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(More customer reviews)Leonard Warren was certainly one of America's greatest singers, ranking only after Merrill & Tibbett when it comes to baritones. In the 40 years since his death on stage at the Met during a performance of LA FORZA DEL DESTINO this is the first full-length biography devoted to him. Unfortunately, he deserves better. Much better.
After having read other books by the author, I was surprised at the ill-flowing, disjointed narrative here. She relies far too much on family recollections instead of objectivity. She repeats the story of Jan Peerce's anger at Warren's cobersion to Catholicism far too often as well as relying on Warren's sister. The recollections of fellow artists are few, of little importance, and were made mostly in conjunction with articles written decades ago. Except for some anonymous recording sessions in 1940, early in Warren's career, there is nothing about later sessions when he made his complete operas. Did he just show up, sing, and go home? Usually there are interesting stories to repeat (they could have at least borrowed Culshaw's about the GIOCONDA sessions). Likewise, there is no comment on why Warren was used only once by Toscanini. Did something happen? Were Valdengo or Merrill easier to work with than Warren? The author is silent. She also spends an inordinate amount of paper and ink huffily asking why Warren didn't progress faster to stardom at the Met - then answers he own questions by telling about other (and far more seasoned) artists like Tibbett & Bonelli, both of whom had senority over the newcomer Warren.
The index is worthless since there are no references to any of Warren's roles or even an entry for "Warren, Leonard." Are researchers expected to plow through this badly-written book for themselves?
The discography is also poorly organized and touts commercial releases plus those sponsored by the Warren Foundation, a release of VAI from the 1940 sessions and their own 2-CD set. Other issues, especially a superb 2-CD set on Romophone or a competing CD of the 1940 sessions on Minerva, are ignored or merely mentioned in passing.
By the way, anyone interested in the 2-CD Warren Foundation set might first look on their shelves. Except for 4 tracks, everything is already available elsewhere. They missed an excellent chance to use live material.
It may be a long time before we get anotehr Warren biography but this one isn't worth the time or effort.
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