The life of baritone Ettore Bastianini was cut tragically short by throat cancer. His performances in the later stages of his career reflected a dryer sound owing to this unfortunate health crisis. Most audiences and critics were not aware of his condition and were less than kind in reviewing his vocal state in performance.
The voice is darker like a bass, but definitely Italian in it's chiaroscuro balance. He trained for a long time as a bass, then took seven months away from performing to transition to baritone. Therefore, much of the color retains a more bass-like timbre. The first baritone role he essayed was Giorgio Germont in "La traviata".
He was a great singer, who demonstrated beauty of tone and intelligent phrasing. It is too sad that we never got to see how this wonderful artist would have developed further.
This recording of Largo was made during the midst of his health crisis:
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