Conlon, Pavarotti, Verrett, Macneil, Metropolitan Opera
Release Date: 10/19/2010   Label: Decca  
Catalog: 001479309   Number of Discs: 1
On sale! $29.98
DVD: $24.99
In Stock
BUY 
On sale!   $29.98   DVD:  $24.99 Add to Cart

Browse 1-25 of 36 Available Recordings
1 2
  • 1.
    Verdi: The Complete Works
    Verdi: The Complete Works
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001806202 Release Date: 03/05/2013   Number of Discs: 75
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Maria Guleghina,  Samuel Ramey,  Violeta Urmana,  Sara Fulgoni  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  Lamberto Gardelli,  James Levine,  Richard Bonynge  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields,  London Voices,  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
    On sale! $199.98
    CD: $159.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $199.98   CD:  $159.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 2.
    Solti Conducts The Verdi Operas [16-CD Set]
    Solti Conducts The Verdi Operas [16-CD Set]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001746202 Release Date: 10/16/2012   Number of Discs: 16
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Jon Vickers,  Robert Merrill,  Rita Gorr,  Leontyne Price  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Georg Solti
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Rome Opera House Orchestra,  Rome Opera House Chorus,  Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Chorus  ... 
    Recommendation
    On sale! $99.98
    CD: $79.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $99.98   CD:  $79.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 3.
    Verdi: Ernani / Schippers, Bergonzi, Nagy, Price, Metropolitan Opera
    Verdi: Ernani / Schippers, Bergonzi, Nagy, Price, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 190996 Release Date: 01/17/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Ronald Reitan,  Cornell MacNeil,  Leontyne Price,  Carlo Bergonzi  ... 
    Conductor:  Thomas Schippers
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
    Recommendation
    CD: $18.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $18.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $14.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 4.
    Verdi: La Traviata / Krips, Cotrubas, Gedda, Gruberova, MacNeil, Loose, Vienna State Opera Orchestra
    Verdi: La Traviata / Krips, Cotrubas, Gedda, Gruberova, MacNeil, Loose, Vienna State Opera Orchestra
    Label: Orfeo D'or   Catalog: 816112 Release Date: 11/22/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Cornell MacNeil,  Nicolai Gedda,  Emmy Loose,  Ileana Cotrubas  ... 
    Conductor:  Josef Krips
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Chorus,  Vienna State Opera Orchestra
    CD: $39.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $39.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 5.
    Verdi: Otello / Levine, Vickers, Scotto, Macneil, Metropolitan Opera
    Verdi: Otello / Levine, Vickers, Scotto, Macneil, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 791012 Release Date: 08/16/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Cornell MacNeil,  Jon Vickers,  Renata Scotto
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
    Recommendation
    On sale!
    DVD: $17.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $19.98   DVD:  $17.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 6.
    Verdi: Aida / Sanzogno Nilsson, Simionato, Ghiaurov, Ferrin
    Verdi: Aida / Sanzogno Nilsson, Simionato, Ghiaurov, Ferrin
    Label: Myto Records   Catalog: 266 Release Date: 06/28/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Agostino Ferrin,  Giulietta Simionato,  Nicolai Ghiaurov,  Cornell MacNeil  ... 
    Conductor:  Nino Sanzogno
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Milan Teatro alla Scala Orchestra,  Milan Teatro alla Scala Chorus
    On sale! $24.98
    CD: $21.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $24.98   CD:  $21.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 7.
    Puccini: Tosca / Price, Corelli, MacNeil, Adler, Metropolitan Opera
    Puccini: Tosca / Price, Corelli, MacNeil, Adler, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 80468 Release Date: 01/25/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini
    Performer:  Leontyne Price,  Franco Corelli,  Cornell MacNeil
    Conductor:  Kurt Adler
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Metropolitan Opera Chorus
    CD: $15.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $15.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $14.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 8.
    James Levine - Celebrating 40 Years At The Met [21 DVD Box Set]
    James Levine - Celebrating 40 Years At The Met [21 DVD Box Set]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 1135701355 Release Date: 12/07/2010   Number of Discs: 21
    Composer:  Alban Berg,  John Corigliano,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Giacomo Puccini  ... 
    Performer:  Franz Mazura,  Julia Migenes,  Evelyn Lear,  Kenneth Riegel  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Metropolitan Opera Chorus
    Recommendation
    On sale! $299.98
    DVD: $254.49
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $299.98   DVD:  $254.49 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 9.
    Puccini: Tosca / Conlon, Pavarotti, Verrett, Macneil, Metropolitan Opera
    Puccini: Tosca / Conlon, Pavarotti, Verrett, Macneil, Metropolitan Opera
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001479309 Release Date: 10/19/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini
    Performer:  Cornell MacNeil,  Luciano Pavarotti,  Shirley Verrett
    Conductor:  James Conlon
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Metropolitan Opera Chorus
    On sale! $29.98
    DVD: $24.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $29.98   DVD:  $24.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 10.
    Menotti: The Consul, The Medium, The Telephone / Engel, Balaban, Rescigno, Et Al
    Menotti: The Consul, The Medium, The Telephone / Engel, Balaban, Rescigno, Et Al
    Label: Gala   Catalog: GL100628 Release Date: 02/23/2010   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Gian Carlo Menotti
    Performer:  Maria Andreassi,  Cornell MacNeil,  Lydia Summers,  Andrew McKinley  ... 
    Conductor:  Lehman Engel,  Emanuel Balaban
    Import CD
    $23.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $23.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 11.
    Verdi: Aida
    Label: Gala   Catalog: GL100561 Release Date: 02/23/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Leontyne Price,  James Morris,  Marilyn Horne,  Placido Domingo  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Import CD
    $17.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $17.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 12.
    Verdi: Aida / Tebaldi, Simionato, Bergonzi, Karajan
    Verdi: Aida / Tebaldi, Simionato, Bergonzi, Karajan
    Label: Musical Concepts   Catalog: 2009 Release Date: 02/09/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Piero de Palma,  Arnold Van Mill,  Cornell MacNeil,  Carlo Bergonzi  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Vienna Friends of Music Society Chorus
    CD: $13.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $13.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $13.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 13.
    The Record of Singing Vol 5 - From the LP to the Digital Era
    The Record of Singing Vol 5 - From the LP to the Digital Era
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 28949 Release Date: 03/10/2009   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Ralph Vaughan Williams,  Jacques Offenbach,  Georges Bizet,  Giuseppe Verdi  ... 
    Performer:  John Shirley-Quirk,  Luciana Serra,  Neil Shicoff,  Alain Vanzo  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir David Willcocks,  Sylvain Cambreling,  Georges Prêtre,  Herbert von Karajan  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  English Chamber Orchestra,  Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie Orchestra,  Paris Opera Orchestra  ... 
    Recommendation
    On sale! $66.98
    CD: $56.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $66.98   CD:  $56.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 14.
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Raimondi, Macneil, Gencer
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Raimondi, Macneil, Gencer
    Label: Myto Records   Catalog: 4 Release Date: 09/30/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Gianni Raimondi,  Cornell MacNeil,  Leyla Gencer,  Jorge Algorta
    Conductor:  Argeo Quadri
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Buenos Aires Teatro Colón Orchestra,  Buenos Aires Teatro Colón Chorus
    On sale! $41.98
    CD: $39.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $41.98   CD:  $39.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 15.
    Verdi: Un Ballo In Maschera / Solti, Bergonzi, Nilsson
    Verdi: Un Ballo In Maschera / Solti, Bergonzi, Nilsson
    Label: London/Decca Grand Opera Series   Catalog: 425655 Release Date: 05/13/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Tom Krause,  Cornell MacNeil,  Birgit Nilsson,  Carlo Bergonzi  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Georg Solti
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Chorus,  Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra
    On sale! $33.98
    ArkivCD $29.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $33.98   ArkivCD:  $29.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 16.
    Opera Highlights - The Collector's Edition
    Opera Highlights - The Collector's Edition
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 09980 Release Date: 11/06/2007   Number of Discs: 50
    Composer:  Richard Wagner,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Richard Strauss,  Camille Saint-Saëns  ... 
    Performer:  Walter Berry,  Helga Dernesch,  Jon Vickers,  Karl Ridderbusch  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan,  Bernard Haitink,  Reginald Goodall,  Francesco Molinari-Pradelli  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Deutsche Oper Chorus,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Bavarian Radio Chorus  ... 
    On sale! $104.98
    CD: $76.99
    Special Order
    BUY 
    On sale!   $104.98   CD:  $76.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 17.
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Molinari-pradelli, Macneil, Ferrin, Et Al
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Molinari-pradelli, Macneil, Ferrin, Et Al
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 93282 Release Date: 09/25/2007   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Ruggero Raimondi,  Franco Ricciardi,  Alfredo Giacomotti,  Mirella Fiorentini  ... 
    Conductor:  Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Rome Opera House Chorus,  Rome Opera House Orchestra
    CD not available
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    MP3:  $17.99 Add MP3 to Cart

  • 18.
    Zandonai: Francesca Da Rimini / Domingo, Scotto, Levine
    Zandonai: Francesca Da Rimini / Domingo, Scotto, Levine
    Label: Philips   Catalog: 000956609 Release Date: 09/11/2007  
    Composer:  Riccardo Zandonai
    Performer:  Placido Domingo,  Renata Scotto,  Cornell MacNeil
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Metropolitan Opera Chorus
    Recommendation
    DVD: $29.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    DVD:  $29.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 19.
    Verdi: Aida / Karajan, Tebaldi, Simionato, Bergonzi, Macneil
    Verdi: Aida / Karajan, Tebaldi, Simionato, Bergonzi, Macneil
    Label: London/Decca Grand Opera Series   Catalog: 000830402 Release Date: 05/08/2007   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Carlo Bergonzi,  Cornell MacNeil,  Giulietta Simionato,  Renata Tebaldi  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Vienna Friends of Music Society
    Recommendation
    CD: $23.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $23.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 20.
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Previtali, Macneil, Scotto, Tucker
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Previtali, Macneil, Scotto, Tucker
    Label: Opera D'oro   Catalog: 1465 Release Date: 10/10/2006   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Martha Carrizo,  Stella Silva,  Victor De Narké,  Carmen De La Mata  ... 
    Conductor:  Fernando Previtali
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Buenos Aires Teatro Colón Chorus,  Buenos Aires Teatro Colón Orchestra
    CD: $13.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $13.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 21.
    Puccini: Tosca / Behrens, Domingo, Sinopoli, MET
    Puccini: Tosca / Behrens, Domingo, Sinopoli, MET
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 000710109 Release Date: 09/12/2006  
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini
    Performer:  Cornell MacNeil,  Placido Domingo,  Hildegard Behrens,  James Courtney  ... 
    Conductor:  Giuseppe Sinopoli
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Metropolitan Opera Chorus
    On sale! $29.98
    DVD: $24.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $29.98   DVD:  $24.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 22.
    Classic Recitals - The Best Of Renata Tebaldi
    Classic Recitals - The Best Of Renata Tebaldi
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 000316902 Release Date: 10/12/2004   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini,  Umberto Giordano,  Francesco Cilèa,  Arrigo Boito
    Performer:  Carlo Bergonzi,  Renata Tebaldi,  Cornell MacNeil
    Conductor:  Tullio Serafin,  Francesco Molinari-Pradelli,  Franco Capuana,  Alberto Erede  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra,  Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Chorus
    On sale! $12.99
    CD: $9.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $12.99   CD:  $9.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 23.
    The # 1 Puccini Album
    The # 1 Puccini Album
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 000300702 Release Date: 08/10/2004   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini
    Performer:  Mario Del Monaco,  Renata Tebaldi,  Rolando Panerai,  Elizabeth Harwood  ... 
    Conductor:  Franco Capuana,  Herbert von Karajan,  Zubin Mehta,  Riccardo Chailly  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  London Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $16.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $16.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 24.
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Levine, Domingo, Cotrubas, Met Opera
    Verdi: Rigoletto / Levine, Domingo, Cotrubas, Met Opera
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 000269609 Release Date: 08/10/2004   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Ileana Cotrubas,  Placido Domingo,  Cornell MacNeil,  Isola Jones  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
    On sale! $29.98
    DVD: $24.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $29.98   DVD:  $24.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 25.
    Renata Tebaldi - The Classic Puccini Recordings
    Renata Tebaldi - The Classic Puccini Recordings
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 473045 Release Date: 03/11/2003   Number of Discs: 12
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini
    Performer:  Ezio Giordano,  Mario Del Monaco,  Gaetano Fanelli,  Renata Tebaldi  ... 
    Conductor:  Alberto Erede,  Franco Capuana,  Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Chorus,  Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra
    On sale! $95.99
    CD: $47.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $95.99   CD:  $47.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

1 2