Mattia Battistini in La Forza del Destino Urna fatale (1921)

Horowitz would spent hours and hours listening to Battistini s records in order to emulate his sonorous legato Commendator Mattia Battistini (18561928) probably was the last master of the bel canto style. Amongst his armory of techniques were the perfect blending of registers, the fil di voce, rubato and legato (perhaps the most important). None can deny that this is patrician singing: finespun bel canto but with individuality and passion. And there is surprising power in the voice too.