Giuseppe Di Stefano, 1921-2008

It's hard to be indifferent at the news of Di Stefano's passing, even if his health suffered an irreversible decline nearly four years ago. In an era in which great tenors abounded, he nevertheless stood out. Some say he pushed his voice too much to take on Verdi and Puccini, but at least we have such recorded treasures as his Cavaradossi, whose "E lucevan le stelle" was the most heartbreaking of all.