Introducing the bass voice

The lowest range possible for the human voice.

I decided to introduce this voice type first since it is usually one of the least known voices for a person unknown to opera, but as you will hear it has some of the most profound music. 

Some basses have lower resonances and qualities and are called basso profundo, however some have higher resonances and are therefore able to sing certain higher roles and call themselves bass-baritones. 

Classical composers such as Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky loved writing for the bass voice and feature this voice in their operas and requiem. 

Recommended Singers: Martti Talvela, Ferruccio Furlanetto, George London, Cesare Siepi, Samuel Ramey, Ezio Pinza, Kurt Moll and Nicolai Ghiaurov. 

Below is a list of some songs I think would be a great first introduction to the bass/bass-baritone voice: 

Some Enchanted Evening

Musical: South Pacific
Composer: Rodgers
Singer: Giorgio Tozzi

Commendatore Scene

Opera: Don Giovanni
Composer: Mozart
Singers: Kurt Moll, Samuel Ramey & Ferruccio Furlanetto

Ol’ Man River

Musical: Snowboat
Composer: Hammerstein
Singer: Paul Robeson

Le veau d’or est toujours debout!

Opera: Mèphistophélès
Composer: Gounod
Singer: Rene Pape

Bess, You Is My Woman Now

Opera: Porgy and Bess
Composer: Gershwin
Singer: Willard White & Cynthia Haymon

Toreador

Opera: Carmen
Composer: Bizet
Singer: Samuel Ramey

Going Home

Work: Symphony No. 9
Composer: Dvorak
Singer: Paul Robeson

Madamina, il catalogo è questo

Opera: Don Giovanni
Composer: Mozart
Singer: Ferruccio Furlanetto

Leb’wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind

Opera: Die Walküre
Composer: Wagner
Singer: George London

Дорогой длинною (Those were the days)

Composer: Fomin
Singer: Ivan Rebroff

Do you have a favorite bass singer or song? Please share in the comments!