Difficult to answer in a post - it would need a whole book to answer this properly. But I'll give my best. Lilli Lehmann - she certainly was a wreck when she recorded, but as opposed to other wrecks of the period, there is not even a faint hint to any qualities she might have had earlier Nikolai Fi...

1994:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDXPmcE ... Q&index=20
2002:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXEj-hX2aIs
2010:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH7p9cyGLN4

If only he could keep to what is suitable for his instrument

Yes, agreed. And while we are at it, I might also mention Gianni Raimondi. But the ones that were mentioned so far are not active anymore. What about the present corps? Any one that can match the giants of the past?

The Euro thrush contagion has cross the Atlantic

Italy has an abundance of lyrical tenors. To my mind, the line of torch bearers among Italian lyrical tenors in chronometric order is: Alessandro Bonci, Beniamino Gigli, Guiseppe di Stefano, Luciano Pavarotti. But after that, I can't think of any name that is primus inter pares.
Any suggestions?

Madga Olivero's San Jacopino Chiesa Concert (March 28, 1969) which I bought from a well known on-line site. It contains 13 beautifully sung arias liberally sprinkled with masse di voce. My favorite among The Favorite is the rendition of Vissi d'arte

An example of phony emotion and bad taste:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdUwbWH4E9I

Kraus was still singing at 70 and there is not much difference between the voice he produced when he was young. Admittedly it has 'dried' up a bit which is to be expected because of the wear and tear over the years, but the elegance is intact. The other tenor that he is often compared with is Schipa...

I like the painted face characters in Peking opera. These characters have deep dark bass voice, much like the Slav basso in the west. The meaning that goes into the colour and pattern of the painting on the face is fascinating. But the other characters in Peking opera sing with falsetto that is pain...

Thank you for letting me know the rebirth of Grandi Tenori. Great to be able to join in discussions of my favorite past time.