The Myth of Caruso and Orbison's Unique High Notes

You've probably heard the claim: Enrico Caruso and Roy Orbison were the only tenors of the 20th century capable of hitting E above high C. It's a tantalizing piece of trivia that connects an operatic legend with a rock and roll icon. There's just one problem—it's not true.

Let's break down why this myth doesn't hit the right notes.

Roy Orbison Wasn't Actually a Tenor

First, the classification issue. Roy Orbison's voice ranged from E2 to E5, and he was technically classified as a high baritone, not a tenor. His distinctive voice straddled the line between baritone depth and tenor height, giving him extraordinary versatility. While he could reach the same high notes as some tenors, vocal classification is about more than just range—it's about where a singer's voice sits most comfortably and the tonal quality they produce.

So right off the bat, half of this "two tenors" claim is built on shaky ground.

Plenty of Tenors Hit E Above High C

The E above high C (known as E5 in scientific pitch notation) is certainly a rare note for male singers. But "rare" doesn't mean "only two people ever." Several 20th-century tenors were famous for their stratospheric high notes:

• Nicolai Gedda (1925-2017)—Could hit F5, even higher than E5, particularly in Bellini's "I Puritani"
• Alfredo Kraus (1927-1999)—Reached high E-flat and E5 in pieces like William Tell
• Leggero tenors as a category—This light, agile tenor type typically ranges up to E5 or even F5

These weren't obscure singers, either. Gedda was EMI's unofficial "house tenor" and a Mozart specialist. Kraus was considered the finest tenore di grazia of his generation. If the claim were true, their careers would have been significantly less remarkable.

The "This Century" Problem

Here's another wrinkle: which century? Enrico Caruso died in 1921, performing primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Roy Orbison died in 1988. If this claim originated mid-20th century, "this century" would mean the 1900s—but it's now 2025, making the phrasing outdated and confusing.

If it somehow meant the 21st century, neither singer performed during it at all, making the claim nonsensical.

Where the Myth Came From

The comparison between Caruso and Orbison isn't entirely fabricated. Orbison was sometimes called "the Caruso of Rock" due to his operatic vocal power and emotional delivery. Both men had exceptional high registers for their time and genre. This legitimate comparison likely morphed into the false claim about exclusivity.

It's a classic case of telephone—a true statement ("these two singers were exceptional") gets exaggerated into a false one ("these two singers were the only ones").

The Truth Is Still Impressive

Just because the myth is false doesn't diminish either singer's legacy. Caruso revolutionized opera recording and brought classical singing to the masses. Orbison's three-octave range and ability to sustain impossibly high notes while conveying deep emotion made him a rock and roll innovator.

They were both extraordinary. They just weren't alone in their abilities—and that's okay. Greatness doesn't require being the only one.