TubaForum.net

Here's a link that might be interesting to some board members, particularly those who speculate about tuba vs. cimbasso in Verdi operas. In the following excerpt, I think a cimbasso would have been a better choice than a tuba. The tuba playing sounds very competent, but is not as good a blend with the trombones as a cimbasso. Maybe Verdi was right when he expressed displeasure with tubas in the orchestral setting?



Ace

Many of the tubas made during Verdi's lifetime were fairly wretched, and ophicleides (aka "cimbassos") offered much wider (intonation) "slots" (for sensitive/accomplished players of them) as well as there being more people around who were accustomed to playing them (vs. various types of valved "tubas"). Finally, ophicleides (simply via "how they work") make less racket in general - which many (Verdi ?) may well rate (even today) as "good".
Today, with so many tubas used in orchestras - now - being "concert sousaphones", I view them as inappropriate for most Verdi literature for reasons other than (as with many 1840's-1890's-made tubas) simply being often being "wretched".

Contrabass valve trombones - when seen at all in early photographs - mostly are seen around the time of Verdi's death and later, but (as you point out) are - being a trombone - a good blend with a trombone section (as long as the tuba player - playing the contrabass trombone - doesn't make an ass of themselves).

' great singing, and a handsome stage presence.

bloke wrote: ↑Sun Jan 16, 2022 4:07 pm ' great singing, and a handsome stage presence.

I like the way she stared down the audience for the first two minutes or so,

I've earned that look nearly every day of my life it seems...

Okay, he was disappointed with one schmuck on a serpent, or ophicleides. I'm simply in awe that he was able to get 10 viola players, in the same place, at the same time.

bloke wrote: ↑Sun Jan 16, 2022 4:07 pm Many of the tubas made during Verdi's lifetime were fairly wretched, and ophicleides (aka "cimbassos") offered much wider (intonation) "slots" (for sensitive/accomplished players of them) as well as there being more people around who were accustomed to playing them (vs. various types of valved "tubas").

I've never seen the video of Verdi stating that he hated (all) tuba(s).

Wonderful performance. But, I have to ask: Are those earrings 5/4 or 6/4?

Three Valves wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 9:18 am

bloke wrote: ↑Sun Jan 16, 2022 4:07 pm ' great singing, and a handsome stage presence.

I like the way she stared down the audience for the first two minutes or so,

I've earned that look nearly every day of my life it seems...

At least you earned it. That's far better than getting something for nothing.

Best, Ace