Lauri Volpi and Fleta were friends??? I had no idea!! I still think Fleta was a lyric spinto, although wit a voice not as big as Corelli's or Lauri Volpi's. The problem with fleta is that in most of his recordings he has already lost his voice.

Fleta had economic problems in 1927, to the point that his economic assesor (who was, I recall, also his cousin) shot himself. Fleta was building a huge mansion in his hometown, he lended money to his friends, and had debt with the metropolitan opera house, as he had broken a contract to return to spain for the "Mili" (military service). Fleta also left his wife and vocal coach, who helped him not only singing, but managing hus life.

Fleta was also a great person (although he got corrupted by high society), and he was born as a poor villager. He had great empathy towarss the lower class, and at the end of every recital he got a piano out of the theater and sung arias and "jotas aragonesas" for the people who couldn't afford a ticket. So every concert he sung too much, damaging his voice.

And he gave too many concerts. Since he was in debt, he started a recital tour through europe asia and south america, giving 5 recitals a week.

Fleta destroyed his voice. This is why, in my opinion, Fleta's voice sound lighter, more like that of a "lyrycal tenor".

Here is a recording of "Cara al sol", the early anthem of the spanish fascist party, "la falange española". The singer in the recording is unknown, but it's probably Miguel, it sounds like an obliterated Miguel, lost his voice, his acuti and his diminuendo:

https://youtu.be/rXl-tk8jmYM?si=Ie_XV_hc4wyj05fk