handelmania's Podcast: Recent Episodes
Charles Handelman
Cast at end,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Are you there??? PLEASE write me
Placido21@aol.com I was away
I need to know that you are here
Zinka,my all-time favorite singer.
I saw all 5 Normas in 1954..This
is earlier..NOBILITY!!Mixed CHEST!!!!!
Not a sweet person like Renata...but
sensational singer.
Get out the hankies..My darling friend Diana Soviero rivals Muzio!!!!!!!!!!!! I know her since great Mimi in 1977.She is Tebaldi TWO for me.
I miss my buddy...such a lovely guy....I think he is the greatest!!!!
PLEASE write me at Placido21@aol.com
to tell me you are still with me.I was away one year and want to share as in the past!!!!!
I know I will be repeating things,but there is so much out there and you will enjoy so much. This Il Guarany duet is so remarkable. I discovered Destinn recently...A "little girlish tone."
Let me know you are there...Placido21@aol.com. I do not want to lose you after my being away so long.
Remember me??? Glad to be back after some rehab.Missed you all!!!!!
We lost my dear friend Virginia...Miss her terribly.
I will post like mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love Charlie
By now you know how Diana
Soviero,after 45 years,is still
my "Tebaldi Two." I was so
entranced by her Mimi in 1977,
that we began a wonderful
friendship. Fabio Armiliato
sadly lost his wife,Daniela
Dessi,so young. I know you
will love these artists!!!!
No one but me looked down
her throat at Bolena rehearsal
to see where the E flats came from.
He had a great high C,..
but we had to suffer a lot
because he sang with Zinka
so much. "Reliable," but an
ugly voice.
I have learned how to
publish photos. I hope
you enjoy them, even
the ones with ME!!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/839265170062687
First singer I ever met.
I still feel the greasepaint.
Went to her apartment for
club meeting every year.
MOST BELOVED!!!
**All my groups on Facebook
Puccini
Mozart
Rossini
Wagner/Strauss
Ring
Misc.German
Italiana
French
Scandinavian
Hispanic
American
English
Greek
Romanian
Jewish
Black
Ukranian
Bar/Bass
Past Divas
Countertenors
Flashing
OUCH
ZZZZZZ
High/Low
Died young
Trios
Verismo
Bel Canto
Singer Friends
Treasures
Shakespeare
Fun
POP
Rare works
Conductors
Better Known
Milanov
Resnik
Gigli
Master Classes
Mahler
I am aware that I have so many groups, but they are successful. I would never do this if I thought my ego-maniacal self would be detested. I love to spread the word..and if anyone has a problem finding me on the internet for the URLS..Go to:
https://www.facebook.com/handelmani
Opera LIVES!!!!**
All my groups on Facebook Puccini Mozart Rossini Wagner/Strauss Ring Misc.German Italiana French Scandinavian Hispanic American English Greek Romanian Jewish Black Ukranian Bar/Bass Past Divas Countertenors Flashing OUCH ZZZZZZ High/Low Died young Trios Verismo Bel Canto Singer Friends Treasures Shakespeare Fun POP Rare works Conductors Better Known Milanov Resnik Gigli Master Classes Mahler I am aware that I have so many groups, but they are successful. I would never do this if I thought my ego-maniacal self would be detested. I love to spread the word..and if anyone has a problem finding me on the internet for the URLS..Go to: https://www.facebook.com/handelmani Opera LIVES!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/518590689562026
https://www.facebook.com/groups/518590689562026
I have no names,but I
feel that Korea must
have some superb teachers.
I hope you enjoy them.
I have to apologize..I better
get busy and post more.
Be well...Charlie
The Pandemic has caused me to
watch more Youtube. I know this
is not opera,but I just HAD to
show you people who have
escaped from some mental
institution..Well,I have sung
with some delusional people.
so I am not totally shocked!
I call Virginia at times.It is not
easy to be 96, and in a facility
even though it is a nice place.
We speak of her great life,and
it is a great treasure for me
to know her.
I must catch up on material,
including birthdays.My dear
friend,Marisa Galvany had a
birthday 2 weeks ago. Here she
is..one of the greats...and only
Charlie knows all her fake names.
I am well aware of my "eccentricity" in making so many groups,.However I keep careful track,and many people belong and/or have looked at the posts, and many have added their own knowledge. I do cast blame of my need for activity, given the Pandemic and my refusal to wear a mask at Parsifal. But I do see an incredible variety of operas,singers,etc. and so my "education" at my advanced age seems to be helpful..If ever,you want to tell me to go back to knitting..let me know. I will also let you know the most popular..So far Baritones and Basses have over 1600...and 455 for Zinka,despite her liking only herself. GROUPS Puccini Mozart Rossini Wagner/Strauss Ring Misc.German Italiana French Scandinavian Hispanic American English Greek Romanian Jewish Black Ukranian Bar/Bass Past Divas Countertenors Flashing OUCH ZZZZZZ High/Low Died young Trios Verismo Bel Canto Singer Friends Treasures Shakespeare Fun POP Rare works Conductors Better Known Milanov Resnik Gigli Need any URL's??Let me know. I am well aware of my "eccentricity" in making so many groups,.However I keep careful track,and many people belong and/or have looked at the posts, and many have added their own knowledge. I do cast blame of my need for activity, given the Pandemic and my refusal to wear a mask at Parsifal. But I do see an incredible variety of operas,singers,etc. and so my "education" at my advanced age seems to be helpful..If ever,you want to tell me to go back to knitting..let me know. I will also let you know the most popular..So far Baritones and Basses have over 1600...and 455 for Zinka,despite her liking only herself. GROUPS Puccini Mozart Rossini Wagner/Strauss Ring Misc.German Italiana French Scandinavian Hispanic American English Greek Romanian Jewish Black Ukranian Bar/Bass Past Divas Countertenors Flashing OUCH ZZZZZZ High/Low Died young Trios Verismo Bel Canto Singer Friends Treasures Shakespeare Fun POP Rare works Conductors Better Known Milanov Resnik Gigli Need any URL's??Let me know.
When I discovered opera,I
bought many Cetra-Soria
records (not cheap!!).I loved
Mario Filippeschi..Not a voice
of gold..but so exciting.Also,
Virginia Zeani told me how
she loved the guy.
This is in the HIGH key.
Dennis Orellana, male soprano,
sings this better than Sutherland.
Nowadays,there are many male
sopranos and countertenors.
Caruso did not like to sing
with Ruffo..6/9/1877.Guess
why??Just incredibly huge
voice..Fabulous!!
I do not think there are too
many great singers, but I find
Sondra Radvanovsky-Lear and
Piotr Beczala very special and
they are so kind and friendly
to me.The "rare" selections
near the end are from Halka
and the Rusalka duet.
Ciao...I will be posting more..Just lazy
Can you imagine in your dreams
if at the SAME TIME you had:
Tamagno,Lauri-Volpi,Masini,
Corelli,Del Monaco,Roswaenge,
Bocelli(miked), and Placido
(two octaves down).
How many of you..confessate-
have tried this???????
I met Sondra Radvanovsky-Lear
years ago, and since then she
has emerged as one of our
very great stars. The amazing
element of her singing like
Fiorenza Cossotto) is that LIVE
should sounds,through all
registers, that she is singing
in my EAR!!! You cannot tell,
as with most singers,unless
you are THERE!!
In the past I have spoken of
and posted of the La Puma
Opera,from the 1960's. We
had to wear many sets of
Depends...They were serious.
Note this great tenor's superb
passaggio...Are there any such
groups in the rest of the world?
Ultimately, we had to run out
because we were afraid to have
an ACCIDENTI!!!
Some tenors are DOGS but
this dog has good taste.
Do any of you have opera-
loving pets?????
Because of the Pandemic,I watch
more TV,and came upon some
of the psycho auditions.I am
shocked that people actually
think they have any talent,and
some get angry that they are
not accepted. Go to Youtube
if you want punishment.
You already know I am a big
pain about today's singers.
However,Piotr Beczala for me
is a throwback to his idols,
Gedda and Wunderlich. He
is a sweet person,and great
artist!!!!
I called the great Magda Olivero
on her birthdays.For me, she was
a MIRACOLO...Her 104 years gave
opera such joy..She still had voice
at over 100.I know her caretaker.
Not a big luscious tone..but such
emotion and LOVE!!!!!
It was 1955...Gigli did three Carnegie
Recitals...at 65..I remember only
that he was a sensation. Could have
sung 10 plus more years,but in
1957 he passed away (on the same
day Renata's mother died.).
GIGLI was a GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A great honor for me to have
sung with that "new guy" whom
I know since 1971 Bolena.
Bartolo and Basilio!!!!!
We had fun!!!!!!
Before it sank,I saw Tebaldi
off on the Andrea Doria! It was
1956, and near my birthday.She
left me the LP London Forza!!
NO ONE was as dear!!!!
Since I have watched more TV and
also have made 40 groups on
Facebook...it is because I will NOT
go to the Met,even if Zinka and my
dear buddy Baum returned..People
have had vaccinations, worn masks,
and still got sick...so now I am SCANNING
and you will see some enjoyable photos
from my past life!!!!!!
You know,since I started this podcast,
there are close to 2 MILLION HITS!
Sad that I cannot get comments,
because you get commercials..but
WRITE ME at Placido21@aol.com
(Placido is Jan.21 also,as you know,
but I am celibate.
Love Charlie,
Terrible tragedy to lose
two great artists whom I
knew.I write to Giordani's
widow and always remember
dear Marcello and Hvorostovsky's
kisses on my cheeks.
One does not have to sound
like Birgit Nilsson to be a
great star. Regina Resnik's
teacher was Giuseppe Danise,
married to Sayao.One night,at
a Resnik Gioconda,Sayao spent
the whole intermission with us.
A DELIGHT!!!!
Some of you may be
acquainted with the
insane delusional people
on X-factor or American
Idol auditions. I watch more
Youtube because of the COVID.
I feel so NORMAL!!!!!
I am told that Norwegian
soprano Lise Davidsen is
new special star.
I have posted so much
over the years,I may do
some repeats..Well,who
remembers???
My darling friend,Diana Soviero
turned 80 Mar.19..like her Romeo,
Alberto Cupido...and my favorite
diva....my mother..Bless her!!!!
For me...the most
wonderful lady!!!!!
I knew Tebaldi...and I
guess I am blessed..but
I never met Magda...still
the lady was for me...special
GIUSTO CIELO!!!!
The greatest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBU1HmANoHw
I know Magda's caretaker,
and he said she sang around
the house after 100!.She was
a miracle in the lives of
hose who appreciate great
emotion in opera/
When she uttered the words
"Loris,ove sei" when I saw
her...it was as if the entire
theatre SHOOK!!! Not a
"Tebaldi voice" but like
Zeani,Muzio,Soviero,Favero,
she was all heart and soul!!!!
All one must do is to listen
to MY TAPE of the Olivero
Met 4/3/75 debut...at 65.
NO ONE like her. I used to
call her on birthdays...and
I consider her totally one of
the greatest singers EVER!!!!!
Many theatres are
playing this!!! I am
so sorry for the
people and wish
these courageous
people my LOVE!!
Not since my Tebaldi Met
Aida,has anyone been as
LOUD as the great Dolora!
Brava and happy birthday@@
There is just so much music
in life..I really had not seen
Diana's great Butterfly.I have
to find the cast. I did send
flowers and champagne for
the 80th birthday Mar.19.I
still consider the greatest since
Tebaldi, who did once kiss her.
I have never booed..even Baum.
Look..the Met hired him. Last
week a guy yelled at Brenda
Rae during the Zerbinetta
aria.."You have no technique."
They threw him out...but we
know of the loggionisti at
Scala and other people doing
things LIVE..I was too shy and
never yelled at Zinka that her
kicking her train and dust in
act two Tosca made me cough!!
VAT???? You BUM!!!!
When Dolora had me do a mini
Handelman master class for
her students,knowing I knew
the "good stuff," I said to her,
"It must be some great thrill
to sing the Judgement Scene!!"
Answer:"I just want to get the
notes out!!!!"
I made one Facebook post that
was rejected and so I am forced
HAPPILY to drive you crazy
much more,until they let me
post..GREAT FOR YOU!!!!
Martha Moedl had 3/22 birthday
and Alfred Poell was 3/18. I can
still SEE Moedl in 1957 in Walkure.
Had some flaws...but for me a
great MIRACLE!!!!!!!
On March 19, my darling
friend Diana Soviero turns
80..One of the greatest in
my life..When I called her
Tebaldi TWO..she said that
Renata once kissed her..Figures.
The 3/13/77 Mimi was a sensation
and we are friends forever..and
my mother, the other diva in my
life shares Mar.19!!!!
Just play the end of act 2
of this.I saw it in 1966.The
cast was sensational,but
at act 2 end,Ludwig was
stupendous!!!Bless her!
Ask me what was the
greatest perf.of my life.
It was 1966 Met Frau.where
Ludwig was a phenomenon!!!
Meester Baum, vy vas it
necessary to make Meester
Handelman to see you so
much..vell, it vas because
it vas with me...too much.
Sorry you suffered so much!
We just lost one of the
greatest singers I ever
heard..It was 1956, and I still
remember that great voice
in her Met Aida debut.I
adored her so much!!!!!
May we all hope and
pray for the great
people of the Ukraine.
Many countries are
singing their anthem
and feeling great
sympathy for these
courageous people.
On the great Eva Turner's
birthday...3/10/1892,here
are some great ladies in
Tosca.I saw Milanov,Callas,
Olivero,Tebaldi,Crespin,
Dessi,Radvanovsky,Galvany,
Roberti,Meier,Rigal,Nilsson,
Kirsten, and the GREAT
Olive Middleton...and a few
more
The next time I see my friend
Sondra Radvanovsky,I will
ask her how she could get
involved in this TRAVESTY!
It is even worse than the
Bieito Toilet bowl Ballo.
Are you tired of my all-time
favorite singer? I saw Zinka
88 times, and despite Baum,
it was in my opera life,the
greatest time...standing and
freezing!!!! Bless her!!!
Sweetest,nicest lady.
Nelly is so special and
in the class of Zeani,
Olivero,Favero,Soviero.Also,
Romanians are helping the
Ukrainian refugees.
On March 19th, my darling
friend Diana Soviero will be
80...and her Romeo,Alberto
Cupido will have his birthday.
When I met Diana at a great
Boheme in 1977, and sent her
the tape...she called me to
thank me on MARCH 19..
My MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY!
Two great divas in my life!!!
Remembering the famous
Mark Reizen,Ukranian basso.
May we all praise the most
courageous people of Ukrania
in a time of their suffering!
Of all the singers I have
seen live..Tucker remains
the greatest tenor for me.
I write to his sons often and
am happy to have thrilled to
his great voice.
I BET most of you guys
(girls??) have sung this.
I tried!!!! The greatest in
my life...and only B flat
was GINO PENNO!!!
I once taped 31 of them
LIVE...and then I did no.
31...I think I used an
umbrella for a sword.
NO ONE can tell me that Caruso
was not the GOD of singing. My
teacher,Jerry Lo Monaco,told me
That his teacher,Mr.Stanley,said
we only get 1/3!!!!!!! If he had
lived,imagine LIVE stuff!!!!
I met Diana Soviero on 3/13/77
and to this day I still say
she is Tebaldi TWO! She turns
80 on Mar.19 (my mother's
birthday!!)...Still has a voice
and renowned teacher.
My life has been so treasurable
knowing her!!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/467019241766609
https://www.facebook.com/groups/467019241766609
Many years ago, a student in
my Spanish class said that
his aunt sang opera.(BIG DEAL?)
It turned out to be a wonderful
singer and later a friend.I miss
her...wonderful lady!!!!
One of my many many groups
deals with singers not really
that well-known.Want the URL?
I will send it...Placido21@aol.com
I am in touch with Magda's
caretaker..He says she sang
around the house after 100.
She made it to 104, and I feel
she was one of the all-time
opera miracles!!! I called her
every birthday to hear that
"Verismo Italian."
My dear friends,
Those computer glitches
had plagued me, but I
think things are better. You have
been so loyal over the years
(over 2 million hits) and I wish
to keep going. The Pandemic
is to blame for my creating
many facebook groups.Also,
you may get in touch by going to
https://facebook.com/handelmani/
If you wish to chat,I can tell you the
URLS of some of the groups.
Stay Safe..and MASKED!!!!
Charlie
Computer glitches delayed
me in celebrating the 100th
birthday (2/1/22) of my darling
friend and LEGENDARY artist.
Little did we know.at her Met debut
on 1/31/55..that when we met her,
it was he BIRTHDAY. I called Italy
on Feb.1...Words fail me....My second
madre...Mom met her and she always
said, "Com'e la madre?" The last high
note in the Butterfly addio once caused
a friend to accidentally hit me in the
ribs in standing room..I almost fell!
She broke the roof of the MET! I
could go on forever..my beloved
Renata....adored forever!!!!!
As with almost every great
singer, you HAD TO BE THERE
LIVE....and Marcello was just
an amazing artist. I saw him in
Francesca,Edgar,Boheme,
Butterfly,Adriana,Tosca,
Pirata, Fanciulla (Zeani came)
and a master class.
Non posso scordare il
mio caro amico.
On this day, 1/25..I remember
with great affection, my dear
late friend, 1963..Marcello was
more than a great singer...with
that kind of "squillo" that was
so absent recently...he was such a
kind man, and today I think of
him so fondly. Con mio amore.
Carlo.....
For anyone who has been
living on another planet,I
present my birthday present to
myself(and Placido). You HAD
TO BE THERE!!!!
Feliz Cumpleanos!!!
Usted y yo celebramos
el 21 de enero. Can you
spare a few dollars???
On Jan.21, we celebrate the
birthdays of two of the most
famous stars of opera. One is
a true baritone, y muy pobre.
El otro es un poco rico, y piensa
que es baritono.. But Placido is
a great artist, and we may go
sin mascaras a la fuente en
Lincoln Centro y vamos a nadar,
cantando en celebracion!!
Soy un poco loco hoy...
Solamente hoy????
Not bad,Loretta.I do
hope you and Franco
are not having any more
spaghetti fights (with
sauce) in cielo.
They all sing it..So sick
of it...you must now hear
Sirach von Bodengraven,
from Denmark,where there
<
Happy New Year. Had a
few computer glitches
so hope to post more soon.
Stay Safe!!!! Love Charlie
To all you wonderful
people..I wish you a
Happy Holiday. If my
dear Renata was here,
she would wish you the
best....a lady whom I loved
so much. Charlie
We just lost this great
lady..The vocal production
is a bit "eccentric." but
she was amazing in many ways
and sang up to 73.
We tore programs at the
Met after Tebaldi and
Guelfi in Fanciulla. Her
"tre assi e un paio" was
scary!!!! I adore Barioni.
He is about 91.
In my life...TWO
SINGERS I have never
seen are my loves!!!!
Caruso and Lehmann.
This selection makes me
cwazy!!!
I only saw my fav.singer
88 times. NO ONE ever
thrilled me like Zinka.
"Vell..Novun ees better!!!"
Enrico and I wish you
all a wonderful Holiday.
Life has been hard these
days and I hope you are
all well. Love, Carlo
Maria Callas, 12/2/23
We never knew of the fabulous "Pirates" from 1949-1955,etc. when one day at a party with Maestro Armen Boyajian,Paul Plishka,Franco Gratale,etc... someone had a very poor sounding end of Aida act 2 with CALLAS taking E flat...Che cosa???? We went NUTS!!! I forget if the "second Mexico E flat lady" was there....Marisa Galvany,who did a "Second Callas" (E flats were unheard of in those days in Aida.)
We had heard many of the Angel commercial recordings, but there were no "pirates" to speak of at that time. Now we know her entire output(well,Loretta Corelli did have Fedora....but we never got it.)
However, as much as I knew of Callas, the 1956 Met debut was a disaster...I was shocked! Happily,in 1958 the Lucias and Traviatas were far better...but really the 1949-1955 "skinny" performances were to me a positive sensation....in ALL opera...and she could have done almost every role..imagine "Elektra!!"
Mme.de Hidalgo did not do quite enough, because the tremolo was there...but not bad until the later part of her career, and to me some singing (Poliuto)was almost unlistenable, despite the great artistry.
I love Moedl, Gencer, and other "flawed" sopranos, but when it come to the last note of the Cenerentola aria,I shudder......however, I would be a fool to deny the sensational lady's gift to opera, despite the well-known vocal problems.(and Onassis did not help.)
I always quote J.B. Steane's detailed account of her "Casta Diva" in "The Grand Tradition."...."As if in a trance..." We weigh vocal flaws differently....no question that she could be (for me) a disaster on top later on, but I forgive Moedl..don't I????
What we know is that,despite the controversies,the lady ranks Numero UNO to those who appreciate what she achieved....and on her birthday....so sad to think of her very early end.....we must treasure the great Maria....who loved to run home to watch "I love Lucia..Lucy.before VCR's!!!)
God bless her memory forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maria Callas, 12/2/23 We never knew of the fabulous "Pirates" from 1949-1955,etc. when one day at a party with Maestro Armen Boyajian,Paul Plishka,Franco Gratale,etc... someone had a very poor sounding end of Aida act 2 with CALLAS taking E flat...Che cosa???? We went NUTS!!! I forget if the "second Mexico E flat lady" was there....Marisa Galvany,who did a "Second Callas" (E flats were unheard of in those days in Aida.) We had heard many of the Angel commercial recordings, but there were no "pirates" to speak of at that time. Now we know her entire output(well,Loretta Corelli did have Fedora....but we never got it.) However, as much as I knew of Callas, the 1956 Met debut was a disaster...I was shocked! Happily,in 1958 the Lucias and Traviatas were far better...but really the 1949-1955 "skinny" performances were to me a positive sensation....in ALL opera...and she could have done almost every role..imagine "Elektra!!" Mme.de Hidalgo did not do quite enough, because the tremolo was there...but not bad until the later part of her career, and to me some singing (Poliuto)was almost unlistenable, despite the great artistry. I love Moedl, Gencer, and other "flawed" sopranos, but when it come to the last note of the Cenerentola aria,I shudder......however, I would be a fool to deny the sensational lady's gift to opera, despite the well-known vocal problems.(and Onassis did not help.) I always quote J.B. Steane's detailed account of her "Casta Diva" in "The Grand Tradition."...."As if in a trance..." We weigh vocal flaws differently....no question that she could be (for me) a disaster on top later on, but I forgive Moedl..don't I???? What we know is that,despite the controversies,the lady ranks Numero UNO to those who appreciate what she achieved....and on her birthday....so sad to think of her very early end.....we must treasure the great Maria....who loved to run home to watch "I love Lucia..Lucy.before VCR's!!!) God bless her memory forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so sick of everyone
singing this aria..but at
least someone can sing
it "differently." Gli enigmi
sono tre..Lui e pazzo!!!!
The other day I said to
Galvany,since her daughter
is not an opera lover, "If
my mommy had an E flat
I would be thrilled." No, it
is not to be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Olivia Stapp told me that
she attended an Isolde in
Germany where Moedl was
just about voiceless;yet, the
audience went wild... I can
understand this..For me,
if she read the Hamburg
Telephone Directory, I would
adore it.
Very few artists have thrilled
me as much as Martha Moedl.
From 1957 Walkure,I will
never forget her!!!!!!
Is he really a counter-tenor,
or perhaps a soprano or mezzo.
I wrote him and told him he
should sing Norma!!!!!
A darling friend for 55 years.
A GREAT artist, but was a
"controversial" singer, and did
not get proper recognition>I
tell you..audiences went wild!!!
I have put so much material
here.I hope I do not
repeat, but there are those
who have not seen all the
material. Galvany still has a D!
Harry was such fun, and dear
Sam is still so popular, and there
is a group in his honor. I am honored
to have sung with him.
Dear Virginia turned 96 last
month.One of the greats and
a dear friend.."La mia sorella.".
Note: I am catching up
on posting for you!!!!
I spoke to Galvany today.
She still has a D!!! Sam has
been close for years, and
Harry was so much fun.
Life must go one...we are
all getting ancient!!! Ramey
name left off!!!
I think that now Franco and
Loretta are having another
spaghetti fight (with sauce)
in CIELO!!! They had to
re-decorate the hotel room.
Quite an amazing singer.
Not really the usual
countertenor...quite
wonderful. I bet Marilyn
Horne loves it.
I know I am a crab,but
I think I know the difference
between this and most of
singers of today!!!!
DISCOVERY!!!!Not really
a typical countertenor.
Reminds me of how I sang
along with Caterina Mancini
at age 16.They almost called the
police!!!
Michael is a special guy.He
is one of the throwbacks to
my all-time favorites, and a
very nice guy.
Talk about excitement!
We do not have any Leonie's
today..(or Corellis,or Gobbis, or
the kind of excitement we loved.
The most incredibly exciting Leonie
made her farewell, knowing the end
was near. How we adored her!!
I had fallen so did not sit here
and post,but will catch up. I now
have 24 groups on Facebook and
if you wish links, E-mail me at
Placido21@aol.com. Be well in
this difficult time. Charlie
Here is the birthday boy
telling the Dallas audience
to SHUT UP..I agree;I hate
coughers.The opera was
DRISTAN. Someone needed
VICKS cough drops.
I hope you enjoy my dear
Virginia, one of opera's
great ladies. She sang over
70 roles, from Lucia to Aida
and Senta and a huge variety
of roles, and she still sings a
few high notes on the phone.
On October 21, we will
celebrate the 96th birthday
of my darling friend, the
wonderful Virginia Zeani.
I never have enough words
to express my love for this
wonderful lady, and one of
the great artists of opera.
How many singers can last
as long as the late great Edita
Gruberova? She did have a rather
"eccentric" vocal technique, but
she achieved greatness, and we
think affectionately of a great
lady who "let it all hang out."
Because I watch more TV,
and have Apple TV with my
Youtube, I have been watching
some real JUNK....sometimes
there is an opera person, but
mostly insane delusional people,
some of whom become FURIOUS
at losing. This is not opera,but I
wanted you to see that some
people (even opera singers) do not
realize they are unbearable.
I call my dear Virginia
to see how she is.She is
95,in a Florida facility.
One of the greats!!!!
Love German baritones and
basses. More people should
go to Youtube and/or Google
and discover them.
On Angela's birthday
(9/7/65) I post when
she met my darling Virginia.
They are very close!!!!!
For YEARS I have heard in
my ear Daniele Barioni
in the Butterfly section
at 29:40,where that middle
voice rivals Carreras,Gigli,
Di Stefano,Schmidt. Also
my adored Stella is the
soprano.
There are FIVE tenors
in my life whom I saw live
which I adored:Corelli,
Del Monaco;Tucker;Bergonzi
AND Daniele Barioni...such
a gorgeous voice..sometimes
pushed, but love the voice.
Of course, I do not want to
forget Beczala,Gedda,etc..but
I wanted to list five.
Pardon me...The post on opera
pirate craziness came out 2 times
by accident..and I have to
learn how to edit better.will do.
Hope you enjoyed it....
https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk004mBsAWECrB3UuI8f6aJ2sm61fnQ:1604156109463&q=zinka+milanov+rare+footage&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj4_8WYi9_sAhXJUt8KHdXuCfkQ1QIoAXoECCsQAg&biw=941&bih=626 FACT...Not opinion...... Anyone who cannot hear her greatness (even at 57) is DEAF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Pirati..but not Bellini I must tell you some tales of how crazy tape-pirates suffered and strained and might have gone to Alcatraz. You may know some stories..but they are TRUE...and often hilarious..Ok..Here goes..I am in a good mood since Cole struck out 15 Angels. 1. After meeting the great Soviero, I bought a Phallic microphone and so she was able to hear herself LIVE at City Opera. 2. Speaking of "Phallic," a friend was taping in Philadelphia opera from the orchestra..with the mike in his lap,pointing UP..Suddenly,the lady next to him did a "double take," thinking for a moment he was..... (No..he was not a standee). 3. Someone hung a mike on a wire down from a balcony!!!! Someone else pressed the wrong button on the machine (open reel then) for act 2..but got the end of act one..LOUD! 4. I had trouble at Olivero's Met debut,finding an empty bathroom stall..everyone was changing reels....Also, Carnegie finally clamped down on the Queler p[irates and one guy came out of the stall and his machine was confiscated!!!!! 5. Caballe knew her friends were taping..She got to the encores at a recital..and waited till then turned over the cassette. A friend, Bob Fazio, who used to make fun of German, until her married ONE...started to turn over a cassette at a pause in the Sacred silent Fischer-Dieskau Recital (YOU VILLL nicht breathe!!!!) and some people (from the Producers??) looked at him as if he vas Churchill!!!!! 6. I was late a few seconds for Act 3 of a Rigoletto(Pavarotti,Sutherland,Milnes) and you hear for a few seconds my word........well...it was really annoying to tape live...you had to concentrate on the dials, the mike not being seen (black thin cloth over it), not being reported (one lady did it once to me in a Mefistofele..but I then turned it back on.) 7. At a recent Netrebko Carnegie recital..I SWEAR a Russian lady,connected to MOSCOW, hld up her cell phone....!!!!! 8. Speaking of being nuts to tape...the Quler pirates made sure they sat in the front center of Carnegie to get the best sound for their future LP's of the Queler Performances. One night a trickster, during an intermission, HID one guy's machine..also another guy yelled from the balcony..Hey, Did you get a good tape! 9. One man became a MUMMY for a Carnegie Recital and placed mikes in between his two armpits (STEREO).. No breathing.... 10. They once rigged up a machine in the car in the garage next to Carnegie with wireless capabilities to the person's Carnegie machine...but on the tape..you hear.."Hey, Joe...where should we park it?) As Anna Russell said, "I'm not making this up, you know!!!!!!! Who tapes now??No Zinka..no Baum...and even though you can tape VIDEO.....so much is on Youtube...you just have to relax and enjoy the opera,withoput worrying you will end up like Al Capone. I thought of two more: So as not to loose music,the trick was to quickly,at the end of a reel, put the empty one in your TEETH and hold the other and turn....BUT one night at Carnegie...it slipped out of a guy's mouth..and the reel went up the aisle..bump...bump...bump... By the way,,,,every single singer LOVED Pirates..maybe a rumor of one or two objecting...but Rosen spread Carreras..I spread Soviero and Galvany...but i nevr got a PENNY from those cheapies. One little tidbit..It may have nothing to do with taping.... Above Armen Boyajian's Manhattan opera apartment and studio, one of the pirates was murdered by his boyfriend.... Gee..maybe they should have put out some live tape of "La Morte di La Pirata" decomposed by Giuseppe Finocchio. I Pirati..but not Bellini I must tell you some tales of how crazy tape-pirates suffered and strained and might have gone to Alcatraz. You may know some stories..but they are TRUE...and often hilarious..Ok..Here goes..I am in a good mood since Cole struck out 15 Angels. 1. After meeting the great Soviero, I bought a Phallic microphone and so she was able to hear herself LIVE at City Opera. 2. Speaking of "Phallic," a friend was taping in Philadelphia opera from the orchestra..with the mike in his lap,pointing UP..Suddenly,the lady next to him did a "double take," thinking for a moment he was..... (No..he was not a standee). 3. Someone hung a mike on a wire down from a balcony!!!! Someone else pressed the wrong button on the machine (open reel then) for act 2..but got the end of act one..LOUD! 4. I had trouble at Olivero's Met debut,finding an empty bathroom stall..everyone was changing reels....Also, Carnegie finally clamped down on the Queler p[irates and one guy came out of the stall and his machine was confiscated!!!!! 5. Caballe knew her friends were taping..She got to the encores at a recital..and waited till then turned over the cassette. A friend, Bob Fazio, who used to make fun of German, until her married ONE...started to turn over a cassette at a pause in the Sacred silent Fischer-Dieskau Recital (YOU VILLL nicht breathe!!!!) and some people (from the Producers??) looked at him as if he vas Churchill!!!!! 6. I was late a few seconds for Act 3 of a Rigoletto(Pavarotti,Sutherland,Milnes) and you hear for a few seconds my word........well...it was really annoying to tape live...you had to concentrate on the dials, the mike not being seen (black thin cloth over it), not being reported (one lady did it once to me in a Mefistofele..but I then turned it back on.) 7. At a recent Netrebko Carnegie recital..I SWEAR a Russian lady,connected to MOSCOW, hld up her cell phone....!!!!! 8. Speaking of being nuts to tape...the Quler pirates made sure they sat in the front center of Carnegie to get the best sound for their future LP's of the Queler Performances. One night a trickster, during an intermission, HID one guy's machine..also another guy yelled from the balcony..Hey, Did you get a good tape! 9. One man became a MUMMY for a Carnegie Recital and placed mikes in between his two armpits (STEREO).. No breathing.... 10. They once rigged up a machine in the car in the garage next to Carnegie with wireless capabilities to the person's Carnegie machine...but on the tape..you hear.."Hey, Joe...where should we park it?) As Anna Russell said, "I'm not making this up, you know!!!!!!! Who tapes now??No Zinka..no Baum...and even though you can tape VIDEO.....so much is on Youtube...you just have to relax and enjoy the opera,withoput worrying you will end up like Al Capone. I thought of two more: So as not to loose music,the trick was to quickly,at the end of a reel, put the empty one in your TEETH and hold the other and turn....BUT one night at Carnegie...it slipped out of a guy's mouth..and the reel went up the aisle..bump...bump...bump... By the way,,,,every single singer LOVED Pirates..maybe a rumor of one or two objecting...but Rosen spread Carreras..I spread Soviero and Galvany...but i nevr got a PENNY from those cheapies. One little tidbit..It may have nothing to do with taping.... Above Armen Boyajian's Manhattan opera apartment and studio, one of the pirates was murdered by his boyfriend.... Gee..maybe they should have put out some live tape of "La Morte di La Pirata" decomposed by Giuseppe Finocchio.
It was 1961. I made my
debut with Paul Plishka
in Forza Marchese,Melitone).
Look who made it???? Paul has
*been a great singer, despite *
some severe tragedies in the
family. Love you,dear Paul!
I blame the Pandemic for
having me watch more on
Youtube. I am totally
SHOCKED that some
individuals are furious
when they lack any talent.
I also cannot understand
British English!!!!
I wish someone would
teach a parrot Hojotoho
or Di Quella Pira. Look,I
have a rhino that sings
all of Pelleas.
I am always so sad at the
loss of these wonderful
singers. I write to Marcello's
widow and hope she will
do as best she can. Dmitri
and Marcello were pure GOLD!
Next time they do a Ring,
I will run up on the stage
and do Wotan. Look, I know
some old Met standees who
would be great Rhinemaidens.
(Even some girls also)
I prefer a heavier voice
but these days...there are
no Eva Turners or Birgit
Nilssons. Her husband is
the Calaf. (Yucch!!)
I always say that Tebaldi
was "la mia madre" and
now my dear 95 yr.old
Virginia Zeani has become
so close to me. We speak
often,and she is in a nice
facility in Florida. I feel she
has been one of the all-time
greatest singers.
I wrote to Travis Pratt,
now a tenor, after I saw
this. I expected RAP and
got this..He is a nice guy
and most unusual...
Marcello Giordani left
us too soon. He was a
wonderful tenor and a dear
man.I write often on chat
to his widow. We must
never forget those we have lost.
It is my intention on my
various sites to acquaint
people with "lesser-known"
singers..There are so many
and I know you appreciate them.
E flat!!!!! I love it!!!!
Nice lady and huge voice.
I did not know she had
an E flat!!~
https://www.facebook.com/groups/801295193909819
You might enjoy one of my 12 groups.....
https://www.facebook.com/groups/801295193909819
The "God of singing"
Enrico Caruso,tragically
died at 48...100 yrs.ago
8/2/21...NO ONE can ever
sing like this great man!!!
Edita Gruberova had a rather
"eccentric" vocal sound, but
she was amazing, and people
traveled all over to hear her.
I never saw him, but am told
the voice was exciting.Whenever
we hear thunder, we know he
is singing in heaven!
I was 15 and the first singer
I ever saw live was Mario
in my first opera, Aida.I saw
him 40 times, and the man
was sensational.He had a
"bronze column of sound"
from bottom to top.Loved this
man.He once came out and
said,"Hello,boys" in my poor
little ear!!!!
I have been so happy to have
sung in various opera groups,
and have enjoyed some fine
artists (like Sam Ramey,Paul
Plishka, and Marisa Galvany)
BUT some people live in a world
of their own..like Sue...who also
does the E flat in the Aida which
I think I have published. She vocalizes
on our NY bridge and therefore
this accounts for many auto crashes.
Mio Dio!!!!!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCES6h-GjCki9eZg4gNu5fLg/videos
I found this.I hope you enjoy
some of my old videos.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCES6h-GjCki9eZg4gNu5fLg/videos
When I taught languages
I would do little plays with
the kids. This is not our
best effort, but it was so
adorable to have the kids
do this Barbiere Scene. I
sang many Bartolos (one with
Ramey) so I was familiar with
this. LOVE KIDS!!!
Because of the Pandemic,
I have been doing much
more posting and have
made several groups.I
sent you the "Commedia"
URL and will send others
in case you wish to take
advantage of the postings.
Here is another, and I will
be sending more if you wish
to join the groups or just
enjoy the clips. Be SAFE!!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/342656360932112
https://www.facebook.com/groups/342656360932112
https://www.facebook.com/groups/801295193909819
Go here!!!!!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/801295193909819
I was there when she
kissed the old Met stage.
She made it to 105.Licia
was born on 7/22/13. Last
time I saw her, we walked
together and I mentioned
the Boheme w.Gigli, I felt
I was walking with HISTORY!!!!
Just one of the most
remarkable examples
of great singing. I place
him with Gigli,Carreras
and Bjoerling for the
beauty of tone.
Buon compleanno!! Il
gran tenore,Giuseppe
di Stefano!!!! Incredibile
but he made some bad
vocal decisions. Still,he
had a sensational voice.
My friend and favorite
singer Piotr and a great
new tenor...I hope Kevin
can achieve Piotr's fame.
Nicest guy!!!!!!!
How lucky to work with a
great lady..and a sweet
person. Hope he goes
far..Superb voice!
Here is the great man at 72.
We never realized that he
would emerge as one of
the greatest singers ever,.
I saw him 5 years later, and
the man was amazing.
The only time I ever was able
to chat online with the dear
widow of a great singer who
left us so early.A tragedy but
we will always remember dear
Marcello who laughed when
I said "Oh..you, sang Deek and
his Johnson!!!. Wilma Ahrens
is a gallant lady and I try to
do what I can..but so difficult.
He was great!!!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/209473504400675
If anyone wishes to join,
here is the URL. Great artists!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/209473504400675
Over the years, you come
to find the very special
operatic moments that
thrill!!! Di Stefano,in 1950,
sounds like the greatest, but
sadly he made errors in his
technique, but still the man
was fabulous.
My best Boheme,especially
the Taddei/Carteri scene in
act 3.Just the tender way
thjat he says "Entrate" is a
thrill, and she is superb.
We do NOT have emotion
in opera these days..
Her caretaker says she
sang around the house
after 100.For me, the
great miracle of singing.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marcello+giordani+tenor
Wonderful man..I miss him so
much.I write a lot to his
dear wife.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marcello+giordani+tenor
When I posted on Burzio
and others, I FORGOT
something I probably
posted..MY TAPE of the
sensational Met debut
of Magda Olivero, at 65.
One of the TREASURES
of my life!!!!!
I am of the intolerant
opinion that today,there
are NO sopranos in the class
of Burzio,Zeani,Spani,Scuderi,
Soviero,Favero,Muzio,etc.
They want it "generic!!!"
Mark Reizen 6/21/1895.
Met had awful Tanovitski
but this great man was a
GIANT, even at 90!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/207148584603823
I knew Regina 55 yrs...and her
son Michael is so happy to
see mom spread all over.
Come join us.Next new
forum will be called
"Singers who never have
should have quit their
day job!!!!!"
https://www.facebook.com/groups/207148584603823
https://www.facebook.com/groups/495890038504453
I know more about her than anyone,
plus the crazy rumors..and you
get great photos and of course
Charlie at 19 looking in the limo.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/495890038504453
Little by little, I will
catch up on many
birthdays of artists.
Two of them I just called
send love to all those
who never forget them.
How could anyone forget
I am the unpaid nostalgia
agent for Zeani and Soviero,
plus join my new Milanov and
Resnik forums!!!!!!
Avec amour!! Charlie
Diva Day I just wanted you all to know that Zeani and Soviero both send love to you.They know,as their unpaid agent, that I never let you rest when I rant and rave over them. Diana teaches like mad, and I told her and Virginia that they need to come back to the Met!! Diana was upset especially, since she knew Rolandi, and you know I was talking to a friend about City opera divas..Diana,Rolandi,Welting,Putnam,and others who were so wonderful and others we know who put opera today to SHAME!!! Diana,still with a voice, has been my second Tebaldi, vocally and personally. Lucky me to have heard these great artists who were the joys of my opera life.
Current stats:
2.093,066 "hits"
247.717 different
people have seen/heard
these podcasts. I am thrilled
to do this for you.,
Error; from end of a message...
Soviero and Galvany never paid
me a dime for being their
unpaid agent."
Join my Milanov forum.I gave you an article I just did.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/495890038504453
never paid me a dime for being
their "unpaid agent."
BLESS YOU ALL!@!@!!
Zinka Milanov in Opera Quarterly In the Spring Issue of Opera Quarterly in 1990, there are several articles on Zinka Milanov. I intend to quote some sections little by little, but I will start by listing the 34 opera roles she did, from 1927 (Trovatore) to 1956 (Ernani). Oh, to hear her in some of the ones we never heard would be a joy, especially to see her acting in Fanciulla! In order they are as follows: Trovatore,Faust,Butterfly,Tosca,Aida,L'Amore de tre Re,Lohengrin,Ballo,Turandot,Manon Lescaut,Walkure (Sieglinde),Tannhauser, ,Fidelio,Mefistofele,Boccanegra Juive, Tabarro, Ban Leget,Fanciulla,Rosenkavalier,Pique Dame,Libuse,Porin,Wm.Tell,Oganj,Chenier,Gioconda, Louise,Norma (first new role at Met 1939),Don Giovanni (Anna),Otello,Forza,Ernani. Mio Dio!!! I would go insane to hear so many, although I did prefer the vocal quality after 1950. I did see her in 12 of these roles, and half of the Verdi Requiem, plus some Ballo and Chenier rehearsals, totalling 90 and a half shows. Think of that voice in act three Walkure as Brunnhilde hands her the broken sword, or Elsa's Dream, or Depuis le Jour, or Minnie's Card Scene. (I vant to cheeeeat!),or jumping into a vat of Manischewitz VINE at the end of La Juive, or "Abscheulischer," or did she take the entrance D flat in Butterfly, and did she kick the Kimono??... . I will present eventually some quotes,but what a shame Bruce Burroughs never wrote the book. Also, could anyone actually PROVE a couple of the stories, except for the one I know,when she smelled the chickens and the butcher threw her out,or not signing my "unposed" but gorgeous Chenier duet with Tucker at the old Met closing. Especially, why she really cancelled the Leonora to allow Resnik to make an unscheduled debut...and she said, (as Resnik did her better than her) "I vas neyver seek." I heard two separate versions...but who knows??? I was trying to think of doing another forum, but I do not know anyone the way i knew her. The paradox is that she was in no way "lovable" like so many other singers, but look, how many artists of fame were like Joan Crawford??? n
They once said that McCormack
said to Caruso, "How is the
world's greatest tenor?" They
said Caruso replied, "I did not
know you became a baritone!"
That may be true..but listen to
the last high piano note here
and it is GLORIOUS!!!
On this Fathers' Day I
pay loving tribute to two
wonderful artists whom
I knew and who left us too
soon. Marcello always talked
about how some people did
not love his "squillo" as did
I, and the two "Russian kisses"
I always got on my cheeks from
Dmitri were so affectionate.
I always write on chat to Wilma,
Mrs.Giordani, a courageous lady,
and I wish all you DADDIES my best.
The Pandemic forces me to do
more posts for you...and more
coming.( over 2 million now.)
My ma danced in the Follies
in the 1930's, and her dear
friend was Jimmie Durante.
Rudolf Bing fired the great
Helen Traubel(6/16/1898)
because she sang with Durante.
My ma eventually came to love
opera, met Tebaldi and other
artists.
A beautiful performance
of Verdi's opera,with
Svetlana Vassileva, Renato
Bruson(still can sing now),
and Facebook friend, fine tenor
Evan Bowers.
Catching up on recent
birthdays.It was so very
sad that Jerry killed himself
over terrible depression. With
my dear Soviero and Leo Nucci,
still active today.
My darling 95 yr.old friend,
Virginia Zeani, sings to her
"daddy." Note the one word
"caro," which represents the
kind of emotion that is so
special.We speak often on
the phone.
Dragana Del Monako,related
to the Del Monaco family, had
ingested perhaps valium.I do
not think she was drunk. The
poor tenor!!!!
I am of the opinion, at times
seeming intolerant, that in
this era of mostly "pretty"
singing, that Burzio represents
the kind of emotional output
that belongs to Zeani,Muzio,
Favero,Albanese,Scuderi,Scotto,
Soviero,Spani,Callas and others.
this era
Galvany always said that her
"controversial" voice would
have been more appreciated
had Callas been around longer.
Audiences did go wild over
dear Marisa...and I was so
thrilled in Bolena rehearsals
to look down her throat on her
D and E flat....
One of the treasures of my
life is to be friendly, since
our 1965 Iolantha, and later
Anna Bolena, with Marisa
Galvany (one of many names)
She still has a D!!!!! Love her!!!
I had a friend who would
"laugh" at the incredible
Titta Ruffo.Caruso did
not sing much with him...I
wonder why????
This called "Flash Mob"
Do you have it in your
country??? I think I
will go,after the Pandemic,
with Diana Soviero and do
Faust Church Scene. We both
still can sing!!!! We can do
it in Walmart, where almost
everyone is INSANE!!!!
Dear friends,
In this troubled time,we
must try to enjoy even a
limited number of things.
Posting to you and to
other sites helps me and
I hope all of your are bearing
up as is dear Virginia Zeani,
in a Florida facility at 95.
Love to you all!!!!! Carlo
Yesterday on Facebook, I got
a new friend by the name of
Cecilia Gobbi, daughter of'
the great man. She liked this
clever video. I wish we had
more like this!!!!!
Superb Swedish baritone.
NEVER neglect the great singers.
Someone said that I live in the
past..Foolish..there is no end
to the wonderful artists that
were treasures!!!
I forgot the real Bartoli,
The other one makes
his/her debut at Covent
Garden next year. These days
countertenors abound!!!
Such a sweet lady.I really
found her so darling and
great talent. Placido Domingo
and Pavol Breslik join her.
LOVE Aragall, here with
Marton,Wixell.He was a
nervous guy, but the voice
was so gorgeous!!!!!
Virginia told me how she
loved him.I was brought up
on his Cetra operas. Not
a gorgeous voice, but
incredibly exciting.
Sweet guy. Told me "I can
see in your eyes how much
you love opera." He did leave
her and now married a
"normal" diva,Alexandra
Kurzak/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/495890038504453
I just made a Zinka Milanov site..
She was my all-time favorite
singer of those I saw (88 times.)
Come and join us!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/495890038504453
Sorry,folks.I will never
stop telling you there
are no GIANTS today.
Mario tries some pianos,
really good.
I wish you great people
a Happpppy Mothers' Day.
I hope your ma remembers
if you are really her kid.
I always listed to the Corelli
Poliuto, and never thought
I would have the thrills of
another great tenor..Now
we are blessed to have dear
Michael Fabiano,fast becoming
one of the world's great singers,
and you know I have heard them
all!! Happy Birthday!!!
Nice to communicate on
Facebook with nice divas
and let others appreciate
them.My new friend!
Perhaps you do not cherish
terrible funny singing but this
crazy lady has 125 videos,all
lipstinked. ADDIO DEL PASSATO
and E TARDI!!!!!
We did not realize in the
early days how wonderful
Peters was..accurate and a
fine artist..and the voice was
so brilliant. I met her twice
and she was so sweet!!!!!
On her birthday,the huge
voiced Dimitrova. My dentist
had her as a patient. Imagine
looking down her throat!!! I
did that when Galvany and Ramey
and I rehearsed Bolena. Marisa
had a mike down there!!!
Only later did we realize
what a great man he was.
At 77 I saw a recital.The man
was sensational!!!
Enzo Sordello, Apr.20/27 sang
Lucia with Callas. She could not
hold the D in the duet.Well,he
held his note...and they say
she had him FIRED!!!!
Maria...tu sei orribille!!!!
On Facebook, the wonderful
Warren Moulton, has a site
with over 10,000 members
entitled "Dead Tenors." More
people should investigate the
"so-called" less-familiar singers.
It is incredible how many you
find.
Only Cossotto and Sondra
Radvanovsky sound live
as they were sitting next
me. AMAZING resonance.
Del Monaco too!!!!
Like the great Martha Moedl
one can be a sensation without
a gorgeous voice.We lost him
last year.LOVE HIM!
Very famous Astrid Varnay
in Jenufa w. Cochran,Cox
Hillebrecht. She was to be
a standee at the Met.They
called her the night before.
She NEVER sang an opera.
She replaced Lehmann on
the Walkure Matinee,instead
of standing..Why could that
not have happened to me???
Christa Ludwig, a MEZZO,
was an absolute marvel.
Boehm made a small cut.
It was 1966 and I think it
was the greatest all-around
show in my LIFE!!!!!
The GREAT Leonard Warren
4/21/11 until I saw him
die before me on 3/4/60.
I see it now...so tragic!!
La Morte de un Fenomeno
Alfred Hubay's detailed account of the death of the great Leonard Warren is posted, but since I was there, I thought I would give you my views as an audience member.
It was Tebaldi's return on Mar.4, 1960 and for whatever reason, I had a ticket to upstairs standing room, where you had to run like mad to get one of the few spots in the Family Circle where you could see.
Warren sounded as great as always in the "Urna fatale" and just as it ended i turned slightly toward my friend as if to say, "Here comes the sensational high A flat." Roald Reiten entered on stage left and announced, "Lieta novello, e salvo!" The music started before the cabaletta..Warren sang "E salvo..o gioja..." and fell!!!
He was dead immediately, but someone came out and said he was ill and there would be an intermission. No one left...Suddenly, to a GROAN, Bing came out and said, "This is the saddest night in the history of the Met.
My friends and I could not leave..we had a sandwich and just sat there stunned.When I got home, my mother already knew...it had been on radio.
Mar.5,before the Dutchman overture, Thomas Schippers conducted the last act Traviata prelude in Warren's memory. We went to a great Chenier that evening....but nothing could adequately erase the memory of that terrible tragedy.
The man was as close to perfection as any singer I ever heard;as a person, I hear some personal negative tales...but that means nothing because he was a KING in his field.....I see it before me right now....God Rest His Soul!!!!!
La Morte de un Fenomeno Alfred Hubay's detailed account of the death of the great Leonard Warren is posted, but since I was there, I thought I would give you my views as an audience member. It was Tebaldi's return on Mar.4, 1960 and for whatever reason, I had a ticket to upstairs standing room, where you had to run like mad to get one of the few spots in the Family Circle where you could see. Warren sounded as great as always in the "Urna fatale" and just as it ended i turned slightly toward my friend as if to say, "Here comes the sensational high A flat." Roald Reiten entered on stage left and announced, "Lieta novello, e salvo!" The music started before the cabaletta..Warren sang "E salvo..o gioja..." and fell!!! He was dead immediately, but someone came out and said he was ill and there would be an intermission. No one left...Suddenly, to a GROAN, Bing came out and said, "This is the saddest night in the history of the Met. My friends and I could not leave..we had a sandwich and just sat there stunned.When I got home, my mother already knew...it had been on radio. Mar.5,before the Dutchman overture, Thomas Schippers conducted the last act Traviata prelude in Warren's memory. We went to a great Chenier that evening....but nothing could adequately erase the memory of that terrible tragedy. The man was as close to perfection as any singer I ever heard;as a person, I hear some personal negative tales...but that means nothing because he was a KING in his field.....I see it before me right now....God Rest His Soul!!!!!
Enzo Sordello was born on 4/20/27
but ( at 56:15) some nasty
diva had him fired for holding
a note,after she could not.
Povero baritono!!!!!!
Here is another "less-known"
singer. I have to post more,
especially since the virus has
kept me home.
I note now over 2 million
"hits" since I started this
site, and I am so grateful
to you all!!!!!
Pavarotti's impressions
of Corelli!!! Sad that we
do not have their kind
of singing now. I love
Fabiano,Camarena, and
Beczala, but these guys
were legendary!
So sorry the virus closed
the Met, but we have our
beloved memories of a
great era...and the duet
is in the high key.
Saw him 40 times.
I have a dear friend
who said he was a
sweetheart...yes,he
was temperamental!
So what!!!!!
On Apr.8, 1921 a great
singer,whom we miss so
much,was born.Here he is
with the great Renata!!
When I was teaching in
high school,I sent this 16
year old kid to my teacher.
Now,the "kid" from Zinka's
land has had a career!!!!!!
I have put dear Mme.Lynn here
previously. I know you will
still adore her.When I played
her Traviata letter, Soviero
almost fell off my couch!
She coaches now with Ponselle.
Some day these singers
will make me rich,since I
choose to be their "unpaid
agent."Galvany and Soviero
owe me a fortune!!!!!!
Great moment with the
two Anjas.Harteros as the
Sieglinde and Anja Kempe
as Brunnhilde.
I become very angry when
some people say that I
live "in the past." We MUST
respect the greats of all
generations,and discover
many superb artists.
On Facebook,I get requests
from singers and others.
I write them after seeing
their page and often discover
new talent.
Earlier Zinka,but I did see
5 in 1954.There were some
bad top notes,but my all-time
favorite singer still was a
great thrill.
It was 1970.This new guy Sam
Ramey opened his mouth at
our first Bolena rehearsal. Did
we know his career would be
one of the greatest. We had
fun in Barbiere,and also we were in Hoffman. Sam is so dear!!!!!
Magda,il miracolo
One could say Magda Olivero had an "old voice" in a sense.....Well,let us think of the great divas like Moedl as an example...who could read the dictionary and be as beloved.
I saw Fedora and Tosca in Newark, and her Met debut on Apr.3,1975. You had to RUN to the bathroom to change reels(No cassettes then).
I saw people from the olden days...and one lady said to a friend, "This looks like a gay bar!!!!!!!!" (Like the Milanov club, "not a man in sight.")
Her voice projected magnificently and the "Vissi d'arte"(my tape on youtube) put any diva to shame....that ending is so difficult....but on the 'Rimuuuuuuneri" cosi...it was heaven.
I am so glad I spoke to her a few times on birthdays and my dear friend David Spiro visited her several times....an angel!!!!!
God Bless the memory of dear Magda,who was a veritable "miracolo"
Magda,il miracolo One could say Magda Olivero had an "old voice" in a sense.....Well,let us think of the great divas like Moedl as an example...who could read the dictionary and be as beloved. I saw Fedora and Tosca in Newark, and her Met debut on Apr.3,1975. You had to RUN to the bathroom to change reels(No cassettes then). I saw people from the olden days...and one lady said to a friend, "This looks like a gay bar!!!!!!!!" (Like the Milanov club, "not a man in sight.") Her voice projected magnificently and the "Vissi d'arte"(my tape on youtube) put any diva to shame....that ending is so difficult....but on the 'Rimuuuuuuneri" cosi...it was heaven. I am so glad I spoke to her a few times on birthdays and my dear friend David Spiro visited her several times....an angel!!!!! God Bless the memory of dear Magda,who was a veritable "miracolo"
My darling Diana as
Juliette...and her Romeo
was another Mar.19 birthday,
Alberto Cupido.....
Tale of the Soviero Pardon me as I gush forth, but some experiences stay with you forever, such as hearing Milanov and Tebaldi live, or Magda Olivero's Met debut. I wish to relate my very first exposure to our Mar.19 birthday lady and I trust you will not run for valium...or Immodium. My dear late buddy,Bill Bondar, liked opera (not nutty like yours truly),but told me he had seen a Paglicci at City opera in 1977 with someone named Diana Soviero. Bill and I always laughed when I said to myself, "Well,I saw the greatest....how good could she be?" I liked Mauro, so on Mar.13, 1977,I attended La Boheme . As we know, Mimi begins "scusi" and then enters and SUDDENLY the very jaded Charlie,who had seen Tebaldi,De Los Angeles, and Albanese, not to mention recordings of Muzio and my sister Zeani, heard "Oh,sventata,sventata" and I almost fell to my death of the third ring at Koch theatre (whatever it was called...oh yes,the Koch Ring.) RENATA NUMERO DUE!!!! This luscious voice, with warmth and feeling for the vocal line,brilliant top register, and what I had NOT heard for ages, just gave me the kind of sudden thrill that I experienced at Zinka's "Enzo adorato" or Baum's high C. No list then...I ran backstage and said, Who are you??Not since Tebaldi have I heard anything like this." She said, "Tebaldi once kissed me!!." Well, that figured!!!! I told her I would send her my illegal tape (probably with lots of my yelling) and on MARCH 19,she called me and told me it was her birthday .....and I said, "and my mother's!!!) Last time we met was with dear Bill and took her to Fiorello's,across from where we had met..We adored the tale of the courtroom,which was a cross between the Ring and a Joan Crawford fim...and a bit of Elektra. Bless my two divas, who made my life so happy. 1 comment Comments *
Tale of the Soviero Pardon me as I gush forth, but some experiences stay with you forever, such as hearing Milanov and Tebaldi live, or Magda Olivero's Met debut. I wish to relate my very first exposure to our Mar.19 birthday lady and I trust you will not run for valium...or Immodium. My dear late buddy,Bill Bondar, liked opera (not nutty like yours truly),but told me he had seen a Paglicci at City opera in 1977 with someone named Diana Soviero. Bill and I always laughed when I said to myself, "Well,I saw the greatest....how good could she be?" I liked Mauro, so on Mar.13, 1977,I attended La Boheme. As we know, Mimi begins "scusi" and then enters and SUDDENLY the very jaded Charlie,who had seen Tebaldi,De Los Angeles, and Albanese, not to mention recordings of Muzio and my sister Zeani, heard "Oh,sventata,sventata" and I almost fell to my death of the third ring at Koch theatre (whatever it was called...oh yes,the Koch Ring.) RENATA NUMERO DUE!!!! This luscious voice, with warmth and feeling for the vocal line,brilliant top register, and what I had NOT heard for ages, just gave me the kind of sudden thrill that I experienced at Zinka's "Enzo adorato" or Baum's high C. No list then...I ran backstage and said, Who are you??Not since Tebaldi have I heard anything like this." She said, "Tebaldi once kissed me!!." Well, that figured!!!! I told her I would send her my illegal tape (probably with lots of my yelling) and on MARCH 19,she called me and told me it was her birthday .....and I said, "and my mother's!!!) Last time we met was with dear Bill and took her to Fiorello's,across from where we had met..We adored the tale of the courtroom,which was a cross between the Ring and a Joan Crawford fim...and a bit of Elektra. Bless my two divas, who made my life so happy. Has to repeat some of this...something fouled up 1 comment Comments Alina Zamfir
Be careful not to turn up
the volume or she will
destroy your speakers!
Sensational!!!!!
Not since Zinka Milanov
have I had any dealing
with Croatia. I called
Marin,now 15, and am
sending him clips to
help him to learn more
about singing.It was a thrill
to speak to him and his
lovely mother.
Sam told me that as a young
singer he saw this "skinny"
guy backstage. He opened
his mouth and as we know
Sam inherited many of the
roles of the great Treigle.
Sam has been a buddy since
our Bolena and Barber.
My aim is to acquaint others
her and on all Facebook sites
with the "less famous" artists.
There are so many great singers
the average opera lover may not
know. 3/6/1890 Belgian tenor.
The Norma gong was a garbage can cover sprayed copper with spray paint. When Olive banged it, it went “chunk… chunk...chunk”. We howled almost as loudly as the chorus it inspired to arrive on stage - with monk’s robes, eyeglasses (the Gall branch of Cohen’s Optical?), spears, and shields with the music taped on the back.
Yes, the Valkyries also used that scores on the back of shields trick. And yes, Olive had a flashlight - and a cane - as Sieglinde, and had to leave the stage for a while, because her leopard skin schmatah was falling off. Big BIG safety pin fixed that. The siegmund had sung Nemorino the week before. The Gioconda Dance of the Hours was performed by one septuagenarian woman with a scarf. Should have been renamed, Dance of the Years. During the 2 Forzas I lived through, I had to take a break before Olive’s “Pace, pace” and go to the Howard Johnson’s nearby (this was at the Palm Gardens on W. 52 St) to have a coffee milkshake to regain my strength, exhausted from laughing, so I would have the energy to get through Act IV. The “Pace” took all her strength and mine. The Miserere lived up to its name, but Olive did the Kitty Carlisle high C, which made it more than worth it. Bella was the name of the chorus woman who, inexplicably in a Cavalleria peasant costume no matter the opera, made the speech about donations. She also looked out into the audience one night during her spiel and (pace Anna Russell) said - “Boys, why don’t you bring your girlfriends?!” That probably got the biggest laugh of the night - and that was BEFORE the opera started. Those were indeed the days. Miss it desperately. So lucky I was told to go there. The Norma gong was a garbage can cover sprayed copper with spray paint. When Olive banged it, it went “chunk… chunk...chunk”. We howled almost as loudly as the chorus it inspired to arrive on stage - with monk’s robes, eyeglasses (the Gall branch of Cohen’s Optical?), spears, and shields with the music taped on the back. Yes, the Valkyries also used that scores on the back of shields trick. And yes, Olive had a flashlight - and a cane - as Sieglinde, and had to leave the stage for a while, because her leopard skin schmatah was falling off. Big BIG safety pin fixed that. The siegmund had sung Nemorino the week before. The Gioconda Dance of the Hours was performed by one septuagenarian woman with a scarf. Should have been renamed, Dance of the Years. During the 2 Forzas I lived through, I had to take a break before Olive’s “Pace, pace” and go to the Howard Johnson’s nearby (this was at the Palm Gardens on W. 52 St) to have a coffee milkshake to regain my strength, exhausted from laughing, so I would have the energy to get through Act IV. The “Pace” took all her strength and mine. The Miserere lived up to its name, but Olive did the Kitty Carlisle high C, which made it more than worth it. Bella was the name of the chorus woman who, inexplicably in a Cavalleria peasant costume no matter the opera, made the speech about donations. She also looked out into the audience one night during her spiel and (pace Anna Russell) said - “Boys, why don’t you bring your girlfriends?!” That probably got the biggest laugh of the night - and that was BEFORE the opera started. Those were indeed the days. Miss it desperately. So lucky I was told to go there.
Only a BORE would not need DEPENDS I have previously posted on the hilarious La Puma opera co. but I recently went toward the Koch Bridge and there was a travel agency named "La Puma." No, Olive did not come out, but it reminded me of those hysterical days,sadly gone, of how we were finally thrown out of the junior high where La Puma performed. New members here...go to "Days and Nights of La Puma' and you will be...not sure... So here is a little repost of what I saw or knew from others: 1. 65 plus chorus lady in Aida with wristwatch ( 8:00 P.M. Memphis Standard Time??) 2. Prompter in Faust offstage screaming the words. 3. Sacristan entering in Tosca and,in time with the faster music, shaking his ass back and forth. 4.Our first time..Otello w.baritone Americo Iorio, getting up on JHS table for the drinking song, and falling off.(We then told all our friends...MY GOD..YOU GOTTA COME!!!!" 5. Walkure on Youtube act 2 prelude....and conductor stops and then goes on, and they tell me Olive Middleton had a flashlight in act one (Sieglinde, it is DARK and you were Hunding for Siegmund.) 6. Walkure again..Music on the ladies shields. 7. Norma- 75 yr.old Olive tried to ring the Norma gong..finally does it, to great applause. (We met her at a Milanov Gioconda and treated her like a star..she had career as Olive Townend in Malibran's era.) 8. On Youtube,see Don Carlo..lighting by Bocelli'tenor high B unnatural sounds like he was sitting on a nail;baritone angry when he gets shot and people applaud,and he admonished the audience,like Bonisolli. 9. We signed their guest book...I wrote things like "Enrico Caruso." A lady with a very Jewish inflection was at the desk and in the chorus.From the stage,saw someone enter and not give a donation, and yelled "Cheap Chisler!!!). 10. By the way,when I did a Coppelius, we had to hire their chorus.They never shut up, and I yelled, "Go back to La Puma where you belong." Reminds me of someone at Tebaldi Met Otello backstage accidentally tripping over something during quiet "Salce." 11. Hard to come in late and recognize the opera..took time...oh.."It's Werther." 12. Speaking of being late, one orchestra player walked in DURING Don Giovanni overture and then joined the group.(They needed Von Karajan!!!!) 13. Tosca..Olive,no teeth, about 75, chest up to high C...did hit great high C in "Io quella lama." SHOCK. 14. Pagliacci at Ansonia Hotel where Steber sang at the old gay baths...Nedda sang aria..Tonio enters..She did not know the music...He had to LEAVE!!!! 15. Ernani w.Mario Leone. ANYONE guy here is better..Then he sang "Entrate i miei fidi cavalieri" and one old stupid guy with a dumb cap on entered..He was the chorus. In Anna Russell's RING words, "I am NOT making this up!!!!!" 14. Finalmentye...My friend who had a laugh that made you hysterical and I...TRIED,with hankies ready, to get through a Don Giovanni. In the Zerlina/Masetto scene, Leporello is supposed to pinch a peasant girl. Well, the ancient lady with a huge bow on her hair, let out an ELEKTRA GESCHREI, causing Joanie and I to run hysterical out...and a man yelled, "GET OUT!!!. " We ran up Broadway (around 95th St.) and that was it!!!!! I never came back until they went to the Ansonia...but hen Mme.la Puma, mother of famous Met coach,Alberta Masiello, died or just retired. Oh..I forgot...a friend called up, "What are you doing tonight?" Answer: "Turandot with LOLITA SCHULTZ!!" Also, to conclude..the Gioconda Barnaba fell ill and mme.La Puma came out and said..We have to do "Tristan and Isolde." I was told some Met singers did sometimes attend...I can imagine..... well, you heard the TRUTH...I WANT THEM BACK!!!!!! To hell with the virus!!!!! Comments Write a comment… Only a BORE would not need DEPENDS I have previously posted on the hilarious La Puma opera co. but I recently went toward the Koch Bridge and there was a travel agency named "La Puma." No, Olive did not come out, but it reminded me of those hysterical days,sadly gone, of how we were finally thrown out of the junior high where La Puma performed. New members here...go to "Days and Nights of La Puma' and you will be...not sure... So here is a little repost of what I saw or knew from others: 1. 65 plus chorus lady in Aida with wristwatch ( 8:00 P.M. Memphis Standard Time??) 2. Prompter in Faust offstage screaming the words. 3. Sacristan entering in Tosca and,in time with the faster music, shaking his ass back and forth. 4.Our first time..Otello w.baritone Americo Iorio, getting up on JHS table for the drinking song, and falling off.(We then told all our friends...MY GOD..YOU GOTTA COME!!!!" 5. Walkure on Youtube act 2 prelude....and conductor stops and then goes on, and they tell me Olive Middleton had a flashlight in act one (Sieglinde, it is DARK and you were Hunding for Siegmund.) 6. Walkure again..Music on the ladies shields. 7. Norma- 75 yr.old Olive tried to ring the Norma gong..finally does it, to great applause. (We met her at a Milanov Gioconda and treated her like a star..she had career as Olive Townend in Malibran's era.) 8. On Youtube,see Don Carlo..lighting by Bocelli'tenor high B unnatural sounds like he was sitting on a nail;baritone angry when he gets shot and people applaud,and he admonished the audience,like Bonisolli. 9. We signed their guest book...I wrote things like "Enrico Caruso." A lady with a very Jewish inflection was at the desk and in the chorus.From the stage,saw someone enter and not give a donation, and yelled "Cheap Chisler!!!). 10. By the way,when I did a Coppelius, we had to hire their chorus.They never shut up, and I yelled, "Go back to La Puma where you belong." Reminds me of someone at Tebaldi Met Otello backstage accidentally tripping over something during quiet "Salce." 11. Hard to come in late and recognize the opera..took time...oh.."It's Werther." 12. Speaking of being late, one orchestra player walked in DURING Don Giovanni overture and then joined the group.(They needed Von Karajan!!!!) 13. Tosca..Olive,no teeth, about 75, chest up to high C...did hit great high C in "Io quella lama." SHOCK. 14. Pagliacci at Ansonia Hotel where Steber sang at the old gay baths...Nedda sang aria..Tonio enters..She did not know the music...He had to LEAVE!!!! 15. Ernani w.Mario Leone. ANYONE guy here is better..Then he sang "Entrate i miei fidi cavalieri" and one old stupid guy with a dumb cap on entered..He was the chorus. In Anna Russell's RING words, "I am NOT making this up!!!!!" 14. Finalmentye...My friend who had a laugh that made you hysterical and I...TRIED,with hankies ready, to get through a Don Giovanni. In the Zerlina/Masetto scene, Leporello is supposed to pinch a peasant girl. Well, the ancient lady with a huge bow on her hair, let out an ELEKTRA GESCHREI, causing Joanie and I to run hysterical out...and a man yelled, "GET OUT!!!. " We ran up Broadway (around 95th St.) and that was it!!!!! I never came back until they went to the Ansonia...but hen Mme.la Puma, mother of famous Met coach,Alberta Masiello, died or just retired. Oh..I forgot...a friend called up, "What are you doing tonight?" Answer: "Turandot with LOLITA SCHULTZ!!" Also, to conclude..the Gioconda Barnaba fell ill and mme.La Puma came out and said..We have to do "Tristan and Isolde." I was told some Met singers did sometimes attend...I can imagine..... well, you heard the TRUTH...I WANT THEM BACK!!!!!! To hell with the virus!!!!! Comments Write a comment…
How can ONE NOTE cause you
to call a singer your all-time
favorite, and I saw her 88
times. Still go nuts!!!!
Well, if she can be a tenor,
I can sing Norma!!!!! Play
this for people but do not
tell them it is a lady.
She had those "Gerryflappers"
who loved her.This was in
my mother's era, and she
was a dancer in that time.
I was a brat and made fun
of ma's old photos,and she
threw them out!!!!!
Lucine told me that when
she ended the trio on the
C# (I was there),Monteux
had to hold the drumroll
because of so much applause
before Tucker ran in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR6BllmsTRc
Called Lucine yesterday.
Such fun at 95. She was
so reliable she became a
House singer," which can
be a detriment...Gorgeous
voice...even a lot left. Also,
her jokes cannot be told
here....(gggg)
One of my all-time favorite
recordings. At Rise Steven's
home at one of our club
gatherings,Rise spoke of the
Eva of Lehmann,when she
was a young student.Rise was
"in a trance." Amazing that
they ended up together in Met
Rosenkavalier!!!!!
Over the years,the top
got very flat,but in her
prime,she was amazing.
The tenor is not too bad
either!!!!!
For many years I have posted
over 1644 clips. In the
]beginning,I got many
commercials but I had
to stop the comment
section, but I want to
know what you think of
the site and what ideas
you have.I have now over
2 million "hits." PLEASE
get in touch if you desire
through E-mail at:
Placido21@aol.com.He
know we have the same
birthday,although I am poor.
Marni Nixon was the voice
of so many stars in fim.I
saw her LIVE in My Fair Lady.
Wonderful...not credited...
No one...NO ONE can rival
the GOD of singing.I know people
whose fathers or grandfathers
heard him live..and say we only get
1/3 of what he was
2/25/1873 Bless him FOREVER!!!
It is heavy for her, but,very exciting.
This was when she spoke of
the "gente di merda." She
did make up w.Luciano.
(No prelude performed)
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYW5kZWxtYW5pYS5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw/episode/OWRkMmY3OTAxZGIxODc1OGNiZGRjYjhkMGNkYTEzYWU?hl=en&ved=2ahUKEwit7r7AvfbuAhVPk1kKHes-A1EQjrkEegQIAxAI&ep=6
You may get to this. I sang
in a company with the worst
singer EVER...and needed
RAID since he took a bath
every one year. I hope you
get this.
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYW5kZWxtYW5pYS5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw/episode/OWRkMmY3OTAxZGIxODc1OGNiZGRjYjhkMGNkYTEzYWU?hl=en&ved=2ahUKEwit7r7AvfbuAhVPk1kKHes-A1EQjrkEegQIAxAI&ep=6
https://www.podchaser.com/creators/charles-handelman-107aIXC1ob
For new people..Reminding
you that 1644 podcasts,and
early ones with narration,
are available!!!!! Loveya!!!!
https://www.podchaser.com/creators/charles-handelman-107aIXC1ob
In English...but what a
delight.She stole the
opera and he was a very
great artist.
I am doing more...right?
The Virus keeps me home.
I was at this Gioconda with
my favorite singer,Zinka,
and friend of over 50 yrs.
Regina Resnik. Bing hardly
gave Regina dramatic roles
and she had to fight her way.
We have no really dramatic
tenors..Remember,I saw
Corelli and Del Monaco
each 40 times. Good to have
one at least in recent past.
Rita Gorr was a fabulous
mezzo.A friend saw the
Fricka in Paris and was
just raving. 2/18/26
with George London
https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/handelmanias-Podcast-p1133650/?topicId=122333772
easy to hear my podcasts here.
https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/handelmanias-Podcast-p1133650/?topicId=122333772
LOVE to you all on
this Valentine's Day!
I will be posting more
but please remember
you are so wonderful
all these years, and I
appreciate it so much.
Love Charlie
Jussi was a legendary singer, but live
I found the voice smallish.I do not
think I missed great years.
Did I ever post anything
from the (in)famous old
La Puma Opera. I needed
diapers...but we had fun!
Note the GREAT tenor and
his approach to the top.
We had such fun, until
they threw us out.
Her return to the Met.
I called her every birthday
and let me tell you,
she was the most beloved
person to all of us.
She slowly rose from the
chair,came forward, and
when she got to " E mio,"
the roof fell in.NO OTHER
soprano ever had the volume
coupled with the beauty.
I will treasure her forever.
The "second madre" of
my life..my darling friend
Renata Tebaldi. Hard to
find words to express
what she meant to us!!!!!
I know Magda's caretaker
and he said she sang around
the house at 100 Plus. She
was a miracle!!!!!!
What a shame we never
really knew what Lanza
was like live. He died at 36
and born 1/31/21. Before
tasteless films,early acetates
show much promise.
Marcello and I used to
speak of that great squillo.
We do not have this these
days. I once asked him how
he had such breath control
in "E lucevan." He said,
"It's a TRICK!!!!"
Recently we lost two great
singers whom I knew and
whom I miss so much.
They gave us so much
and I will never forget
what they meant to us.
Feliz Cumpleanos
a un artista famoso
y tienes mucha voz
a mi edad (mas que
tu en mi cumpleanos
que es 1/21/ tambien)
Two great stars have birthdays
on Jan.21.One is a real baritone.
Bless him at 80 for a fabulous
career.The Met should be
ashamed!!! We will go to
the Met fountain and sing!
Marin is growing up, and I
have more recent tapes
that show much more
of his talent, but I told
him to wait for Puritani.
How wonderful to find a
kid who knows who Corelli
was. Time will tell.
I just discovered Marin Bulic
from Croatia (like Zinka)
and here is as a kid with
"Nessun Dorma" a tone UP.
He now is 15, and the voice
is maturing and I have "adopted"
him. His recent tapes show an
amazing talent, and I hope he
has a fine career,and is nicer
than Zinka.
The cast is at the end
of this enjoyable video.
I always wanted to sing
Don Magnifico, but e
tarde!!!!!
After that awful rendition
of this song, I have to play
my dear Piotr!!! I miss him
so much....great artist and
such a wonderful person.
I hope my friend Piotr
does not hear this. There
are people like me who
LOVE terrible singing.If
you are a "purist." then do
not listen....but we have
a lot of fun!!!!!
I saw 5 in 1956 and another
or so. It was something
remarkable. You could
hear her in Pesaro!!! She
became our most beloved
love and after she retired,
every Feb.1 birthday I
called and we chatted.
My life has been so happy
having had "tre madri"..
Zeani,Tebaldi, and my madre.
Apr.3,1975, at 65,Magda
made her Met debut. No
words can adequately tell
you what it meant to us.
I adore that line at the end
of the aria ("Rimuuuuneri
cosi!!!!." Applause is cut.We
went on forever!!!!!
I know her caretaker and he
said she sang around the house
till 100.I called her every birthday
to hear that beautiful VERISMO
voice. It was just a thrill for me,
and I saw her Fedora and two
Toscas, and the Met debut at
65. Great thrills in my life.
Our Presidential Jan.20 Biden
Inauguration is really not as
special as Jan.21, the birthday
of two great artists. Placido
and I will go to the Met
fountain and he will swim
with 67 girls, but I will sing
REAL BARITONE ARIAS.. This
will CURE the Virus!!!!!!
Some fine artists and
interesting concepts.
I own every Ring, even if
it takes place in Pompeii.
NO ONE can tell what she
was live.It was something
never ever heard.Only Tebaldi
had the volume. We went
crazy every performance.
Happy Birthday to the
great Marilyn Horne.
1/16/34.Nice to have fun
with Carol and Eileen.
Hard Year for all of us.
I wish you a better time
and thanks for your
support. You make my
life happy,knowing I
can share my love for
opera with you. Happy
New Year!!!!!!!
She calls herself Marie France.
She lipstinks to herself and
has 125 videos on Youtube.
I needed a tranquilizer!!
Do not shoot me!!!!!
I like very few singers
today as in my olden days
but Piotr is special to me
and a sweetheart!!!
Happy Birthday!!!!
Thrilled at Piotr's Birthday
12/28/66..One of the
great singers and a
dear friend.....Miss him!!
GOD!!!! La Rondine
with Diana!!!! I am
in 7th heaven., Fabio
lost Dessi so young.He
is superb.
I am shocked!!!!!!!
On the Xmas, I know it
has been a very tough time
for us....but I wish you
all my love and hope we see
the end of our misfortune.
Love Santa Charlie
God Bless Milka Ternina,
born 12/19/63. I would
have loved to be in your
studio when you taught
Zinka..my favorite singer.
Did you ever spank her????
My "sister" Virginia Zeani
knows I post many of her
videos here and she wishes
all of you love and happiness
at Xmas. She is a love of my
life (since Tebaldi)
This is NOT my friend
MariSA Galvany. MaRia
was a nutty wonderful
singer...and the speeds
are correct!!!!!!
Dear friends,
Indeed this has been
an incredibly sad period
and I do hope you have
survived in the face of
tragedy. Let us pray the
vaccine will help and restore
peace and health wherever you
are.
My sincerest love Charlie
I just found the son of my
darling Virginia Zeani on
facebook. Alessandro is a
doctor and now I feel
"part of the family." The
way she sings "CAAAAro"
says so much about her.
Lucky to have had "three
madres" in my life...My own
ma,Virginia, and Renata.
Dear friends,
I have posted here and on
other forums for so long
I know I may repeat,and
you have archives also.
However,I do not recall
the zillions of things and do
not want to post hip-hop
so bear with me and enjoy
what I post(or skip it).My
buddy from 1977,Diana,did
a fabulous Violetta here with
BRONCHITIS!!! She is really
something.
A marvelous company
with innovative
ideas.BUY the Elektra.
I think you will love
it. My 2nd favorite
opera.
Nowadays,in every venue,
they all sing (usually down
a third) this aria. The very
great Sirach von Bodengraven
joins in. Povero Puccini.
We just lost her. A wonderful
emotional artist.She reads the
Traviata Letter as good as
Muzio!!!!!
Happy Birthday....When she
wrote me and sent photos
I reminded her of the funny
time she came to our party
after a big Gencer party and
only Gencer photos on the
walls and she said "What is
this.. SHRINE???"
Raina Kabaiwanska 12/15/34 but REAL accident in Tosca..poor Aragall
Why can't they shoot more tenors????
The (in) famous La Puma opera
co.of thr 60's. They finally threw
us out. I wet my diapers.Note
the tenor's great top! We were
never the same!!!!!
Love it!!!!! I put on my
mask and did Wotan in a
supermarket.They threw
tomatoes...Peasants!!!!
The late Ed Rosen and fake
basso ME in a duet we
always did. Not too bad.
My ego is worse than
Bonisolli.
My favorite singer of
today!!!!!! I would give
him more cd's but the
luggage would sink the plane.
They cannot sing like this
anymore.Teachers must
be afraid..Sad!@!!!!!
His "Pazzo son" is wild!
When I mentioned birthdays
I meant that Placido, and
I are both Jan.21.I do
not own Spain, have no
women all over, but
my high G is BARITONAL.
But he is still amazing
at almost 79. He sings
Boris in 2078.
Until Facebook un-hacks m(due
to some BUM),I post more
here, and I should anyway.
I get commercials here so
I cannot get your comments.
That is a rule if you pay.
PLEASE send to me at least
some feedback at my e-mail
Placido21@aol.com. Jan.21
is our birthdays. I want to
know if you have enjoyed my'
site these years!!! Loveya!!!
My darling Renata's debut
on 1/31/55 and her birthday
was 2/1. I never got over it
Got up 4:30.Froze all day.
She was my my"madre"and
will never forget her love.
I saw this work many
times.It is so wonderful.
Glad Korngold left
Germany in time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TdGX2Wp-vM&t=587shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TdGX2Wp-vM&t=587shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TdGX2Wp-vM&t=587s
A baby at 65.Magda
in Met Debut. All applause
cut off. Not a man in the
place. I called her every birthday
till 100.Listen to the last
"RIMUUUUUUUNERI" cosi.
Tears all night...and she could sing
another 30 years.
That hacker ruined my
birthday tribute of
12/2/23 to a sensational
lady (at least until she
got skinny)
Count the GREATS today!!
My dear Piotr........Reminds me of the
past.I give him good CD's..Loves
Gedda and Wunderlich!!!!
That figures!!!! I miss him!!!
He introduced me to a great
Polish tenor's son-Jan Kiepura Jr.
Argue forever!!!!!!!
NO ONE tops this
man. Heart and
soul and something
NO ONE can surpass!!!!
NOTHING beats my all-
time love!! 88 times was
not enough, but I did
have to graduate.
BUT...personality was
no Renata!!!!!!
Gelb lost so much
money and singers
because of the virus,
he is hiring this great
queen when they open.
(Who said the Met never
had queens??????)
Je pleure!!!!!! I adore
this scene....and guess
who was an extra?????
George London!!!
Vive la liberte!!!!!!
Many cannot take the
"goat-like" vibrato.
She was a charmer;
poor lady died in
childbirth!!!! Love her!
1/7/1863 Pietro Mascagni
Catching up after a bum
hacked me!!!!!!! Bruna Rasa
is so calm!!!!!!!
12/7/06 How did I know
Elektra would be my 2nd
fav.opera??????
Hoengen was almost as
scary as Regina.
When I see the scene from my
favorite film, Casablanca,,
and Madeline LeBeau,the
last surviving member of
the cast, sing "mugir les
feroces soldats,"with the
tears streaming down both
her and my faces. I wish we
could take those idiots here
who KILL our anthem.
This may be funny, but it shows
what horrendous taste some
people have. VIVE France...and bring back
the end of the Carmelites!
I am sending this to all
of the courageous human
beings on the globe as a
loving symbol of all the
tragedies they have experienced
in their lifetime, and to add
my love and heartfelt wishes
during this terrible time. All over
our world, YOU have been so
blessed in your lives..no matter
where you are. YOU are indeed
OUR PEARLS!!!!!!! Love CH
https://www.google.com/search?q=pearl+harbor+day&sxsrf=ALeKk03-3GU8AuiAqSaPotd-wCJQW7Hm4A:1607338876737&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwio9J_227vtAhWvzVkKHRimA98Q_AUoAnoECBIQBA&biw=944&bih=626#imgrc=zKbjOwyKx0HlVM
I want a new Vaccine
called PIOTR. I have
had trouble with the
computer.Hope I can
catch up.... He adores Gedda
and Wunderlich. I see why!
Someone hacked my facebook account.Until resolved or till I get another site I will post more....and eventually will add a site so you can comment.I had disabled comments here because of commercials I could not avoid
If you wish to comment on anything I have posted here e mail me at Placido21@aol.com
Leo espanol
Leggo Italiano
Mon francais n'est pas trop mal
or write in Sanskrit
I love you and wan t to thank you for years of support
That Hacker must know I do not like Rap
at least you will have more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She takes the name of a real
French singer, Mary France.
She lipsynchs to herself
and has 125 videos. I
feel so normal!!!!!
On Selma Kurz's birthday,
I apologize for not my usual
posts being put here.
The Virus causes lots of
depression;I will make
it up to you.
Kurz is TRILLLLLLLING!!!!!
For me,greatest Met broadc.
it was my third birthday
and mommy never took
me.What a cast!!!!!!
Tibbett was phenomenal
at end Council sc. w.
early Warren as Paolo
Great singer...tough guy.
Someone compared his
intonation to James
Cagney!!! I'm a Yankee
Doodle Siegmund.
Imagine singing Puritani,
Lucia,Aida,Senta,Vespri.
Had Callas not lost weight
she could have done 70
roles like my Virginia.
Just the "CA" of "Caro"
summarizes what kind
of emotion she had.
Over 70 roles and could
have done more.
Muzio,Olivero,Soviero,Favero
and Virginia belong to a
school of singing totally
absent today. Bless my
dear friend,who just said
her room is filled with
flowers.(not poveri either)
My darling "sister"
will be 95 on Oct.21.
She is one of the very
greatest singers and a
dear loving friend.
WE HAVE GEDDA CRACKING ON
A PERLE NERE TAPE,SO IT
IS NOT EASY TO SING.THIS
GUY TRIES IT AGAIN!!!!!
Some lady at City Opera
Traviata had a "problem" and
dear Henry Price,born 10/18/45
kept going.We thought it was
Zinka Milanov sitting on a
nail.
Sensational!!!!!!! Callas;
e flat drives one mad
and Bechi is Ruffo no.2
Luciano Neroni is Zaccaria
Shock!!! On the Internet
here was this "kid" at
about 15 who sounded
like a "pro." I just see
him on Youtube and
cracked up.He visited
me....who would know??
Mio Dio!!! Dmitri No.2
Discovery!!!!!!! The guy
is superb. I wrote him
about how Dmitri used
to give me the cheek kisses.
Magnificent.Go to Youtube.
Found a new tenor...He is
"quarantined" in his garage.
When virus ends, hope he comes
out!!! Youtube shows me new
people....Bravo!!!!!
I adore her,despite her
flaws. She is the "Regina
delle pirate." Love her
more than most divas.
LOVED Leyla Gencer. We made
her a party after Attila. All divas'
photos off the wall,except hers.
Kabaiwanska walked in months
later and exclaimed, "What is
this..a SHRINE?????"
Incredible!!!!! Penno
broke the roof, but did
not last.Zinka sings like
an angel....The "Pace"
alone is an all-time joy!!!
How wonderful to know
Piotr and Sondra.Two of
the great singers of this era
and sweet people.
Great tenor in Huguenots
duet w.Margarete Teschemacher.
One of my favorites.
Have not posted enouugh.
I WILL!!!!!!!
Kraus was a great artist.
Never pushed the voice
like Schipa,Bergonzi,
Gedda. Not a big sound
but so elegant.
That exposed high C kills
them all!!!!! My Aidas have
been Tebaldi,Price,
Milanov,Stella,Nilsson,
Ponselle(gggg).She is a
truly wonderful star!!!
SHAME!!!! I thought
I knew them all.She is
superb. I wrote her I
heavenly texted Birgit.
I will post more soon.
Paul Plishka was a kid when
we sang together in the
Paterson Co. He is a sweet
guy,and went through much
tragedy. We sang in Forza,
Boheme,Don Carlo,Iolantha.
He "retired" but came back.
Happy to know you!!!!
You know I have seen the BEST.
I think she is superb. We wrote
each other. If the Virus
ever ends, I want her here!!!!!
.....Is the voice and the
personality of my
favorite singer,Piotr
Beczala. This is from
his new "Vincero" cd.
Nothing like this anymore
If the Met does not open
soon, I will drown myself in
the fountain so I can see these
guys (and Renata) again!!!!
Dear friends,
I have been posting so much
on Facebook,owing to the
boredom caused by the
virus so I have not posted
enough here.So here is the
great Apollo Granforte
(suitable name) 7/29/1886
Things are so tough
these days!!!! We must
do your best to conquer
our fears.
With my love Charlie
I was never a bass.My last
teacher,Jerry Lo Monaco,showed
me how to cover and I was able
to sing baritone..I never liked
my voice...but doing 50
roles and not being able to
read music is not too bad.
I did not know of this!!!!!!!
I am ashamed.She will shoot me.
Diana Soviero to me is still
one of the greatest!!!!!!
Arsen made a great transition
from baritone to tenor. That
is amazing.BUT never go
the opposite way.Verdi would
get mad...I think!!
Arsen Soghomonyan
also sings baritone and
it is fun!!!! I hope he stays
mostly tenor, for he is
superb, but sometimes
it is successful.
I was doing a Facebook
compilation of sings from
Armenia and look what I
found!!!!! Great!!!!!!!
I see Rise in that silver
outfit coming down the
stairs!!!! This is also
a fine video with 2
great stars.
Great Sophie and a marvelous
voice. There are so many
one cannot keep up!!!!!
I caught up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Early techniques were
not kind to divas. Gadski
and others cannot really
be heard in a LIVE recording.
Ladies suffered from the
inability to capture what
they really were.
Another diva from the golden
age of supposedly "lesser-known"
singers. I hope I turn you all
on to what is available!
Marton had a fabulous voice
and was one of our great
divas;the voice eventually
got rough,but in her prime
she was extraordinary.
I am catching up on my podcasts!!!!
To all of you at a tragic
period in the world, may
I wish you all my love and hope
we can combat with courage
this dreaded virus.
Love to All! Charlie
Pretty and beloved 6/18/07
but Nelson had to hold
his ears.Am I mean?
Blame the virus!!!!!
Snobbish Bing fired her
because she sang with Jimmie
Durante,my ma's friend. Top
notes were short, but a
great voice and lots offun.
6/16/88.
Spoiled forever by her Carmen
She died in the curtain. My
beloved Rise.Made it to 99.
I will treasure her all my life.
Sorry to have missed some birthdays.
First singer I met and in her
club.My adored Rise Stevens.
I have been a bit slow on
my posts; I go from TV
to Facebook and have to
catch up on my buddies
out there. Here is the late
Jerry Hadley 6/16/52 and my
Diana Soviero. I will post
more soon. Hope you are
safe.Life has been rough!
I meant to say if you sang for
free in some shows you changed
your name. I was Carlo Handelmania.
...so she had many fake names.
I know them all. If you can
guess them, you can have
my Bocelli tapes.
I was not in this Bolena
but in first one,and it
was a thrill of my life
(with Ramey,the new guy)
DISCOVERY!!!!!!!!
and I have seen all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
London had a herniated vocal
chord and retired a bit
earlier, but he was a DYNAMO
of a singer. Saw him a lot.
At the Met Boris had to tumble
all the way down many
steps. We always gasped.
A great man!!!!!!!!!
Adore Shirley as much as
Ebe Stignani!!!! Thrilling
in this opera;saw it w.
Kraus in Carnegie Hall.
Shirley Verrett!! Happy Birthday!!!
One of the greatest singers who
sang mezzo and soprano.5/31/31
Olivia is a great soprano
and good friend.Works
with inner-city kids.
A gem of a person.
My darling friend,Olivia Stapp
is 80...Was once a mezzo.
She is a sweetheart and she
takes that great D. Mean other
buddy Ramey is the King.
Great but troubled artist.
My friend Gwynne Cornell
is with her.Gwynne passed
away at 50.We sang
together a lot.
Stratas was a fabulous intelligent
artist.despite problems.
You HAD to be there,
especially for Gioconda,
to hear those glorious
tones. I am glad I graduated
from college, cutting classes
to stand for her perf.
My all-time favorite singer
whom I saw live. She made
my life so happy,even though
her name KUNC represented
her personality. May 17, 1906
was Nilsson's and Zinka's birthdays
I know her caretaker
who said she could sing
like this almost to the end
at 104. I consider Magda
as the vocal miracle of opera
We mourn the passing
of the great Gabriel Bacquier,
who would have turned 96
next week! Fabulous man!!!
When I met Sam Ramey,it was a 1970
Bolena rehearsal. Since then he
became of the opera's greatest stars
and a dear guy we all love.
,, my error!!! I cut off Sondra's
name,saying like Cossotto,
she sounds as if she is singing
in my EAR! Another friend,
Stephen Costello, is the
tenor.They have fun!!!!
Sounded as if she was singing in my ear.I could not believe that could happen. Radvanovsky does that too.
No words can express 3/4/60 and he sounded great until last moment." O Gioija"
My all-time favorite baritone
My fav.Corelli note is
the Poliuto, but in error
put too many in there
(A friend had just died and
I was nervous.
LOVE YOU AND PLEASE STAY HOME
Corelli Vittoria is not bad.
Loretta just shot Zinka because she caught him kissing her.
Mario left...I wonder why>>>>>
God bless FRanco...but if Loretta
saw anyone in heaven now
touch him,she would use her
UZI!!!!!!!
When I told her NO ONE sings
like her today, she had me
do a master class for her
students..She knows I
know what a rarity she is.
To my beloved friends all
over the world. May God
bless you for your courage
in this terrible time. I wish
you my love and the prayers.
Sincerely Charlie
My dear friend Sam,
KING of Facebook and superb
singer. Compares Trump
to Adolf H. (who???)
Since we sang in Barber,Bolena
and know each other since 1970,
I adore Sam, by dear lovable guy!
Her caretaker said she still sang around
the house into her late 90's!!!!!!!
God Bless Her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Magda Olivero was for me
a miracle.Mar.25, 1910.MaDE
IT TO 104.i CALLED HER EVERY
BIRTHDAY....bLESS HER!!!
POLITICS??????? Why is she
not as famous as she
should have been??????
I am her unpaid manager....
Mar.19,1946 Shares birthday
with my mother.....Fell out
of balcony at her Mimi...as good
as Tebaldi,who once kissed her
3/13/77 friendship began
Adored Robert Weede!!
Should have done more here.
(Warren might have been too
great...oh well!!!!)
A few bad high notes but play
act 4 "In Mia Man" and hear
the glory of my favorite
singer.(Who loved herself only.)
Sam Ramey followed in Treigle's
footsteps. Nicest guy IWe met in 1970)
It was Bolena.. Wow!!!!!!!!
But I adore Leyla!!!!!
Gina Cigna Met Norma.
She was born 3/6/1900.
Not a pretty sound but WILD!
We lost Elinor this week.
A fine soprano at 88 yrs.old
Sorry for a few typos..Too much Vodka
Lost too son. Saw Norman Treigle
many,many times.. a vocal GOD!!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhhkGyJ092E
Lotte Lehmann for me is the CARUSO
of divas 2/27/88. Sensational!
Rise sat at her desk and spoke
of Lehmann's Eva as if in
a trance....and ended up
doing Octavian with her!!!!!!!!!
This rendition thrills me
beyond belief. Imagine if
he had lived 15 more years
(he died at 48), what treasures
(live also) we would have.
Last note of Butterfly addio (A)...my friend hit me in the ribs from fright....Old standee line was right across from pit and I was in front.
NO ONE could imagine the sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When my ma met her, I could not speak Italian and she had not much English...so I spoke Spanish..That is why she called me "Carlos" and every time we met, she asked for my madre…..
Last time I saw her.
Tre assi e un paio SCARED the life out of us!!!!!!!!!!!
OK..The top got flat....so what...she was the most wonderful diva in the world.....and we became close.....
Listen to the last note.It broke the chandeliers at the Met!!!!! No one had the Wagnerian volume and beauty of tone.
I called her every birthday 2/1/22 and "call her" forever.
Where was I on 1/31/55??Standing for the debut of Renata Tebaldi, whose birthday (we did not know) was 2/1/55. I will never forget my darling friend and the greatest soprano one could imagine...
I cannot write more..I am crying on the keyboard......
That top range was a miracle!
Great artist and friend!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sadness never leaves me.
Greatest Diva voice (1/22/1897)
Sensational...debut with Caruso!!!!!!
Was my Zinka better?????
Joseph Calleja came out me and said, "Are you Charlie? You are more famous than I am!!" me a hug!!!!!
A wonderful sweet guy.1/22/78. From now on, when I write him, I say, "Charlie, more famous."
Great singer and lovable!!!!!!!!
Great man, despite some choices
I do not like, but one of the
greatest singers ever. Happy Birthday
to us both on 1/21
Happy Birthday,Placido and me.
I do not have 300 million and I
am not xxx rated, but I used
to have some good baritone
notes (like you do now.)
Placido, happy birthday to us!
My baritone voice was not as
good as yours, but you did have
lots of xxxxxx- rated fun.
I guess Marta accepted it.
Well,when you are worth 300 million
it is not too bad. Was I a bass? I
did 50 roles but managed it.
I am honored to share 1/21 birthday
with a great man. Nice of Verdi
to put his name in an aria. A shame
they suddenly realized what everyone knew.
Pavarotti today would be in the
same situation. I always told Soviero
to wear metal panties. Love to a
great man.I do not approve of his
baritone singing, but we all know
what a fabulous career he has had.
Gee. my high notes are as good as
his middle.
Bruson not known for Warren,Milnes,MacNeil top....but the great style...vocal line...still singing!!!!!!
We met a few times...a sweetheart..... 1/12/20
People would yell on the street, "Hi,Papageno"
Great Renato Bruson….still siging at Charlie's age.
He is 1/13/36...ChARLIE AND pLACIDO ARE 1/21,,,,EXCEPT I AM A REAL BARITONE
After my dear buddy had his birthday, Piotr Beczala, I sent him this.
I hope he did not throw up his Xmas dinner.
1/6/03 Close to Schipa birthday. Favero!!!!
One of my all-time great recordings...No one like Favero,Muzio,Zeani…….. Today it is
BLAH.....after Soviero........They are so generic
1/2/89 Schipa did not have to be a Corelli.
I saw his farewell...Like Kraus...GREAT taste!!!!!
Happy Birthday to my favorite singer.
Nicest guy around and great singer!!!!!!
12/28 LOVEYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ONE WORD sums up what we will never have today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Parola!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barbieri and Giulietta will still send each other
poisoned lasagna. I knew Fedora but
was afraid to ask about Giulietta!!!
She would hit me with her chests
I reminded Kabaiwanska that when she
came to a party (the one after we had
Gencer's) that when Raina saw only Gencer
photos on the walls, she said
"What is this, a SHRINE????"
LOVE Raina
Barbieri said "A te la mala birthday,"
Giulietta. I knew Fedora.She was pazza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fedora said that anyone who celebrates
Simionato's birthday belongs in the HOT place
What Love//////////////////////
Fedora did not care about Simionato's
Birthday.She said......I would rather go
to the hot other place than see her here.
Such LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hid Price and Norman Carmen at Tower
behind Resnik's. She might have had to
bail me out. 75 yrs.since Met debut.
The greatest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
75 yrs.ago Resnik made debut 1944 (Leonora)
Zinka was "seek"She denied it.
Resnik did funniest Zinka on phone for me
Zinka never read the annals..Vat a Kunc!!!!
...my parents for not taking me to a sensational perf. Tibbett, 11/16/1896 and a sensationsal perf.on my third birthday.
The man was a GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now in Florida Facility
Still hits e flat on phone
One of all-time GREATEST!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday
Now you can have a contest with the greats.
You once told me people do not like your
squillo.I bet Lauri-Volpi is jealous!!!!!
Thinking of what you gave the world.
I will never forget you..... Rest in peace.
Il tuo Carlo....pensando sempre di te
My dear friend is gone!
Marcello and I always spoke
of the OLD TIME squillo…..
Addio mio caro amico!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sad...Died before Met did it
for him.
GREAT MAN..I spent some time with
Sarah shortly after he died...………...
Caruso sang Elisir and Juive
Tucker sang Cosi and la Juive.
Can't a Jew CRY??? Italians DO!!!
So Tucker could be
over the top"
What about Gigli????? He cried!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I adored the man.....Couldn't hit a bad note
8/28/1913
Beviamo ai novissimi LEGAMI
Butterfly act One. To this day
will never forget him.Pushed but a GOD
of tone 8/6/30. Adored a man
who put out an LP(No fooling)
that was entitled "E Avanti a lui
tremava tutto il Met!
Carreras,Gigli,Di Stefano
and Daniele. I HEAR LEGAMI NOW!!!
I am the fool with glasses. The late Ed
Rosen,Marty Broms(center),Vinnie
Titone did our CELESTE.I really look
like I came out of a madhouse.
BUT we did a "Three tenor takeoff"
but Charlie.....you should be shot!
But we really all could sing...…
Please stay on this site even though
I belong in Bonisolli's nuthouse
But together we did about 700 perf...
and GOOD!!!!
Negri tried to tell Leyla her
E flat is better than hers.Callas
walked in and said, "I was the best!!!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2ld8SLq-sw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2ld8SLq-sw
Since Adelaide Negri arrived this
week, she is already telling Gencer how
to sing in chest and that she is NOT
flawed. Gencer belted her in the mouth.
Came out and said "Hello,boys" in my poor ear.
Held "Io resto a te" forever..especially on 1951 Callas.
NO ONE like him today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My first opera.I recall only Del Monaco
coming at me with white teeth.I was 15.
He was a GOD..Saw him 40 times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Di Stefano might have pushed that voice as time
went on on......sang too open...but MY GOD...the man was a a GOD!!!!!
Took him for granted once???????????????
The man is 65.I was at a
recital at 77,Beloved!!!!!
I wish more people would recognize her
greatness!!!!! She owes me 50,000 bucks
for all the publicity I gave her.
I was Marisa Galvany's doctor in
Yolantha in 1965. We have been
buddies ever since. HAPPY BIRTHDAY
to my darling friend. Who else has
had the pleasure of looking down her throat
as she hit E flats!!!! A GREAT SINGER!
It was sweet of Alagna to say to me
that he could look into my eyes and see
how much I love music.
The sweetest,nicest singer one could
know. Dearesr Irina,who likes my jokes,
celebrates her birthday today.
She defines the word "lovable."
In case you never heard my buddy Maria Galvany do this......It is
the greatest..and remember, I am the only one
alive who looked down her throat on those Bolena
high notes... Buddies since 1965!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You do not have to be Nilsson!!!!! She "gives a
music lesson" to all...Adored by all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Olivia's work with Inner city kids
in California...just got a million dollar gift.
A sweetheart of a person....and better
than all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5/30/1909.One of the greatest
singers EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(See if you can spot him in a uniform
behind Ingrid Bergman in the scene
in Casablanca where they sing the Marsellaise.)
Her last performances....She
will never walk alone in opera
literature..She will be with us forever!!!
Wonderful new CD with rare Forza
and Ernani arias. RECOMMENDED!!!
Will review soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nella Melba 5/19/1861 MEAN!!!!!!
But great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Non posso imagginare….Coming in
July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cannot sing even
Il cavallo scalpita.. SHOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5/18/1958 I always told Lauren she
is a rare lady because she takes chances.
RARE among divas....and a friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Jan Kiepura's 5/16/ birthday,let
us celebrate my favorite singer,my
dear Piotr Beczala.Kiepura would love him!
Piotr introduced me to his son!!! He then
got on the phone and called "Hi ma"...It was
Martha Eggerth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My all-time favorite tenor of those I saw.
Sadly died before Met was to have given
him the role.
Bidu Sayao,born 5/11/02 once spent an entire
Met Gioconda intermission chatting with us.
Her husband was Giuseppe Danise, Resnik's teacher,
and Resnik was the Laura that night!!!!
Died at only 64. HUGE voice. Was a
patient of my dentist. I bet she had
a mike in her throat.... Great!!!
If you asked me to name the greatest
performance of any role by any singer
in my ENTIRE opera life (live), it is the
Ludwig (a mezzo) Frau Dyer's Wife!!!!!!!
Do you have one????????????????????????????
They did not do this cabaletta in
the olden days....Except for the last
note, Callas plunges into this aria
with fabulous excitement!!!!!
First mezzo I EVER heard, when I got a hernia
taking the 1929 Aida 78's from the library at 15.
Sad...Allies bombed her villa and she died.
When she did not cancel, she was a sensation, as in her
NY debut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing!!! 4/12/1898 birthday. She
sounds great.I was never a big fan, but this
is glorious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to sweet dear Aprile Millo.
She has always been so kind and loving, and a great artist.
One of the TINY number of special
divas of today who are special. An
amazing quality (and you MUST be
there live) is that like Cossotto,
the resonance sounds as if she is
singing in your ear!! It is not just a
big voice...it has an amazing penetration.
...and you thought Mari Lyn
was like Muzio...NO!!!!!
This guy beats them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I know people love him. My friend studied
with Enrico Rosati, teacher of Gigli,Lauri-Volpi,
and Lanza. His voice was souped up, but
essentially probably fine..BUT what he does
at the "le dolce brezze" makes me want to
shoot him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
...but in small groups I did some bass
roles......but it was fun,despite the fact
I was no Pinza. With dear Jennifer Zarchy.
Be kind!!!! Remember, I can't read music!
I saw his Met debut and 40 more times.
Yes, he could be a pain...but a fabulous
man on that stage. Note the B flat Celeste
Aida DIMINUENDO. Friends of mine and his
loved him as a person. In the book it tells
how he and wife Loretta fight in a hotel room.
I asked Frank Guarrera, "With SAUCE???"
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO one like him and Del Monaco today!!!
Rather controversial figure but sometimes
people are Goering to separate his possible
Nazi connections from his art. I can do that,
but not everyone can...but a GREAT MAN!!!!
If you asked me what 5 singers of the past I would
most want to hear, Ebe Stignani would be one. The
others I guess would be Lehmann,Caruso, Muzio
and Eva Turner. Stignani never came to the Met,
another one of their stupid mistakes.
Stop with the "fat" stuff. If anyone
can sing like Anna, I do not care
if she looks like a hippo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are two of my buddies,Sondra
Radvanovsky and Stephen Costello,
enjoying a Bolena rehearsal!!!!!!
Stracciari is my all-time
favorite baritone.
We are now up to 1,979,221
downloads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love my friend Olivia Stapp's "Giudici."
However, when Ramey, Galvany, and I
did it in 1970, she held the D so long
I ran out of breath!!!!!
OH!!!Calisto Bieito loves to stage
those Verdi operas in a "traditional"
manner... E pazzo!!!!!
Luciano must have had a great
time with Isola Jones. They
always had to make doors wider
so she could enter. I once told
Soviero to wear metal panties,
knowing what he enjoyed!!!
Someone did not like some
post I made on Facebook and
they blocked me two days.So you
are getting more videos! Good
for you. Maybe I said Peretyatko
is better than Callas?????
What a nice guy...Stefan Kocan…but
Met does not appreciate him...
Such a wonderful artist and friend.
Great voice..I do not know if she sings
anymore..The enormous weight might have
been a problem..but love the voice.
I am too lazy to redo the Tebaldi
comments;much is cut off;in the
future I will be more careful.
Note she runs on the B flat and it is
the closest to what I heard live..Ten
Jet planes!!!!!
LUV IT....but note Heddle Nash does it in falsetto. Hard note after an entire aria...Best for me is the GEDDA ATTACK. My poor friend had to make a series of LP's for Eddie Smith, the first pirate of 101 of the entire aria..His poor wife almost wanted a divorce!!!!!
Love this...but nothing compares with Corelli in Parma...which is really almost "funny" like the Caballe Don Carlo ending.
I am sure that many of you have met, and in some cases, became friendly with opera stars. In my case, it is the great Renata Tebaldi with whom I had a closer-than-usual relationship. It was on every birthday that we spoke, and since my mother had met her once, she always said, "Carlos,com'e la mamma??"She called me "Carlos" rather than "Carlo" since her English was limited and my Italian was limited...so I used my Spanish. NO ONE in my life,except my ma, meant more to me...Now it is Virginia Zeani, in that same kind of feeling, whom I will forever treasure...and as compared to Zinka, whom you could NEVER call by her first name, Tebaldi was only "Renata" to us. Bless her forever!!!!
We always had guessing games so why don't you give out prizes for those who can guess the most of these singers???
I love this guy.....why is he not here at the Met????
Well, they have no taste!!!!! Please note I am doing only many videos, but a big variety.
Please send me comments to Placido21@aol.com. We were both born Jan.21, except I am a real baritone.(ooops, am I mean???)
I will never ever forget the golden sound at "Beviamo ai novissimi legaaaaaaami"...this is like a Di Stefano or Gigli sound..I loved him, and she was one of the greatest..Just turned 90!!!!!
One of the FIVE tenors I saw and adored (Tucker,Bergonzi,Corelli,Del Monaco) were the others.The man had the most gorgeous middle voice I ever heard. He did push but the basic sound was absolutely ravishing..especially in the first act of Butterfly, "O Kami O Kami....BEVIAMO AI NOVISSIMI LEGAAAAAMI." I will not ever forget him!!!!! I will post the Butterfly.
Mentally deranged Bonisolli stays on the high C and then when people applaud and others try to interrupt, he says that Puccini wrote a pause there. The man was a PIG and I hate him!!!!!!!
Beverly's D at the end of the "Vivi,ingrato" ranks as one of my greatest thrills!!!!!! Live, you held your breath!!!!
Our 1970 Bolena with Galvany holding the D 5 hrs.and a new guy named Sam Ramey. I was Rochefort. I am the only person who could look down her throat while she sang high D and E flat!!!! Who would know Sam would become one of the all-time greats.
What a thrill to remember my meeting Sam in 1970 and then singing with him in Bolena,Barbiere, and Hoffmann. Great guy!!!!!!
I met Sam at our first Bolena rehearsal in 1970. He has been one of the great singers of our time. Love to him!!!
We love Javier...not just the high notes, but the incredible musicality. He is a special guy!!!!
I once told Ricky Di Giuseppe how I loved his high E flat in Coq d'or..He replied, "HIGH E natural!!" So now Michael shows off his fabulous top!!!!!!
George Gershwin allowed only Afro-Americans in Porgy and Bess. That is a shame, because, from the GRAVE, next season at the Met, the new Porgy will be presented. Well, Mari actually sings this as if she were in the grave. Bless her. She tries so hard.
Here is Virginia in the Console aria.She remains of the greatest singers in my life, and a dear friend.
Piccolo Marat with Borso and my sister,Virginia..and a loud prompter. They have no verismo sopranos today to do this. Beautiful work!!!
Of all the tenors I never saw live, here is one of them,along with Caruso,Thill,Anselmi, and Masini,
Saw him on Paris visit in 1976..Gorgeous voice..never came to Met.....Beautiful voice!!!!!
OLD SCHOOL!!!!! Lovely, darling singer and one of the greats (not that the Met cares).I had to study three hours to learn to spell her name.
In Newark, New Jersey at 23:11 :Loris,ove sei" I thought I was going to collapse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't "call" you today...but you "call" me forever.
Zinka may be my favorite singer, but maybe Magda in another way, has to be someone I treasure more!!!
She was once told, "Do not quit your day job." The basic quality is not like a Tebaldi but her singing emerges as the most gorgeous in its emotion and love for music. She is for me, a miracle!!!
Magda....the miracle of opera. Oh, by the way, the Tosca selection is MY TAPE, and the ovation was cut...it lasted forever!!!!
I cannot call you as I did on every birthday, but you will always be enshrined in my heart as the MIRACLE of opera.
When I told Dolora (3/24/52) she is a throwback to the great past, she had me do a master class for her students.I played good old stuff. When I asked her what it was like to sing the glorious Amneris, she said, "I just want to get the notes out!!" Amazing woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My adored Martha Moedl. Flawed in some ways but one of the most exciting singers ever. Olivia Stapp saw a "voiceless Isolde" in Europe once and audience went crazy...Unforgettable lady.
DISCOVERY!!!!!! Rudy Park!!!
I saw Mario and Franco each 40 times...this guy is OLD SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since the days of Favero,Muzio,Zeani,Olivero,Scotto...we have had NO ONE like what Diana does..NO ONE!!!!!!
Not only does Diana Soviero and my mother have Mar.19 birthdays, but tenor Alberto Cupido celebrates. What a coincidence!!!!
Soviero sat on my couch and I said, "I have a Violetta you might like." She said, "Oh..she might study with me." I then played Mari Lynn and Diana almost fell on the floor. I love the word "Muttatta.
Mar.19...My darling Diana Soviero, one of the greatest singers, and MY MOTHER, one of the greatest mothers celebrate birthdays!!!!!
Could be, and top was great but NOT BAUM EVERY NIGHT!!! His wife came out of the stage door after he was boooed and said, "I am Il Trovatore, not Milanov." She screamed. "You're all a bunch of faggots!!!" Gee, she must have been in the standing room.
He is now coaching Tamagno,Martinelli, and Al Jolson.
WE HATED HIM!!!! Well, if Tucker or Mario were not there, he was reliable. Ugly voice.....I had to see him with Zinka Lord knows how much. Yes,he was reliable, but in those days, the rosters were small as compared to today, and singers stayed at the Met a lot. He is good in Lohengrin scene w.Traubel..more Germanic..Had fabulous high C...that is all!!!!
In 1966 Ludwig, ex-husband Berry, King,Rysanek,Dalis, under Boehm gave what I consider the greatest all-around show in my LIFE!!!!!!
Dyer's wife in Frau probably greatest single performance of a role by a singer in my life!!!!!!
Stella and a tenor I adored, with his gorgeous voice matching hers. She loved to cry a lot!!!!
I almost forgot about Zinka as Stella opened her mouth as Aida in 1956. GREAT lady!!!!!
Turns 90. Imagine to have Milanov,Tebaldi,Stella on roster in 1956. She and Bergonzi debut I will never forget..and I adored her luscious rich gorgeous voice.
She had her flaws...but NUTS FOR HER.We gave a party in 1972 after Attila..All other divas photos taken down.Kabaiwanska came in New Years Eve.and said, "What is ths, a SHRINE????"
3/10/1892 Ages ago a friend brought me a 78 of Eva Turner..Who???? I went nuts!!!!! Nilsson might have not been able to cover her!!!!
When dear Larry Brownlee sang this for his Met audition, the place went nuts....Here is another example of a superb lyric tenor with great range and technique! Bravo to him!!!!!
Clara Petrella (and Mario) is really so wild!!!! Wonderful example of the kind of singing we no longer have.They want it "pretty."
Jamie Barton is one of a handful of singers today who is "old school." A truly great voice and lovely lady!!!!
Sam Ramey,who inherited his roles,
told me as a young student how he
saw this skinny guy in a rehearsal, open up this HUGE voice. One of the all-time greatest singing-actors!!!!!
The great Treigle and Rudel born on a Mar.6. I asked Di Giuseppe about his high e flat..He said, "E natural" Treigle one of the greatest singers ever. Sam Ramey No.1!!
Love Saioa Hernandez. Of course, the Met is so dumb they probably will not get her!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucine saved so many shows she became a "house soprano" which was
often a negative....but a great sound! Happy Birthday!
(and those xxxxx rated jokes!)
Lucine told me (I was there) how
Monteux had to hold the dream roll
after this trio since we went NUTS!
Bless her!!! Still has voice!!!!!
Met 1972 Bing Gala. I sat there as
if I had never heard her before and
could not BELIEVE any human
throat could produce those sounds!
The most glorious singing on this
planet..Note "Eravante possente" and later the pppp on "Oh,ora soave" double
attack.I used to collapse over the
standees rail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marcello and I have discussed the "old school" and he is an example...I miss him so much!!!!!!
GOD sings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It has been so long and comments cannot be placed here. I really am dying to know how my podcasts are..Could someone or two or more write me at Placido21@aol.com.
I want to please you!!! Love Charlie
The great NY La Puma Opera from the 60's. We got hysterical most of
the time. That tenor really had a
GREAT passaggio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know Stephen over 10 yrs.Here is this nice guy at the start of his
career! Glad he made it!!!!!
Rise sat at her desk and as if "in a trance"
spoke of Lehmann's Eva...and it ended up
they did Rosenkavalier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mirella got better and better....GLORIOUS
voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First Met telecast..At one time we really
hated her doing heavy roles.....but she has
emerged as the LAST of the really special
divas in the Muzio,Favero,Soviero,Zeani
tradition. Phrasing,emotion, love of the line.
Look Zinka and Renata had some BADDD top notes.
Even in heavier roles, she did more than anyone
does today.... BRAVA!!!!!
fEB.25, 1873 Died in 1921 at 48.
TRAGEDY!!!!! iMAGINE IF HE LIVED 20
MORE YRS..tapes!!!!!
tO ME, HE IS A VOCAL god!!!!!!!!!!
Two of my friends take AMBIEN.One
awoke to see he had made a pie;
the other found she had made
scrambled eggs.
If I start,could I find myself in
the street doing the Abigaille
cbaaletta like Mancini????
One of my all-time loves. Meier
had a GREAT voice..should have been even
better known. I did make some tapes for
her madre…...
I was there in 1964..Farrell was amazing!
(So was Tucker).Listen to her "Bada."
She was born 2/13/29...Never wanted to
do a complete Ring..our loss!!!!!
Piotr is my favorite singer today!
This is last week..Encore!!! He is
the sweetest, nicest guy!!!! I
want to bring him more CD's..but the
luggage would be too heavy!!!!!!!!!
I have seen them ALL...He is way up there!!!
Early Price just a sensation...like Farewell....
before she got her mannerisms..but GREAT!!!!!
Farewell.Sounds like a KID....Sensational...but
she did have strange mannerisms that made me
crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Phenomenal voice that also could do strange mannerisms that made me
crazy!!!!! An enigma!!!! 2/10/1927
My darling Marisa Galvany (one of her
fake names!!) Buddies forever,
and GREAT singer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For the 88th time I saw my favorite
singer, Zinka Milanov, make her farewell.
She still sounded gorgeous at 60. I will
never forget her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TRAGEDY!!!!! Died at only 49.
Following her style we had Favero,
Zeani, Albanese, Soviero,Scotto,
Carteri (her letter is fabulous also)
Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahora otro
tenor magnifico..Dios Mio!
Camarena,Villazon,Flores….y ahora
otro de un future magnifico!!!!
Y ACUTI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you enjoy this wonderful new
tenor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
El mundo ahora tiene muchos
tenores hispanoamericanos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Luscious voice..He is not bad here!!!!!!
You know in opera I hate him but fine here....
Her Met debut 1/31/55. I FROZE
from 6:00 A.M. Her first line ended
with "soave" and we all said, "Zinka who???"
Not really..but imagine Zinka, Renata,
Stella in the same season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In opera history, who else could combine
volume and beauty.We used to run after the limo as she yelled CIAO out the window. One
night I got impaled on a fire hydrant and
almost became a castrato senza coglioni!!!!
I called you every birthday and I am "calling"
you NOW. GOD BLESS my Renata!!!!
"TRE ASSI" live SCARED US!!!!
Top started to get flat..so what!
I cannot hold back my tears!!!!!
She rose from the chair on "Ma" and
then when she got to "E MIO" it was a
WAGNERIAN sound...Note the little
"breath" before the "ma". MIO DIO!!!!
Last note is closest to the way she
sounded live. Wagnerian
volume, like a jet plane!!!!
My darling friend Renata Tebaldi
made our lives so happy. I miss
that wonderful great Renata,
whose Desdemona debut was 1/31/55. and when we met
her on 2/1, we did not know
it was her birthday. NO ONE
made us happier.Her shows
were events of LOVE!!!!!
I met him when I discovered Soviero in 1977.
When I complimented him on the way he
ended the opera "Mimi..." he said he did
appreciate what I said more than speaking
of his high C. Shows great artistry.
We did an outside one where a mosquito
landed on her nose.....but she went
one with that e flat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We miss him so much. How many times
did I get the two Russian kisses on
the cheeks. A tragedy of our lives!!!
...as I told Diana in 1977 when I first
met her, and she said Renata once
kissed her...Figures!!!! But how many
people know how great she has been?
Marcello and I have discussed the fact
that some people do not appreciate that
"old school" of tenor singing.....tough!!!!
I miss him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marcello, I always tell you that you
are "Old school" with that SQUILLO!!
Love to you on your birthday!!!
I miss you and the brilliant voice.
Happy Birthday,Marcello Giordani
1/25/63...and a sweet guy!!!
My darling Nelly's ma passed away today.
Sweetest lady and GREAT artist...but Met gave her
2 Vespris…..Love her....a sweetheart....
I gave myself a wonderful present
for my birthday..Sue Hassell,my love.
Remember "Gli enigma sono tre" but
the pazza e una!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Placido, tu puedes cantar Minestrone
un dia pero yo soy mejor...……..
Feliz Cumpleanos a nosotros Jan.21
I may disagree with his choices now
but Happy Jan.21 birthday to a great
man...…(better than me and a few
more dollars in the bank.
1/16/21 Pilar Lorengar left us too
soon. The other singer will celebrate
his birthday on Jan.21, the same day
that another person who thought he was a
baritone celebrates his. We will be at a
Met Traviata singing "La Cena e pronta"
BUT mine will not be an octave down.
How did I get so mean in my old age???????????????
Birgit wore a miner's cap at the rehearsal
of the darrrrrrk Karajan Production. It also
helped us not to see his armband.
Happy Birthday to my favorite singer
of this generation....sweetest guy
I love....one of the greats, and I have
heard them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love and Happy Holidays to all of
you great people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have not been well *(nutjob)...and long
to see Piotr...I hope I can.
Thanks for your support...Carlo Magno Traditore
Thanks,Milka Ternina 12/19/1863
You gave us the greatest Kunc of my life.
Did you ever spank Zinka????????????
Met yesterday....she knows NOTHING!!!!
Put on Zeani,Callas...even ME.....These
divas know NOTHING of Passion:Play:
"Alfredo,Alfredo,di questo cuore" but
who knows Tiziana????????????
To a beloved and courageous man!
When he was in the hospital,he used to
visit childrens' cancer wards and sing
little songs to them, even in his condition.
From the Met last week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you celebrate Thanksgiving,here
is a GREAT soprano from Turkey.
Have some SCOOPS of stuffing!
I know I am pazzo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Loveya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry...have been down...some
croooook took 10,500 from my acct...
working on it......be back soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Victoria 11/1/23 The most divine
voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been ill and need to catch up.
She did 635!!My favorite
Part of the entire opera is:
"Alfredo,Alfredo"
She refused to wear knee
pads when she died, accounting
for the arthritis. "I want eet to
feel real!!!"
Happy Birthday to my adored
"sorella" Virginia is FAMILY!!!!
One of the greatest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bryan Hymel....Wonderful voice
He laughed when I told him I would
review his Rodolfo..and would LIE!!!!!
Gone too Soon!!! Fabulous voice.
Night after Warren died,he did a
Chenier that was as great as a Warren.
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Although Tebaldi's first at the Met
broke the chandeliers)
She is pushing into heavy stuff.
Elsa is a good choice...for the future
and that may come..but stay away from
too much pushing...….CH
One of the very few singers who recall the olden days! Pushing
into heavier stuff...but still UNIQUE!!!!!
My "sister" Virginia,at 92, is in
a Florida facility. We speak often
and she is not doing badly. I
love her as I did Tebaldi!!!!
When we first did Bolena in 1970,
Marisa Galvany held the D so long,I ran
out of breath on my middle D. A new
guy named Ramey was the King. Galvany
and I go back over 50 yrs. and I know
all her fake names!!!!!
Bad panic attack tonight and selfishly
wish to distract myself and give you
Sue Hassell....I sang with her....Orrrrrrrore.
To my wonderful friend and superb
artist. Irina is so dear. I am glad
they are now back to traditional
productions. (????)
Someone named Petrova has a birthday
today,,,Reminds me of VASSILKA
Petrova, who had us pppp'ing for years.
She paid for her operas.....I would not trade this in for Malibran's debut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brought the house down at his 1972
farewell..especially "But ask Corelli twwwwwice."
They feuded like mad, but he respected her.
My old buddy!..Paul...we met in 1961
You were Guardiano.I was Melitone
and Marchese..GEE,one of us made it!!!!
Illustrious career of one of the most
beloved people I know. Happy Birthday!!
Sorry..I tried something new, and the
Tucker post came out twice and some
text cut off...but you get some idea!!!!
My Favorite Tenor Tucker once told his dear friend Ed Rosen, "I do not like to bunt..I hit home runs." Believe me he "bunted" a lot...The legato was there..despite some complaints...so what if he held "bellezzze" in Tosca a bit longer, and there was evidence of the cantorail training and some sobs......so...big deal.....Ever hear of GIGLI?? You take the man as a whole...a fabulous lirico-dramatico voice..rang through the Met like a golden tone of incredible size and beauty at the same time. I used to go ballistic when he dropped the sword in Forza, came up front, and let out that glorious B at the end of the "Sleale" duet. I also adored the act 2 Chenier "Credi al destino," showing the legato that some deaf people did not hear. I saw him maybe 65 times..NEVER gave a bad performance in my view...gave 1000%...perhaps too much after the first heart attack,where George Jellinek asked him to take it a bit easier.NO WAY! The 1964 Cav w.Farrell echoes in my mind so vividly...especially, "Per me,pregate Iddio." Sorry he did not get to do the Juive at the Met.His last perf.from Spain show he could have gone on at least 15 years more. Thank you,dear Richard Tucker........there was NO ONE like you!!!!!!!! I was at the unveiling of the monument at Lincoln Center. I believe pigeons are scared to death to go near the statute..They have as much respect as do millions of others.... Love Charlie
Tucker once told his dear friend Ed Rosen, "I do not like to bunt..I hit home runs." Believe me he "bunted" a lot...The legato was there..despite some complaints...so what if he held "bellezzze" in Tosca a bit longer, and there was evidence of the cantorail training and some sobs......so...big deal.....Ever hear of GIGLI??
You take the man as a whole...a fabulous lirico-dramatico voice..rang through the Met like a golden tone of incredible size and beauty at the same time.
I used to go ballistic when he dropped the sword in Forza, came up front, and let out that glorious B at the end of the "Sleale" duet. I also adored the act 2 Chenier "Credi al destino," showing the legato that some deaf people did not hear.
I saw him maybe 65 times..NEVER gave a bad performance in my view...gave 1000%...perhaps too much after the first heart attack,where George Jellinek asked him to take it a bit easier.NO WAY! The 1964 Cav w.Farrell echoes in my mind so vividly...especially, "Per me,pregate Iddio."
Sorry he did not get to do the Juive at the Met.His last perf.from Spain show he could have gone on at least 15 years more.
Thank you,dear Richard Tucker........there was NO ONE like you!!!!!!!! I was at the unveiling of the monument at Lincoln Center. I believe pigeons are scared to death to go near the statute..They have as much respect as do millions of others....
Love Charlie
I recall Dever and Zajick backstage
after a Trovatore comparing flu symptoms.
How do they do it???? Mme.Dever has
a gorgeous voice and is an endeared
member of Facebook, along with so
many Met singers.(I have to be nice,because
they sneak around).
GORGEOUS rich mezzo...Barbara Dever.
I want more of you to know about singers
who are not as well-known as they should be..she is wonderful...
More from my buddy,Ta'u!!!!!
Glad he has a turntable so he can
RAID my unplayed LP's...………………….
Happy Birthday to a guy I "discovered"
Ta'u Pupu'a...Former football star
who NEVER sang a role until our
Rigoletto,and I flipped!
Ta'u thought a passaggio was an
Italian dish...no kidding!!!!!!!
Great guy!!!!!
But I am tired of a tenor singing baritone..it
is a "gimmick."...even though we are both Jan.21
babies...……Sorry, Placido.
Imagine..Magda once was told, "Don't quit your day job!!!"
LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to a sweet guy, and glad
he is feeling batter after an illness.
He is a great talent and what a gorgeous
family.....flown in suddenly to replace
Giordani a few years ago..HUGE success.
After mom died, I started to sing again..I cannot read music but I did listen a lot to Corena.
Hope you do not mind my ego!!!!!!!!
When Ashley Putnam made City Opera
debut, some lady in the audience did
this. I told Henry Price said, "I was there."
He said, "ME TOO!!!"
When I would sing (lower key) "Dein ist mein ganzes herz" ma liked Gedda more...Why?
Today she would like Piotr more!
v
They bought out Piotr's contracts
elsewhere so he could do this. He is an electrician.
I always said he was a live wire!!!! BUT No RATS?????
I saw one of his few Manricos. This is
dubbed but still you get the idea.
I am staying with videos.The audio stuff is
a problem. OK???? Charlie
Mario did guest Lescaut a year before "official" Met debut.
You hear what he was...not s Gerard Souzay!!!!
We went nuts over this great man!!!!!!!
Hey, Mario.I was there in 1958 when you
RAN out of the tent on "Trahison." You KNEW
it was a broadcast so you sang to the mikes!
The two of them looked better than Victor Mature
and Hedy Lamar.
First singer I ever saw (1951)…..first of 40 times.
I recall "white teeth" coming toward me in Aida,
my first opera ever. He was a GOD!!!!!!!!
Huge voice from bottom to top.A "bronze column of
sound"..Unforgettable man! Came out stage door
once and said, "Hello,boys" in my poor ear. I
never recovered!!!!!
Our new hero!!!! Camarena is now "King of the bises."
He is something extraordinary in our opera world.
Sorry Zinka and Renata,....Antonietta Stella
1956 Met debut still remains my great
favorite.Big,luscious voice..ADORE!!
I had only heard Caruso do this aria
and suddenly here is my beloved
favorite singer, Piotr Beczala, doing
it. This guy thrills me more than
his idol,Nicolai Gedda. Before he
did his first Lohengrin,I did give
him the CD set of Gedda's only one.
Very few singers today remind me of
my "Golden Age" from my youth.
But WHY did he decide to RUIN one
of the greatest voices of the century??
He started to "open" the top too
low...Perche?He was GOD when
in his prime!!!!
I was there when Licia (at 57) kissed the
Met stage after her aria. She was born 7/22/09.
Died at 105. I walked with tiny Licia at a
Soviero affair..Like walking with history.
Sweetest thing anyone could
say to me. Alagna said, "I can
see in your eyes how you love
music!"
Come on, Enrico...why didn't you
want to sing with him??? This is
UNREAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Along with the Rosenkavalier trio,
this for me is the most SUBLIME
opera scene...just the way Jones
WALKS at 7:00 makes me cry a river!
This wonderful man died onstage
at only 51.(I saw Warren die on stage
at 49). I can see,from 1957, how Martha
Moedl sank into his arms in Walkure.
Wonderful Wozzeck(excellent English.)
Warem voice and great artist.
When I "discovered" Diana in 1977,
I felt she was reminiscent of the
Tebaldi days. We have been close friends
ever since, and my frustration is that
she should be way up there as to
"famous" divas...but that's life. She
and Alberto Cupido are superb
here. I hope you enjoy them.
Diana is a renowned teacher, and the voice
is still there! So happy to have known her.
One of the greats.Not everyone
can beat alcoholism and sustain
a fabulous career!!! Adored!!!!
Ebe Stignani 7/11/03 was to have
been the Norma on Cetra. I adore her!!!!
For me, GREATEST EVER!!!!!!
(IN)famous Gran Scena opera co.
Ira Siff,Met broadcast commentator in the
great Tosca scene. I like especially when
she (he?? It??) finds the Salvocondotto
and the Yiddish "E Avanti a Lui" cracks me
up. Ira is a great coach and he KNOWS
opera traditions, so Ira (Vera) is perfect
as one of the hosts on Met broadcasts.
7/12/1895 Kirsten Flagstad...LEGEND!!!
My friends tell me in person it was pure STEREO!!!!!!
This is the world premiere of the songs.
7/11/25 The GOD of tenors.
I saw his Met debut(Faust).The man
was a legend for all to hear!!!!
Sticking to videos now.Maybe I
Can do audios eventually..but needs special repair.
After mom died in 1997,I returned to my
"career." I cannot read music but I do
not think this is too bad.
Hilarious Gianna Rolandi rendition
of usually cut Cenerentola aria.
Audience falls on floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/6/10 Kirsten was about 7
yrs.OLDER when she retired. She
did POP better than any diva!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They finally got rid of that
HORRRRRID Met Traviata.Here is a
rehearsal of the new one.
Grazie a Dio…..
I just sent this to Muzio at
http:// cielo.com. She will look
her up (way up) because she always admired
singers with great breath control.
3/13/77 How I discovered the
new Tebaldi!!!!! Diana Soviero has
been my friend all this time...and
she received my tape of her Mimi
on Mar.19..he and my ma's birthdays!
Two great divas in my life.
BUT with Pav I told her to wear
metal underwear!!!!!!!!!
Happy Anniversary to the Rameys, Sam
and L:indsay.....two sweet people. Sam
and I go way back to 1970 Bolena, and
Lindsay gets a medal for marrying such
a DEVIL!!!! Love to them both.
The great Luisa Tetrazzzini, born on
June 29, 1871 singers w.Caruso!!!!!
I love this lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So sad she deteriorated so quickly. Anna
Moffo, 6/27/32 was so gorgeous and we
loved her...but it did not last! A shame!!!!
Not ONE of you could sit with us
without falling on the floor hysterical.
They did finally throw us OUT! Note
the great tenor's PASSAGGIO!!! Are
there any companies in your area
like La Puma????
Leonie knew the end was near. She
was one of the most exciting singers
in memory, despite flaws (like Moedl,
Callas, Gencer, so many others. She is
terribly missed.!!!
Diana and I had a long talk yesterday
about style and today's lack of divas
with kind of emotion of a Muzio,a Zeani,
a SOVIERO exhibited. SAD!!!!
....and do not yell at me for living in
the passato.
Fine voice 6/25/40.People who
do not have access to these singers
miss a lot of unappreciated voices.
Giuseppe Taddei, 6/26/16...A GREAT
baritone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Warm voice..
superb artist.
Diana and I had a nice talk this
evening. She always tells people
I "discovered" her.....well, if so
I am glad.....The greatest!!!!
I am on this new "Buratto thing."
Wonderful to find a new voice
the way I did w.Soviero Mimi in 1977.
She is superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With Jeemy gone, we will have the
Ring back next season, but I fear
the orchestra will not rise to his
level.
We used to need DEPENDS at a
La Puma performance. I pppp'd
in my pantaloni!!!!!
I may have posted this, but if you
want to cry like me...you watch this.
She would come forward slowly on
"Ma quando vien lo sgelo" (note a
kind of "breath" on the "Ma" and then let out
a Birgit Nilssonian top note on "E mio" that
threw us on the floor. (Remember, we were
standees.)….I miss her so.....Called her on
every birthday....NO ONE in my view had the
combination of beauty of tone and WAGNERIAN volume.
My friend saw Livia Budai as
Eboli in SF .He fell on the floor
in hysterics!!!! Who let her out?
I do not care if you are male,
female,or not sure...YOU are better!
My favorite version of this scene
with Giuseppe Taddei (6/26/16) and
Rosanna Carteri.The way he says the
word "Entrate" is so warm...she never came
here..a pity!!!!!
Gorgeous soprano. When she
started the Norina Don Pasquale
aria, the resonance was so amazing,
I thought she was singing in my EAR!
Here is dear Irina Lungu, a real
sweetheart of a person (she even
likes me). Wonderful artist!!!
Zinka fioratura and some top notes
not good..but play IN MIA MAN for
the greatest!!!!!!!
Hey....1 million 900 thousand downloads in all these years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I ever post this? I think
she was on valium..not drunk.
Poor tenor....I think she is related
to the Del Monaco family.
But better than Livia Budai
LAST of the singers with the
kind of feeling absent today.
Zeani,Favero,Muzio,Soviero.
NO ONE does this today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can we choose to separate controversy
over art? This is not easy, but we
cannot deny his contribution to
music?? Like no one knew...………………….
I was Rochefort in her first Bolena
with Sam Ramey (who???). It was
MY THRILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mexico reviews remember CALLAS....Galvany reviews
for the Aida compared her to Maria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday 6/19/36 to my
darling friend,Marisa Galvany
(well, that is one of her fake names,)
We go back to Yolantha and Bolena.
Still does recitals in N.Carolina. One of the GREAT singers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Unions do not allow real names if you sometimes do not get paid,as in early days.) I know all the names,especially Ethel Merman
Happy Fathers' Day to my dear friend
Sam Ramey, whose son just
turned 15. It is my fervent hope
that Sam Jr. does not ever
witness this side of Sam.
We go back a long time, and I
can tell you Sam.Jr.is lucky
to have a great dad!!!!!
On this fathers' day, my beloved
friend,Virginia Zeani, wishes
you daddies a Happy Fathers' day.
On this fathers' day,poor Siepi
gets to sing "Mio,padre" but a
certain lady sort of eclipses
his last note. HAM!!!!!!!
Delmonaco sang "Trahison" running
out of the tent.He knew it was a broadcast!!
They looked better than Victor and Hedy!!!!
I was there...1958
Rise sat at her desk and told us of her love for Lehmann when she was a student....as if in a trance...and
they sang together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
La Famosa storia di Handelmani e Rise 1/21/56 Since di Stefano broke Rise's arm on the broadcast of Carmen, the club meeting was cancelled..My ma planned a surprise birthday party....How to get Charlie out of the house???No party!!!! They got me to see her when she came back from the hospital...so they could surprise me.but close call..... That PIPPO!!!!!! My friends surprised me..they just arrived before me. What a shock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! However imagine if a certain invited guest was able to attend. TEBALDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have fainted! Quest' era la solita storia di Pippo e il mio compleanno.................
I was 16..First singer I ever met.
Had great times at her home with the club...Made it to
99.....6/11/13...No one could be more beloved in my
young life..well,also Tebaldi.
Rise,I will never forget you...……………..
Alagna said the nicest thing to me:
"I can see in your eyes how you love music!!"
That was so kind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
George London, 5/30/19 was a sensational
Artist. He was riveting on stage and we adored
him. Career cut short by a herniated
vocal chord, but he made a fabulous
impression on opera!!!!
I went to see Galvany in Bolena.
Suddenly this mezzo (later soprano)
opens her mouth and MIO DIO!!!!
Olivia was as thrilling as Galvany.
That nasty Sam Ramey is the King,
by the way. When I did the role I
was a teddy bear.
Happy Birthday 5/30/40 to my
darling friend and great diva,
Olivia Stapp. They do not make
them like this anymore!!!!
In loving memory of all the brave men
worldwide,who gave their lives for their
country. Bless them!
No words are adequate enough to
describe what she was. In the Met
it was breathtaking. Bless her!
Great lady...Despite many emotional
problems, a great diva.
Our late dear friend,Gwynne Cornell,
is next to her.
Two of today's superb tenors.
I bring them presents, but cannot
bring too much to Piotr because
his luggage would be too heavy when he goes
to Europe.
Dear Michael Fabiano celebrates his
birthday May 8. He is a great star
and I hope he comes over soon to
raid my tenor cd's as we discussed.
sHE OVERDOSED ON SOMETHING......OR DRUNK??? RELATED TO THE DELMOnaco family.
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Night after tragic death of
Warren, This Chenier was a great
example of the kind of singing we
had. Note it is in KEY and note, at
3:30 Zinka's "Amaaaaante". We went
nutty, after such a sad evening we
had experienced.
Did I ever show you this?
If not...get ready for some
great high notes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spoke this evening to my darling
Virginia Zeani,now in a facility. She
is never lonely since she has
so many friends. Hit a couple of
high notes on the phone.
Since Tebaldi, no one has touched my
heart like Virginia.
So sad that Toscanini's protégé,
Guido Cantell, was killed in a
plane crash. Life can be cruel!!
First of all, please excuse me
for a lack of posts, as I have been
ill. I wrote Piotr after the great Luisa
Miller, which was tremendous last Saturday.
I missed him this year,and hope to see
him next season.
A GREAT GUY and my favorite singer!
A real sweetheart and one of the last of the
true verismo sopranos....and Lovable!
3/31/ 1952. We love her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A long way from our Barber and
Hoffmann and Bolena,where we
were astounded by this young guy.
Happy Birthday and hope your new
hip is getting better.
LOVE Charlie
Happy Birthday to my dear friend
Sam Ramey, One of the great stars
and good buddy since we sang at
the start of his illustrious career.
No words are adequate to tell
you of what that night was like.
She was 65 but we know she
sang like this at 85. (MY TAPE)
My two favorite divas celebrate birthdays on Mar.19. How lucky I am to have had them in my life!!!!
/www.youtube.com/embed/K1FuwDjnrd8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen>
Died so young...a diva who makes me cry.
That
Died so young...a diva who makes me cry.
That "Veiled voice"....Adore!!!!
Words fail me...OK...some flat notes at end of career...but Zinka screamed/
Stop me from wetting then Pavarotti towels.
I cannot write much...crying too much....we were close for years.
Beloved Renata You were my teenage LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan.25 I love my Marcello Giordani.....Breaks the chandeliers....and sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan.22..Joseph Calleja missed our Jan.21 birthdays by one day...Sweetest guy once told me I am more famous than he is....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Not happy with Verdi roles these days..but a vocal GOD at 73!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Placido....I am a TRUE bass-baritone....
Feliz Cumpleanos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Forgot about the two great birthdays
of Jn.21. Placido (TENOR) and me...true bass-baritone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We all called Giorgio Tozzi "Signor Legato." The man was amazing..one of the great artists we adored.
Born 1/8/23 Beloved man.
Remember always before you eat to "Say Grace" 1/4/37
Bumbry had a great voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lives in Salzburg..We sometimes communicate.
They were a bit jealous when I texted Wunderlich and Gedda
and sent them this video. However, since Piotr's two idols are these guys, they send him love and
Happy Birthday!!!"
s
Remember, it's Piotr birthday week,
so here is the "Bis" in the Liceo
Werther.
Reminds me of a soprano who thought
people were yelling, "BEAST!"
Love that great guy!!!!!
My two favorite tenors have lots
of fun in a rehearsal. How wonderful to have a
Piotr and a Michael in an opera era where many
tenors abound. If only we had ONE Tebaldi!
My favorite singer and "buddy"
Piotr Beczala celebrates his birthday
on 12/28/ (1966). He is the sweetest
and most beautiful person and is
successor to his favorites,Gedda and
Wunderlich. Love this guy!!!!!
Whatever holiday you celebrate,
all my love to you and thanks for
your support all these years.
My best Charlie
The great Gigli w.Elizabeth
Barbato in Forza. He was 61. I saw his 1955 farewell. Had he lived to 80, he would still have had it!!!!!
Diana Soviero's Met debut
with Alfredo Kraus in Romeo
et Juliette.The "Poison aria"
is superb.(Also on YouTube).
I know her since 1977.Still feel
she is as great as any soprano in
my experience.
12/15/1910..Almost made it to 100. One
of the greatest singers in opera
history. I hope she finally
made up with Barbieri!
In the event that anyone here
never heard the greatest single
note in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the most emotional singers,
Rosanna Carteri Born 12/14/30.
Never came here and retired rather
early to be with family. I just
love her so much!!!
Hi all,
All these many years,I could never allow comments,since advertisers interfere. I would LOVE some people to tell me (Placido21@aol.com) if my posts are to their liking..as I want to please you.
If you want..let me know..although the stats do show people seem to like the stuff, from Angola to Zanzibar.
Love Charlie
Here is the moment where Piotr Beczala became my adored favorite singer of today. The beauty of the phrasing, the love of the vocal line, the purity...I love this guy.I see him often backstage and he once introduced me to the son of the famous Polish tenor, Jan Kiepura.
A lovable man and great star!!!!!
Have I never played any Mari Lyn for you?
Now, be sure not to eat or drink while you watch this;send animals and small children out of the room.
Italian is the greatest...especially with the titles!!!!!!!
Today,I got Lucine to sing the first line of the "In quelle trine morbide." At 92, I know she still has a lot of voice..a fun lady, over-used at the Met,but she saved so many shows.
Great xxx-rated jokes!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not easy to take vibrato...but such a charmer..Poor thing died in childbirth.
(Conchita Supervia)
Bing gave her one! Idiot!
Wonderful lady!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZwSAHyGoo8
Dmitri returned to the Met in 2015.
The love expressed by the audience
will go on forever as we remember him.
Totally Devastated.!!! My tears
are unending. He was so sweet and kind. I always
got those kisses on the cheek from this
beautiful man, who will live
forever in our hearts. God Bless Him!!!
Joseph Calleja wants people to
call him "Joe." That is the kind
of guy he is. When he met me, he
said I was more famous than he is.
TRUE?????????????????
If you are not feeling well, do NOT
listen to Sirach von Bodengraven!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!
I am finding old audio stuff for you.
Are you thrilled??????
Great fun guy, Brian Hymel, in French arias.
He is such a wonderful person, and has
a beautiful family. BUY IT! I get
no commission on the full CD.
Callas, Corelli, Nicolai
from Trieste.Note Corelli attack before Callas D!!!!!!!!! Nothing like this today!!!
Here are early recordings of my dear friend
Diana Soviero.Friends since 1977. I hope you like them.
THIS is what Leonie was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She had her flaws, but at 5:09 you hear something stupendous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cry...cry.....for the lady who knew her fate and
who was a miracle for all of us to behold.
She had her flaws, but NO ONE gave what she
accomplished as a sensational artist!!!!!
I had so many glitches in my audio files,I have been sending you Videos,which I hope you enjoy. Hope to get back to the audio podcasts soon..Meanwhile, you do have archives.
Thanks for your support Charlie
I play you my tape, with my yelling....at the greatest miracle. as the 65 year old Magda Olivero makes her Met debut in 1975.
The ovation is cut...It was one of the greatest things in my opera life...Note 3:16.."RiMUUUUneri" cosi.
The miracle lasted until age 104...but her caretaker said there was voice there almost till the end.
Bless her!!!!!!!!!!!!I miss those birthday phone calls,where she spoke in "Verismo"
I just called Virginia to tell her I had put up clips of Nicola-Rossi Lemeni,born 11/6/28. They were such a loving couple and she misses him so much!!!!!!!
The great Tito Gobbi 10/23/13
was even more versatile than I thought
and that Fair Lady is not too bad
either.
Just the word "CARO" tells you what
Virginia was..the "cry" in the voice
distinguished her from so many others.
Here is more of my Virginia. She always called her
fabulous low notes "mask," rather than "chest."
Well, whatever they are called, they are amazing.
She sang over 70 roles, including 635 Traviatas.
All that arthritis comes from falling on the floor,
plus rehearsals. I wish she had borrowed knee
pads from a football player, but she felt it
was not "reality."
I have been blessed in my life to have become
acquainted with many singers, some of whom
were more than just stars I met backstage.
The first was Renata Tebaldi, and later on
Olivia Stapp, Diana Soviero, Marisa Galvany,
Sam Ramey, and Regina Resnik.
However, in the last years, I have
become closely acquainted with Mme.
Virginia Zeani, whom I consider as "la mia sorella."
Virginia has been one of the greatest singers
in opera history, although, like Magda Olivero and
others, not lucky enough to make commercial
recordings, but we "pirates" have spread the
word.
On this day, I wish my darling friend, not
in the best of health, by undying love! Happy
birthday, my dear Virginia.
Look...anyone who ever worked
with Diana Soviero SHOWS it in
so many ways...At least this Angel(a)
can be heard in the theatre.
New Met Mimi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have seen the greats.She is
superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I adore BLACK basso voices.
Rydl is so scary and I
love this role, but am too
nice to do it (and do not
have the voice). I collect
all the RINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is such fun!!!! As a language
teacher I would have wanted to
perform this. He is a delight!
Irina Lungu is a real sweetheart.
Saw her Gilda and Musetta and
we chat on Facebook. I wish
she would return to the Met!
Hiromi Omura.......What a gorgeous
voice!!! May she go far!!!! You know
I have good taste!!!!
You can talk about divas all you
want, but for me, Diana is one
of the all-time greatest.Since I
fell out of the balcony(Mimi) in
1977, we have been close friends.
Even the way she gets onto the bed
at the end is special! Sadly, many
great singers do not make 50 CD's!!!!!
Happy birthday to the greatest
and most fun-loving diva in
the world! She is one of the
few throwbacks to the Golden Age!!!!
What more is there to say
on this sad day (9/16/)?Yes, she had
her flaws, but the world of music
lost a veritable genius/.
Rest in Peace,Maria!
What is lacking today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The beautiful "morbidezza" in
the voice. What Zeani,Muzio,
Olivero,Callas,Scotto,Soviero,
Favero could accomplish! Today, it is a lost
art..except HERE!
Truly gorgeous voice!!!!
Hope she goes far!!!!!
Facebook poster presented this
recital.So rewarding!
Dear Magda, the miracle of opera,
passed away at 104 3 yrs.today.
I called her every birthday and
she was as sweet as could be. She is
83 here, a GREAT LADY, who is missed.
She left Roberto for me...but when
I told her her voice did not carry in
the Met, she belted me in the mouth!!!!
He is so sweet. He told me last year,
"I can see in your eyes how you
love music." That was so lovely.
Some day I will bring people from the Met to my supermarket and we will do a complete Walkure............
Beautiful voice...I just found her.
My friend sees her Violetta tonight
at La Fenice..Those Romanians
sure can sing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
29:39..To this MOMENT I shall never
forget his "Legaaaami," which was a
tone of glory in my life!!!!!!!
I adored him.Middle voice was
pure GOLD. Gee, why don't
you hold the last note longer???
Those of us members of Facebook
discover wonderful talent! Here is
marvelous young baritone Michael Chioldi.
We wish him all our best!!!!!!
Two great guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Facebook friends.
Eduardo is so funny..and great tenor..Mark is wonderful!!!!!
Fine Russian Tenor, Khachatur Badalyan.
I am so glad to "spread the word"
as to the new talents.Superb!!!!
I was waiting once at the Met stage
door after a Macbeth. Out comes this
big guy who looked at me and asked,
"Are you Charlie Handelman?" I said
"Yes." He gave me a big hug and
said,"You are more famous than
me!" What a fun guy!!!!!!!!!!
Joe and I have discussed a kind of
"old-fashioned vibrato," which to
me is "affectionate."
Hiya,
My stats for August show you are really enjoying things;however, the videos do not show up in the stats, so I must deduce that the stats are higher.
I still need to work on a glitch or two in order to do new audio podcasts.
Love Charlie
At the 1972 Rudolf Bing farewell,Regina
came out as Orlovsky and totally
cracked us up with her rendition of
:Chacun a Bing's gout." Knowing how
he treated her, I know she was not
kidding. Trust me!!
Funniest line is "..and ask Corelli twwwwwice." The way she held the "W" is a classic!!!
We were friends for 50 years. Regina
was one of the greats!!!!! Here is one
of her signature roles(even in English.)
Paul, my buddy, 8/28/1941. We
sang so much from 1961 at the
Paterson, New Jersey Company.
He became one of the greats, and a
sweetheart, despite many family
tragedies.
So he didn't have a "C"...OH YEAH!!!!
His favorite role and Virginia is so
magnificent.
Being a language teacher, and not wanting to starve, I sang as a hobby. Aug.28 is the birthday of dear Paul Plishka. We sang a lot together, and I also sang w.Sam Ramey.
Well, two of them made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another clip of this fine singer...What are all those ladies doing there?????????????????
I keep finding them!!!!!!! Here is a superb
young tenor from Nagaland,India.May
he go on to great success!!!!!
They are all out there..just go to YouTube!!!!!
Imagine rehearsing Rigoletto years ago and out comes this fabulous voice. "Who are you?"
"I never sang an opera before..Is the Duke hard????" I guess I can pick them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VERY few opera singers can sing popular music. Farrell did it pretty well and many male singers do it well, but the DIVAS have trouble. I guess the breaks in the voice make it more difficult...but Dorothy Kirsten mastered the crossover, compared to the ludicrous Fleming or L.Price.
Corelli had more vibrato young (DelMonaco called him a "goat) but these commercial discs still tel us of the man's greatness.
I saw him 40 times.Yes,he could be a pain...but generally speaking,he raised the roof!!!!!!!!!!
I have friends who knew him well,and they tell me how sweet he was and so concerned about his artistry.
In the event any of you have
been living on another planet,
here is the great Mari Lynn,
(in)famous on YouTube. She is
currently coaching with Zinka Milanov.
She did lots of films and was popular.
HOWEVER, the end of the Bolero
makes me HYSTERICAL! She and
Erna Sack are "fun" in a certain way.
Howyalike all my new posts???????????
It was so nice when Piotr Beczala
introduced me to the son of
another Polish tenor,Jan Kiepura.
His beloved mother, Martha Eggerth
was alive at the time, and he called
her and said, "Hi,ma!!
I felt as if I was in some way "part of history."
Piotr is my favorite singer of today,
by the way.
When she showed up, Caballe
was one of the greatest singers
of the century!
Her birthplace was Barcelona, as we
at this tragic time send our
deepest feelings for their people.
HUGEST voice from a baritone. Great man...In
Ernani, the audience sometimes started to yell at the G
before the A flat, so stupendous the sound!
8/21/33. One of the most haunting
voices imaginable.I am so sorry I
never got to hear her live. My loss!!
Tribute to the dear people of Barcelona
after this terrible tragedy.
Es imposible expresar en palabras
lo que siento!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you asked me what my all-time favorite commercial recording by a diva is, I would tell you that the Lotte Lehmann Wunder der Heliane aria is to me SUPREME!!!!
The lady had this "veiled and haunting" tone that thrills me no end!!!!
Ferruccio Tagliavini had an incredibly beautiful
"Gigli-like" voice. Here is an aria from a rare
Refice work, "Chopin." He did not even have
a recording of it, saw my catalogue, sent me a
request and I sent it to him!!!
8/14/1913. More to come.
I saw this marvelous baritone
in Macbeth and I wish to show you
this clip on his birthday, Aug.12 (1966.)
Imagine attending a performance with your four
favorite singers in their respective voice categories.
The matinee 1956 for me was something never to forget.
Zinka,my all-time favorite singer, is absolutely at her
PRIME!!!! The B flat pp on "Invan la pace" is
UNREAL and the last "Maledizione" is sensational.
I was standing all the way down across the orchestra
pit. Yes, I live in the past!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sweetest nicest guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8/8/79 Happy Birthday!!! Wonderful voice.
GREAT HIGHS!!!!!!!!
Lovable in person also!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great cast!! (well,almost!)
Milanov,Baebieri,Siepi,Warren. They had
to Baum, but that's life!!!!! DelMonaco
did other shows, but this is what did
occur at times.
I decided this morning to trace the stats
for a given time period. In only three hours,
I observe,for example that there were 40
"hits" in this time period. I guess you have
not deserted me (like in that opera in
the desert where the soprano sings,
"Sola,perduta,e abbandonata."). I thank
you for years of support,despite some glitches (and
the flu). Please send me personally any comments
(Placido21@aol.com), as I cannot open
the comments page here, or I will get
all sorts of ads. We are up to over a million and a
half "hits." Keep listening!!!
Lovingly Charlie
I totally disagree with Placido singing baritone.
He has an amazing amount of voice at
75, and he was also born on a famous
day,Jan.21 (like me, but I sang the right stuff.)
Some of you will disagree,but I feel
he does not do proper justice to
the Verdi line. BUT here he shows what
a great singer he has been.
So there we were in the first row at Carnegie
and just before Tebaldi launched into this
aria, she looked down and winked at us! We
were sure she sang just for US!!!!!
Absolutely RIVETED by the Amfortas of
Ryan McKinny. I have seen the best, as
you well know:London,Uhde,Schoeffler,etc.
This artist is a true STAR!!!
I do not believe that there has ever
been any soprano with the combination
of gorgeous voice quality and
Wagnerian volume.. When she sang "Pace"
at the Met in a concert with Bastianini
and Del Monaco, I thought the roof
would come down on the "Maledizione." I
so miss our yearly birthday (Feb.1) phone
calls. NO artist was as sweet and dear
to us in our youth..and funny!
One of the most riveting scenes in opera.
It makes one cry!!!!!!! I met Silja once
and asked her for the Makropolous formula
so I could live 356 years so I could
listen to my collection. She must have thought I was nuts!! (I was!)
Dear sweet funny Rolando had to
see many doctors until he found
what was causing the vocal problems.
I miss him..such fun we had with him.
After his Traviata debut we all walked
down Broadway and he was so excited
he almost hit his head on the glass
bus stop..I SAVED HIM!
Sorry! My fonts were too big and some text is cut.I will be careful in the future.
I love singing the end of act two of my favorite opera and the video is of a show we did.I was the King (on left) BUT until I saw the tape, I did not realize that the great Sue Hassel thought she was Callas. How did I get involved in this mess?
Sue supposedly vocalizes on the NY Ed Koch bridge,walking home..This accounts for all the recent accidents!!!!
How do these people think they can sing??????????????
I recall meeting Sondra long before she became one of our present great singers. You must be there is person to hear the incredible resonance of the voice, where she sounds as if she is singing in your ear!
I want more chest voice from her, but in one opera I recall she sang more lows, and wrote on the program, "How did you like the chest,Charlie??"
Thinking of how our 1971 Bolena rehearsal introduced us to a guy named Sam Ramey and how I looked down Marisa Galvany's throat when she hit those high notes.
Now I see two people I know, Steven Costello and Sondra Radvanovsky in Bolena rehearsal...They seem to have fun, as we did back then.
Great mezzo Margarete Klose was born on 8/6/1899. Together with my favorite mezzo,Ebe Stignani, I am thrilled by the richness of her voice.
Another great new tenor????????????????
Madre de Dios!!!!! Really superb....but can't we have ONE Tebaldi?????
This guy is superb.Go to YouTube for more!
Norman Treigle left us too soon, but his accomplishments were legendary. I saw him in almost everything he did at City Opera...Unforgettable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scotto,Domingo (and MacNeil) sing this fabulous scene to thrill audiences at the Met!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HEY!!! Lots of new stuff for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Despite the noise of the wind, my two favorite tenors, Piotr Beczala and Michael Fabiano sing "O sole mio" in outdoor park.
Who is the other guy?
Two of the GREAT singers of today and wonderful guys!!!!
What a night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First time we heard them live. Corelli holds the all'armi forever and the ovation for her after the "D'amor" went on and on and on.
Dear Dmitri returned two years ago for Trovatore. However, things are not going too well now. We pray he may be able to fight his serious health problem. God bless him!!!!!!!
He came back in May and sang "Cortigiani" in the Gala It was labored, but he is a fighter.!
I always got the two kisses on the cheeks....I am glad I finally found out it was the custom!!!!!
Not always an easy voice to take..but a MONUMENTAL MAN!!!! My friend became close with this great icon..In person the voice must have ben a sensation....a bit "white" in color...but nevertheless a great man.
He told my friend, "Del Monaco sings like a truck driver but McCracken is the TRUCK!!!!
For next season,Susi Sommers replaces Peretyatko. Audience must wear earplugs.
Even Larry Brownlee does not have a high T over L.
Piotr loved the late Nicolai Gedda so much. Once he put on a jacket in a Paris Faust, and the label inside read "Nicolai Gedda."
Here is a tribute to Gedda, who always sang this so beautifully. I sang it for my mother (lower key) and she said, "Good...but I prefer Gedda!"
When dumb Met audiences laugh at some titles during act one Tosca (You know "Make her eyes black") I get mad.In Chicago once, Eva Marton was furious at the "Give her black eyes" title.
Well, I am a big crab. I feel like Jon Vickers in a Dallas Tristan (Dristan??) where he told the audience to "shut up."
Hey, I am putting lots of stuff here..and even some old podcasts, which I am sure you forgot about!!!!!
Sad how intolerance kept Afro-Americans out of the Met until Marian Anderson in Ballo 1955.I was there!
I spoke to Camilla Williams, a friend of Virginia Zeani,shortly before she passed away. She was my first Butterfly at City Opera. A great voice and a lovely lady!
I saw 5 of them in 1954!!!!!! Trouble with top notes but she did lose the C in the 50's....However for me the greatest singer in my life..saw her 88 times...well 88 and a half,as she fainted during a Verdi Requiem.
She sounded so bad that night the "faint" might have been faked!
The tenor was Gino Penno..loudest top I ever heard, but did not last long. Blanche Thebom was Adalgisa and Cesare Siepi was Oroveso.
IN MIA MAN in last act is an example of her greatness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Caterina Mancini and Rolando Panerai in duet from La Battaglia di Legnano.She thrilled me since age 17 on Cetra recordings..I have a letter from her.
Some of us (including some great singers) LOVE this stuff...I hope you do also!!!!!
She is the 567th cover for Flute next yr.
The great Piotr Beczala in a new DVD from Dresden w.Anna Netrebko. It is a gorgeous performance and I urge you to purchase it, since he gives me five bucks for every copy sold.
Semiramide aria as sung by the superb Elena Nikolaidi.
I will be doing some shorter audio clips, plus videos until I can do longer podcasts. Enjoy!!!
Happy Birthday,Licia Albanese
Born 7/22/05..Made it to 105!!!
One of the greats of opera!
Amazing new tenor from the Phillipines. I am so thrilled. This is an era of these types of tenors who can sing coloratura and sail up to high Z!!!!!!
I sure find them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Listen to the LOWS especially..NO ONE sings like this today!!!!! thrilled.
Dear friends,
I have always felt so bad that Lybsyn cannot allow feedback from you, because if I allow comments, I get all sorts of ads from companies.
My e-mail is Placido21@aol.com and I wish you could comment on any of my podcasts.I welcome your feedback.
My best Charlie
My dear Piotr Beczala does a BIS. His Lohengrin will be out soon on DVD.I had given him the CD set of Gedda's only Lohengrin..He adored Gedda.
Nicest guy in the universe, and a great artist.
Until I do the audios, I am sending lots of videos.,,,Have fun!!!!!
Dmitri has cancer and it does not look good. We adore him.This is last month....I wish him love....
Hi again.
I see by the stats you are still with me. Until I get those glitches fixed, I am sending clips and also you can use the archives and listen to past material.
Sorry for the delay. Libsyn made some changes and I must adapt. Love Charlie
I miss him at the Met!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great guy! Some people do not like the squillo,as he tells me..Tough!!!!!
I Lombardi aria
Joseph Calleja met me for the first time once. Said,"Are you Charlie??You are more famous than I am"......big hug...I always remind him of this.
Until I get things worked out again,here are some old clips:The first is my dear Piotr Beczala Prince Igor Aria.
Nicest guy in captivity!!!!!! (He actually reads my posts on Facebook)
Stats still show people are still here...although I have not been lately..Good....scroll down all over and listen to old stuff..there is plenty until I work out the glitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear friends (I hope),
Please forgive me, but the glitches are killing my podcast files. Hope to get back soon.
Love Carlo Magno Traditore
Hi...Libsyn is changing format so have to adjust to it. Sorry for delays but will be back to bore you soon.....Love Charlie
My darling Virginia Met 1967 debut..My favorite part of the opera.
Not easy for her at 91.....She is my "family."
Bad knees...never wore knee pads (died 365 times plus rehearsals) since she felt knee pads placed her "out of character."
While I am working on the glitches, will post some earlier files.Here is the fabulous Hans Hotter in a section of Siegfried Act 3
Hi..Sorry for delay.......will be back as soon as possible...glitches!!!!!!
Non mi abbandonare
ch
I never forgave Ed for those HUGE high notes. Farewell, mio amico......My tears flow. It came out twice...once in honor of Pinza/Ruffo
We just lost Ed Rosen, one of the great collectors and live tape distributors.Rest in Peace.
pupil of the Neapolitan tenor Fernando De Lucia (1860–1925), Thill made his opera debut at the Paris Opéra in 1924, and he continued to appear there and at the Opéra-Comique for several decades, undertaking a busy schedule of performances.
In addition, he sang throughout Europe and in South America, receiving the acclaim of audiences and critics at La Scala, Milan, the Rome Opera, the Verona Arena, the Vienna State Opera, the Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. He also gave 14 performances, of seven roles, across two seasons (1931–1932), at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City; but he had difficulty fitting in with the unfamiliar American cultural environment, experiencing health difficulties, and he was less well received by the Met's patrons as a consequence.
His voice began to show signs of decline during the 1940s and he retired from the stage in 1953. He died in 1984 in Draguignan.
Chronologically, Thill's operatic repertoire ranged from Gluck to Puccini and embraced works by Gounod, Massenet, Berlioz, Meyerbeer, Wagner, Verdi and Leoncavallo, among others. He also gave song recitals and was a frequent visitor to the recording studio. He cut many 78-rpm discs of French, Italian and German operatic arias and duets, and participated in the recording of an entire performance of Massenet's Werther by French Columbia Records. The finest of his 78s, dating from 1927 to circa 1940, display the gleaming tone of his voice at its superlative best, as well as demonstrating his spotless taste, stylish phrasing and pellucid diction.
Thill also appeared in several film clips and French-language motion pictures, including Louise (1939), based on Gustave Charpentier's opera. It was directed by Abel Gance and featured Grace Moore as Thill's co-star. Privately, Thill, while a dedicated musician, enjoyed a convivial off-stage lifestyle, and he later blamed his propensity to burn the candle at both ends for shortening the span of his vocal prime.
Video came out twice................................so it is worth listening again.
*One day in my Spanish class, a brilliant,lovable student named Rosario (Rusty) Salemi,knowing I loved opera, said "My aunt sings opera." To myself, I thought, "big deal...probably someone named Elsie Schlachermeyer." No..It was Elizabeth Carron, who just passed away,and with my tears now flowing, I remember her Butterfly, and her Regina of Blitztein (created Miss Birdie.),and how we met and always had so much fun on the phone over the years.
She was Italian,by the way, and I did meet her hubby, who played tennis at age 98!!!!! She sang some Mimi with Ed Rosen at a party..voice still there..HATED Zerbinetta.......but did a lot...except that her family choices did not let her sing more....even in Scala......her choice....... She is on the Callas Medea,by the way.
I can't stop crying...just so sad...but at 94.. good life...fun lady...........They are leaving us.....but never forgotten. Clips on Youtube
With my heart so full for her..........Charlie*
After last season....she could wipe them out if she was 90...... 1982 Frankfurt.
MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ran into him before Boheme Sat. No one as sweet and lovable....plus that great voice..His idols are Gedda and Wunderlich..FIGURES!!!!!
Turkeys in my Operatic Existance
Is this not a poifekt day to use that "Broadway" expression??
Here are mine:
-
Angela Gheourghiu reading the Traviata letter in Braille
-
Except for great high C's, the career of Kurt Baum
-
New Zealand horrid tenor Reginald Byers forgetting to come in offstage during Galvany's "Sempre Libera" and she also told me his dentures fell down the toilet bowl..GIUSTIZIA!!!!!!
-
Cannot list all the La Puma Opera turkeys...just maybe the chorus lady in Aida wearing a watch..(Memphis time?????)
-
Some jerk who had no business singing Ramfis at an early age, cracking on "Folgore, MOOOORTE!" (But I made up for it later on and even sang the RE the same night)
-
Tenor Mario Ortica,ruining Tebaldi's Aida....After "Vicino a sol," I think his madre only applauded.
7.Some Met dude backstage pulling the Walkure act 2 final curtain BEFORE the great James Morris uttered his last words....It went back up..too late...Did he kill anyone with his speer?
-
Tenor Jon Crain at City Opera in 1954 HUGGING Tosca at "Morto..morto..." I guess he forgot to read the libretto.
-
The greatest air raid siren in history....The Milanov high C at the end of "Ma dall'arrido" at Marian Anderson's debut. NY Fire Dept.thought it might replace their usual sirens. (See how fair I am about my all-time favorite singer.??)
10.Not having Ebe Stignani at the Met
FELICE TURKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Love you all
One night at the old Met,the rope that held us,that really contained 50 people instead of maybe 10...we let our friends in at 7....BROKE...and we all fell on the pavement..
I am still laughing....we were absolutely hysterical!
Dear Paul was 19.We sang a lot together.......We never dreamed he would become an ICON!!!!! He did a few Bohemes last yr..Alc/Benoit. A sweet guy with several serious tragedies in his life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leech was so good.Came over once to get a tape of Don Sebastien. Lorengar had wide vibrato..but a treasure!!!!
My beloved Virginia just turned 91. I told her that her knees would not be so bad after 645 Violettas if she wore knee pads. OR....ask to die on a mattress (or on a bad tenor)
If you have your towels ready, here is Renata's return to New YOrk.
Hard for me to take...since she was the kindest person imaginable!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michael knows I think he is Franco 2...Different of course, but GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great guy!!
Repeats of some old stuff for new people and oldies who forgot!!!!!!
Tebaldi,Tucker..(Scarpia is dead)
Placido21@aol.com Can I do this?
She would not DARE scream at me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was my second mommy!!!!
11/14/ 1926..She knew she had little time left....The most BELOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For new members, or for older ones who want more torture, here is a reminder of the first nutty clips I made, before I became normal..no CRACKS!!!
http://handelmania.com/mad.htm
In the nine years I have had the pleasure of sending you material, it has been a great success..over one million and a half "hits."
You see the archives on the podcast page, but often it is difficult to remember where things are, although I keep my own records.
However,some of the compilations are hard to locate, so if I do some repeats, I am sure you will understand, and even enjoy things all over again.
I wish I could allow comments, but as I have explained, if you allow for them, I get ads for all kinds of commercial products. You are always invited to send comments and/or suggestions to my e-mail address at Placido21@aol.com.
Thanks for your great support and have a look at teenage me with my adopted mommy.
"Vat?" You like my pianissimi?"
On Jan.21, 1956, my 20th birthday, this Carmen w.Rise Stevens,Giuseppe Di Stefano,Robert Merrill,Lucine Amara cond.by Max Rudolf was to precede a surprise birthday party for me on the next day. However (listen to end of act 3),you hear Rise say "put my arm down,"(1:46:24) which dear Pippo broke, and the Rise Stevens music club meeting,scheduled for the next day...to get me out of the house while my friends assembled,was cancelled! PANIC!!!!
My ma convinced me to go see Rise when she came from the hospital, and happily I was able to arrive home and shockingly had the biggest surprise imaginable!
I was so surprised, but there was one person who was too busy to show up..her name was Renata Tebaldi! I would have fainted!
Well,despite Pippo, it turned out well, but it was a close call.
We lost this wonderful artist at age 51.He died of cancer this week. I saw his superb Tannhauser last season. So sad!!!!!
We spoke every birthday! NO ONE made me happier on that birthday day.....The "Verismo voice" and the love of life. Heaven must have become a more beautiful place on Sept.8, 2014, when she entered.
Happy birthday to dear Irina Rindzuner,
a good friend & fine voice.
China looks rather strange!
I try to spread the word about new talent.Here is tenor Jamison Walker, one of my zillions of Facebook buddies.
I play Michael's high C on "rendero" as much as I play Corelli's. Mike is a great guy.
One of our great young tenors!!!!!!
...and remember whom I have seen in my operatic life!!!!!!!
Please but the new Poliuto DVD, as I get 5% of the sales.
Seriously, it is a great Fabianolous DVD!!
Live Radio broadcasts sponsored by Martini & Rossi.
Di Stefano Iris "Apri la tua finestra"
Carosio Sonnambula "Ah non credea"
Callas Seraglio aria (In Ital.)
Gigli Werther aria (In Ital.)
Simionato Tancredi "Di tanti palpiti"
G.Raimondi Luisa Miller "Quando le sere al placido"
Callas La Vestale "Tu che invoco"
Olivero La Wally "Ebben,ne andro"
DelMonaco Walkure Act one scene
Cossotto Samson et Delilah act 1 aria
Bergonzi/Carteri Butterfly Duet
https://www.youtube.com/user/MrFriendofopera. Good stuff!
Click PLAYLISTS.
When scrolling ends,
Click last item for more.
A
Proclaimed a “gifted young tenor” by the New York Times, Joshua Guerrero returns to the Los Angeles Opera in his role debut as Macduff in Macbeth with Plácido Domingo as Macbeth and James Conlon conducting, a role in which he will debut at the Zurich Opera with Gianandrea Noseda conducting. Mr. Guerrero makes his London debut at the English National Opera as the Duke of Mantova in Jonathan Miller's famous production of Rigoletto. In concert, he will tour Europe with Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolivar Orchestra singing Beethoven's 9th Symphony and sing Haydn's Creation with Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic. He will make his Baltimore Symphony Orchestra debut with Marin Alsop in Beethoven's 9th Symphony as well.
Last season, Mr. Guerrero sang Greenhorn in Jake Heggie’s Moby Dick at LA Opera. He made his European operatic debut as Gabriele Adorno in Simon Boccanegra at Opéra National de Bordeaux and then was seen as Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore at Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville. In concert, Mr. Guerrero as seen with Gustavo Dudamel in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Simón Bolivar Orchestra. In the summer of 2015, Mr. Guerrero appeared at a special gala honoring Plácido Domingo at the Salzburg Festival.
Mr. Guerrero made his role as Count Almaviva in LA Opera’s new production of John Corigliano’s Ghosts of Versailles under James Conlon in the 2014-2015 season, replacing a colleague with short notice. He also returned to the Aspen Music Festival for his role debut as Roméo in Roméo et Juliette with George Manahan conducting. He traveled to Caracas to sing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Orchestra, as well as performed Verdi’s Requiem with the Santa Fe Symphony. He made his role debut as Rodolfo in La bohème with Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela in Caracas.
As a member of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program at Los Angeles Opera, his appearances include his mainstage debut as Normanno in Lucia di Lammermoor, followed the role of Steve Hubbell in A Streetcar Named Desire. He also appeared in the Cathedral production of Jonah and the Whale and made his debut at the Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of James Conlon singing the role of the Messenger in Aida.
A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, he has performed Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni and the title role in Orpheus in the Underworld for Opera UCLA and he also performed in the Britten Art Song Prelude at the Colburn School. He previously appeared as the Chevalier in Opera UCLA’s production of Dialogues of the Carmelites. He has been a featured tenor soloist in Palm Springs Opera Guild’s annual Opera in the Park concert and studied in Austria with Vladimir Chernov. Mr. Guerrero was the second prize-winner at Plácido Domingo’s Operalia Competition in 2014.
Aria came out twice..GOOD..Listen twice to this glorious voice!!!!!! * + Photo: Gabriel Guzman + Photo: Gabriel Guzman * + Photo: Gabriel Guzman + Photo: Gabriel Guzman
Buy Online * rigliano & William M. Hoffman: The Ghosts of Versailles
◀ Back Next ▶
Happy Birthday to a marvelous soprano.Her Met Amelia was a joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope she returns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the great Mario Del Monaco's birthday on 7/27 (1915), here, in outline form, are some recollections:
1.November 1951.My first opera.EXPENSIVE orchestra seat at 7.50. I remember very little, except the curtain opened, and a guy with WHITE TEETH came forward..First singer in my LIFE!
2. Oct.31, 1956 Callas debut.(bad!). Act two (in those days in was act 4) he sings one low-lying line in the duet: "No,si vil non sono!" I swear to this day it seemed he was singing that "innocent" line in my poor EAR, but one night he did say "Hello,boys" when he came out the stage door in my poor EAR again!
3. A friend supered in Otello.In act three he scared everyone with "Anima mia, ti malediiiico!" My friend's poor EAR!!!!!!!
4.Samson et Delilah 1958 matinee.(Rise and Mario looked even better than Vic and Hedy).End act 2...."No,I sing "TRAHISON" not off stage." (In his mind!) It is a matinee....He ran out of the tent.....remember it was a BROADCAST!!! and sang it in front of the stage! You big HAM!!!! (Grazie a Dio!!)
5. Hard for him to sing over the passaggio with that voice..(Celeste AidOOOO) on F....but tried to sing piano and with Zinka did sing high B flat pp with her at end of Aida. He apologized once to Magda in Francesca rehearsal when he entered too LOUD...but at least he was aware of his shortcomings.
6. As years passed, the middle became "white," especially after his motorcycle accident, but last video is 1976 and the top remained great..but his "Riders to the sky" is disaster...and his live Fedora entrance,before the aria, has someone saying something like "OI VEY," or something..I think it might be "Ma no!!!!! (It was with Magda.)
7. He got very sick, and was on Dialysis for a few years,until a rather early death..in his 60's.
8. He gave 1000% every night..Never faked it.....we adored him so much! When he came down those stairs in act one Chenier (our first Chenier..we sneaked in to dress rehearsal) and full voice started the Improvisso..we went nuts!
9. Gala once around 1960...Act One Butterfly..Why the white hair? Pinkerton didn't retire!
10. Called Franco a "goat" but they later made up. (It's in the Corelli book.)
11. He hardly did Manrico..but at my first Trovatore, he sang it. I saw him 40 times..Never will forget him.God Bless!!!!
Some of the lines are cut off..I just could not fit it all, but you get the idea....
A friend was listening to the live Bayreuth Walkure, featuring the debut of Swedish baritone, John Lundgren. He was CRAZY..likening him to Hotter and London. I tuned in and I was just AMAZED!!
Of course it is unique, but he must be ranked as one of the great singers of today. He is the Rance on the DVD Fanciulla w.Stemme, and I hope he records more.
Not often do we hear this level of singing, especially in such difficult music. Bless him!!!!!
Carlo Bergonzi emerged as one of the greatest artists in opera history. Here,in 1986, he returns to the Met. He was born on 7/13/24.
The "slancio" is incomparable...a GOD in music!!!
Born in Jessup, Pennsylvania, Cossa studied with Anthony Marlowe in Detroit, Michigan, Robert Weede in Concord, California, and Armen Boyajian in New York City. He made his debut at the New York City Opera as Morales in 1961, and a week later sang Sharpless with the company. He won the American Opera Auditions in 1964 and was sent to Italy for debuts at the Teatro Nuovo in Milan and Teatro della Pergola in Florence.[2]
He made his debut at the San Francisco Opera in 1967 as Zurga in Les pêcheurs de perles. His Metropolitan Opera debut took place on January 30, 1970 as Silvio in Pagliacci. Other roles there were Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Lescaut in Manon Lescaut, Marcello in La bohème, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliette, Masetto in Don Giovanni, Valentin in Faust, Yeletsky in Pique Dame, Germont in La traviata, and Albert in Werther. In 1976 he created the role of David Murphy in the world premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti's The Hero with the Opera Company of Philadelphia.[3]
Cossa's left a few notable recordings of his best roles such as Belcore in L'elisir d'amore opposite Dame Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti, Achillas in Handel's Giulio Cesare opposite Norman Treigle and Beverly Sills, Nevers in Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots, again opposite Sutherland, Martina Arroyo and Huguette Tourangeau, and the baritone solo part in Roger Sessions' When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd. He can also be heard on the Classical Record Library's A Celebration of Schumann and Schubert with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
He has sung as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, the Israel Philharmonic, and the National Symphony.
He was chosen by Licia Albanese to be the recipient of the Puccini Foundation's Bacccarat Award in 2004, and in 1993 was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great American Singers at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.
Cossa taught at the Manhattan School of Music and in 1988 he accepted a position as Professor of Music at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he became chair of Voice/Opera.
Also, a SWEET GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
His North American debut was as Alvise in Ponchielli's La Gioconda at the second season opening of Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera House. It was the night of "Golden Age" stars, also featuring American debuts of Giovanni Zenatello as Enzo and Jeanne Gerville-Réache as La Cieca, while Lillian Nordica sang the tile role, Mario Ancona was Barnaba and Eleanora de Cisnero was Laura. A year later, Metropolitan Opera engaged Didur as Méphistophélès in Gounod's Faust at the inauguration of the new Brooklyn Academy of Music to be followed two days later by his Ramfis in Giuseppe Verdi's Aida. On this all-star opening night of the 1908 season, Arturo Toscanini was in the pit and the rest of the cast included Emmy Destinn in her Met debut as Aida, Enrico Caruso (Radames), Louise Homer (Amneris) and Antonio Scotti (Amonasro). He remained with the company for a quarter of a century and became one of its principal bass singers, counting 933 performances in 55 roles.[9]
It was at the Met in 1913 that he appeared in the title role of Boris Godunov in the American premiere of Mussorgsky's opera.[10][11][12] Didur created the roles in three operas by Giacomo Puccini at the Met, La fanciulla del West and the Il tabarro and Gianni Schicchi of the Il Trittico trilogy. He also appeared at the world premiere of Humperdinck's Die Königskinder. His other important "firsts" at the Met include the US premieres of Mozart's Così fan tutte, Smetana's The Bartered Bride, Borodin's Prince Igor (singing both Prince Galitzky and Khan Konchak), and Montemezzi's L'amore dei tre re. He also sang under the baton of Gustav Mahler in Mozart's Le nozze de Figaro, Smetana's The Bartered Bride and the Met premiere of Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades. Didur's last appearance at the Met was in the role of Coppélius in Les Contes d'Hoffmann on 11 February 1932.[9] His voice had been on the wane for some time and he returned to live in Europe.[13
Rare stage appearances by Virginia Zeani. She just told me they did a festival in her honor in Romania.
Who deserves it more? Remember she is my "sister."
When I find a new voice,I want others to sample it.Note remarkable pianissimo tones, AND mixed chest voice on "Crudel," which pleases me so much.
Eleonora Buratto was born in Mantua, Italy. After graduating at the "Lucio Campiani" Conservatory, she continued her studies for three years under the guidance of Luciano Pavarotti and then with Paola Leolini.
She made her debut in the role of Musetta in La Bohème in 2007, winning the competition " Adriano Belli " in Spoleto.
In 2009, conducted by Riccardo Muti, she debuted in the role of Creusa in Demofoonte by Jommelli at Salzburg Festival, Opèra Garnier and Ravenna Festival. In 2011, again under the baton of Riccardo Muti, she was Susanna in I due Figaro by Mercadante at Teatro Real Madrid, then at Salzburg Festival, Ravenna Festival and at the Colòn of Buenos Aires. In 2012, conducted by Riccardo Muti, she was Amelia in Simon Boccanegra at the Opera Theatre in Rome and in 2013 Norina in Don Pasquale at Teatro Real Madrid and in Rome and she sang in Chicago in the Mass in C minor with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Riccardo Muti. In 2014 she was again Amelia on tour in Japan with the Rome Opera Company.
You cannot judge by this clip, but the second this delightful lady sang the first Norina line, it was as if she was "miked." What a fabulous,most unusual resonance. I was thrilled!!!!!
May she go far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was 18.(She was 48). My first introduction to the artist who would become my all-time favorite singer was during the 1953-54 season. I knew enough to realize she did have problems with high C, so I did not include all of the performance.
With Blanche Thebom,Cesare Siepi, and the LOUDEST tenor on record, Gino Penno,who did not last too long, Zinka emitted some of the greatest sounds I have ever heard.
Note the opening of "In mia man," where you hear the rich mixed low tones, brilliant top,total involvement with the music, great nobility, and to my ears, a legendary performance.
I saw her 88 times, and can "play her repertory in my ears."
She was not a cuddly Tebaldi, but I accepted it. She was a tough lady, until her butcher threw her out for smelling the chickens!
(VAT??? Don't you know who I am???)
I TOLD you more great stuff is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He was born into an Armenian family living in the Russian city of Vladikavkaz, where his father was a mineworker. Pavel first worked in diamond drilling, then as a welder apprentice hoping to follow his father's steps. He first began to sing in a church choir before moving to Leningrad to study cello (1930).
As a strong-voiced soloist of a local amateur group he was commissioned to the Leningrad Conservatory.
He started his vocal career in the Maly Leningrad State Opera Theatre and then in the Yerevan Opera House, where he performed the leads for three years.
From 1940 to 1966, Pavel Lisitsian was the soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre and performed parts of Yeletsky, Onegin, Mazepa, and Robert (in Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, Evgenie Onegin, Mazepa, and Iolanta respectively), Germont and Amonasro (in Verdi's Traviata and Aida), Escamilo (in Bizet’s Carmen), Tatul (Spendiarov’s Almast), Arsaces II (Arshak II) (Chuhadzhyan’s Arshak II), Napoleon (in Prokofiev's War and Peace), and others.
During a concert tour of the USA in 1960, he appeared at the Metropolitan Opera as Amonasro. He died in Moscow.
Tchaikowsky and Rachmaninoff Songs.
Since he lived from 1911-2004, Dmitri Hvorostovsky told me he knew him;there are similarities, since these two have gorgeous voices.
Here is the "Miracle of the Opera World," Magda Olivero, at Padua on 4/7/71 (only 61 yrs.old),accompanied by the famous soprano Irma Adami Corradetti.
Manon,Turandot,Francesca,Adriana(Poveri Fiori),Pelagio (Mercadente),Manon Lescaut,Adriana (Io son l'umile ancella), and Manon Lescaut (Sola,perduta).
Go to youtube, where she sings at 83, and I know from her caretaker that she had to get rid of her piano,since people asked her to sing, into her 90's.
I called her every birthday until about age 102, but then things got more difficult until she passed away at 104.
GOD BLESS HER!!!
1.Hoffmann w.Stich-Randall (1954-56)
2. Onegin w.Valerie Bak (1954)
3. Prince Igor aria (1953)
4. Aida duet w.Varnay (1953)
5. Walkure scenes w.Varnay (1953)
A great man!!!! One of the most dynamic singing/actors in opera. Sadly, the career was cut short by physical problems, but he still managed a fine career.
Charlie's all-time favorite aria:
Behrens,Caballe, Callas, Galvany, Malfitano, Marton, Milanov, Millo, Olivero, Price, Rysanek, Scotto, Tebaldi
Please note: These are all LIVE, so sound may vary.
Just a note to thank all of you, from Angola to Zanzibar, for your interest.
Total stats from the start of my podcasts are: 1,692,009 hits.
I am sorry I am unable to allow comments, since I get a horrendous number of ads. However, any comments or suggestions you may have can be sent to Placido21@aol.com.
My best Charlie
P.S. I am grateful for a fan who wants more of the audio podcasts.I am aware..I had so many computer glitches..but now can do more...I appreciate your input..Keep it up!!!!!
Discovered another great Polish artist. This man has such passion and I loved him so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My beloved friend,Diana Soviero, in Fedora from Montreal,1995. Loris is Ermanno Mauro.
For me, Diana has been one of the very last of the "verismo divas."
Just the first phrase is so emotional!!
Zinka and Franco rarely sang together, but when they did.....wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IN THE HIGH KEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sent this teenager to my teacher,Armen Boyajian. He was a teen in the school where I taught..Armen made another basso..along with Plishka and Ramey...BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I dream that KID I knew in high school,where I taught, would arrive at this point..What a star!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sent this to Fabiano and Beczala. I think they had to run to the....you know!!!!!
I have not been so thrilled with an artist since the olden days! Well,Piotr has good taste,as his idols are Gedda and Wunderlich!!!!!
(Prince Igor aria)
After a Macbeth, this big guy said to me, "Are you Charlie Handelman?..You are more famous than I am!!"
Not true...but we had so much fun!!!!!!! Since then, I always sign my e-mails to him "More famous than you!!!"
A superb voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was a teenager, and POOR..but those Cetra recordings with Mario Filippeschi were so exciting. He was born on June 7, 1907. I know he was not "subtle" but a wild voice!!!!!!!
Marisa celebrates on June 20 and two daddies join her for Fathers' Day..Sam and Harry were little kids here!!!!!!
My loving buddy,Piotr Beczala, who makes my life so joyous..as he does for so many. He said this might come out on DVD...I hope so!!!!!
Anyone who has not been on this planet recently might not know of the great Mari Lynn.She can be found on Youtube and I must warn you..If you have a weak stomach, do NOT watch this.
She is currently coaching with Amelita Galli-Curci!!!!
I keep finding them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brava!!!!
She gained international attention for the first time in 1994 after stepping in at the last minute to perform Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi with Geneva Opera. This role was also the vehicle of her debut at the Paris Bastille, with the Munich Radio Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera and Pittsburgh Opera.
Another of her roles is Gilda in Rigoletto, which she has performed at Canadian Opera Company, Lausanne Opera, Opéra Bastille, Pittsburgh Opera, New Israeli Opera, Teatro Municipal de Santiago de Chile, Canadian Opera Company, Teatro Municipale Giuseppe Verdi Salerno, Houston Grand Opera, and The Dallas Opera.
Her Lucia di Lammermoor at Houston Grand Opera "literally catapulted the opening night audience to its feet with her creativity and versatility." (Don Moser, Houston Voice).
Other notable roles have been her Linda di Chamounix; Marie in La fille du régiment; La Comtesse Adèle in Le Comte Ory, Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare; Morgana in Alcina; Olympia in Les contes d'Hoffmann, and Ophélie in Hamlet.
She got her start at San Francisco Opera where she held an Adler fellowship, singing roles such as Xenia in Boris Godunov, Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Duchesse Medina-Sidonia in Milhaud's Christoph Colombe, Marie in La fille du régiment and Fiakermilli in Arabella. Her role-debut of Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos was the vehicle of her return to San Francisco Opera in 2002. She reprised the role at the Richard-Strauss-Festspiele in Garmisch with Ulf Schirmer, Los Angeles Opera and at Houston Grand Opera.
I keep finding them!!!! Watching the Pogner in Meistersinger and discovering a voice reminiscent of the great bassos like Ludwig Weber and Kurt Moll. Just gorgeous tone!!!!
Fedora Barbieri 6/4/1920
When I first went to the Met, one of the most amazing organ-like voices was Fedora Barbieri. The voice was rich and full, and she was one of our favorites ,The incredible lows shortened the very top, so B flat was virtually her easiest top note. (She does not take B natural in the Eboli.)
She was able to bring the chest voice up in an incredible way, so if you picture the last utterance in the Judgement Scene, the word "Anatema" before "su voi" was in CHEST!!!! When she broke away from De Luna, the "Deh rallentati,o barbari" shook the house. (Warren got mad and did not want her to take a solo.)
In 1976, when she returned for Trittico, I had made her some tapes, and met her backstage,mentioning the Trovatore scene. She then launched into it (lower key), and I then realized that she was not too shy. When she and Leyla came to be honored several years ago, at a Licvia Gala, she proceeded to sing some lines of a song, also in a rather low key.
She did a Master Class at Manhatten School of Music which was rather uninteresting. They can sing..but not always teach! We did spend some time backstage and she made me feel "calm" but she was still as much fun as ever. (Euphemism for "nuts!")
I hope she and Giulietta made up, because I was always told they would not sing on the same planet!!!
One of the greatest voices I ever heard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to Cecilia Bartoli, June 4, 1966. I think someone told me she loved this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Long Live La Puma
I finally decided to spread the insane La Puma opera stories to the world that listens to my podcasts. I know I have written them previously, but as long as I want to share with people from Angola to Zanzibar,I will repeat some of them, so do not accuse me of repetition. I NEVER repeat anything. Remember, these tales are true! I was there, or in a few cases others told me of their experiences. Picture yourself there with your opera buddies.(They eventually threw us out!!!!)
1. Chorus lady in Aida wearing a watch.(Memphis Standard time?)
2. Nedda who did not know the music after the ballatella, so Tonio had to leave.
3. Iago falling off the cheap junior high school table during the Brindisi.
4. Prompter in Faust SCREAMING the words from offstage.
5. Silva in Ernani bidding "Entrate ola miei fidi cavalieri." One old guy enters.
6. Olive Middleton, the cult soprano (had a career 50 years ago), with a flashlight in act one Walkure. (This is BEFORE Herheim was born.).Well, it's dark in there.
7.Mme.La Puma (mother of the famous Met coach Alberta Masiello) announcing, "Barnaba ees seeck. We no do Gioconda.Instead we do Tristan und Isolde.
8. The last time we went, because they threw us out when a peasant girl with a big white bow, age about 65, let out an Elektra geschrei, when Leporello got fresh in the Zerlina/Masetto scene. We ran out in hysterics, and I wasn't even wearing my diapers.
In your city, do they have anything l;ike this? We have the MET!
(BTW..Met singers used to attend.I hope they were courteous)
GO to Youtube "La Puma" for more punishment.
After graduating from the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski " and the Herzen University in Saint Petersburg She worked briefly at the Bulgarian Scientific Research Institute of Education in Sofia.[1]
She wrote a dissertation on "Inclusion of children from preschool to universal moral values." Co-author of "Concept for the development of public preschool education in Bulgaria", "Concept for the socialization of socially disadvantaged Romani children” (under the auspices of UNICEF), "White Paper on Pravets" (2010) and the book "Pravets. Chronicles of the private city "(2011).
Author also of dozens of articles on topical issues of public life in the years of Bulgaria's transition to democracy and market economy, published in Bulgarian and foreign Internet and print media (including publications of the European Union) as well as her personal blog.[2]
Information from her essay “The private cities of Bulgaria” (2008) has become part of the book "The New Bulgarian Demons" by the German investigative journalist Juergen Roth.[3][4]
As a guest of the famous morning show "Hello, Bulgaria" to NOVA television on November 14, 2008 She determines Pravets as "the first private city", owned by the representative of the oil giant Lukoil in Bulgaria - Valentin Zlatev, prompting a flagrant dismissal of high-ranking journalist Georgi Koritarov.
Svetla Vassileva is co-founder of several non-profit associations.
Svetla Vassileva was awarded the "Golden Key" for 2014 in the category "journalism" of the Access to Information Programme.
I DO FIND GREAT ONES!!!!
I now add Evan Bowers to my list of fine tenors. This is a tenor world these days. We have Beczala,Giordani,Giordano,Fabiano,Calleja,Camarena,Flores, Breslik, Kaufman, Polenzani,Hymel,etc.
I bring some of those I know cd's, because my collection is gathering dust.
Evan is superb!!!!!
Still discovering new talent. Evan Bowers, superb tenor, plus the 76 year old Bruson, a legend. Svetla Vassileva also wonderful. Also never heard this opera!!!
- Marton vs. Cigna in Turandot ("Straniero, ascolta!")
- Calleja vs. Filippeschi vs. Pertile in Aida ("Celeste Aida")
- Stemme & Dessì vs Gencer vs. Pedrini in Aida ("O patria mia")
- Licitra vs. Salvarezza in Turandot ("Nessun dorma")
- Alagna vs. Zanelli in Otello (Tu, indietro!... Ora e per sempre")
- Guleghina vs. Nilsson in Turandot ("In questa reggia")
- Vogt vs. Völker in Lohengrin ("In fernem Land")
- Kaufmann vs. Di Stefano vs. Björling in Faust ("Salut demeure")
- Kaufmann vs. Filippeschi vs. Salvarezza in Il Trovatore ("Di quella pira")
- Hampson vs. Granforte in Il Barbiere di Siviglia ("Largo al factotum")***
- Florez vs. Filippeschi vs. O'Sullivan in Guillaume Tell ("Asil héréditaire"/"O muto asil del pianto")
- Gavanelli vs. Stracciari in Andrea Chenier ("Nemico della patria")
- Hunter Morris vs. Svanholm vs. Melchior in Siegfried ("Nothung, Nothung, neidliches Schwert")
- Pape vs. Reinmar in Die Walküre ("Leb wohl, du kühnes")
Happy Birthday to a great lady. Note the final double attack on the D..It was something awesome.
May 17, 1906. I only saw her 88 times.I did have to graduate college. NO ONE has ever affected me like Zinka. God bless her.
May 17, 1918
You had to be there!!!!! God bless the incredible Birgit Nilsson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Superb Mandryka and Coming up Dutchman at the Met.
Michael Volle has established himself as one of the leading baritones, receiving the important German Theatre Award “Faust” and awarded “Singer of the Year” by the opera magazine “Opernwelt”. He studied with Josef Metternich and Rudolf Piernay.
His first permanent engagements were at Mannheim, Bonn, Düsseldorf and Cologne. From 1999 until 2007 Michael Volle was a member of the ensemble of the Zurich Opera House where he sang various roles in new productions, including Beckmesser Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Eugene Onegin, Golaud Pelléas et Mélisande, Marcello La Bohème, Count Le Nozze di Figaro, Barak Die Frau ohne Schatten (2009) and Wolfram Tannhäuser (2011).
Since the 2007/2008 season Michael Volle has been a member of the Munich State Opera singing the title roles in the new productions of Eugene Onegin and Wozzeck and further roles like Count Le Nozze di Figaro, Kurwenal, Amfortas, Wolfram and Amonasro.
Messiah, An Sylvia,Tannhauser,Parsifal,Meistersinger,Don Carlo, Falstaff, Merry Widow
Mess
Combining an attractive voice with sparkling coloratura agility and good looks, Peters became a favorite of American audiences and a great proponent of opera for the masses. She quickly established herself in the standard soubrette and coloratura repertoire. Her roles at the Met included Susanna in Nozze di Figaro; Despina in Così fan tutte; The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute; Amore in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice; Marzeline in Beethoven's Fidelio; Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia; Adina in L'elisir d'amore; Norina in Don Pasquale; Oscar in Un ballo in maschera; Nanetta in Falstaff; Olympia in Les contes d'Hoffmann; Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier; Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos; and Adele in Die Fledermaus. She later added lyric-coloratura roles such as Amina in La sonnambula, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor and Gilda in Rigoletto, the last being her farewell role at the Met in 1985.
Fra Davolo,Sonnambula,Etoile Du Nord(Meyerbeer), Hamlet, Perle du Bresil(David)
Luisa Tetrazzini. One of the greats! Today they would "laugh" at the deliberate register breaks. That was the style. I love it!!!
THAT TRILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Linda di Chamounix, Sonnambula, Crispino e la Comare (Ricci), Vespri Siciliani,
I have archived all podcasts, but in the case of individual singers, it is often hard to check exactly what selections I presented. However, there is so much, I am sure you will like it all,even if you heard it previously.
Bless all you wonderful mothers out there. My ma really never left me. She will be with me forever!!!!!!
Happy birthday to my wonderful Michael Fabiano (May 8).I have seen them all, and Michael in my view is a great star!
Corelli texted me that he enjoyed this when I sent it to him...and he was not jealous!!!!!
We have come to love Michael Fabiano as one of the great singers the present day. I also invited him to come and raid my collection,because I have too much!!!
He is a special guy to us!!!!!
The range of roles which she undertook was unusually varied in their vocal requirements: Manon, Charlotte (in Werther), Juliette (in Roméo et Juliette), Marguerite (in Faust), Mignon, Zerlina (in Don Giovanni) and Mélisande. She also sang the trio of heroines in The Tales of Hoffmann.
Vallin had a great affection for French operetta, and performed works by Lecocq, Massé, and Chabrier; she even ventured into music hall during the 1930s, singing at the Alhambra in Paris. Such was her popularity in her native country that she also appeared in a 1937 film, La fille de la Madelon.
Vallin worked with most of the leading French singers of her era, including the renowned tenor Georges Thill, whom she disliked. Her voice was that of a good-sized lyric soprano, well balanced but strongest in its middle and lower registers; but, at her peak, she was also capable of singing high coloratura, as recordings of arias by Bellini and Donizetti illustrate. Her tone was cool and clear, with exemplary enunciation. Louise, Charlotte and Manon became her signature roles. Her performances were described by the critic André Tubeuf as the "epitome of good singing but also of good taste". Sound technique supported both her versatility and the durability of her career; as late as 1946, when she was 60, she sang the Countess (in Le nozze di Figaro) and she continued singing and recording into the 1950s. Between 1953-59, she was a guest professor at the Conservatory in Montevideo.
Roi d"Ys,Pearl Fishers,Louise,Enfant Prodigue,Fortunio(Messager),Chanson Georgienne (Balakirev)
More stuff to come.Have had glitches...Non mi abbandonare!!!!
How exciting to hear a fine voice for the very first time. Last night Mme.Haroutounian sang a beautiful Amelia in Simon Boccanegra, and I am so happy to discover her!!!!!
(And you know how much of a pain I am about singers) Charlie
Last evening, we were privileged to see Korean baritone Hyung Yun, on very short notice, sing Nottingham in Roberto Devereux at the Met. How wonderful to witness a marvelous new voice, a consummate musician
I LOVE HIGH NOTES!!!! I am not afraid to say I like them more than Pelleas et Melisande.
Just came back from Mme.Butterfly.Alagna was superb ,and more than that, backstage he was so lovable, funny,enjoyable for all to relish.
Nicest thing he said, "I know you...because I can see in your eyes your love for opera." But I said, "Who,me???"
Happy birthday to dear Sam Ramey, Mar.28, 1942. We go back to our 1970 Bolena, and later on Barbiere, Hoffman,etc. Great guy..fabulous career.
We knew you would make it!!!!
Love Charlie
Met debut 4/3/75 at 65. We cried all night!!!!!
Note the last "Rimuuuuuneri" cosi...That word alone gave me chills. Ovation cut...we were devastated.
Mar.25, 1910. The MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!
In her 80's. I called her always on her birthday..and today "called her" in my heart......
Dear faithful opera buddies,
It is always frustrating for me not to be able to allow comments, since the site becomes inundated with annoying commercials. If you have comments, suggestions, or if you are an artist who has some Youtube clips I can post for you, let me know at Placido21@aol.com.
Also, I assume you sometimes search the archives and listen to some of the old material, but if for some reason you cannot find an old favorite, I will gladly repost it.
My best Charlie
Confessate!!!! I know some of you sing in the shower!
Here is a guy who thinks he is the succesor to Nicolai Gedda. Let us give him credit! (or should we?)
See, I TOLD you I would do audio podcasts again! I just had so many glitches.
Here is a 1967 Rigoletto under Fernando Previtali, with the glorious cast of Cornell MacNeil,Richard Tucker, and Renata Scotto.
(I do not have complete cast information.)
Another of our Facebook buddies, now beginning an amazing career. What agility and range!!!!!!
Andre Courville is featured in the new Opera News magazine. This is a superb young bass-baritone who will go far!!!!
Here is the young and talented Jack Swanson, obviously headed for a fine career.
We encounter really superb young artists on Facebook, and I like to introduce you to them.
I adore Heldenbaritones and Mr.Gazheli is a superb artist in the tradition of Schoeffler, Uhde, and others. Wonderful!!!!
I found a new guy!!!!!! Wonderful voice. He is the baritone on t he DVD Alzira, which I better play. Go to Youtube and find his superb clips.
Boy, could we use him at the Met!!! Here are some reviews:
``` Mark Stryker (Detroit Free Press from 21.10.2013) German bass-baritone Thomas Gazheli’s Dutchman was a marvel. He brought a deeply resonant voice to the stage and a heightened sense of feeling — but also proportion so that his torment rang of true human suffering and desperate yet dignified yearning.
Huffington Post - 24.10.2013 Bass Baritone Thomas Gazheli's Dutchman was spot-on, and his rich vocal textures lived up to the title role. His acting delivered on a tormented soul seeking redemption. His tender, expressive voice played well off and at times carried Soprano Lori Phillips's Senta, who seemed not always comfortable in her upper range.
George Bulanda (Detroit News) Just as you can’t have a convincing performance of Hamlet without a strong title character, you can’t mount a persuasive production of The Flying Dutchman without a Dutchman who can deliver the part with panache. There were no reservations about German bass-baritone Thomas Gazheli, who made his MOT debut. He’s got a big, brawny voice, but he knows how to use it to dramatic effect. His first-act Monologue was infused with agony and sad resignation, but when power was required, he rolled out the cannons. ```
Wolf-Ferrari: Preghiera, Come tu mi fai rabbia
Respighi:Ballata
Puccini: e l'uccellino
Cimara: Stornello
Denza: Se
Buzzi-Peccia: Colombetta
Donizetti: Me voglio fa 'na casa
Musetta's Waltz
Buzzi-Peccia: El Morenito
Danny Boy
Lehar: Yours is my heart alone (In Italian)
Tosti: 'A vucchella
Style, grace, beauty of tone, incredible top voice. I think this is TRUE JOY!
Javier Camarena thrilled me last night in Don Pasquale.....
Javier Camarena last night in Don Pasquale...never heard him live..Something THRILLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D flat in aria like "Di quella pira!!!!!"
CHARM!!!! Claudia Novikova, born March 9, 1895, taught London and Gedda. This drunk Perichole aria is priceless!!!!!!
Any member of Facebook knows what a sweetheart Larry Brownlee is. He is such a great fun guy.I loved Eglise in an aria once, but not at the Met, sadly.
This is great stuff!
I will do more audios..I keep promising...I will!
IN KEY!!!! I know...I am jaded...but anything like this today????????????? Let me know!!!!!
A clip from a GREAT singer...Not many like Kristine Opolais these days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PECCATO!!!! Had she been around at the first Barbiere, she could have saved it from the failure it was!!!
I finally appreciate titles.!!!
Did you ever see the clip of the INfamous "Baby Jane Maria Stuarda???" I just saw the opera with Sondra Radvanovsky and I imagine she has seen this and laughed her head off.
Maria and Elizabeth never met, but in opera you suspend belief...and a lot more!
This scene would be great with Hillary and Sarah!!!!!!
Dear friends from all over the globe,
Wishing you a Happy Valentines Day...and more podcasts to come!!!!!
Love Charlie
Vergogna,Carlo..NEVER heard this version.
I played the B flat 5 times..at least..Now you see what we went through!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The closest to her LIVE!!!!!!!!! Scared us!!!!
Part One of Tebaldi NY Feb.19, 1976 Farewell
(Acc.Martin Katz)
Sarti:Lungi dal caroi bene
Scarlatti: Se Florindo e fedele
Rossini: Anzoleta avanti la regata
Bellini: Vanne,o rosa fortunata
Verdi: Otello "Ave Maria"
Rossini: L'invito
Gluck: Alceste aria
Puccini: Mimi Addio
Wolf-Ferrari: O miei sospir
This was 1970..OK the very top was going..BUT it was a sensation....The "tre assi e un paio" in the house was as if ten cannons went off.....
We ripped up programs........confetti!!!!
Happy Birthday to one who will remain forever in our hearts.
Click the word "General" to see photo. She said, "Dammi il braccio,mio piccino." I was 18, but knew enough to respond,
"Obbedisco,signora!"
More to follow..
Happy Jan.21 birthday to at least one famous guy, but the other one is also a star(in my own mind.)
Tannhauser,Luisa Miller (where he gets to sing, "Quando le sere al PLACIDO"),and duet w.Pilar Lorengar.
Un abrazo fuerte,Placido!!!!
Slezak's international career commenced in London at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where he sang Siegfried (a punishing role that he would soon drop from his repertoire) and Lohengrin in 1900. (He would return to Covent Garden in 1909 after undertaking further vocal studies in Paris the previous year with a great tenor of a previous era, Jean de Reszke.)
Slezak secured a three-year contract with the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1909. Met audiences acclaimed him in performances of works by Wagner and Verdi. Along with Italy's Giovanni Zenatello, he became the most famous Otello of his generation, famously performing the role at the Met with Arturo Toscanini conducting.
He was a convivial person, and many anecdotes reveal his amiable sense of humour. The best-known example is as follows: during a performance of Wagner's Lohengrin, a stage hand sent the swan out too early, before the tenor could hop aboard. Seeing his feathered transportation disappear into the wings, Slezak ad-libbed to the audience: "Wann fährt der nächste Schwan?" ("When does the next swan leave?").
Slezak had a versatile repertory which embraced 66 roles. They included notably Rossini's Guillaume Tell, Manrico, Radames, Walter, Tannhäuser, Hermann and, as we have seen, Otello and Lohengrin. He sang 44 roles in Vienna alone, where he chalked up 936 appearances in 1901-12 and 1917–27 and became an idol of audiences.
Dame Blanche,Euryanthe,Queen of Sheba
Some people are offended at stuff like this.However, if you get up in front of people, you have to take the consequences.
If you are a young artist and make an error...OK...BUT you must have some semblance of technique.
I do like crazy stuff...not to be mean...but look, if you are SERIOUS about singing..you cannot do this!!!!
Zinka and Ethel loved each other...That figures!!!!
I taught at the high School (Bryant) where Ethel Zimmerman attended.....My friend was in her class and at 16, she could BELT!!!
Born Jan.16, 1908...I saw her first when I was 12.(Annie Get Your Gun),Dolly, Gypsy, and revival of Annie.
The brass and the wobble (more pronounced here..it is late Ethel) meant nothing live..She was a thrill!!!!!!!!
Hi..I must apologize..every time I start an audio podcast..something goes wrong..so doing some videos.
I do not want to lose my BUDDIES....I will work on it this week..... OK?
Love Charlie
Superb!!!! By t he way,the Poliuto was a rehearsal..so that is why you have no audience reaction.
This guy is the real stuff. He is BUSY!!!!!
http://operabase.com/a/Piero_Pretti/14186
Supern tenor...Pretti does the aria uncut and adds some notes....Superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SQUILLANTE!!!!! More to come....
http://www.handelmania.com/mad.htm
I did this when I was normal..Guess the Tosca screams and you get my entire collection..postage free.
Opera Resolutions...but not the boring,mild ones I just read on Facebook.They never read MAD magazine:
-
Samson-Stop the steroids.Your boobs are bigger than Hedy Lamar's. Grow up and get more Mature.
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Wotan/Gurnemanz/King Marke- Ask sleeping friends to give you gifts if you can tell your stories in one minute, plus in the case of Tristan, just take a quick-acting dose of arsenic so Isolde does not have to wait 3 hrs.
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Any Manon- if you sing with Grigolo, tell him that if he screams in your ear at the end, you will make him a castrato.
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Tosca- make sure in act 2, you kick Scarpia..not your train.They do that only in Zagreb
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William Tell- if you think the Jemmy is a nasty singer, get Bocelli to shoot the apple.
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The 8 Walkyries before your sister runs in- just lipsynch to Angela Gheorghiu;it's quieter that way.
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Arturo (Puritani)- audition tenors who wish to sing you, making sure they can F like Larry Brownlee or Eric Owens.
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Macbeth- if any tenor tries to sing you, don't make his life peaceful.
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Rigoletto- I don't care if Herheim tells you to hump Gilda..just lay off girls.....unless the Giovanna looks like Netrebko.
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Queen of the Night- stick to your F's and stop watching Richard Simmons' shows.
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Don Giovanni-if it lasts more than 14 hrs., go see Dulcamara.
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Azucena- marry a good fireman.
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Simpleton- Run on a third party. You can beat Trump and the rest of them.
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Klytaemnestra- Join Facebook. We need at least one normal person.
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Salome- Aw..grow up and use your head.
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Tosca Shepherd.-if you want to sing Mario some day, ask A-Rod for some good stuff.
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Violetta- Stay out of the Met.We have enough coughers, and that is Too Bad (TB)
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Octavian-better see a therapist to find out what gender you prefer ("Why is that lady singing a man,dressing like a lady?")
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Gutrune- You are really a nice girl.Don't believe Anna Russell when she calls you a Gibitch.
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Lousy Manrico- Groucho,Harpo, and Chico will replace you with Michael Fabiano.
I am sure you can add others, unless you are off the same drugs I take.
Carlo Pazzo, nel giardino
A wonderful Happy New Year to all of you!!!!!!!
Resolution No.1-More audio podcasts, but the videos are still nice.
My best Charlie
Again, on Piotr's birthday, I present the kind of singing that I feel is RARE today!!!!!
This season Piotr interpolated a high C# in the cadenza.......Unfortunately for him, the pole dancer girl who appears at curtain rise was not around.....
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not since my "olden days" have I loved a tenor like. Piotr Beczala.
Birthday is 12/28/1966.
Sweetest guy one could know..Loves Gedda,Tauber,Wunderlich..That figures...and I bring him their CD's....
Just discovered Piero Pretti!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I went PAZZO....with all the extra high notes!!!!!
Gelb is sleeping...GET HIM!!!!!!!
For years every time Franco sang that high C on "re-endero" I went nuts...Now,dear Michael Fabiano did the opera.(I had the audio complete, but just found the video of the aria.). Lord!!!! He is so marvelous and now is becoming a world-famous artist.
Love and success to him!!!!!!
Enrico and I wish you all the happiest of holidays and I treasure your appreciation for my podcasts.
I have sent mostly videos lately, but will resume more audios soon.
From all over the globe, you make me very happy!!!!!
Love Charlie
12/14/1910...Made it to 99!!!
At 9:22 chests very high..BUT Fedora chested on the last "Anatema" before :su voi!!" THAT is high!!!!
Barbieri texted me and said she STILL would not speak to her "rivale."....even down there...
Any TUCKER is great....but Richard could not play because if he came out with no helmet, the Jet's fans would laugh at the 99 cent toupee........
Great.........I was so thrilled..Next season Arod will sing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium..three octaves HIGH HIGH HIGH!!!!!
Placido may also sing The National Anthem on Sundays...I can hear it now.."Jose, can you see....?" Go on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93s9pHGUpjY
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker beautifully sings Ave Maria
Any TUCKER is great....but Richard could not play because if he came out with no helmet, the Jet's fans would laugh at the 99 cent toupee........ Great.........I was so thrilled..Next season Arod will sing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium..three octaves HIGH HIGH HIGH!!!!! Ravens kicker Justin Tucker beautifully sings Ave Maria
What could be more loving than these two? Rolando is just such a sweetheart and I am glad he is better after some vocal problems.
Next to him,I always felt calm and reserved....Just such fun always!!!!!!
How come NO MIMI since Scotto/Soviero..plus Favero,Muzio,Zeani,Albanese,etc..know how to produce emotion and color the voice like Nelly Miricioiu?
Sweetest,kindest,nicest Facebook friend.....and a lady who should teach Met singers what style is all about.
Remember "Ma quando vien lo sgelo" is the highlight!!!!!
If Callas ONLY did this, you would understand what a genius the lady was. Just seems like she is in "another world."
Beverly Sills supposedly said she would like 5 years of Callas than 25 years of her!
Take 1949-1955 and a few performances later on, and you are witness to a God-Given artist, who left us so soon.
Dec.2, 1923 is a date we must remember in her honor!!!!
My friend from Albania discovered Eva Golemi, who has a repertory of 67,936 roles.(See Youtube.) There is some talent here and there..BUT I must say that she has some "problems."
Also, who are those dancers???The Village People???
I have cried here in my favorite film for many years, but now when I look at Madeline LeBeau's face at "Mugir les feroces soldats." I just cannot stop!!!!
Vive la France!!!!!!
Weep. weep forever for one of the most beloved artists in opera history, and she knew she was terminal. Nov.14, 1926, Leonie said farewell, but she will never be forgotten.
This is the REAL Moedl fach, and it is just so moving, but you had to see her live to derive all the pleasure. Just something in my life that never fades.
I probably have mentioned singers with flaws who can "read the telephone book" and be thrilling. Such was Mme.Moedl, singing a scene from "Bluthochzeit," by Wolfgang Fortner, which is based on Lorca's "Bodas de Sangre"(Blood Wedding), I taught Lorca so I appreciate the concepts.
Gwyneth Jones is also a soprano you sometimes feel is in serious trouble, and yet she is often more amazing than a soprano with better technique.
I saw Moedl in the Ring in 1957, and still see her on the stage as the most riveting singer in my life.
Olivia Stapp told me that she saw an Isolde once where she was "voiceless," and yet everyone went crazy!!!!!
Hope this works!! Have had computer disasters!!!
Lucrezia Bori was a very famous singer. Her name I think was Borgia, and I would not have wanted to eat at her house!
Here are live scenes from La Rondine w.Mario Chamlee (1934 Chicago), and Manon (1936 Met) with Richard Crooks.
Hope I can do many more podcasts,before you get frustrated!
She started her career as a member of the chorus with Latvian National Opera in 2001, and in 2003 became a soloist. It was there that she met her future husband, the conductor Andris Nelsons.[2]
She first achieved wider recognition in 2006, when she made her debut at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, followed by debuts at 2008 at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan and the Wiener Staatsoper, Vienna in 2008 and in October 2010 the Bavarian State Opera in the title role of Dvořák’s Rusalka in a new production directed by Martin Kušej.[2]
In 2011, Opolais made her debut with London's Royal Opera, singing the title role in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, conducted by Nelsons.[3] In 2013, she made her debut at The Proms in London's Royal Albert Hall, singing Verdi and Tchaikovsky arias, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.[3]
On 5 April 2014, with just five and a half hours' notice, Opolais substituted as Mimi in the Metropolitan Opera's matinee performance of Puccini's La Bohème.[4] The substitution was necessitated by the scheduled Anita Hartig being too ill to perform. Although Opolais had performed the role several times in the past, including at the Vienna State Opera, she was currently in the title role of another opera, Puccini's Madama Butterfly, and had sung that there for the first time the previous evening. She hadn't fallen asleep until about 5am, when she was woken by a 7:30am phone call asking her to sing again at the 1pm matinee. Opolais is scheduled to perform in the same role in the Metropolitan Opera's 2014/15 season production of La Bohème.[4]
Opolais' singing of Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly) with the Met has received positive reviews. The New York Observer noted her "soaring voice and penetrating theatrical presence", and that "she is the most compelling Met Cio-Cio-San since Diana Soviero last sang the role here nearly 20 years ago."[5]
Her Mimi in La Bohème at the Met has also been praised. CDN noted that she "instantly meshed with the existing cast" and "found instant chemistry on stage" and has a "lovely, youthful, effortlessly nuanced voice".[6]
What a sweetheart. She is so dear and what a great voice!!!
Nov.13
**If I RULED, my first edict would be to order that all experienced opera lovers have the sworn responsability to attempt to awaken others to the values of opera. From my life's experience, I wish to show you examples of how it CAN HAPPEN:
- I played some videos for a class. They were silent and attentive. Then they wanted to know if Nedda was REALLY dead. No, I informed them that Theresa Stratas did go on to sing for more years. They also (the boys) seemed to enjoy Shirley Verrett's Tosca act two chest..and I do not mean low notes.
One BRAT deliberatley made comments and faces, but I think he just wanted to be a class troll. I also did not lower his mark..or did I?
I also deliberately showed them the end of Walkure with all that fire, offering me an opportunity to take the high F# near the end.
Look, for anything..music,literature,sports,art, etc...the adults need to give their kids a chance to enjoy more than video games, texting, and what goes for music these days.
- Mom and her friends, around 1930 or so, "slummed" and saw Walkure at the old Met and she said, "It was a big lady on a little hill." I looked it up and she might have seen Gertrude Kappel.
However, when dad died, I took her to Traviata. Tebaldi held her hand, and from then on, mom realized that someone with a "Follies background" could eventually tell me she loved Elektra the most, and met Rise, Farrell,Resnik,etc. She also liked Frau, Louise, AND when Corelli and Nilsson ended the "In questa reggia" with that high C, she was breathless.
Dad did go with me to one opera.It was Trovatore with Rigal,DelMonaco(rarely did Manrico),Merrill, and Barbieri. I seem to recall he enjkoye the "Ai nostri monti theme "at the end of the opera, when it reprises and Azucena sings it. Sadly, dad never got to hear any more opera from the Met or from my singing, but I bet it was "in him" to like it somewhat.
Finally, a friend of my computer expert had said she wanted to sample opera. She is 53, and never ever heard opera. I enjoyed her curiosity and gave her some gifts of DVD's. She LOVED Turandot!!!!!
All we need to do is to expose others to what we enjoy. Some may like, others will not. So what! At least some of the younger (or older) generations can someday say what I say..."I saw Joe Di Maggio!!"
Down with Jay-Z!!!!!!!! Charlie**
Will get to audio podcasts soon..making some additions....Non mi abbandonare!!!!!
Mamma mia!!!!!! This is amazing!!!!! We do have Andrew Owens and Larry Brownlee who can do stuff like this..but this is truly something....but I still have my high F in the shower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Neighbors saw me in the hall and asked if I had a hernia)
This hilarious Gianna Rolandi clip reminds me of what we LOST with the demise of NY City Opera!!! If I was Donald Trump II(but nice...even without the hair)...I would revive it...What stars I saw..some never at Met..but what greats:
Sills,Welting,Treigle,Soviero,Stapp,Ramey,Poleri, Verrett,Carron, Galvany,Malfitano, Meier,Bible...and on and on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Computer had more troubles..I should be able to get more podcasts on here soon......
I would bet you never attended a Tannhauser for the LANDGRAVE!!! Well, even if Melchior and Flagstad were in the cast, you would still thrill to the rich and absolutely superb voice of basso Gunther Groissbock.
This man recalled to me the likes of Weber,Kipnis,Moll,Pape,Nissen,Frick, and all the wonderful bassos I have heard live or on recordings.
I urge you to check out more of his singing on Youtube. Remember, I saw the creator of Hagen!!!
Now Virginia, I always told you that you never come out of "chest voice," but you insist it is "mask.!"
OK.I will accept that definition (but you still sound like Siepi on the bottom notes!!!!)
GOD BLESS MY DARLING FRIEND ON HER 90TH!!!!
God bless my darling Virginia Zeani on Oct.21, as she turns 90!!!!
No one is dearer to me and those of you who search Youtube will be treated to one of the greatest singers in opera history!!!!!!
Love from "Il tuo fratello" Charlie
Good for Leyla Gencer's birthday to hear the kind of thrilling singing I miss. They no longer at the Met allow the "avraaaaaaai" to be held, and Gildas are OK...but no one attacks the E flat like Callas,Peters,Hurley,and Leyla!!!!!!
I adored this great lady!!! Tremendous variety of roles and amazing feeling for the line and the text.
We gave her a party in 1972 and she signed my "Gencer Pirated Recording Card."
Callas may have been "deeper," but Gencer for me was able to last very long, despite a few "gulps."
Bless her memory!!!!!
This season the Met premieres this gorgeous work, completing the "Queen Trilogy." Beverly Sills was the last soprano in NY to perform it, and Sondra Radvanovsky should be superb.
However, not enough people recognize the magnificence of dear Olivia Stapp (image not great), who should be better known, like so many others I present. She is also a dear person and now works with inner-city kids and is loved by all!!!
Leyla Gencer was born on Oct.10, 1928. One of the great ladies of opera, the "Queen of the Pirates." She and Shirley Verrett burn up the stage. The audience loves "PIE!"
This Maria Stuarda Confrontation Scene is amazing!!!!!!!!!
How low can you get?? This guy is just amazing!
If you are a serious collector, you can go to a site called: www//78 heaven where you will find rare material,such as this.
The narrator is a bit on the "countertenor" side.
When I did a mini-class for Dolora's students, I asked her how she felt singing this glorious music.
She replied, "I am interested in getting the notes out!!"
We take so much for granted..they SUFFER for us!!!!
Another tenor who is superb???? I can't take it
anymore..although we still need some
Manricos,Otellos,etc..but this guy is wonderful,
Born on Oct.2, 1890, Groucho (and his brothers) were legendary and opera was never so much fun!!!!! (with Margaret Dumont, of course.)
Bless his memory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are 37 examples of the great Rigoletto moment, courtesy of "Coloratura Fan," a marvelous contributor to our entertainment.
Please get someone to do this with you, and forward the clip to me so I can play it for Lucic and Lungu.
I still have the A flat...in the shower!!!
Michael Corvino sings this inspiring and heart-wrenching song from "The Most Happy Fella."
Last thing (Robert Weede) my ma and dad saw before he passed away..so it has a special nostalgic memory for me.
Michael is just magnificent here and we know him as a beautiful, warm human being as well!!!!!!
On occasion, a brilliant artist comes along and thrills audiences all over the globe. Here are three excerpts from tenor Bryan Hymel's Album entitled "Heroique."
The operas are: Vepres Siciliennes, Les Troyens (where he made a Met debut on short notice and was a sensation. See Youtube), and Queen of Sheba.
Buy the whole album!!!! As usual, I only give you excerpts, since I would not want him to lose royalties. He is too nice a guy!
GREATEST performance in my life.I have been to over 700 opera performances, The screaming at the end was FOREVER!!!!!!
I hope you enjoy dear Irina in Nabucco. Honestly, I think I pick the right divas. Wonderful lady!!!!!
Just got a call from dear Irina Rindzuner, on the way back to Europe, where she has been a brilliant success in Nabucco,Dutchman,Turandot,Aida,Trovatore,etc.
I "discovered' her as Santuzza in the now defunct City Opera, and we became friends.
How can you eat with all that screaming? It should have been in a Chinese restaurant!!! She sure sings with plenty of MSG!!!!
The MIRACLE of opera!!!!!!!!! and FUN!!!!!
In person, she drowned out ten jet planes!!!!!
Stockholm Opera 1978. Berislav Klobucar conducts:
Birgit Nilsson ( Färberin - Dyer's Wife)
Rolf Jupither ( Färber Barak - Dyer)
Barbro Ericson (Amme - Nurse)
Siv Wennberg (Kaiserin - Empress)
Matti Kastu (Kaiser - Emperor)
Great cast!!!!! I adored Ericson as Fricka..but she never stayed!!!!
Had not seen this in a while...She used to slowly rise out of the chair on "Ma,quando vien lo sgelo,"come forward slowly, and when she got to the top note, the Met SHOOK!!!
You cannot tell from records!!!!! My tears just started to flow,remembering what she was to me personally and to all of us "kids" Nostra MADRE!!!!
I carry with me the beautiful memory of Renata and will always remember how she was with her "children."
Caro Daniele,
Why don't you hold the last note longer????????????
That middle voice makes me crazy!!!!
One of the most gorgeous voices I ever heard. 9/6/30.
Melted us away..Top got a bit pushed..but he was for me special...Here with Magda is this great scene!
Meta Seinemeyer (September 5, 1895 – August 19, 1929) was a German opera singer with a spinto soprano voice.
Seinemeyer was born in Berlin, where she studied at the Stern Conservatory with Ernst Grenzebach. She made her debut at the Deutsche Opernhaus in 1918. She joined the Dresden Semperoper in 1924, and began appearing at the Vienna State Opera in 1927.
On the international scene, she sang at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1923, as Elisabeth in Tannhäuser and Eva in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, as Agathe in Der Freischütz in 1926, and at the Royal Opera House in London in 1929, as Eva, Elsa in Lohengrin and Sieglinde in Die Walküre.
Besides the great Wagner heroines, she also played an important role in the renaissance of Verdi's operas in Germany, winning considerable acclaim as Leonora in La forza del destino, Elisabeth de Valois in Don Carlos, and the title role in Aida. She was also admired as Marguerite in Faust, Maddalena in Andrea Chénier, and the title role in Tosca.
She took part in the creation of Ferruccio Busoni's Doktor Faust in Dresden in 1925.
One of the greatest German singers of her generation, her career was cut short when she died of leukemia in Dresden a few weeks short of her 34th birthday. Very shortly before her death, she married the conductor Frieder Weissmann (1893-1984). She is buried in the Stahnsdorfer Friedhof in Berlin.
Died at 33..great singer!!!!!!!!!
GREAT LADY!!!! 9/5/1960..Gave some of the most riveting performances we ever heard!!!!
One of the GOLDEN AGE singers!!!!!
As James Levine receives tributes at his Gala, here is the most phenomenal singer imaginable. Nilsson gives the audience a big surprise!!!!!
God bless her for what she did for music!!!!
If we speak of MIRACLES, here is Birgit Nilsson in the Solti Ring Gotterdamerung. Watch what they do at 1:16:54.
She had such a great sense of humor!!!!!!
Did you think I would leave her out of the Swedish Compilation?????
Mr.Bo Rydberg suggested a podcast on the famous Swedish singers, some of whom I have enjoyed live.(Star next to those I saw at the Met.) Some are fabulous LEGENDS in the history of the vocal art.
1. Karen Branzell (mezzo) Walkure act 3 scene
2. Ivar Andresen Huguenots aria
3. Kerstin Thorborg Delilah act 2 scene
4. Sven Nilsson Onegin Gremin aria
5. Fanal (Atterberg) Finale, Bjoerling, Berglund,Gorlin
6. Medeltida (Rangstrom)* Svanholm sings the ballad
7. Joel Berglund Meistersinger Fliedermonolog
8.Hjoerdis Schymberg (Pronounced "Schimbarri") Flute aria
9. Gertrude Wetergren Ballo Ulrica aria
10. Torsten Ralf Lohengrin aria
11. Nicolai Gedda Postillon aria
12. Ingvar Wixell and Bust Margit Jonsson in Flute duet
More to come!! Guess who????
She turns 69 on Dec.23. Do we know many,if any divas who can sustain a career like hers? People fly all over the globe to see her.
Yes, a few notes are a bit "off," but who cares?????
One of the all-time legends!!!!!!! >
Let us hear the names of all the divas who can sing beautifully in Turandot, Lucia, Forza,and a wide variety of roles.
Not many.....Callas, Zeani, etc..and we add the wonderful Magda (and she has CHEST VOICE TOO!!!!)
You all know how I discover new talent. Well, Mme.Nieves is not exactly new. She has a fine career, but I just "discovered" her.
I honestly feel she is one of our "shining divas" and am presenting a few excerpts. You know I have heard the BEST!
P.S. Since I cannot add comments here, owing to commercials that are put in, let me know if the new podcasts are fine, since I am just starting them again.
Placido21@aol.com
I present the magnificent tenor, Piotr Beczala, in arias from Werther, Le Cid, La Favorite, and Romeo et Juliette.
Few tenors in my opera experience have thrilled me as much, and in addition he is the sweetest human being one could know.
I did not give you the entire album, because if you don't buy it, he loses royalties.(I think!)
Gotterdamering Exc, from 1955 Covent Garden with Set Svanholm, Margaret Harshaw,Herman Uhde, Dezso Ernster AND young Joan Sutherland as Woglinde!!Fritz Stiedry Conducts.
I DID A PODCAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
500 more to come!!!
"Jaded" Charlie rarely calls most singers of today "GREAT!"
They are fine and to be loved for the most part, BUT I feel Rene Pape belongs in the "great" category. He was born Sept.4, 1964 and has shown he belongs with the best of all-time!
He is a bit "cool" backstage, but he pulled a funny thing in a Faust Garden Scene a few seasons ago. Looking at Marguerite and her jewels, he exclaimed, " Diamonds are a girl's best friend!!" Coming from a seemingly serious guy, it was FUN!!!
Mr. Bing allowed Regina Resnik only ONE Marina, and here is the CG duet. Fabulous! Then he wanted her to do the Innkeeper, which she called the "Chickenplucker."
When her son,Michael Davis, was about 7, she taught him the beautiful melody toward the end of the duet, and he sang it for us.
It is very frustrating that Bing's "whims" prevented Resnik from the kind of career she had elsewhere, but at least we have material like this to remember her.(Birthday was Aug.30)
Para LLORAR!!(To CRY!!) especially Lorengar and Kraus.....What an array of the greatest Hispanic artists!!!!!!
For my darling friend, Regina Resnik, whom I knew for 50 years. She was one of the greatest artists ever. She was born on Aug.30, 1922.
More to come!!!!!
Nadezna Kniplova and Frida Leider in the Walkure Battle Cry.
See, I am learning (again) how to do podcasts for you. Windows 10 must be learned, but I am progressing.
Love Charlie..Non mi lasciate!!!!!
HEY!!!!!
First test for my new Windows 10. Joel Berglund singing Tannhauser aria. I hope now finally to get audio podcasts back for YOU!!!!!!
Not to wish to depress you, but to honor some of the great operea artists who left us too soon. We must treasure their memories, despite their tragically short life. Some are in their very early years (Seinemeyer);others are a bit older, (
If you have never checked them out, please do so, as they are surely worth remembering. If you can add to my list, of course do so:
Norman Treigle, Herman Uhde, Leonard Warren,Jon Garris, Jerry Hadley, Gosta Winberg, Salvatore Licitra, Miguel Fleta, Fritz Wunderlich, Yohihisha Yamaji (see IRIS),Jussi Bjoerling, Allan Crofoot, Michele Molese, David Poleri.
Irene Kramarich, Gwynne Cornell (our friend),Tatiana Troyanos, Jean Madeira, Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson,Conchita Supervia, Claudia Muzio, Meta Seinemeyer, Arlene Auger, Lucia Popp, Mado Robin, Kathleen Ferrier, the Welting sisters (Ruth and Patricia), Patricia Brooks, and I am sure I left out others that you will add.
Bless them for what they did for music!!!!
As a teenager, Korjus toured the Soviet Union with the Dumka Choir. In 1927, while performing in Leningrad, she managed to cross the border into Estonia, where she was reunited with her father. She then began touring the Baltic countries and Germany, and, in 1929, married Kuno Foelsch, a physicist. Korjus continued her concert career as a soprano in Germany and was eventually engaged by the Berlin State Opera in 1933. Her operatic appearances and recordings quickly propelled her to the forefront of European singers and earned her the nickname "The Berlin Nightingale". Film producer Irving Thalberg heard her recordings and signed her to a ten year film contract, sight unseen.
Korjus' first Hollywood film was The Great Waltz (1938), which Frank Nugent of the New York Times called "a showcase for Miliza Korjus" while also noting her resemblance to Mae West.[1] She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the role.
Korjus was scheduled to star in a film version of the novel Sandor Rozsa in 1940, but an automobile accident caused her leg to be crushed, and, although she avoided amputation, she required extensive recuperation, causing the film to be cancelled. By 1941 she had healed well enough to begin a tour of South America. During her tour, the United States became involved in World War II, and she decided to stay in Mexico for the duration. While living there, she made a Spanish language film, Caballería del Imperio.
In 1944, Korjus returned to the United States, where she performed at Carnegie Hall. She toured the country for several more years, eventually settling in Los Angeles, California. She later founded Venus Records to release many of her earlier recordings.[1]
8/18/07 PLEASE!!!!! Keep little kids and sensitive cats out of the room!!!!!!!
How did she make a career????I guess I am nuts (again)
Who said my favorite tenor had no high C onstage??? Tucker and Virginia are just amazing!!!
I promised the return of audio podcasts soon. I will fix the glitch soon!!!! Please don't leave me "solo,perduto, e abbandonato" like poor Virginia..(90 in October!!!!
P.S. That is Mattila and Giordani!!! Who was drunk???Well, I wanted you to hear Tucker and Zeani. Sorry, I didn't catch it....
The Pirates Strike Again !!!
May I urge you to read a fine article on Parterre Box,that deals with those dastardly villains known as "Tape Pirates." I am inspired by the mention of these crooks to offer you some absolutely true experiences in my life, and in the lives of other pirates.
1. The guy who spent good money on a rather large phallic microphone in order to tape operas for Diana Soviero, since I was the best engineer for her.
2. Speaking of microphones, a friend was in Philly taping an opera from the orchestra, where you had to hold the mike in your lap pointing up.(I never did that...too annoying.) Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, the lady sitting next to him spied this "thing" and shockingly thought he was........NO,he wasn't!
3.Some dude pressed "play" instead of "record" at the Met at the start of some act, and you heard the end of the previous act!
4. All those tape pirates sat in the very front at Carnegie at the Eve Queler operas, since they were usually rare, and made sure they did not breathe so they would get good copies to sell on LP. One of them taped in stereo, with each mike under each armpit, and he looked as if he were DEAD for the entire show.
5. Making reel changes, before cassette machines, there is a trick to turning over the reel at the end of the tape, and if you did not want to lose anything, during a brief pause, you used your TEETH to change the reel...On e night the empty reel slipped out of the guy's mouth and it went down the Carnegie aisle...flop..flop..flop.
6. A fun guy who did not like someone who was taping, yelled from a box to the guy in the orchestra.."Hey..did you get a good tape???"
7. Once they saw a mike hanging down from a balcony, and I am told (this sounds crazy),that at a Caballe recitral, a BROOM HANDLE with a mike attached ascended from the orchestra..That I am not sure of...but I know Caballe did wait for some people to turn over the cassettes.
8. I cracked up when a friend was taping a Fischer-Dieskau recital where NO ONE BREATHES, even at a pause..He clicked to turn over the cassette, and he got looks equivalent to "Ve vill get zie barbed vire!" He never got part two!!!
9. At the Olivero Met debut Tosca, we all found it very hard to find a bathroom stall to change reels. I seem to have managed, but it wasn't easy. Speaking of stalls, one season at Carnegie, a guy came out of his stall, only to be confronted by a security guard!!! Bye,bye, tape!!!!
10. The craziest thing a friend once rigged up was to put a reel machine in his car in the garage near Carnegie..and did some kind of thing with a wireless mike in his seat. Unfortunately, when he played the tape..he got things like, "Hey Joe...park it there!"
Nowadays,it is easy to tape with all the mini mikes,etc. I do not do it, because there is live Sirius stuff, Soviero retired, and you also end up not enjoyin g the show, since you are concentrating on the machine.
So you see, opera pirate nutcases lived a dangerous existance (although I was NEVER sued!!!)
Ora arriviamo a la mia opera favorita (well, it used to be). Note the great "Guerra Geschrei" of that loud tenor, the makeup on the Aida (she had quite a tan from ther beaches in Cairo), the great Amneris, who interpolates a high note at the end of the duet with What a Mess. Only lacking here is what I saw....The performance with the chorus lady with a wristwatch! Well, it was Eastern Isis time.
NO ONE HERE could watch operas with this company without having an accident...... but we had fun......
Another example of a soprano who KNOWS how to thrill audiences! Mme.Nieves is from Puerto Rico, and for me, the guy who is so fussy, she is superb!
I love the attacks on certain notes which have a certain "slightly glottal" effect, which is common to sopranos who use it for more "Authority." Soviero does it, Caballe (a bit too much sometimes),etc.
She is a thrill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the finest young tenors of today, discovered on Facebook, like so many singers! The voice is capable of incredible range and I do believe he will join the others "big stars" very soon!!!!
In my day we never had so many (if ANY) tenors like this..we have Camarena,Flores, Brownlee, and now Andrew.
I still have delayed the audio podcasts, but will resume soon.
Hello all (on Del Monaco's 100th birthday,7/27),
My cd/dvd/cassette collection is even larger than Mario's voice, but it is gathering dust. I have been offering some original private and commercial material to singers,teachers,Facebook buddies.
I only ask postage, and am happy to share material with you (NO ZINKA!!). I do have a catalogue, but you may want to list specific artists you like.
I bring gifts to Stefan Kocan, Piotr Beczala,and others for their enjoyment, but also some teachers have students who need to know who Claudia Muzio or Beniamino Gigli were.
Let me know at Placido21@aol.com.
P.SA. Fabiano wants to come and raid my apartment!!!
I called Franco, very long distance, and he says, "Bravo,Michele," but still a bit GELOSO!!!!!
Love Michael...wonderful talent.
Ana Maria Martinez is also superb!!!!!
Del Monaco was born in Florence to a musical upper-class family.[2] As a young boy he studied the violin but had a passion for singing. He graduated from the Rossini Conservatory at Pesaro, where he first met and sang with Renata Tebaldi, with whom he would form something of an operatic dream team of the 1950s. His early mentors as a singer included Arturo Melocchi, his teacher at Pesaro, and Maestro Raffaelli, who recognized his talent and helped launch his career.
That career began in earnest with Del Monaco's debut on 31 December 1940 as Pinkerton at the Puccini Theater in Milan. (His initial appearance in an opera had occurred the previous year, however, in Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana in Pesaro.) He sang in Italy during the Second World War and married, in 1941, Rina Filipini. In 1946, he appeared at London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for the first time. During the ensuing years he became famous not only in London but also across the operatic world for his powerful voice. It was almost heldentenor-like in scope but Del Monaco was no Wagnerian, confining his activities overwhelmingly to the Italian repertoire.
Del Monaco sang at the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1951 to 1959, enjoying particular success in dramatic Verdi parts such as Radamès. He soon established himself as one of four Italian tenor superstars who reached the peak of their fame in the 1950s and '60s, the others being Giuseppe Di Stefano, Carlo Bergonzi and Franco Corelli. Del Monaco's trademark roles during this period were Giordano's Andrea Chénier and Verdi's Otello. He first tackled Otello in 1950 and kept refining his interpretation throughout his career. It is said that he sang Otello an astonishing 427 times. However, the book published by Elisabetta Romagnolo, Mario Del Monaco, Monumentum aere perennius, Azzali 2002, lists only 218 appearances by him as Otello, which is a more realistic figure. Aptly, the tenor was buried in his Otello costume. Although Otello was his best role, throughout his career, Del Monaco sang a number of other roles with great acclaim, for example: Canio in Pagliacci (Leoncavallo), Radames in Aida (Verdi), Don Jose in Carmen (Bizet), Chenier in Andrea Chénier (Giordano), Manrico in Il trovatore (Verdi), Samson in Samson and Delilah (Saint-Saëns), and Don Alvaro in La forza del destino (Verdi).
Del Monaco made his first recordings in Milan in 1948 for HMV. Later, he was partnered by Renata Tebaldi in a long series of Verdi and Puccini operas recorded for Decca. On the same label was his 1969 recording of Giordano's Fedora, opposite Magda Olivero and Tito Gobbi.
His ringing voice and virile appearance earned him the nickname of the "Brass Bull of Milan".[3] Despite his idiomatic phrasing, he was still widely criticized for being unsubtle and unyielding in his vocal interpretations.
I was 15. All I recall is "white teeth" coming toward me at the Met..My first opera ever and my first singer on a stage.(Aida).Saw him 40 times..Gave 1000% every night!!!
100 years ago,his first baby word must have been "Esultate!!!"
Finally getting help to do podcasts again. I have done videos as you know, but should be able to do audios soon. Windows 8.1 is different, but I am getting there.
Thanks for your patience!!!
Charlie
In The New York Times obituary, Peter G. Davis, who reviewed a 1978 Carnegie Hall recital by Bergonzi in The Times is quoted as noting:
More than the sound of the voice, it is Mr. Bergonzi’s way of using it that is so special. He is a natural singer in that everything he does seems right and inevitable — the artful phrasing, the coloristic variety, the perfectly positioned accents, the theatrical sense of well-proportioned climaxes, the honest emotional fervor. Best of all, Mr. Bergonzi obviously uses these effects artistically because he feels them rather than intellectualizes them — a rare instinctual gift, possibly the most precious one any musician can possess.[3] Alan Blyth, in his Gramophone survey of Bergonzi's greatest recordings,[11] sums up the qualities of Bergonzi's voice:
His singing there [referring to an online example], even more his earlier Verdi discs, evinces an innate feeling for shaping a line on a long breath, an exemplary clarity of diction, words placed immaculately on the tone, an authoritative use of portamento and acuti. Add to those virtues the manner by which he gives to each phrase a sense of inevitability and you say to yourself, in a mood of sheer pleasure, this is exactly how the music ought to sound. In the theatre only Otello was beyond his capabilities, though his solos are movingly sung on the Philips set.I think I took the great man for granted. LORD!!!!!! He was one of the greatest singers in opera history!!!!!!
She was 7 yrs.older than we thought...Great lady, who could sing POP as well as opera. Really wonderful, and at 69 came out of retirement to do Tosca (on Youtube.).
Bless her memory!
Audio podcasts delayed...Patience!!!!!!
Got new computer (HP).It cooks Lasagna!!!! I am happy with it..windows 8.1. As soon as I learn it, I will send you more podcasts than the number of all the CD's and DVD's made by Placido.
I will have to keep up, because in 2047. he will record every Fischer-Dieskau song, which DFD recorded from when they built the Pyramids.
Loveya and patience!!!!!!
First singer I ever met. I can feel the greasepaint on her hand, after 60 years. We had a club for her and went to her home every year. This is the last meeting,around 1960. (I had hair!!)
She made it to 99. I celebrate her June 11 birthday as I remember this beautiful person!!!
Rise Stevens, a great Octavian, was born in 1913 on the SAME DAY that Richard Strauss was born (1864).
What a wonderful coincidence!! This was my first trio and I could not stop sobbing!!!!!
Those who listen to Met Sirius radio mourn the death of beloved commentator Margaret Juntwait, who passed away of cancer last week.
May she always be remembered by the "Met family" and her many fans.
Charlie
Ciao,
My "new" computer was inadequate..PLEASE hold on till new one comes!!! I want to get back to sending you things!!!!!
Love Charlie
Since I never hear my own tapes, a friend played Olivia's Nabucco aria (over the phone) years ago. I flipped out!!!! I did not recognize my own tape! She does just what we want...great singing that thrills me.
On May 30,she celebrates her birthday (1940) and we wish her a great day. We have become friends, as she is a wonderful as a human being as she is onstage. She works in California with inner-city kids, whom she inspires.
Love to you,dear Olivia!!!!
Celebrating the birthday of the amazing Beverly Sills, who said she would "rather have 5 years of Callas than 5 years of me!" She was amazing on stage. and as I always state, "better than the sum of her parts.
NEW COMPUTER COMING, so I can do my usual audio podcasts.
**The Gods of the voice were in a great mood on May 17 (and I will send clips later today) because they decided that May 17 would feature the birthdays of Zinka Milanov(1906),Birgit Nilsson (1918), and Gabriel Bacquier (1924).
Their great contributions to opera are treasured, and I am glad that those Gods were feeling good on that day,whatever the year.
You see,some days are special: Gigli and Melchior on March 20 BOTH in 1890, and we all know two important dudes celebrate on Jan.21.
Clips coming up!!
Nostalgic Charlie**
You all know I have heard the greats. I now feel that dear Michael Fabiano,born on May 8,1984, is a RARE singer in the opera world.
He stepped in with short short notice for this Boheme at the Met, and I hope you enjoy him as much as the audience did.
He also loves my crazy tapes.So I have ONE fan.
P.S.Will return to my audio podcasts as soon as I rob a bank and get a new computer.
Regards Charlie
Time for a new computer. I have been sending videos only, but when I am settled (and poor),I can resume my regular podcasts.
Non mi scordare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Charlie
Renata will live in our hearts forever!!! She was the sweetest,nicest artist I ever knew. This Tokyo audiences goes ballistic,and deservedly so.
The low tones are SCARY, especially the end,bringing chest voice up so high. Yes, as the years past, the top could get a bit "under pitch" but so WHAT!!!!
In the theatre it was as if 10 jet planes flew over. It was just so amazing! I miss her so much,as true opera lovers do!
Still some computer problems,and sending videos until I can do podcasts again......
Warren was born on Apr.21, 1911 and at 6:36 on this clip you will hear the exact moment where we saw him die on stage on Mar.4,1960.
We were devastated,but I will remember this great man forever!!!
"Hello,mom," said Jan Kiepura Jr.(by cell phone) in Piotr's dressing room. It was about 2 years ago, and the legendary Martha Eggerth,born Apr.17, 1912, answered her son... It was as close as I came to this wonderful lady!!!!
Perhaps the most mesmerizing singing we ever heard.
Note the B flat to B of Leonie at 3:30...We got SCARED!!!!!
Apr.12, 1933..when she showed up, Caballe was one of the greatest singers EVER!!!!
This verges on "camp" but we adore the final B!!!!!
Dear Aprile Millo celebrates her birthday on Apr.14.
She has been one of the last of what we call "old school" divas, respecting the art of singers such as Milanov and Tebaldi. I will always remember a statement she once made to me about my "covering an E Flat" as the Sacristan, for it showed that she understands vocal technique in great detail.
She is a dear,caring person, and those of us who know her in her operatic endeavors, as well as in a personal way, are so happy to wish her all our best wishes on this day.
Sincerely, Charlie
After the show, we went back to Ramey's to count how long Galvany held the E flat (My tape.)They were sensational!!!!!!
Talk about leaving a VOID,never yet to be filled..."No vun vill take my chair.". She sure was right, as Zinka and Tucker sang a fabulous Chenier on Apr.13, 1966. She sounded as fresh as this 1954 clip...Bless her forever...she gave me a treasurable youth....
Clip coming!!!!!!
Sondra Radvanovsky, born Apr.11,1969, is an amazing lady. The resonance (like Cossotto) MUST be heard live;it is as if she is singing next to you, even in the most "innocent" phrases.
She has emerged as one of our most beloved divas...Happy Birthday,Sondra!!!!!
Another one???? I was chatting about Poliuto with Michael Fabiano,and beside Corelli, I wanted to see if anyone else sang the opera.
This "new" guy is superb!!!! I hope we get him here some day!!!!
I am so SICK of the “put down” of singers,especially tenors by using the word “provincial,” as if everyone has to be Tito Schipa or Carlo Bergonzi.
Definition:
having or showing the manners, viewpoints, etc., considered characteristic of unsophisticated inhabitants of a province; rustic; narrow or illiberal; parochial:
Lando Bartolini,Apr.11, 1947 is “narrow…unsophisticated???” Let us start naming the HUNDREDS of these so-called “provincial” singers…..it is pure snobbery to dismiss singers like Lando,Giacomini,De Muro,Masini,etc…in this negative way…..Many of these guys are much more exciting than the “biggies.”
Best to Lando on his birthday….
Apr.8,1921...Franco Corelli will NEVER be replaced.Friends of mine who knew him personally loved him as a sweet,caring man..although we felt he could be a "scared guy," despite the great voice and technique.
Loretta di Lelio,his wife, was reputed to be very difficult. I do know they had to re-decorate a hotel room in Atlanta,Georgia,because the happy couple had a spaghetti fight.(with sauce!!!).
Miss him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY COINCIDENCE...Michael Fabiano is rehearsing Poliuto around Corelli's Apr.8 birthday!!! Here is my all-time "Corelli moment." and that attack on the "reeeeendero" high C,where the vowel "e" makes it so exciting....Michael is so talented and we know he will be a huge success..
Franco would love it!!!!!
I went NUTS...Just found 1984 Traviata from San Diego under Bruno Rigacci. Diana is magnificent,with Vittorio Terranova (Holds high C forever), and Bob Borowsky.
Play "Sempre Libera" and you will see why I love her!!!!!
I will say forever that Diana Soviero belongs in the group of great Verismo soprnos like Muzio,Zeani,Scotto,Favero.
I know her since 1977, where her Mimi caused me to run backstage and ask,"Who are you??? A new Tebaldi??"
On the Met quiz Saturday,Mme.Eva Maria Westbroek gave examples of VERISMO. Go to 1:20:20 where Magda scares the pants (dress?) off you.
She lives forever!!!!!!
I once asked Virginia Zeani if the "air" in Romania was especially conducive to creating more emotion and excitement in singers. Here are some examples.
By the way,I have been doing videos for you, since it will take a bit more time until I can sit for a longer time.My back is getting better, but it takes time.
**I see so much love and appreciation on Facebook,etc. for dear Renata Tebaldi, I thought I would tell you a few PERSONAL experiences with her:
I am aware I have posted some of these previously, but I know some of you have not seen them;those who have seen them, you can see them again...
-
After she signed every program (despite the cold), she got into the limo, and as it drove her up 40th St.,she yelled "Ciao" out the window, with us "Tebaldiani" running after her. Remember, this is where little Charlie forgot there was a fire plug,and almost became the last castrato.
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At one of huge affairs,as she cut the cake, she waved the knife and said,
"Questo e il bacio di Tosca." This might have been the same party where she said to me, "Dammi il braccio,mio piccino,and since I knew Boheme even at a tender age, I responded,"Obbedisco,signorAAA" and someone snapped the photo of us, a treasure for me. You have seen it on Facebook.
She also sang at one of the affairs,accompanied by my "maestro" Armen Boyajian, and we sat on the floor a few feet away....so you see why the rest of my life has been an anti-climax....well,sort of. -
Before she left on the ill-fated Andfea Doria, we saw her off, and then my friends gave me the London Forza, a gift to me on my 20th birthday.(She almost came to my surprise party.)
4.The Met went to Philadelphia on Tuesdays, and we saw her off on the train. She stood in the open last car,and when the baggage handler opened the door, she said, "Spoletta,chiudi."
-
After dad died,I brought ma to her first opera, Traviata. Tebaldi held her hand backstage, and every time we met,she always asked, "Carlos, com'e la madre?" (The reason for the "Carlos" rather than "Carlo" is because I spoke Spanish at that time and not Italian, and her English was limited.)
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At the Carnegie Bell Telephone Hr. around 1957 she looked down at us kiddies sitting in the first row, winked at us and then out came "Inflammatus" like a jet plane.
O sante memorie.....Her performances were EVENTS and never could any of us forget what she meant to us in our misspent youth. Non possiamo scordare questa donna chi ha dato tanto a tutti noi e alla arte vocale.(opera Italian.....That is how I learned it....non ridere!!!! Carlos <**
Yes, I know there are subtle and calm moments in opera to be treasured, but what is wrong about being lifted out of your seat,as I was 40 times by Franco??
Nothing today compares to this kind of singing!!!!!
You all know that there are so many singers,that sometimes it takes time to recognize what they have contributed. When I joined Facebook, and also at a friend’s recommendation, I discovered the Mar.31 birthday diva, Nelly Miricioiu.
She,like Leyla Gencer and a precious few other divas, lets it “all hang out,” and I once asked Zeani if the AIR in Romania causes some divas (Cotrubas,Zeani,etc.) to possess a special quality that is rare.
She also is the sweetest lady,and we love her, as evidenced by the Facebook posts.
So,a wonderful Happy Birthday to Nelly!!!!!
OFFICIALLY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DEAR SAM!!!!!! When Sam one saw Norman Treigle early on....did he dream he would someday "inherit" some of the great man's famous roles...and the Olin Blitch scene here is RIVETING and represents an incredibly great artist..Love to dear Sam on his bithday..and my best to his lovely family....
We go back 45 years to our Anna Bolena,and we sang in Barbiere,Hoffmann,etc.
LOVE to dear Sam,one of opera's greatest artists!!!!!!!!!
Close to 90 here!!!!!! Magda just thrills the opera world with what she has accomplished!!!!!
First year I cannot "call" her on her birthday...but she will NEVER be far from me. Imagine that breath control and all the depth of emotion...a lesson to all!
Buon compleanno 105 al miracolo!!!!!!
At the "Loris,ove sei" near the end,I got thrills and chills..Happy birthday,dear Magda....Keep coaching those divas!!!!!!
Remember tomorrow!!! Baby Magda at 65 made her Met debut in 1975..We cried all night...I have used this clip constantly to illustrate vocal control,breath support, emotional delivery,LOVE of singing,etc....Ovation is cut...it went on forever.
No room in bathroom stalls to change tapes....
Listen to the end..Rimuuuuuuuneri cosi....Most divas cannot SWELL there.
O say that if Magda ONLY sang that....we would know what she represented.....My candle is ready..Gee.I wish I had a Menorah with 105!!!!!
NON SCORDARE....Light your candles (even a Jewish one like mine) for Mar.25 Magda's birthday (would have been 105.)
I once asked her about the way she says "Nina Micheltorena in act 2 of Fanciulla...in a nasty way..showing her jealousy... Only special artists make DECISIONS that are especially effective....
I also love the glottal attacks..Amazing to have what we call an "old voice" and be a miracle!!!!!
Over the years,I always told Zajick (born Mar.23 1952) that she was a unique throwback to the kind of “belt-it-out” voices we rarely have. I guess she realized I had fairly good taste, and invited me to do a mini-master class for her students…She has always been a “force of nature” and she feels there is nothing so rare as having a big voice..in an era where much of it is “pleasant.” Brava to her!!!!!
Handelman has done crazy "scream tapes," but NEVER has a leading Met singer (a good one),RUIN a performance with a horrendous B natural GESCHREI as Manon dies.
Grigolo did a fine job, but suddenly he lets out this scream..Imagine what Callas,Milanov,Melba,etc..would do..He would become a CASTRATO instantly....
How did they allow this??????????????
In 1956...WHY did teenage Charlie run to NY after Queens College classes to freeeeeze on the standee line?? Here is why....Best example of how the 50 yr.old Zinka did sound..Go from "FERMA" and tell me why I went nuts....
Mario also tries some ppp's...and this perf.(I saw all 5 of them) also with Warren, marks the HEIGHT of my great opera days.
On her Mar.22 birthday (1912), I wish to honor one of the greatest singers in opera history...as "flawed" as one might think, but total MAGIC!!! Yes,her scoooops in "Hojotoho" made us laugh, but by the end of the opera,we were in tears!!!!
I always remnember Olivia Stapp telling me how once in Germany she did a "voiceless Isolde," but the audience went crazy...Moedl just had something in her heart and soul that is difficult to describe.
I once heard Franz Mazura read some of King Lear in German on the radio..I did not understand one syllable, but it was like Moedl..who could read the Dresden Telephony directory and thrill you!
There are singers with their "flaws' (G.Jones,Gencer,Callas,etc.)BUT they have outstanding qualities that may compensate for not having the basic voice of a Tebaldi, a Flagstad,etc.
I knew Moedl's accompanist and he said she was a dear dear lady...My most difficult choice would be whether to have seen Nilsson or Moedl..That is tough!!!! Bless the memory of the great Martha Moedl.
Charlie
P.S.It was 1957, and I can see before me, Moedl sinking into Uhde's arms at Walkure finale. No WONDER I love her so much.
Adelaide Negri,Argentinian soprano, is never boring, but she is what we call "variable." Look, she did sing 87,409 roles and so we cannot dismiss her.
You judge this yourself....
How did little Charlie discover opera. This 1948 film Luxury Liner!!!!! Melchior's top is squeezed, and not the best Italian,but Aida remains my all-time favorite opera.
I was 12.....and looking back, I express, on Melchior's birthday day my thanks.....although I might have been more normal...Maybe I should have stuck to Frank Sinatra!!!!
I may not be a believer in Astrology, but on March 20, 1890, something special must have been "in the air," because BOTH Beniamino Gigli AND Lauritz Melchior were born. So two of the greatest tenors in opera history share this day.
Thanks to their madres for giving us two legends on this day. They represent the greatest tenor icons in the history of the vocal art.
March 19 is always a special day for me,because it marks the birthdays of my darling Diana Soviero AND mia madre!!!! Mom could dance in her youth, but Diana had more chest voice.
Love to two people who made my life so happy!!!!!
OK.....I give up!!!! Baum had a fabulous high C,and fine reliable technique, even though (because of Zinka) we had to hear that ugly voice so much....OK,Kurt, I am sure you two made up!!!!!
When Antonietta Stella stepped on the Met stage as Aida in 1956...I said,"Zinka WHO??" Imagine that!!!!> What a luscious,glamorous voice..Nar.15, 1929 is her birthday.....Imagine a season with Milanov,Stella,Tebaldi,De Los Angeles,Steber,etc...I am SPOILED!!!
I just had to put another Jack Swanson clip here. When I find a new young singer, I am so thrilled!!!! This is a great talent (with an interpolated B flat).
Honestly, this guy will go far, as soon as he turns 12.(kidding).
I found ANOTHER TENOR. Mr.Swanson will surely go far and I invite you to search Youtube for more of his superb singing.
Luciano would be proud!!!!!
Nothing like a "subtle" tenor, born Mar.11, 1900. I have a feeling Riccardo Muti might not appreciate this!!!
How lucky we are to have one of the very few divas who recalls the kind of exciting,emotional artistry of artists like Zeani,Scotto,Callas,Olivero,Soviero,and my ex-girlfriend, Maria Jeritza!
Mme.Miricioiu could teach a good number of "generic" divas how to color the tone, make special use of the text ,exhibit inner emotions, and of course you know how I love low notes (they can be "mixed chest") and those authoritative slight glottal attacks.
Here is the lovely lady, a Facebook STAR, just last year,in the Lady Macbeth aria.
Hi all,
I have put videos up lately, because I had some back problems and could not sit too long at the computer to do the usual podcasts, but things are better, and I will resume as soon as possible.
Love Charlie
The man was one of my all-time favorites. Listen to the "feeling" in the voice, and I am so sad that he left us so soon. BUY THE BOOK!!!!!!
He left us so soon. Treigle was a veritable DYNAMO on stage, with a huge voice, and a stage personality that was RIVETING!!!!! I will never forget him!!!!
Mar.3, 1890 is the birthday of Ruby Helder, female TENOR!!!!
This is so interesting and a rarity.
Superb tenor replacing Jonas Kaufmann this week.Jonas has the flu, but I have seen Lee in Don Carlo and he is WONDERFUL!!!!!
We are lucky to have so many great tenors...except NO RADAMESES!!!!!
Amara was born Lucine Armaganian in Hartford, Connecticut, of Armenian heritage, before moving to San Francisco where she was raised. She studied at the San Francisco's Community Music School under Stella Eisner-Eyn and sang in the chorus of the San Francisco Opera, 1945-46. In 1946, Amara made her concert debut at the War Memorial Opera House. Continuing her studies at the Music Academy of the West with Richard Bonelli in 1947, she won a contest to appear at the Hollywood Bowl in 1948. She continued as a student at the University of Southern California and as a soloist for the San Francisco Symphony for the following two years. Amara appeared in the title role of Ariadne auf Naxos and as Lady Billows in Britten's Albert Herring in 1949.
Amara made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the "Voice from Heaven" in Verdi's Don Carlos, the opening night of Sir Rudolf Bing's inaugural season as general manager, on November 6, 1950. She continued at the Met over the course of 41 seasons until 1991, singing 56 roles in 882 appearances, nearly 60 of which were broadcast on radio and television. Appearing regularly as Micaëla in Carmen, Cio-Cio-San in Madame Butterfly, and Tatiana in Eugene Onegin, Antonia in Les contes d'Hoffmann, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Nedda in Pagliacci, Mimi in La bohème, her repertoire also included Leonora in Il trovatore and Aida.
In the mid-1970s, Amara was given only a "cover" contract - essentially a contract to be a stand-by for an indisposed singer - and was scheduled for fewer and fewer performances. In 1976 at the age of 51, she successfully sued the Met for age discrimination, but sang only sporadically with the company after that, and was absent from the roster from 1977 until 1981. In the last years of her Met career, she sang only one or two performances a season (one performance each in 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1991, and two in 1987; the 1985 performance took place at the Kennedy Center where the Met was on tour; the 1986 performance was presented by the Met in Brooklyn's Prospect Park). Amara did not appear with the company at its Lincoln Center home between 1983 and 1987.
Amara also performed in Europe, Asia, and South America, including at Glyndebourne (1954–55, 1957–58), the Edinburgh Festival (1954), the Vienna State Opera (1960), Russia (1965), and China (1983.)
Amara made a few recordings, notably as Musetta in La bohème, opposite Victoria de los Ángeles, Jussi Björling and Robert Merrill under Thomas Beecham, and as Elsa in Lohengrin, opposite Sandor Konya, Rita Gorr, Jerome Hines. Under Erich Leinsdorf she recorded the role of Nedda in Pagliacci twice, opposite Richard Tucker in 1951 and opposite Franco Corelli in 1960. Amara was also recorded singing the soprano solo in Verdi's Messa da Requiem. Made in 1964-65, the recording also features Maureen Forrester (Mezzo-Soprano), Richard Tucker (Tenor), George London (Bass), and the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy.
After retiring, Amara became the artistic director of the New Jersey Association of Verismo and taught master classes in the United States, Canada and Mexico. On January 23, 2005, she performed as a special guest artist with the Musica Bella Orchestra. The Times called Amara "the greatest lyric soprano of our time." Time Magazine wrote that "she brought to the stage the kind of dazzling vocal splendor that made the Met famous. In 1989 she was inducted into the Academy of Vocal Arts Hall of Fame.
That gorgeous voice at 90 is still fine..although she is "more mezzo." She is lots of fun (not always PG-13).
She was a "house soprano" because she was so ready to sing at short notice. This can be derogatory, but that is a great voice!!!!
Bless her!!!!!!
One of the most GORGEOUS voices...and high notes that shook the chandeliers....Beautiful lady!!!!!!
Feb.27, 1888….The greatest!!! Rise once sat at her desk and spoke glowingly of Lehmann’s Eva when she saw her in the 1930′s…Rise sounded as if she was “in a “trance” as she spoke of a lady who would someday sing with her in Rosenkavalier
He could sing anything and we would adore him. I love "Send the warrrrd"...Great man!!!!!
- NO ONE..NO ONE thrills me more than the"miracle" of Caruso, Born Feb.25, 1873, and sadly died at 48!!!!
Born with a heart and soul no one could "acquire." I can listen to him forever!!!!!!!
- I find it most unusual (for me,anyway) that Renata Scotto,born Feb.24, 1933 was so roundly hated and booed, and the repertory became just too heavy, but now,despite flaws (ever hear of Jones,Moedl,Rysanek??), she emerges as the LAST of the singers in the class of Muzio,Favero,Zeani,Soviero,Olivero, where the EMOTION is so riveting!!!
Yes,the top register could cause much displeasure as the years went on, but when you take her career as a whole, you find so muchgreatnes in the woman:use of words, coloring the voice, true musicianship,etc.
Happy birthday to Renata Scotto, who should be THE ONE to teach present-day divas what inner emotion is all about.They mostly know from nothing!!!
On Feb.25 (born 1873), we celebrate the birthday of Enrico Caruso, still the ALL-TIME GOD of singing in my opinion. He died at only 48, but thankfully we have over 200 of his recordings.
How did he sound live? One of my teachers, Jerry Lo Monaco,studied with Mr.Stanley, who told him we only hear 1/3 of the voice. The only lirico-dramatico tenor whom I saw who offers me a look at the Caruso talent was Richard Tucker,who could sing Cosi and La Juive, as Caruso sang Elisir and La Juive.
You listen to such selections as "L'alba separa dall luce l'ombra," "Angelo casto e bel,"(Duca dalba) "Io non ho che una povera stanzetta,"(Leoncavallo Boheme ) or the last session with "Deh ch'io ritorni"(L'Africaine),where you hear the dark sound that was able to sing "Vecchia Zimarra live.". Also, "Over there," where he sings "Send the WARRD" Just marvel at the glory of a man BORN with heart and soul.
Forget that awful film that is 99% fiction..just listen to the great man, and every single phrase drives me nutsy. With Caruso,and very very few others, every "vocal situation" seems to produce a "different joy." Without the basic sound,Bergonzi probably comes closest.
He left us so tragically,...we would have had about 10 more years of him,but at least we have plenty of examples of the great man. May he never be forgotten by those who understand his greatness.
**Clip to follow.
Not only did I just get Virginia's 9 cd set (but she sent me NO FLORIDA WEATHER..VERGOGNA!!)but I see a glowing review in Opera News on p.48 Bonynge has good taste!!!!!!
No one deserves it more..She turns 90 Oct.21**
A lost art!!!! Patti is 63 here .Remember,they sang more "staight tones" in those days. The trill alone is God-given.
Only real flaw is that when we went to a restaurant,she refused to eat "Peaches Melba."
Courageous lady!! (See film "Interrupted Melody.").Great artist,born Feb.17, 1909.
Closing night at the old Met...I see a lady in a wheelchair....I was thrilled to meet her.
Feb.17, 1897 is the birthdate of the lady whose Met debut (I was there) was a huge breakthrough (finalmente) for Afro-American artists.ad they missed some,like Lawrence Winters,Adele Addison, Camilla Williams (friend of Zeani and had lovely conversation with her shortly before she passed away.
Bless her memory!!!!!!!!!!...and thanks to Eleanor Roosevelt!!!!
When I saw "I Lombardi" last year I was astounded at the great singing of Michael Fabiano, but Kevin Short and Angela Meade made the evening a great triumph!
Rarely today does an audience go so ballistic!!!!!!
One of my all-time favorite artists.Meier should be even more recognized.I loved her so much!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Here again is Feb.13 birthday diva,Joyce di Donato, a great singer in ANY opera era!!!!!!
What a trouper!!!!! She sang in a wheelchair after she broker her leg. Birthday is Feb.13 (1969).
One of our great singers...and a sweetheart of a person!!
As dear Virginia approaches 90, a magnificent 9 cd set has been released,and I highly recommend it. Available from Norbeck and Peters.
Who else deserves it more, except with our New York weather, she refuses to send me weather from Florida..well,no one is PERFECT!
**https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhoXSsdURaM
I used to buy those expensive operas on the Nightingale label especially for the way Edita Gruberova "scooped" to the top. I also have found an "eccentric" vocal production at times. Howver, at 68 she is still an amazing lady!
The trills(even on high passages), the accuracy,the ease of the top notes, the over-all involvement in the music, the amazing lasting power in tremendously difficult repertory have made her attain "legendary status" in the opera world. The above URL gives you an idea of what she has accomplished, but there are very recent clips of her, and she will be "another Magda" if she continues, after 45 years before the public.**
When Antonietta Stella made her Met debut in 1956 Aida (also Bergonzi's debut),I felt guilty because I loved her more in this role than Zinka!!!
It was a luscious voice and onstage she was so beautiful. Here are scenes from Aida,Tosca,Butterfly, Vespri,Ernani, Trovatore.....and I hope you enjoy them.
Note: I may have repeated Tosca aria.
He caused a SENSATION in Les Troyens last season. The guy is the real thing......fabulous range, brilliant voice....I just pre-ordered the album.
Hymel made his professional debut in 1998 as the Philistine messenger in Samson et Dalila with the New Orleans Opera, a company where he has performed many roles, including Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Luigi in Il tabarro, and Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi. After his hometown debut, Hymel sang Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and the Duke in Rigoletto with Opera Grand Rapids. He made his European debut in 2007 at the Wexford Festival Opera, performing the role of the Prince in Dvorak’s Rusalka. Later that year he made his New York recital debut with Michelle DeYoung under the sponsorship of the George London Foundation.[2] He has also sung at Carnegie Hall with Opera Orchestra of New York in a gala concert honoring the 100th performance there of Eve Queler that also featured Renée Fleming, Marcello Giordani, and Dolora Zajick.[3]
In recent years Hymel has been seen in many leading opera houses in Europe as well as North and South America, performing Don José in Carmen at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden,[4] the Canadian Opera Company,[5] with the Simon Bolivar Orchestra in Caracas, Venezuela, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, and at La Scala Milan. He has also sung the role of Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with English National Opera and the Canadian Opera Company, Cavaradossi in Tosca with Opéra National de Bordeaux, Guido in A Florentine Tragedy and Arturo in I Puritani with Greek National Opera, Énée in Les Troyens with the Netherlands Opera, and the Prince in Rusalka with the Boston Lyric Opera. In the summer of 2011, Hymel sang the title role in Faust at The Santa Fe Opera. [6]
In July 2012, Hymel performed the role of Énée in the Covent Garden Troyens, replacing Jonas Kaufmann who was suffering from an infection.,[7] and replaced Marcello Giordani in the same role for his Metropolitan Opera debut on 26 December 2012, as well as all subsequent performances in the 2012/2013 season, including a worldwide HD telecast.
In November 2014 Hymel will sing the role of Polyeucte in a concert performance of Donizetti's 1840 opera, Les Martyrs, an adaptation into French of his 1838 Poliuto written for Naples in Italian but not performed there until 1848. It will be given by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at London's Royal Festival Hall.[8]
Awards In 2002 Hymel was one of the winners of the Opera Lirica d’Orvieto Aria Competition in Perugia, Italy as well as the Palm Beach Opera Competition. He was the winner of the George London Award in 2007. In 2008 he had a great run of success in competitions, being named the First-Prize winner of the Giulio Gari Foundation Competition, the Loren L. Zachary Vocal Competition, and the Licia Albanese/Puccini Foundation Competition, and in 2009 he was named Top Prize Winner of the Gerda Lissner Foundation Competition. In 2012 he won the Beverly Sills Award.
She said, "Dammi il braccio,mio PICCINO, and even at 19, I knew to answer, "Obbedisco,SignorA!!!!!!
So happy to have this memory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In 1970, the last time I saw Renata, we went crazy over this scene. The utterance,"Tre assi e un paio" echoed through the Met like a cannon. (I would not have wanted to play poker with HER!).
Bless our beloved birthday lady!!!!!!
**This week I have been posting and sending clips of the beloved Renata Tebaldi, whose birthday is Feb.1 (1922). I also said (I think) that we met her coincidentally on her birthday 60 years ago,after the Met debut on 1/31/55.No one knew this...and we would have sung!!!!
Anyone of any vintage recognizes the LEGEND of this lady, whose performances were "events," always ending with all the fun outside, and screaming (out of the limo) "Ciao"up 40th St., and us running after her....
Tomorrow I will be thinking of all the great experiences we had with her,onstage and off.One example is seeing off on a train to Philly, and saying to the baggage handler by the door, "Spoletta,chiudi!!!" This was Renata, someone who made us so happy and who will remain forever in our hearts.
One beautful element of the Internet is that all generations can partake to some extent of the careers of great singers. How many have been exposed to singers whom even we crazy collectors never heard of. (Meta Seinemeyer was one BIGGIE for me.).This is one of my goals....to make sure no "flame" dies, so Renata's marvelous career and personality will be remembered forever.
Grazie, mia cara Renata, per tutto che hai fatto per opera, e per me.
Carlos (She could not speak English in 1957 and I had not learned operatic Italian,so I spoke in espanol..hence the "CarloS"**
What could be more fitting than to have my new "discovery," Andrew Owens sing an aria from Mitridate on Wolfgang's birthday
Another selection by a superb young tenor. I am "discovering" this briliiant talent and wish to share it with you.
Winner of the Zarzuela prize at the 2015 Francisco Viñas International Singing Competition, American tenor Andrew Owens has quickly built a reputation as one of the most promising singers of his generation, exhibiting a beautiful Italianate timbre, soaring top notes, and effortless agility. In the 2014-2015 season, Andrew Owens returns to the Theater an der Wien main stage as Chevalier Léon in Milhaud’s La mere coupable. He will also debut at Theater Magdeburg as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and Camille de Rosillion in Die lustige Witwe. The operatic season concludes with his professional lead debut in the US as Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola with Opera Saratoga. On the concert stage, highlights include the tenor soloist in The Genius of Mozart at the National Concert Hall, Dublin with the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra. The 2013-2014 season was Andrew Owens’ final season as a member of the Junges Ensemble at the Theater an der Wien, where he performed Don Ramiro, Tito in La clemenza di Tito (Kammeroper), Scitalce in Vinci’s Semiramide, Gastone in La Traviata, and Barbarigo in I due Foscari opposite Plácido Domingo.
You all know I have seen the greats! Here is a superb tenor who has a brilliant,easily-produced voice, and quite a range!
I love to introduce all of you to new stars!!!!
Love the guy!!! Jan.25, 1963...Brilliant voice....So thrilling!!! He is a throwback to the "squillante tenors."
He is also a sweet guy...well,all my tenors are!!!!
When I sang Galvany's doctor in 1965, I KNEW this was so gorgeous!!!!!
Two GREATS are singing this duet!!!!!
Happy Birthday,Jan.21 to US!!
1. We speak Spanish.
2.We love opera.
3. One of us is a baritone.
4. I rent..he owns Madrid.
5.I take the train.He has 7 Jets.
But we have had pretty nice lives!!!!
Yes, it ain't opera..But Ethel Merman,whom I saw 5 times, was born on Jan.16, 1908. She and Zinka respected each other...they were two TOUGH girls.
Some do not like the brassy sound..This clip is a little late in her career....but on stage she was a DYNAMO!!!!
I taught at the high school where "Ms.Zimmerman" attended..Bryant H.S.In Astoria,New York. One of my older colleagues said she was in her class, and she could belt it out at 17.
Fantasy: Merman as Gioconda and Zinka as Dolly.
Not for Marisa Galvany in Mayr's "Medea in Corinto." I think she said she still gets up to C....
Some NERVE! I just yelled (only kidding ) that Virginia did not tell me of this upcoming 9 cd set on the occasion of her 90th birthday (in October.)
I never yelled at a diva...not that I didn't want to tell Zinka to be more like Tebaldi!!!!!
Bless Virginia..one of the greats!!!!
Kullman was born on 1/13/ 1903 and Grace Moore, sadly killed in a plane crash,was also a fine artist..They should do this opera by Montemezzi,sadly neglected ('L'amore de Tre Re.).This is so exciting!!!
P.S. Have not done some podcasts lately, but I will soon.
Magnificent baritone, still singing at 79..Born 1/13/36. Due Foscari for me is still the best.
He has the style,feeling,beauty of tone.....A great artist!!!!!
The great powerhouse of a mezzo,Elena Obratsova, has passed away at 75. She was one of the great stars and a voice (especially in the low register) that was unforgettable. l
It took me too long not to notice the great talent of Nelly.She is a fabulous and versatile artist,who recalls a style (Gencer?) totally absent these days. She is also a lovable person (See Facebook.)
Biography Born in Adjud, Romania, Miricioiu started singing at 5 and was hailed as a child prodigy. At 9 she started studying piano and at 14 she won her first singing contest, "Young Talents, Great hopes". At 18 she sung in Pergolesi's La serva padrona and joined the Conservatory of Iași where she continued her studies with Tibi Popovici. In 1972 she was the youngest contestant in the Francisco Vinas Musical Competition in Barcelona and in 1975 she won the first prize at the very first Maria Callas Grand Prix in Athens. More first prizes followed at competitions in Geneva, Paris, Sofia, Oostend.
Miricioiu made her operatic debut in Mozart's The Magic Flute, as the Queen of the Night at Iaşi Romanian Opera, and continued to sing at Brasov Opera House between 1975 and 1978 in roles such as Mimì in La bohème, Micaëla in Carmen and Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus.
In 1981, she fled the communist regime and months later she debuted in Glasgow at the Scottish Opera as Violetta in La traviata; Manon Lescaut and Tosca followed. The following year she made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London as Nedda in Pagliacci, opposite Jon Vickers, Piero Cappuccilli and Thomas Allen. She later appeared as Marguerite in Gounod's Faust, Antonia in The Tales of Hoffmann and Valentine in Les Huguenots. In 1983, she made her debut at La Scala in Milan in the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor, and thereafter appeared at most major opera houses of Europe: Amsterdam, Brussels, Rome, Hamburg, Geneva, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, earning considerable acclaim for her interpretation of Violetta in La traviata, amongst many other roles such as Mimì in La bohème, Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Silvana in Respighi's La fiamma, the title role in Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur and the title role in Zandonai's Francesca da Rimini.
Miricioiu has also appeared in the United States, notably in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York as Mimì (La bohème) in 1989. She also appeared in South America, notably in Santiago, and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires.
In 1992, she sang Amenaide in Rossini's Tancredi to great acclaim in Salzburg, and then began concentrating on the bel canto repertory, singing other Rossinian heroines such as the title roles in Armida, Semiramide, Ermione, as well as Donizetti and Bellini roles, such as in Anna Bolena, Roberto Devereux, Il pirata and Norma.
In 1996, she was trusted with the revival of the infamous Tosca production for Maria Callas at the Royal Opera House.
She began an association with Opera Rara, appearing in long-forgotten works by Rossini and Donizetti but also by composers such as Pacini and Mercadante, both in concerts and recordings, notably Ricciardo e Zoraide, Rosmonda d'Inghilterra, Maria de Rudenz, Pacini's Maria, regina d'Inghilterra, and Mercadante's Orazi e Curiazi and Emma d'Antiocchia.
Her repertory also includes Verdi roles in operas such as Ernani, Luisa Miller, I vespri siciliani, Don Carlo. She has worked with some of the most prestigious conductors and directors, and opposite leading artists of the day, such as José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, José Cura, Roberto Alagna, to name but a few.
Discography
- Puccini: Tosca, Naxos
- Donizetti: Rosmonda d'Inghilterra, Opera Rara
- Donizetti: Roberto Devereux, Opera Rara
- Donizetti: Maria de Rudenz, Opera Rara
- Rossini: Ricciardo e Zoraide, Opera Rara
- Mercadante: Orazi e Curiazi, Opera Rara
- Mercadante: Emma d'Antiochia, Opera Rara
- Pacini: Maria Regina d'Inghilterra, Opera Rara
- Respighi: La fiamma, Agora
- Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana, Chandos
- Rossini Gala, Opera Rara
- Mercadante Rediscovered, Opera Rara
- Donizetti: Szenen und Ouvertüren, Opera Rara
- La Potenza d'amore, Opera Rara
- Mercadante – Les Soirées Italiennes, Opera Rara
- Rossini: Three Tenors, Opera Rara
- Nelly Miricioiu, Etcetera
- Nelly Miricioiu – Bel Canto Portrait, Opera Rara
- Prinsengracht Concert, Vanguard
- Live at the Concertgebouw, Challenge
- Recital at Wigmore Hall, Etcetera
- Nelly Miricioiu Live in Amsterdam, Vanguard
Wonderful Aida today from the Met!
Mme.Wilson,the FIRST Aida in years with rich lows.(e.g.Della mia patria,degna Saro" and beautiful feeling, pianissimi, loved her in my favorite opera!!!!
Great talent!!! (and you all know how
many Aidas I have seen.)
The night after we saw Warren die, Mar.5,1960,we were somewhat uplifted….and thrilled..at the Chenier with Zinka and Bergonzi (last duet in the high key)..Note especially Zinka’s “Abbracciami, AMAAAAANTE”which is one of her greatest moments. This is from Atlanta.but you get the idea. Compare this anything in the last years..That is like comparing me to Siepi….well,sort of…
on January 10, 2015 at 12:26 PM ↑ Reply
The marvelous Latvian soprano,Marina Rebeka,sings "Non mi dir" from Don Giovanni. The production is not too traditional.
It is my desire to introduce people to the "new" talent out there.....not that you are bored with Soviero,Zeani, and Zinka.
Sincerely Charlie
Bonisolli gave tenors a bad name.Talked to audiences,gets booed for some antics Calls for "Wasser"in middle of the Pira).
I do not recall a singer who acts as if he escaped from a mental institution. A shame..there WAS talent there, but I think he consumed lasagna laced with SPEED!!!
Are there any normal tenors?
40 years ago, Jan.8, we lost my favorite tenor (of those I saw live). I saw him over 60 times.He was a vocal GOD to me, and yes, he sometimes cried (like Gigli), and there were some exaggerated phrases, but the man sang LEGATO most of the time......Great man....We miss him!!!! Best quote was from Regina Resnik,who said "He left his blood all over the stage!!!!!"
60 years ago tonight I was thrilled attend the historic debut of Marian Anderson,who paved the way for Afro-American singers..like a Jackie Robinson Story. When that curtain rose, it was a phenomenal reaction......Bless her!
So sad we missed out on Adele Addison, Camilla Williams, and others who were not allowed in the "big time." At least we have had,since Anderson, Bumbry,Price,Verrett,Mitchell,Brownlee,etc......Thanks to this great lady!!
What singer would you like to see do this???
I know one or two,,,,but they would have to re-inforce the stage.
Another superb artist from Albania.
She began studying singing at the age of six. After completing her studies at the Liceu Artistik "Jordan Misja" in Tirana in 1992 for singing she was accepted at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirana where she studied for one year. After winning a competition organized by the Italian soprano Katia Ricciarelli in Albania, she moved to Italy where she studied for one year at the Academy of Mantova. After completing her studies she was accepted at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, where she studied for singing and piano for five years.
Career She has won many international competitions including the Giacomo Puccini competition in Milan, Italy 1997, Spontini International Competition in Ancona, Italy 1998, Zandonai in Rovereto, Italy 1999, and The Best Singer at the Wexford Festival, 2000. She has performed in opera houses worldwide including the Royal Opera in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Berlin Staatsoper, the Paris Champs-Élysées, Teatro San Carlo Naples, Italy, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Opéra de Marseille, Arena di Verona, Teatro Verdi in Trieste, Teatro La Fenice, Theatre Capitole in Toulouse, etc. Her repertoire ranges from Violetta in La traviata, Maria Stuarda, Manon, Mireille, Amina in La sonnambula, Mimi in La bohème, Michaela in Carmen, Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Anna Bolena, etc.
Latvia has sent us some wonderful divas. In addition Mme. Rebeka, we have Mme.Garanca and Mme.Opolais.
We know what an incredibly challenging role Violetta is.Here is MarinaRebeka, our newest Met Violetta. Bio to follow:
Rebeka began her musical studies in Latvia, and in 2007 she graduated from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome. She also attended the Internationale Sommerakademie Mozarteum University of Salzburg where she studied with Grace Bumbry, and the Accademia Rossiniana in Pesaro, under the guidance of Alberto Zedda.
Since her international debut in 2009 at the Salzburg Festival in Rossinis Moïse et Pharaon, Rebeka has appeared as a regular guest of the world's most prestigious concert stages and opera houses, including the New York Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, Royal Opera House Covent Garden London, Vienna State Opera, Opernhaus Zürich, Teatro alla Scala, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Rossini Opera Festival Pesaro, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence, and the Palau de les Arts in Valencia.
Rebeka has sung under the baton of Riccardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, Antonio Pappano, Fabio Luisi, Paolo Carignani, Roberto Abbado, Alberto Zedda, Michail Jurowski, Stéphane Denève, Yves Abel, Michele Mariotti, Teodor Currentzis, Alessandro De Marchi, Gustav Kuhn (de). On the concert stage, she has sung Britten's War Requiem with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Rossini's Stabat Mater at the Rossini Opera Festival of Pesaro and Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra.
Recent engagements include Don Giovanni (Donna Anna) at the New York Metropolitan Opera and Vienna State Opera, Moïse et Pharaon at Carnegie Hall in New York, La traviata at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Don Giovanni at the Zürich Opera, and Guillaume Tell in Amsterdam. She was also recently heard as the soprano soloist in Rome in Rossini's Petite messe solennelle with conductor Antonio Pappano and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, and at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan under the baton of Ottavio Dantone with the Filarmonica della Scala in a program of W. A. Mozart and G. F. Handel.
Her first EMI release was issued in April 2013 as the soprano soloist in Rossini's Petite messe solennelle under the baton of Antonio Pappano with the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.
Since 2010, Rebeka is married to the tenor Dmytro Popov.[1]
A wonderful guy named "Coluratura made this up of Grace Bumbry in two roles at the same time..How did he do this?????
The happiest birthday to one of opera's great singers.Grace Bumbry has had a fabulous world-wide career, and on Jan.4 we honor her.
New Years Resolutions for Opera Characters:
Salome- Ich vill nicht shtripen
Wotan- I will finally use birth control because I do not want any more noisy daughters. (Besides, I can't pronounce their names.)
Iago: I will act like a cutesy little Teddy Bear.
Tristan- I respect older people in the theatre with bladder problems so I will take only 10 minutes to die.
Violetta- I will only take the E flat in Sempre Libera if They triple my salary.
Andrea Chenier I will be calmer lest I lose my head.
Amfortas- I will stop being such a big baby and stop kvetching
Tosca- The next time I will NOT hit the trampolin.
Witch in Hansel and Gretel I will go on a total vegetarian diet
Lucia I will stop imitating that Australian girl and clean up my diction.
De Grieux The next dude who calls my girlfriend a hooker has to deal with me!
Falstaff OK, I will cut down on 10 pizzas a day to only 9.
Elsa I will mind my own business and stop asking people for their name.
OK...add more.............................Charlie (not even drunk)
As we look back on 2014, we must remember with affection so many celebrities who gave the world so much.
Magda made it to age 104. She is a "baby" here at 83 in 1993. Who else could achieve this????? Bless her memory forever. Riposa in Pace.
Giordani, said to me once...., "I know Piotr is your favorite tenor...I love him too....." I did not respond..although Piotr,who was born Dec.28,1966, IS the best thing to come along in many years...Not the size or a lot of squillo..but beauty,style,elegance..No wonder his fav.tenors are Gedda and Wunderlich.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He's the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Charlie
Do you now realize why I was almost NEVER home as a new opera lover?
This is Zinka at her greatest..Note the "ferma" offstage and coming onstage..and the section that follows is for my sensational!!!!!
Amazing lady....a bit "eccentric" vocalism,but still a legend and still performing. Dec.23, 1946 birthday.
I LOVE the "scooooops" into the high notes!!!
May all of you have a wonderful Holiday wherever you are!!!!!!!!!
Tauber is such a great guy!!!!!!
Love, Charlie
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I had posted on “learning a language through opera.” If all you know is what you know from opera, you surely can uses these phrases (and produce hilarity for the natives.):
-
Lousy meal: “Eh cameriere…questo piato puzza di rifritto.”
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Nasty Hotel Clerk: “Va….fuggi”
3.Very angry at someone “Cruda, funesta smania”
4.Crying at a film in Paris: “Pleurez,pleurez,mes yeux”
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Trying to make out with someone: ” Du bist der Lenz”
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Homesick: “O Patria mia”
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During sex with “Cortesan”(I didn’t say “Putana”): ” Basta,Roberti” OR”Basta,Roberta.”
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Bad food: “Ohime, morir mi sento.”
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Fire in your hotel room “Di quella pira.”
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Hating a mean landlady: “Maledizione” OR “A terra…e piangi” OR
” Man tote dieses Weib” -
Kept up by orchestra on the plaza: “Nessun Dorma”
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Departure: “Addio,senza rancor.”
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They came into your hotel room and robbed some furniture:
“Adieu,notre petite table.” -
I can’t sleep in this dump. “Ich habe nicht gute Nachte”
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Bad service at Easter GUESS!! (a te,la mala Pasqua.”
Come on..nutcases like me..Let’s hear some of yours!!!!
Let us celebrate the birthday of Giacomo Puccini,born Dec.22, 1858 .We would need 5000 towels to catch all the tears he makes us shed in a lifetime. Diana Soviero sings the Suor Angelica Finale here.
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- Rita Gorr, at a Dallas I rehearsal, yells at Mario del Monaco for being out of costume.
- The famous "Dristan und Isolde" -- where Jon Vickers tells the audience (Dallas again..maybe it is the climate?) to "shut up with your damn coughing!"
- Franco Bonisolli, famous for his outbursts, calls for "Wasser" just before he takes the first high C in "Di Quella pira" in a Hamburg performance. I guess they brought it to him, because he then unleashes a mighty one! (after some booing)
- Montserrat Caballé faints halfway through a rendition of "Addio del passato" in 1972 at the Paris Opera. But give her credit at least for trying! Five years later, when she canceled the opening night of Turandot at La Scala, Maestro Zubin Mehta had to go out and announce the bad news to the audience.
- The funniest soprano in the world (yes, even funnier than Florence Foster Jenkins), Mari Lynn, of public access television fame, reads the letter from La Traviata..which sounds much closer to La TraviYENTA! I played this for Diana Soviero, telling her this was a "Violetta the likes of which she had never seen before" and she almost fell off the couch!
- More inimitable performances: Madame Lynn sings "Sempre libera"
- An insane lady in the City Opera audience lets out a blood-curdling "primal scream" just before tenor Henry Price begins act two Traviata aria.Worse than Klytaemnestra being murdered!
- And speaking of screams, here's a re-engineered version of the final scene from Tosca...
GUESS THE SCREAMS and you get to bring a U-Haul to my house and take.please!!!!!!! all my lp's that are never played....ORRRRORE!!!!
In the old Met we stood all the way down near the orchestra..Boxes hardly were overhanging. One night when Renata hit the high A on "amore,addio" (and you cannot tell from the video) my friend standing next to me lost control,hit me in the ribs, and I almost ended up like Cio-Cio San.....NO ONE here could imagine...Think of a jet plane landing in your living room
What nostalgia as Renata returns to us in 1995. Piangero per sempre!!!!!!
Ten years since she left us on Dec.19, 2004. Never to be forgotten!!!!!
Ten years ago, on Dec.19, 2004, our beloved Renata Tebaldi departed this world, but those of us who knew her can never forget what she meant to us on and off stage.
My mother's first opera was a Traviata in 1957, and I spoke Spanish to her,since I had not yet learned my operatic Italian and her English was limited. Every time we met she would say, "Carlos, com'e la mamma??" (Carlos...not Carlo,because I started with her in espanol.)
We spoke on many birthdays in later years. You know we first met her oin Feb.1, 1955, after her Met Desdemona debut,which was Jan.31.Little did we know it was her birthday!!!!!
Non posso scordare la mia Renata..Sempre nel mio cuore!!!
One of the STARS of the Internet is "Coloratura Fan," who compiles an incredible number of material, and who is a STAR of the opera-loving Internet world. Here is an example. Just go to his page and enjoy!!
Happy Dec.15 birthday to a marvelous soprano who showed so much emotion and who could thrill audiences for so long!!!!!!
I am just thinking about Tebaldi a lot this week...I recall she went to Phila. for a perf...the Met used to go there. We saw her off in the last car...the baggage handler opened the door and she said, "Spoletta, CHIUDI."
At a big affair once she was cutting the cake,held the knife up, and said, "Questo il bacio di Tosca."
See how much fun we had with her.......
Also, at a Bell Tel.Hr.at Carnegie, we sat in the first row..She looked down at us "kids", winked...and then launched into "Inflammatus." She made us feel so important."
Ten yearsthis week (Dec.19),Renata has been gone........and anyone who knew her from 1955 will treasure her memory..
Wolfgang!!!! I hope you do not have Internet. This is not boring. Some love the "crazy" productions for their "entertainment." value...but others curse like mad!!!
On the old Met standee line, we killed time (freezing) by making up crazy opera scenes. Little did we know what was to come!!!!!!!
This clip sent to me by baritone (Marcello) David Bizic.
These two are for me the best pair in this scene. as never able to capture Taddei's "Entrate" in my Marcellos....Well,who can?????
Carteri's declamations are for me the most effective..and I love many Mimis..
Another great singer the Met never engaged.......My favorite Mimi.....will post her in Boheme.
Dec.11, 1892....I bet his first words were "All'armi."
Here he is at 85...as calm as always!!!!!
88 years old here...Born Dec.11,1892
Slightly egoista....un po pazzo!!!!! But I would love to have heard him live!!!!!
I was 15.....I saw them together in my first opera ever..Zinka's lows are so gorgeous......Just fabulous.
Ed Rosen and Carlo Handelmania attempt to sing Puritani Duet. (He always holds the last note LONG!!!)
Not great sound, but an amazing Callas recording for her upcoming birthday (Dec.2 or 3)
Whether or not you celebrate this holiday in your land, be most thankful for music in your lives, not to forget friends and family, and I thank you all for allowing me to bring opera into your lives, as it was brought to me.
Most sincerely, Charlie
Zeani,Cotrubas,and now.........................Something about that land that is so conducive to emotion!!!!!!!
What a thrill to hear my dear Marisa Galvany (one of her fake names),friends for 50 years...one of the most exciting singers in my experience....and when we did Bolena, I did check to see if there was some microphone down her throat. What a treasure she has been.
NEW DISCOVERY!!!! Go to Youtube for more of this superb baritone, and/or buy the DVD Attila from Parma.
Remember how many baritones I have heard!!
How wonderful to discover a new talent!!!!! Mme. Branchini is the Odabella on the Parmi DVD Attila. She has the excitement, attention to the word and phrase..great attacks..and mixed chest voice........We could use her HERE. I hope she has a huge career.......I was thrilled, especially since I have heard so many superb sopranos in my life.
GOD BLESS the memory of our beloved lady...We miss her so!!!!!! Yes, Moedl,Jones, and Gencer..she had her flaws....But what a great great lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In order to remain a member of this forum,each member (who cares what gender??) must send me his/her/its recording of this aria .I cannot myself do it anymore..Quel dommage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the most sensational singers of all-time..Yes, I know she wrote one of the world's shortest books,"Diction for sopranos." BUT who is perfect..Live...we went NUTS!!!!!!
``` Mediterranean Opera Studio will hold its New York City Winter Intensive this year from January 12-24. We were incredibly impressed with the quality of teaching and the advances made by attendees in Caltagirone, Sicily this Summer 2014, and so we are bringing instructors Nelly Miricioiu and Salvatore Fisichella to New York.
These exceptional teachers, together with MOS director Jack Li Vigni, will help participants advance in their technical abilities and put them much closer to their artistic goals as operatic performers. Both advanced and intermediate singers will be accepted. The deadline to apply is December 20, 2014.
```
I just got really turned on to Nelly. For NewYawkers.she will give me specifics.....
Under Silvio Varviso in Atlanta,Georgia in 1963. I present a glorious (somewhat distant) Tosca with Milanov,Tucker, and Colzani. I miss them so much!
Very famous soprano. Speeches, Exc.From Manon With Richard Crooks(1935-6),Exc.from Rondine w.Mario Chamlee (1934)
Cossotto and Bergonzi sure light up the stage in this 1970's Cavalleria under Christopher Keene. Also featured are Anselmo Colzani,Jean Kraft, and Nedda Casei (Lola)
To all my scary opera buddies...May I wish you a wonderful Halloween.I am trick or treating dressed as Zinka Milanov.
1 Lauritz.Melchior Walkure "Walse" (get a stopwatch)
2. Mario Filippeschi PIRA!!!!
3. Renata Scotto Luisa Miller aria
4. Vera Galupe-Borszkh In questa reggia (Ira Siff -better than most Turandots)
5. Piero Cappuccilli Attila Cab...B FLAT!!!
6. Joseph Schmidt Ma Parri
7. Diana Soviero Mefistofele aria
8.Christine Goerke "Come scoglio" (Cosi)
9. Sergei Lemeshev May Night Aria
10. Georges Thill Saffo aria
11.Maria Caniglia "Pace"
12. Marilyn Horne "Or la tromba"
13. Joseph Rogatchevsky Oberon aria
14. Antonio Cortis PIRA
15. Lucine Amara, Richard Tucker,Martial Singher Hoffmnn Trio
16. Meta Seinemeyer Liebestod (great singer,died at 33)
Oct.29, 1921..The tough guy,Jon Vickers was born. Did you ever drink DRISTAN for a cold???????
GREAT MAN!!!!!!!!!
Léon Escalaïs (August 8, 1859, Cuxac-d'Aude – November 8, 1940, Cuxac-d'Aude) was a prominent Gallic tenor, particularly associated with French and Italian heroic roles. His lean, nimble and powerful voice was noted for the ease and brilliance of its upper register.
Life and career Born Léonce-Antoine Escalaïs, he commenced his vocal studies as a young man at the Music Conservatory of Toulouse, where he won prizes for singing and opera performance. He continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory with two well-known teachers of the day, Crosti and Obin, prior to making his professional debut at the Théâtre du Château (Paris) in 1882, in Sardanapale by Jean-Baptiste Duvernoy.
Escalaïs was offered a contract by the Paris Opéra. His first appearance with the Paris Opéra at the Palais Garnier occurred in 1883, as Arnold in Guillaume Tell. (Arnold would become one of his signature roles.)
Two years later, he sang for the first time at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, and he made his debut at La Scala, Milan, in 1888. He left the Paris Opéra in 1892 after a dispute with management and accepted engagements in Dijon, Lyon, Marseille and Italy. Among the taxing roles which he undertook were Eléazar in La Juive, Robert in Robert le diable, Raoul in Les Huguenots, Vasco in L'Africaine and the title parts in Le Cid and Sigurd.
Between 1892 and 1908, Escalaïs sang more often in Italy (this is wrong, he sang once in Milan and it was a fiasco) than he did in his native land. He added to his repertoire such Verdi roles as Manrico in Il trovatore, Radamès in Aida and the title part in Otello' (Escalais never sang Otello)'. Consequently, he was sometimes described as "the French Tamagno" (after Francesco Tamagno, the Italian heroic tenor).
Escalaïs rejoined the Paris Opéra in 1908. The following year, he sang as a guest artist at the New Orleans Opera House. These would be his only performances in the United States. He retired from the stage in 1912 while still in good voice and was appointed to the Legion of Honour by the French Government in 1927. In retirement, he gave private singing lessons. One of his students was José Luccioni, an outstanding dramatic tenor of the 1930s and '40s. Escalaïs died in Cuxac-d'Aude during the Second World War, aged 82.
What a VOICE!!!!!! Wm.Tell, Robert le Diable, Huguenots,Prophete,Africaine,Juive,Jerusalem,Trovatore,Aida, Otello
OK guys..Go into the shower.....or do it in your car...or in the grocery store..and do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The great,darling man, with whom my friend studied was born Oct.22, 1885.Not always a voice for all tastes..BUT a sensational career!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Virginia has been one the phone all day;so many have called her to celebrate her birthday. We bless this wonderful lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to my beloved friend and great artist,Virginia Zeani,Oct.21. Since the Tebaldi days,no singer has touched my heart as dear Virginia.
In anticipation of my darling Virginia's 89th birthday on Oct.21.
I am finally at the opera..and feel better...so more podcasts to come!!!!!
My darling "sorella" Virginia Zeani turns 89 On Oct.21. Listen to the emotion in that voice and the richness of the low tones. Bless this wonderful artist and dear friend.
Olimpia Boronat (1859 or 1867[1] – 1934) was an Italian operatic coloratura soprano, noted for her performances of the soprano roles in the bel canto repertory.
Boronat was born in Genoa, and made her debut either there or in Naples during 1885. She sang around the world, particularly the Spanish-speaking world, but was particularly associated with Russia; she first sang there at St Petersburg in 1894. She married a member of the Polish aristocracy, and retired from the stage for six years from 1896 to 1902. After her hiatus, she sang initially in Russia; it was not until 1909 that she returned to her native Italy to sing.
Boronat was noted for a voice of great beauty and clarity, and exceptional technical ability, coupled with sensitive musicianship. She was particularly associated with the roles of Rosina in The Barber of Seville, Violetta in La traviata, Elvira in I puritani, and Ophélie in Hamlet.
After her retirement, Boronat founded a singing school in Warsaw.
Puritani,Don Pasquale,Rigoletto, Martha, Huguenots,Sonnambula, Olga (Gianelli),Nightingale, 2 Ave Marias (Bach)
....and speaking of BACH,I hope my fuguing BACH gets better. If you do not get the pun, you are not missing an anything)
My dear buddies from Angola to Zanzibar,
Please bear with me since I have had a rough time sitting and hope you will "back me up"...Love you all............
Charlie (not the guy in the photo,but I feel like him.)
Sorry for not posting much.
Gettng massages (Polish lady) maybe O will soon sound like PYOTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Born as Maria Maddalena Olivero in Saluzzo, Italy, she made her operatic debut in 1932 on radio in Turin radio singing Nino Cattozzo's (1886–1961) oratorio, I misteri dolorosi.[1]
She performed widely and increasingly successfully until 1941, when she married and retired from performing. She returned to the stage ten years later, at the request of Francesco Cilea, who asked her to sing again the title role in his opera Adriana Lecouvreur.[2][3]
From 1951 until her final retirement, Olivero sang in opera houses around the world. Among her most renowned interpretations were the leading parts in Adriana Lecouvreur, Iris, Fedora, La bohème, La fanciulla del West, La traviata, La Wally, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Mefistofele, and Turandot (as Liù).
She sang in Cherubini's Médée at the Dallas Opera in 1967 and in Kansas City in 1968.[4] In 1975, Olivero made her début at the Metropolitan Opera House in Tosca. Her last performances on stage were in March 1981 in the one-woman opera, La voix humaine by Poulenc.[5] Her stage career ended at age 71, after spanning nearly 50 years. She continued to sing sacred music locally and, well into her eighties, made a recording of several arias.[citation needed] Recordings exist of many of her great performances of both full operas and arias and scenes.
GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My beloved Magda is gone................................I have no wprds..through my tears
Bear with me...12 hrs.,on a gurney in hospital........Will hope to see you soon,,Back is injured
Tebaldi arias Louise,Forza,Wally,Forz.Boheme,Lescaut,Chenier,Mefistofele,Adriana,(Alli Live)
Exclude the small print.
I have been ill (BACK!!~) .Hope I do more.
1.NAPUKO.....The greatest basso ever. (I sang with him....hard not to laugh)
2.Tagliavini Amor ti vieta (Fedora)
3. Richard Tucker Celeste Aida
4. Ernani Ensemble..Milanov,Warren,Del Monaco (I saw all of them)
5. Olive Middleton recites (?) Adriana Phedre Scene
6.Gabriel Bacquier Damnation of Faust aria
7.Dino Borgioli Una furtiva lagrima
8. Piotr Beczala Macbeth aria (My fav.tenor)
9. Caruso Duca D'alba aria (LORD!!!!)
10. Fedora Barbieri Trovatore "Condotta)
11.Rita Hunter Trovatore (In English)
12.Fanciulla finale (I cry every time) Dorothy Kirstem Clifford Harvuot (Sonora's lines get to me every time..
13. Marisa Galvany (as mezzo) Aida act 4 scene
1.JUSSI in Romeo
2. Carlo Bergonzi (Bless him)
3. Olive Middleton (about156 yrs..old.)
4. Joel Berglund
5. ZINKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mia sposa sara, Se, Vizione Veniziana, Occhi di Fata, Rondine al nido, E canta il grillo, Mattinata
Traviata, Tosca, Tu che non Chiagne,Passione
Great top, passionate, but sometimes her Verdi sounded like Berg.
A fun lady..Rest in Peace
1. Callas Suicidio
2. Barbieri Trovatore act 3 scene
3.Baum Norma aria (at least had a "c")
4.Schlusnus Hamlet Drinking song
5. Bumbry Turandot aria
6. L.Price Cleopatra aria
I guess no one will go to the Justin Bieber recital where he lip-synchs Bach Cantatas sung by DFD.
Italian Songs Acc.John Wustman. Bellini,Verdi,Denza,Donizetti,Donaudy, Tirindelli, Rossini, Mascagni, Tosti,Buzzi-Peccia, De Curtis.
Plus aria from Edgar....and DI QUELLA PIRA....Your flame will never die!!!!
Please understand the emotion I bring to this rather unusual podcast.My heart is broken,and I never realized how much we adored him...until his passing. Rest his soul!!
Tchaikowsky Competition Winners of the past!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jane Marsh, Simon Estes, Elena Obratsova, Evgenyi Nesterenko, Peter Dvorsky, Dolora Zajick,Nina Rautio
I found some flaws in my earlier podcast so here it is again.BOY!They said she was LOUD!
Aida W.Uzunov Trovatore w. Nikolov
Semiramide, Macbeth (FAST!!)Don Carlo,Carmen,Trovatore,Ballo,Euryanthe,Elektra (w.Varnay)
Stuttgart 1938 (Leonardt) Reining, Manowarda, F.Kraus 2 tracks flawed plus Manowarda aria
1.Rosenk.Trio Stevens,Gueden,Della Casa (At my first in 1956 I needed a towel)
2. Finale Act 2 St.of Bleeker St. RIVETING!!
3. Attila Aria Gilda Cruz-Romo
4."Marcella" Titi Schipa
5. Tannh.Rome Narr. Peter Seiffert
6. Vissi D'arte Meta Seinemeyer (died at 33
7. Boccanegra Sc. Nucci/Siepi (How to sing Verdi!!)
8.Adriana Aria Simionato (would not sing on same planet as Barbieri)
9.Leo Slezak Queen of Sheba( with pppppppppp)
10.Signore Ascolta Diana Soviero
11.Steber Mignon aria
12.Adieu Forets (Jean D'Arc) Rise Stevens
13. If you can't guess it is Tebaldi in Louise, I will be FURIOUS!!
14.Panis Angelicus Jacques Urlus
15.Alain Vanzo Pearl Fishers aria
16. MY fav.basso of the olden days Ludwig Weber as Gurnemanz
Benvenuto Franci Trovatore,Ballo,Forza,Aida, Otello,Africaine, Gioconda
Font size needs to be corrected
Art and Politics.......The man had a wonderful voice...BUT was a member of the Nazi party..What to do? He was not alone..Many voices we love were "controversial" to say the least.What a dilemma!
Tannhauser,Tristan,Meistersinger,The Ring (w.Melchior)
Magda Sorel's marvelous scene from Menotti's The Consul."
1.Beverly O'ReganThiele
2.Virginia Zeani (In Italian-from Spoleto.)
3.Eileen Farrell (One of my all-time favorite recordings.)
Amy Shuard CBE (19 July 1924 – 18 April 1975) was an English operatic soprano renowned in such dramatic roles as Elektra, Turandot and Brünnhilde. She created both title roles in Janáček's Káťa Kabanová and Jenůfa in their respective British premieres. She has been described as "the best English dramatic soprano since Eva Turner" (her teacher). [1]
Biography Amy Shuard was born in London. After studying at the Trinity College of Music, she had lessons from Eva Turner. In 1948 the Worshipful Company of Musicians awarded her a prize and she toured South Africa as the organization's representative.[2] She returned there in 1949 to make her operatic debut, in Johannesburg, in the title role of Verdi's Aida; during that season she also sang Giulietta in The Tales of Hoffmann and Venus in Tannhäuser. [3][2]
She sang at Sadlers Wells from 1949 to 1953, before undertaking more study in Milan[2] with Rosetta Pampanini, and then at Covent Garden from 1954 until her death. She also sang at Bayreuth, La Scala, Vienna, Buenos Aires and San Francisco.[3]
Her notable roles included the title roles in Káťa Kabanová (in the 1951 United Kingdom premiere), Jenůfa (in the 1956 UK premiere), Carmen, Tosca, Turandot, Elektra, Madama Butterfly and Aida; as well as Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana, Eboli in Don Carlos, Tatyana in Eugene Onegin, Magda Sorel in The Consul, Lady Macbeth (in the first production of Verdi's Macbeth at Covent Garden), and Kostelnička Buryjovka in Jenůfa in 1972 and 1974.[3][1]
The latter part of the career saw her essay Wagnerian roles, and she was the first English soprano to sing Brünnhilde at Covent Garden. She also sang Isolde at Geneva, as well as Sieglinde and Kundry.
San Francisco was the only place she appeared on stage in the United States, firstly as Brünnhilde in Die Walküre in October 1963, then in 1966 as Elektra, 1968 as Turandot, and finally as Brünnhilde in Götterdämmerung in 1969.[2]
Amy Shuard was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). She died in 1975, aged 50.
Aida,Tosca,Turandot,Boheme,Schicchi,Chenier,Cavalleria,Onegin
This superb baritone sings arias from Glucks's Iphigenie Auf Tauris,Favorita,Nachtlager in Granada (Kreutzer), Merry Wives (w.Kim Borg)n Tannhauser,Faust,Konigskinder (Humperdinck).
Another of the great sopranos:
Norma, Gioconda, Lescaut Ninna Nanna (Leoncavallo),Ballo, Vespri,Africaine, Trovatore,Forza, Aidam "Tu solo"
Georg Hann (January 30, 1897 - December 9, 1950) was an Austrian operatic bass-baritone, particularly associated with the comic (singspiel) German repertory.
Born in Vienna, he studied at the Music Academy there with Theodor Lierhammer. He joined the Munich State Opera in 1927, and remained with this theatre until his death. He also appeared regularly at the Vienna State Opera and theSalzburg Festival, quickly establishing himself as a leading buffo interpreter, notably in roles such as Leporello, Falstaff,Kecal, Ochs, La Roche (role he created in 1942), etc.
He made guest appearances at the Berlin State Opera, La Monnaie in Brussels, the Paris Opéra, the Royal Opera Housein London, La Scala in Milan.
He did not limit himself to comic roles but also sang Sarastro, Pizzaro, Gunther, Amfortas, Daland and tackled a few Italian roles as well notably Wurm, Alfio, Tonio, as well as Mefistophele in Gounod's Faust.
Hann died in Munich aged only 53.
Arias from:Zar und Zimmermann(Lorzing),Barber of Bagdad(Cornelius) w. Lorenz Fehenberger, Nabuco,Falstaff,Gypsy Baron, Bettelstudent (Millocker), and two songs by Loewe
Saffo(Pacini),Norma,Trovatore,Ballo,Otello,Mefistofele,Gioconda, Cavalleria,Tosca and four songs by Grieg,Simonetti, Tosti,Denza and Bach/ Gounod Ave Maria.
Tomorrow I call Magda Olivero (104 years old) and tell her to sing this repertory..Well, maybe only a little..BET SHE COULD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
1. Ivan Koslovsky Lohengrin aria (in Russian)
2. Selma Kurz Seraglio "Ach ich liebte"
3.Lotte Lehmann Walkure Sieglinde aria
4. Jose Luccioni Werther Ara
5. Roberta Peters/Cornell MacNeil Rigoletto act three duet
6. Lois Marshall Seraglio aria (same as Kurz)
7. Dorothy Maynor Zauberflote aria
8. Lauritz Melchior Tannhauser Rome Narrative
9. Aprile Millo Trovatore act four aria
10. Claudia Muzio "Ninna Nanna"
11.Gustave Neidlinger Das Rheingold Curse
12. Anna Netrebko Rusalka aria
13. Olive Middleton Trovatore Miserere (not for purists)
14.Magda Olivero Fedora Finale
15.Rosetta Pampanini Iris aria
16. Alfredo Piccaver Meistersinger act three aria
17. Vassilka Petrova Trovatore (I think!)
18.Bruno Prevedi Butterfly Addio
19.Lina Bruna Rasa/Afro Poli Cav Duet
20. Regina Resnik (as soprano) Voi lo sapete
21.Katya Ricciarelli Zaira aria
(After Petrova is Podles Cenerentola aria/..aorry!)
(After no.17,i think I made an omission.)
For my darling friend Marisa Galvany ( one of her 56 names).NO ONE sings like you....and remember, I had the pleasure of looking down your tonsils on the high notes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bless you!!!!!****
With the usual annoying Met cuts in those days,here is a Lohengrin. Leinsdorf in 1940 with Melchior,Rethberg,Thorborg, List,Huehn
I saw her so many times and she was a superb artist, with a rich tone. Here are arias from Don Carlo,Gioconda,Tristan und Isolde, Das Rheingold, Walkure, Gotterdamerung, Samson and Delilah (with that famous long hair that got caught in Del Monaco's boot.) Also included in the Mahler Cycle,"Lied eined fahrenden Gesellen.)
From Florence, 1978, under George Pretre, here is the great Alfredo Kraus as Werhter, with Lucia Valentini-Terrani, Rolando Panerai, and Anastasia Tomaszewska Schepis (how long does it take her to sign an autograph?)
Please note my disc was flawed so act two finale is not on the podcast.
So it is not is Russian. I saw it in English (with George London, as in this cast) .This 1955 Vienna version under Berislav Klobucar is a GREAT show. Leonie Rysanek, Anton Dermota, and the blackest basso voice, Gottlob Frick, complete this wonderful cast. With this kind of singing, I'll take it in hip-hop!!
From 1946 Geneva, under Nino Sanzogno, I bring you a true rarity; We never think of Mario Del Monaco,one of the greatest dramatic (and I do mean DRAMATIC!) in Ballo in Maschera. Well,here he is , with a cast featuring Giulietta Simionato, Carla Castellani, Piero Basini, Marisa Morel (Oscar). I am glad he could scale down that enormous voice for this music.
We loved that lady!!!!! Here Leyla Gencer (She told us it is pronounced "GENGER" ( Hard first G and second G like "ginger.) Here she sings all Mozart:Seraglio,Don Giovanni,Nozze di Figaro, and Idomeneo. What could she not do??????
June 11, 1864 Richard Strauss born!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 11, 1913 Rise Stevens born!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Gods were good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I knew Rise and we had our Rise club meetings at her home every year.
She loved Lotte Lehmann....and imagine that they sang in Rosenkavalier together!
My tears flow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Giuseppe di Stefano, affectionately known as "Pippo" had one of the most glorious tenor voices in opera history. Sadly, he made some poor choices, and the career did not last as long as it should have,but what a voice! Just that high C diminuendo in theFaust aria tells you he could do. Here are some arias as sung (mostly live) by this fabulous tenor.
Turandot,Tosca,Ballo,Faust,Mignon, Aida, Forza (with Bastianini),Boheme
Here is the end of the Verrett Macbeth. I had forgotten to add two tracks.
SO SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shirley Verrett, one of my all-time favorite singers, in a Scala 1975 performance of Macbeth under Claudio Abbado. The magnificent Piero Cappuccilli, Franco Tagliavini, and (not to be oudone), Nicolai Ghiaurov complete the cast.
Arias by Gian Giacomo Guelfi from Nabuco, Macbeth,Luisa Miller, Jerusalem,Wally, Zaza, Fanciulla, Andrea Chenier, and I even found the clip of the Amonasro scene where the conductor lets the audience goes insane, and never stops so the poor diva can be heard!!!!
Giangiacomo Guelfi (21 December 1924 – 8 February 2012)[1] was an operatic baritone, particularly associated with Verdi and Puccini.[2]
Born in Rome, Guelfi studied law before turning to vocal studies in Florence with baritone Titta Ruffo. He made his stage debut in Spoleto, as Rigoletto in 1950. He made his debut in 1952 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, also appearing in Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples, Palermo, Catania, and becoming a regular guest at the Arena di Verona. Outside Italy he appeared in Berlin, Lisbon, London, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Cairo. He made his American debut in 1954 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and at the Metropolitan Opera of New York in 1970.[2] He took part in the creation of contemporary works including Lazzaro in Pizzetti's La figlia di Jorio, Naples, 1954. He was mostly known for his Verdi portrayals in operas such as Nabucco, I due Foscari, Attila, Macbeth, Il trovatore, I vespri siciliani, La forza del destino, and Aida. He also appeared in verismo operas such as Cavalleria rusticana, Andrea Chénier, Tosca, and La fanciulla del West.
Guelfi had a large, powerful voice and yet was able to perform more classical works such as Guglielmo Tell, Lucia di Lammermoor, La favorite, L'Africaine, and Spontini's Agnes von Hohenstaufen.
He sang the role of Rance in La fanciulla del West in a recording with Renata Tebaldi, conducted by Arturo Basile, and was in the 1961 Tokyo's performances of Tosca, also with Tebaldi, on DVD.
He died on 8 February 2012 in Bolzano, after a week's hospitalization.[1]
I mentioned in my narration my love for that glorious voice of Daniele Barioni. That is not exactly fair to the marvelous Dorothy Kirsten in the title role, but sometimes you just have special memories of a particular singer. In this 1960 New Orleans performance under Renato Cellini we also hear a fine baritone, Richard Torigi (why was he never at the Met?) and Suzuki is Rosalind Nadell.
I tried to narrate a bit of information about the way singers approach the passaggio (or "change in registers). Please feel free to e-mail me at Placido 21@aol.com if you think I don't know what I'm talking about!.
Martinelli, Corelli, Carreras, Bjoerling,Gigli, Di Stefano, Baum Del Monaco 1952, Del Monaco 1961. Roswaenge, Svanholm. (The Vinay clip did not come out.)
Passaggio is a term used in classical singing to describe the pitch ranges in which vocal registration events occur. Beneath passaggio is the chest voice where any singer can produce a powerful sound, and above it lies the head voice, where a powerful and resonant sound is accessible, but usually only through training. The historic Italian school of singing describes a primo passaggio and a secondo passaggio connected through a zona di passaggio in both the male and female voice. A major goal of classical voice training in classical styles is to maintain an even timbre throughout the passaggio. Through proper training, it is possible to produce a resonant and powerful sound.
From a concert performance from NYC 1974 under Eve Queler, we hear Montserrat Caballe,Placido Domingo, Justino Diaz, and Franco Bordoni in Verdi's "I Vespri Siciliani."
(Note the way Caballe sings "Arrigo, ah parla a un core" in act four as an example of truly amazing singing.)
Under Eugen Jochum, I bring you a Tristan und Isolde from Bayreuth, 1953 featuring Astrid Varnay, Ramon Vinay, Gustav Neidlinger, Ira Milaniuk, and my favorite basso of that era, Ludwig Weber.
(I know you missed my mellifluous voice before the podcast, but it was too noisy in my hall. Sorry!)
Scenes from two performances of Turandot:
New Orleans, 1966 under Knud Andersson featuring Birgit Nilsson and Giuseppe Gismondo.
Rome, 1987 under Daniel Oren featuring Diana Soviero and Corneliu Murgu.
I hope I am not inundating you too much with all these compilations, but I do think they are fun.
1. Fedora Barbieri Trovatore "Stride la vampa."
2. Daniele Barioni La Rondine aria (with nice interpolation at end.)
3. Lina Bruna Rasa Cavalleria Rusticana "Voi lo sapete" ( Insane chest!)
4. Grace Bumbry Don Carlo "Oh don fatale."
5. Maria Callas La Gioconda "Suicidio"
6. Enrico Caruso "Vesti la giubba"
7. Regine Crespin/Carlo Bergonzi Ballo in Maschera Duet
8. Gilda Cruz-Romo Attila Cabaletta
9. Giuseppe de Luca Tanhauser Evening Star (in Italiano.)
10.Bernardo de Muro Isabeau (Mascagni) aria
11.Ghena Dimitrova "Vissi d'arte"
12.Placido Domingo Tanhauser Rome Narrative
13.Nicolai Gedda/Fernando Corena Elisir Duet
14.Mario Filippeschi "Messun Dorma" (LOUD!)
15.Elina Garanca Cosi Fan Tutte" Dorabella aria
16.Leyla Gencer Adriana Lecouvreur Act 3 Phedre Narration
17.Marcello Giordani Huguenots aria
18.Thomas Hampson/Sam Ramey Duet from Verdi's "Un Giorno di Regno"
19.Susan Graham Komponist aria from Ariadne
20.Hei-Kyung Hong "Che bel sogno di Doretta" (Rondine)
21.Marilyn Horne Cabaletta from Meyerbeer's "Le Prophete"
22.Kiri Te Kanawa "Summertime"
Macbeth from La Scala 1952 under Victor de Sabata. Maria Callas, Enzo Mascherini, Gino Penno, and Italo Tajo are featured. (73 min.)
This is the farewell of the great Shirley Verrett, born May 31, 1931. Words cannot express how I adored this great lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Omar Suitner leads a glorious cast in this Tannhauser. Featured are Wolfgang Windgassen, Leonie Rysanek,Eberhard Waechter, Martti Talvela, and Barbro Ericson. (74 min.)
This is an interesting change from the usual Cavalleria. I think you will enjoy this Cav from the Royal Opera in Stockholm in 1963 under Herbert Sandberg. It features a favorite of mine, Barbro Ericson, with Ragnar Ulfung, Erik Sundqvist, Birgit Nordin (Lola), and Margareta Bergstrom (Mmma Lucia.)
I discovered Olivia as Seymour in Bolena..She later changed to soprano.I adore this lady so much as a friend and what a powerhouse of a singer she was!!!!
For my dear friend Olivia Stapp on her May 30 birthday. One of the sweetest ladies and a fabulous artist!!!!
On the occasion of his May 30 (1919) birthday, let us remember one of the most phenomenal singing actors in the history of opera. He was a veritable DYNAMO in a variety of roles. Some physical problems cut his career short, but we had many years of this great man!!!
A superb performance of Charpentier's Louise from 1999 San Francisco under Jonathan Summers. Featured are Renee Fleming, Jerry Hadley, Samuel Ramey, and Felicity Palmer. Sound is somewhat distant, since the performance was recorded in the theatre, but it is quite listenable. (Look, we have treasures galore in our collections because of those sneaky "pirates."
Under the direction of conductor Giuseppe Morelli, I present highlights from Tosca, featuring Virginia Zeani, Placido Domingo, and Piero Francia. This must have been transferred to disc, and there are a few small skips. ENJOY!!
Here is part two of that glorious Rome Don Carlo.
PLEASE send me any comments, ideas,etc. to Placido21@aol.com. Remember,we cannot use the comment section of this site because it becomes invaded with ads.
An all-star Don Carlo from Rome,1968 under Fernando Previtali, with Leyla Gencer, Bruno Prevedi, Fiorenza Cossotto, Nicolai Ghiaurov, and Sesto Bruscantini. (Act 5 version) PART ONE
I sincerely hope you are enjoying thee compilations. If you have any comments,suggestions,etc. PLEASE let me know at Placido21@aol.com.
1. Marisa Galvany and Enrico di Giuseppe in Attila Duet. (What a D!!)
2. Mattia Battistini Tannhauser " Evening Star"
3. Enrico Caruso "Musica Proibita" (After all these years, I say NO ONE was greater!)
4. Franco Corelli Otello "Esultate!" (He never sang the role, sadly.)
5. David Daniels Rinaldo "Venti turbini." (Wedding coming soon!)
6. Giuseppe Di Stefano "Un furtiva lagrima"
7. Eileen Farrell "Pace" from Forza del Destino
ERROR: It is CLAUDIA Novikova.
8. Gottlob Frick Seraglio aria (GREATEST "black" voice.)
9. Marcello Giordani "L'anima stanca" from Adriana
(Last season he said to me, "I know Piotr is your favorite tenor..That is OK.I love him too!")
10.Apollo Granforte "Il Balen" from Trovatore (worthy of his NAME!)
11. Alexander Kipnis "O Isis und Osiris" (Zauberflote)
12.Margarete Klose "Delilah aria" (In Deutsch) (One of my favorite artists.)
13.Renato Bruson/Katia Ricciarelli Luisa Miller Duet
14. John Mc Cormack "Il mio tesoro" (the all-time greatest!)
15.Aprile Millo "Poveri fiori" (Adriana)
16.Claudia Muzio "O del mio amato ben." (Makes me CRAZY!)
17.Maria Nemeth "In questa reggia" (Turandot)
18.Gallina Novikova The most HILARIOUS"Drunk aria" from La Perichole.
19.Tancredi Pasero "Vi ravisso" (Sonnambula)
20.Aureliano Pertile "Di quella pira."
21. Herman Prey Tote Stadt aria (Unbelievably gorgeous!)
22.Maria Reining/Hans Hotter Arabella Duet
1. Elizabeth Schwarzkopf sings Hugo Wolf (1962) Acc. Felix de Nobel
Morgentau, Das Voeglein, Mausfallen-Spruchlein, Wer rief dich denn,
Nun las uns Frieden schliesen, Die Zigeunerin
2. Theresa Berganza Spanish Songs (1962) Acc. Felix Lavilla:
Granados: La Maja Dolorosa (numero uno), El tra la la y el punteado,
La Maja Dolorosa,(numero tres), El Majo Discreto
Rodrigo: Copillas de Belen
Halffter: Ay, que linda hermosa
DIOS MIO!!!!!!!!!!!!
A variety of material from Holland Festivals that I think you will enjoy:
1.Giulietta Simionato Cenerentola Finale (1954)
2. Maria Callas "Ernani Involami" (1959)
3. Luciano Pavarotti Tebaldo's aria from "I Capuetti ed i Montecchi" (Bellini)(1966)
4.Alessandra Marc Empress Dream Scene from "Die Frau Ohne Schatten" (1990)
5. Gallina Vishnevskaya in Recital (1975) Acc. Tamas Vasary
Tchaikovsky: "Do not believe, my friend."and "At the ball."
Moussorgsky: "Where art thou,little star"
Stravinsky: Parasha's aria from the opera "Mavra"
6. Elly Ameling Sings Mozart (1969):
Das Lied der Trennung, Als Luise, Abendemfindung, An Chloe
How can ONE WORD (PAOLO!!!) or phrase summarize the greatness of an artist...Jan.21, 1939 (I was 3 that day)..the greatest Met broadcast ever in my mind....Lawrence Tibbett and Leonard Warren are so riveting..NO ONE does this today!!!!!!!!
DRIVES ME CRAZY EVERY TIME!!!!!!!!
More fun (I hope) for you:
1.Licia Albanese Pagliacci Aria
2.Zeani/Borso Piccolo Marat Duet (They made them do the finale again!)
3.Vassilka Petrova Trovatore Aria (send children and small animals out of the room)
4.Schwartzkopf/Jurinac/Della Casa (Sophie) Rosenkavalier trio (Della Casa did all three roles)
5. Mado Robin Lucia Mad Scene (with High K# above R)
6. Eleanor Ross "Pace"
7. Bidu Sayao Manon Adieu (You do not have to sound like Nilsson to be a sensation)
8. Renata Scotto Adriana Phedre Declamation in Act 3
9.Irmgard Seefried Ariadne Composer's Aria
10.Cesare Siepi Salvador Rosa Aria
11. Simionato/Di Stefano Favorita Duet
12.Pinza/Martinelli Simone duet (Jan.21,1939,my third birthday)
(I never forgave mom and dad for not taking me!)
13.Giuseppe Taddei Schicchi Aria
14.Diana Soviero Zaza aria (Leoncavallo)
15.Joan Sutherland Alcina Aria
16.Giuseppe Taccani Guglielmo Ratcliff aria (Mascagni)
17-18. Richard Tucker Chenier aria/ Juive Cabaletta
19. Taddei Fanciulla aria
20. Antonietta Stella Vespri Bolero
21.Franz Voelker Walkure act one scene (one of my 5 fav.tenors of the past)
22.Leonard Warren Faust aria
23.Ludwig Weber Boris Monolog. (one of my 5 fav.bassos of the past)
24.Ljuba Welitsch Gypsy Baron aria
25. Zinka Milanov's Last "Pace" from Newark,NJ Concert in 1966 (I CRY!)
Lohengrin Scenes in French with Ninon Vallin, Marcel Journet, Martial Singher and Marjorie Lawrence, Marjorie Lawrence and Yvonne Brothier (Ortrud), Cesare Vezzani and Mireille Berthon.
This is followed by scene from Act One Walkure With Cesare Vezzani, Germaine Lubin, and in the final section Lubin and Rene Verdiere.
From the period 1919-1928 in Germany, there was an enormous revival of Verdi operas, and here are some selections:
1.Forza del Destino with Meta Seinemer* and Ivar Andresen.
2.Vespri Siciliani with Heinrich Schlusnus and Helge Roswaenge.
3. Simone Boccanegra with Alexander Kipnis and Schlusnus
4. Don Carlo with Wilhelm Strienz and Seinemeyer*
5. Macbeth with Andresen.
* Sadly,Meta Seinemeyer, one of the great sopranos, passed away at age 33. She would have been even a greater artist, but her career was tragically cut short by Leukemia.
In my experience, Fedora Barbieri had one of the very greatest voices, like an "organ" as it poured from her. We met in her later years, and she was a fun lady. Here are scenes from:
Carmen,Falstaff (with Gobbi), Ballo, Samson et Delilah, Adriana Lecouvreur, Andrea Chenier, Gioconda, Trovatore (live 1951 with Warren and my beloved Kurt Baum),and songs "Nel cor piu non mi sento" and " Chi vuol la zingarella graziosa."
What could be more appropriate than having an actual loving couple, Stephen Costello and his wife Ailyn Perez, two of the sweetest people on the planet, make a recording of "Love Duets."
Here are two selections from the beautiful album, the "L'Amico Fritz Cherry Duet" and "One hand, one heart," from West Side Story. I have followed their careers from their inception, and I am so happy they are becoming so important in the world of opera. ENJOY!!!!
Three selections from the brilliant Mexican tenor, Javier Camarena. From his album "Recitales" he sings "Musica Proibita," Granada," and "Estrellita."
His Don Ramiro at the Met this season caused a sensation, and the audience demanded an encore, totally rare at the Met.
I hope you are enjoying these compilations as much (MORE!) as I do making them:
1. Giacomo (Jaime) Aragall Adriana aria, act one
2. Daniele Barioni rings the Turandot Gong.(What breath control!)
3. Callas/Barbieri Gioconda duet (They burn up the place!)
4. Gilda Dalla Rizza "Addio del passato"
5. Leyla Gencer "D'amor sull'ali rosee". (Note: A friend had a fight over this aria with someone whose house he visited. He got so mad that the host liked Callas better, he said, "Get out!" My friend said, "But I LIVE here!" The Gencer nutcase then said, "So what..GET OUT!!") Do you now see how normal Charlie is???
6. Mario del Monaco "Ah la paterna mano" (Macbeth)
7. Mirella Freni "Tu che di gel." (Turandot)
8. Nicolai Gedda/Renato Bruson/Christine Eda-Pierre Pearl Fishers Trio (They sometimes do another version, but this version is incredible!!!)
9.Gertrude Grob-Prandl "Hojotoho"
10.Kirsten/Merrill Thais Finale (One of the most glorious recordings ever made)
11.Rene Kollo Tannhauser Rome Narrative
12.Raina Kabaiwanska "La Mamma Morta" (Chenier)
13.Pavel Lisitsian Prologo (In Russian) A voice of pure gold!
14.Magda Olivero Mefistofele aria (breaks your heart.)
15.Aprile Millo "Danny Boy"
16.Michele Molese's legendary telling critic Harold Schoenberg, who had written about his "pinched high C" in Ballo, that the note was for him. Galvany almost flipped out!
17.Julius Patzak Seraglio aria
A fine Rosenkavalier under Georg Szell, featuring Maria Reining, Hilde Gueden, Jarmila Novotna, Jaro Prohaska, and Georg Hann (Faninal.)
I DID NOT KNOW THIS EXISTED!!! I called Elizabeth for Mothers' Day and we were talking about Street Scene...and on YOUTUBE is this glorious example of singing and emotional involvement. Magnificent!!!!!!
Mommy! It's your day!! Can't you be nice just ONCE?????
Love and Happy Mothers' Day from Charlie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I ever post this added aria from Cenerentola?? City Opera did this with the great Gianna Rolandi,and it was a SMASH!!! The Met is doing the opera now,but without this...I feel if they added it, Diana Damrau would be the best candidate.Agreed?????
I was so thrilled with baritone Michael Volle in Arabella that I decided to purchase an import of his material. I think you will like it. He sings Schubert's Erlkonig,The Evening Star from Tannhauser, Ford's Monologue from Falstaff, and from The Merry Widow, "Da geh ich zu Maxim." Enjoy!!!
Javier Camarena in the dress rehearsal of Cenerentola last week....It caused people to demand an encore and they went totally INSANE!!! We have not experienced anything like this here since I attended Melba's debut!!
From Orange, 1971 under Karl Boehm, the great Tristan pair sing for you:John Vickers and Birgit Nilsson. Also featured are Ruth Hesse as Brangaene and Walter Berry as Kurvenal.
Here is that "new" tenor (new to me) Dmitry Korchak in the Valencia Onegin, a very interesting producion. He sounds absolutely magnificent!!!! (Do NOT tell Piotr!)
Just watched the Valencia Onegin Video and discovered a fabulous tenor, Dmitry Korchak. He is absolutely superb!!!!!
We do not get this kind of singing at the Met...but the other night the Met audience in Cenerentola DEMANDED an encore of Mr.Camarena.,They screamed,banged, and yelled, as if Gigli came back!!!!! People said the last high C was worthy of a "Di quella pira" tenor..and he also added some D's in the aria..not sure where. Not scheduled for next season,but future here is VERY bright!!!!!!!!!!!
Let us celebrate the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare by watching Marisa Galvany as a fabulous Lady Macbeth!!!!!
Met audiences were thrilled at the debut of baritone Michael Volle as Mandryka in Arabella this month. He was superb, and rumor has it he will be our next Wotan;however, he is 54 and the Ring will be revived in 5 years at the Met. We hope he can sound as fabulous as he did.
He sings the Schubert "Schwanengesang" cycle.
A selection of recordings by many artists in 1904 (piano acc.)
1. Maria Barrientos Lakme Bell Song
2. Giannina Russ/Oreste Luppi Forza Duet in Monastery Scene
3. Riccardo Stracciari Rigoletto "Deh non parlare al misero."
4. Amelie Talexis "Printemps nouveau (Vidal)
5. Ramon Blanchart L'Africaine aria
6-7. Giuseppe Borgatti Lonengrin/Meistersinger arias (In Italian)
8. Adamo Didur "Vivea nel tempo antico" (La Vita Brettone by Mugnone)
9. Maria De Macchi "Com'e bello" (Lucrezia Borgia)
10. Giovanni Zenatello "Cielo e mar" (Gioconda)
11.Eugenia Burzio/Elisa Petri/Zenatello Ballo Trio
12.Maria de Macchi Poliuto aria
13.Alessandro Bonci "Stanotte" (Tess by d'Erlanger)
14-15.Giuseppe Anselmi "Che gelida manina" and "Cielo e mar"
16.Emmy Destinn "Aufenthalt' (from Schubert's Schwanengesang)
17.Fernanda Chiesa/Carlo Albani/Luigi Manfrini(bass) I Lombardi Trio
Another compilation of great stuff for your pleasure:
1. Frieda Hempel Zauberflote aria
2. Alexander Kipnis Death of Boris
3. Dorothy Kirsten Fanciulla aria
4. Leyla Gencer Nozze di Figaro "Dove sono?"
5. Renata Tebaldi "La mamma morta" (1960 Chenier perf.)
6.Aprile Millo "Morro" from Un Ballo in Maschera
7. Martha Moedl Isolde act one Narrative
8. Magda Olivero/Giangiacomo Guelfi Fanciulla Poker Scene
9. Magda Olivero Adriana Phedre Declamation
10.Bruno Prevedi Macbeth aria
11.Mario Filippeschi "Di quella Pira" (LOUD!)
12.Regina Resnik Zaza aria (when she was a soprano.)
13.Paul Robeson "It ain't necessarily so."(Porgy and Bess)
14.Cesare Siepi "Wunderbar"
15.Dimitri Smirnov "Una furtiva lagrima"
16. Olivia Stapp "Vissi d'arte"
17.Eleanor Steber Idomeneo aria
18.Antonietta Stella Butterfly act 2 "Che tua madre."
19.Ebe Stignani La Favorita aria and cabaletta
20. Zinka Milanov Cavalleria "Innegiamo." (an Easter gift.)
It was the evening of March 4, 1960. Leonard Warren,born Apr.21, 1911, said his final words in Forza.."E salvo..o gioja.." and died before our eyes on stage. He sounded as great as always and we treasure his memory...but the sadness and shock of that night will never be forgotten.He was a fabulous singer..still my all-time favorite baritone..Rest in Peace!
I have spoken previously about how I "discovered" Ta'u when we did Rigoletto and I was so shocked he had NEVER sung a role before. Since that time,he has been doing extremely well,and recently did a Pollione;here is the aria from a concert, and I find it superb. (easy high C included.)
Divas better treat him with respect, because this ex-football player still knows how to TACKLE!
The great man sings material that we do not usually hear, since he is renowned as probably the greatest Wagnerian tenor EVER. This material is from 1946-7 and is mostly superb, with the exception of the Italian arias,which I feel do not represent the man's greatness.
Dein ist meine ganzes Herz, I det frie (children's song from Denmark), Agnus Dei (Bizet), Easy to Love, Silent Night, Cantique de Noel,The Rosary, Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod), The Kiss in your Eyes (Der Opernball), Spring came back to Vienna, Kaiserwalzer (J.Strauss), Torna a Surriento, The Song is You, Summer Moon, Mattinata, Who is Sylvia, O Promise Me, I love you truly, All mein gedanken,arias from Tosca and Pagliacci.
Piotr Beczala introduced me last year to the son of Jan Kiepura and the great Martha Eggerth, and he proceeded to call "mom." We lost her this year at about 101. What a great lady she was, and here she is about 90,with the charm she exuded all her life. Apr.17, 1912 was her birthday!!!!
I know the wonderful tenor was born on April 17, 1940...but I wanted to give you Leonie again..and the great scream,even in concert! I celebrate his career, but let's face it, there is NO ONE like Leonie these days!!!!!!
What a tremendous thrill it is when I discover a new voice! I had seen Michael Corvino at City Opera years ago, but now I see this magnificent rendition of the "Mamma,mamma" from "The Most Happy Fella" I am sure you will enjoy his beautiful singing, and his deep emotional involvement.
In response to dear Mr.Jan Rouwen's request, I am making this double podcast of material as rquested:
1. Tenor Gotthelf Pistor in scenes from Siegfried, Parsifal, and Tiefland.
2. A comparison of the Tannhauser "Rome Narrative" as sung by:
Lauritz Melchior, Ramon Vinay, Rene Kollo (these three live) and Peter Seiffert and Placido Domingo (these two from commercial recordings.)
Come on,folks, follow Mr.Rouwen's lead and send me more ideas (Placido21@aol.com)
For dear Aprile Millo,born Apr.14 (Aprile in Aprile),1958. Aprile has been one of the sweetest,nicest people I ever met..and of course she sings here in what we call the "old style." Love always from Charlie.
People tell me they adore this "lesser-known" soprano's rendition of Butterfly's entrance. What do you think????
Rita Hunter sings arias from Aida,Macbeth, Forza, Gioconda,Tosca, Fidelio, Idomeneo,Cavalleria, Schicchi (in English), and "My Hero" (from the Chocolate Soldier), and " Tosti's "Goodbye."
Rita Hunter CBE (15 August 1933 – 29 April 2001) was a British operatic dramatic soprano.
Rita Hunter was born in Wallasey, Merseyside and lived in Limekiln Lane. During her childhood, her parents, both fans ofmusic-hall, would take Rita to many of the final tours of the last music-hall artists.[1] She studied singing in Liverpool with Edwin Francis and later in London with Redvers Llewellyn and Clive Carey. She joined the Sadler's Wells Opera Company in 1957, and sang in the chorus with them for two years before touring with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. She then obtained a grant from the Countess of Munster Trust, which made it possible for her to study for a year with Dame Eva Turner. After this she went back to the Company as a principal, where her roles included Senta in The Flying Dutchman, Musetta in La bohème, Odabella in Attila, Fata Morgana in The Love for Three Oranges, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Amelia in A Masked Ball, Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana, Elizabeth in Don Carlos and Leonora in Il trovatore.
Rita Hunter will be remembered as one of the major Wagnerian sopranos of the later 20th century, especially for her performances as all three of the Brünnhildes in the Ring cycle, conducted by Reginald Goodall at the English National Opera.[2] In this production she was partnered by Alberto Remedios (who had studied singing at the same time as Hunter inLiverpool with Edwin Francis) as Siegfried, and Norman Bailey as Wotan. The recordings based on this production, with the same artists, are regarded as amongst the finest available, even though they are sung, in accordance with ENO practice, in English.
In an interview in 1979 Hunter expressed her dissatisfaction with having to sing the same part in both English and the original languages. "I find it very difficult learning a role in different languages. The phrasing is different - one has to take breath in a different place." She also recalled having to know "Santuzza in three different English translations as well as in Italian". She found Italian easier to learn and memorize than German.[1]
In the Glen Byam Shaw Ring production, the quality of Hunter's singing and interpretation enabled audiences to set aside her outsize stature (which conformed to all prejudices about Wagnerian sopranos), and few have matched her conviction as Brünnhilde. She made her debut at the New York Metropolitan Opera on December 19, 1972, in Die Walküre, with great success (conductor Erich Leinsdorf and Dame Gwyneth Jones as Sieglinde). She performed the GötterdämmerungBrünnhilde at Covent Garden, and also sang the part of Senta there at short notice. Hunter's later Metropolitan Opera performances of Die Walküre in 1975 featured Birgit Nilsson as Sieglinde and were conducted by Sixten Ehrling.
She also performed in Wagner and other operas in Munich, Seattle, New Orleans, San Francisco, and with the Welsh National Opera. In a memorable San Francisco season, she played the roles of Norma and Sieglinde in the same week.
Among conductors with whom she worked whom she found sympathetic to the singer, she cited Carlo Felice Cillario andRichard Bonynge.[1]
In 1980 she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
In 1981 she moved to Sydney and joined the Australian Opera. In 1986 she published her memoirs, Wait till the sun shines, Nellie. She died in Sydney in 2001, aged 67.
Three hours sleep (got to bed at 5) after the Butterfly at the Met...then to the Met at 9:00 for costumes,staging makeup. No one in Met history ever sang back-to-back NEW roles in the house. She made history..and we love her so much!!!!
I discovered a fabulous baritone last night in Arabella. Michael Volle is just incredible.I was so thrilled!!!!!
I sincerely hope you are enjoying these pot-pourris. Here is no.12. Remember, anyone who has comments or suggestions, e-mail me at Placido21@aol.com. I am unable to use the comments section here, because it results in outside advertisements.
1. Rysanek/London Aida Nile duet (in Deutsch)
2.Licia Albanese La Wally "Ebben,ne andro lontana."
3.Ivar Andresen Gotterdamerung Hagen's Watch
4.Agnes Baltsa Cenerentola Final aria
5. Piot Beczala I Lombardi aria (My favorite tenor of today, as you know.)
6. Joel Berglund Tannhauser "Evening star."
7.Grace Bumbry Andrea Chenier "La Mamma morta."
8.Emma Calve Herodiade "Il est doux."
9.Enrico Caruso "L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra" (Drives me crazy!)
10.Antonietta Stella Mme.Butterfly "Che tua madre."
11.Franco Corelli (Apr.8 birthday) Favorita "Una vergine"
12.Montserrat Caballe Trovatore "D'amor sull'ali rosee"
13.Mario DelMonaco Trovatore "Di quella pira"
14.Fernando de Lucia Iris "Apri la tua finestra"
15. Nicolai Gedda Pearl Fishers aria (Mio Dio!!!)
16. Marcello Giordani Adriana "La dolcissima effigie."
What more can we say about the sensational Corelli, who has NEVER been replaced. This is my all-time Corelli "moment."The high C on "reeeeendero," that the Scala audience adores!
Good friends of mine who knew him well do not share the oipinion of some that he was a difficult guy and adored him, although Loretta was no bargain. I do know one story (and it is in the Corelli book) that in a hotel in Atlanta,Georgia they had to re-decorate a room because the two of them had a "spaghetti fight."(WITH SAUCE!)
I saw the man 40 times, from his 1961 debut, and will never forget him!
From Florence, 1972 under Riccardo Muti, I bring you William Tell with the following cast:
Nicolai Gedda, Norman Mittleman, Eva Marton, Agostino Ferrin (Gualtiero), Luigi Roni (Gessler), Flora Rafanelli (Edwige), Maria Casula (Jemmy), Mario Rinaudo (Melchtal). (70 min.)
Having sung the magnificent Mme.Butterfly on Friday evening, and retiring about 5:00 A.M., Kristine Opolais was awakened at 7:30, as The Met asked her if she could replace Mme.Hartig as Mimi on the Met telecast/broadcast (aria heard here). In the history of the Met (132 years), no other singer had ever sung two role debuts back-to-back.
Imagine her then getting to the Met at 9:00 A.M. for a staging walk-through, vocalizing while they did her makeup, and when they could not find a properly fitting black wig, they used a blond one, and she had the sense,in act two, to change "bruni" to "biondi." This is what you call a real "trouper."
The reviews were ecstatic, and she made music history in New York with this double-triumph. I am so thrilled for her, a lovely and brilliantly talented artist, who won the hearts of so many!!!!
A conglomeration of all sorts of material, from the wonderful to the bizarre:
1.Corelli Celeste Aida B flat diminuendo. 2. Millo Aida E flat.
3.Benjamin Luxon "sings" the Cavalleria Intermezzo. 4. Zeani's fabulous Console aria.
5. Sirach Von Bodengraven again proves that there is something rotten in Denmark.(Otello)
6. Martinelli's last Otello (19470 duet w.Cesare Bardelli.
7.Crazy Bonisolli hits 4 high C's in Turandot, and then when people start to applaud, he says that there is a pause that Puccini wrote.(so you can applaud.) He gave tenors a bad name!!
8. Edita Gruberova in Roberto Devereux. "VA!!" 9. The guy singing our Nat.Anthem (to be deported).
10.Puritani duet w.Sutherland/Gedda (to die for!) 11. Tosca finale with Nilsson.
12. Zauberflote aria sung by.....Have mercy!!! 13. Stevens/DelMonaco BURN UP Carmen finale.
14. Longest held high note EVER!! Caballe Don Carlo finale. 15. Di Stefano fabulous Faust high C
16. Kraus great D flat in Favorita. 17. Zeani/Filippeschi Puritan i duet
18. De Los Angeles and Schwarzkopf in Rossini's Cat Duet 19.Rysanek Frau scene
20. Lauri-Volpi Fedora aria at 79!!!! 21. Giovanni Roberti in puritani.(Hold your ears)
22. HILARIOUS guy named Dahlstrom in Rigoletto, with audience reaction.
She's a star!!! Last night at the Met was the first Mme.Butterfly of Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais, and to these supposedly jaded ears, I was totally captivated by her vocalism,musicianship, stage deportment, and in total, she proved to be one of the brightest lights in the opera world today.
The voice is rich and opulent, with an easily produced upper range (D flat in the entrance and piano B natural in "dolore' at the beginning of act three, as two examples.). In this extremely difficult role (Olivia Stapp says she finds act two Butterfly harder the the whole of Elektra, owing to the sheer emotion involved.),
Mme.Opolais brings a vulnerable and sympathetic portrayal to the stage. She has the sense of line and phrase that is so endearing to those of us who so much appreciate an artist who can bring us to tears in so many of the glorious Puccini moments. I hope the Met will use her in many roles in future years.(Mimi next season.). I thank her, as did the audience with its ovation, for a beautiful evening.
Sadly, Mr.Valenti, whom I enjoyed so much at City opera, has great vocal problems;the middle is of decent, although unmemorable, quality, but th moment he reaches for high notes, the sound is totally "strangulato" and in act three, the 2 B flats were totally covered by the orchestra, since he has no trace of squillo. The act one love duet requires TWO sings to make it work, and sad to say, it did not have much effect, despite that positively riveting staging. (I got to love the production so much, even the puppet.)
I would wonder if Dwayne Croft is not re-studying, because I found a very noticeable improvement in his vocal production,unlike recent years where I found the passaggio rather nasal and the voice not what I first loved so much;he was superb, and he and the fine Maria Zifchak (Suzuki) received well-deserved cheers, unlike the reaction to Mr.Valenti,which was "cool."(I guess the Met audience does have ears on occasion.)
I was most impressed by Scott Scully as Goro.It is a pleasure to have a voice that is totally well-produced all through the range, and as Ialways say, Richard Bernstein is too fine a singer to be relegated to the Commissioner. Furthermore, the Bonzo of Stefan Szkafarowsky (get rid of Tanovitski) and especially the Yamadori of Jeongcheol Cha, made me hope they will graduate to larger roles some day soon.
I noted a large group of Rochester.New York high school seniors who dressed so beautifully, that I was happy to see a group of young people not appearing like some of the slobs I have seen at the Met (even guys in shorts!).
I see two more Butterflies, and perhaps MrValenti was ill and really is much more of what I remember, and then we have one with last year's fine Aida, Hui He, and last season's pretty dull Manrico of Gwyn Hughes-Jones, who would be better suited to Pinkerton. Marcello Giordani,where were you last night?
If you love opera, combine Puccini's great music and Kristine Opolais' talent, and you have a mostly great evening!! Charlie
Despite the sound,which can be a bit dull, Richard Tucker and Montserrat sing a magnificent Manon Lescaut under Bruno Bartoletti. Gianpiero Mastromei is the Lescaut, and Sr.Telasko is Geront (59 min.). Note that the photo is the Richard Tucker Monument outside Lincoln Center.
Another remarkable interpretation of the Suor Angelica finale as sung by Catherine Malfitano.
Chiara Taigi is a new discovery for me. The voice is absolutely rich and creamy,with low notes that thrill;the high notes need work,as you will obsewrve.
A compilation of various sopranos singing the magnificent final scene of Puccini's "Suor Angelica."
This podcast will be followed by some videos of the same scene. (51 min.)
The singers,in this order, are:
Beverly Sills (her only Trittico), Virginia Zeani, Rosanna Carteri, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Leyla Gencer, Theresa Zylis-Gara, Elizabeth Carron, Christina Gallardo-Domas, and Kristine Opolais (commercial recording.)
Here is a scene (uncut) from a Medea with a brilliant soprano,Chiara Taigi. The glottal attacks and the chest and the middle voice are brilliant. Unfortunately on other Youtube clips the very top of the voice in other material needs much work..but she is really wonderful in many ways.
NO ONE around here sings like this..a Gencer,Galvany type..but a gorgeus middle voice...i only wish she could work on the top!!!
A happy birthday to our dear Facebook friend, Nelly Miricioiu, who represents a style of singing mostly absent today. She was born on Mar.31, 1952 in Roumania, which seems to be a country where the 'air" produces some of the most exciting artists(Guess who else!)
On Sept.29, 1965 both Mirella Freni and Gianni Raimondi made their Met debuts in La Boheme,under Fausto Cleva. The tape is a bit distant in sound, but it was a special performance and I know that you will enjoy it. Others in the cast were as follows:
Heidi Krall Musetta
Calvin Marsh Marcello
John Macurdy Colline
Clifford Harvuot Schaunard
Lorenzo Alvary Benoit
Andrea Velis Alcindoro
More superb singing from the great Frida Leider. As I had said, sometimes a great singer "escapes" notice, owing to all there is,but here we have some more excerpts from her repertory.
1. Oberon "Ozean,du Ungeheuer
2. The Wagner Wesendonck Songs
3. Ariadne "Est gibt ein Reich"
4. Don Giovanni "Or sai chi l'onore
5. Schubert: Erlkonig and Auf dem Wasser zu singen
6. Schumann Widmung
7.Tristan und Isolde Liebestod
I know you enjoy my pot-pourris and i hope you will appreciate this one as well:
1. Meta Seinemeyer Tristan und Isolde "Liebestod" (so sad,she died at 33.)
2. Cesare Siepi L'Italiana in Algeri "Le femmine d'Italia"
3. Diane Soviero Risurrezione (Alfano) "Giunge il treno"
4. Steber/DelMonaco Fanciulla act two duet (with opened cut, which I love.)
5. Stella/Guelfi Aida Nile Duet (They are superb)
6. Rise Stevens Orfeo "Che faro"
7. Luisa Tetrazzini Semiramide "Bel raggio"
8. Richard Tucker Andrea Chenier "Improvisso"
9. Pavarotti/Millo Ballo Love duet
10.Leonard Warren Forza Cabaletta (He was about to sing this when he died.I will never forget it.)
11. Zinka Milanov Forza "La vergine degli angeli (1965 concert.)
12.Giuseppe di Stefano Carmen "Flower Song"
13. Magda Olivero Manon Lescaut "In quelle trine morbide"
14.Titta Ruffo Pagliacci Prologue (a force of nature.)
15. Beverly Sills Tabarro aria (her only Trittico)
16.Riccardo Stracciari Traviata "Di Provenza " (Charlie's favorite baritone)
I love this guy!!!! He is one of my five all-time favorite tenors, of those I never saw live. I find the Russian "high vocal placement' so appealing, Here he sings (In Russian) arias from:
Fra Diavolo, Huguenots, Martha, Luisa Miller, Lohengrin, Faust, Mignon, Roussalka (Dargomijsky),
The Demon (Rubenstein), Onegin (act one), May Night (2 arias), Onegin (Kooda,kooda), Pique Dame
Here is some material I fouind interesting about "rivalry." (71 Min.)
Lemeshev-mania Lemeshev’s talent, artistry, acting skills and conspicuous charm very quickly made him a public idol. Almost all his performances during the 1930s and 1940s were accompanied by crowds of fans followed him through the streets, spending days and nights near his house. [1]
While Lemeshev was one of the leading tenors of the Bolshoi Theatre, he was admired by female fans, who were jokingly called "lemeshistki." The theatre lobby was a venue for scuffles between the "lemeshistki" and the "kozlovityanki" (female fans of Lemeshev's rival Ivan Kozlovsky).[2]
Additionally, the film "The Musical Story" (1941) [3] in which he played the main role, brought him the Stalin prize, and even more widespread furore and fame all over the USSR.
A great French soprano,who had a sad experience as to possible collaboration with the Nazis during the war, but acquitted.(I have her own words below.).
She sings arias from: Tannhauser,Siegfried,Walkure,Tristan und Isolde,Freischutz, Sigurd (Reyer), Tosca, and songs as follows:
Chopin: Tristesse Schubert: Erlkonig Faure: Au bord de l'eau
Debussy: Beau soir and Je tremble en voyant ton visage. (55 min.)
For her part, Lubin denied all ties to Nazi Germany, and grew deeply bitter over her treatment at the hands of the French government. She once said that
I have suffered an enormous injustice. They curtailed my career by ten years — my own people! The fact is that I knew some of the Germans when they came to Paris during the occupation. This gave my enemies the chance to satisfy their envy … If I saw the Germans in Paris —and they had been more than kind to me— it was to save my compatriots. It was my way of serving my country at that particular moment. Nobody knows how many prisoners I had released … When I spent three years in prison, they confiscated my château at Tours and my possessions. Did anyone bother to ask me why I did not accept Winifred Wagner’s invitations to sing in Germany during the occupation? But my trial was a complete vindication: I was completely cleared. Yes, they gave back most of what they had taken …[5]
It was our first Bolena rehearsal in 1970.This young guy, born Mar.28, 1942, opened his mouth and we heard for the first time someone who would become one of the great singers of our time.Sam always spoke of Treigle,and he ended up inheriting many of his great roles. We sang in Hoffmann,Bolena,Barber,etc..and i am so happy to have known him all these years..,Bravo,Sam!!!!!
Do you think it was easy spending NINE DOLLARS on a box seat on Mar.5, 1960? Well,it turned out to be worth it, as the incredible cast of Milanov,Bergonzi,Bastianini, and our beloved contralto, Belen Amparan (Madelon) gave a sensational performance, conducted by Fausto Cleva. It was also a sad time for us, as the night before,we had witnessed the untimely stage death of Leonard Warren. At least this phenomenal performance took us temporarily out of our sadness.
Here are some special notes that might help you to pinpoint some of the reasons we were so thrilled:
1. Bergonzi's amazing sense of phrasing. The ultimate example of "slancio," where the man was a vocal GOD to us, as he has been for so long.
2. Zinka's double attack on the act two pianissimo on "ora soave" and the "U" vowel on the word "sventura"in the third act aria, which was one of the examples of her brilliant placement.
3. Bastianini's remarkable "Nemico della patria," offering us at least another great baritone sound, having sadly lost another.
4. Belen Amparan's true contralto tones. We loved her so much.
5. The stunning last act duet (in the high key) and in particular, Zinka's "Abbracciami, Baciami, AMOOOOOORE" which to this day I retain in my mind.
Listening to this, I again told myself I am glad I was there for shows like this, and again repeat that there is NOTHING in this repertory today (at least not at the Met) that can compare.
I just spoke briefly to Magda, a bit tired with all the birthday phone calls. Her "treno" arrived 104 years ago, and we are so very fortunate to have "caught her train" of love for music. Bless her forever!!!!!
Sadly, the marvelous tenor Salvatore Licitra passed away at age 43 of a brain hemorrhage while on his motor scooter. We loved his exciting voice and in his memory, I wish to present some arias:
Cavalleria, L'Arlesiana, Andrea Chenier,Fedora, Turandot, Fanciulla, Butterfly, Macbeth, and Trovatore.
May the dear man rest in peace.
I have discussed this ad infinitum, but I was there and at 65, we just could not believe what we heard. Listen especially to the final "Rimuuuuuuneri cosiiiiiii" where she has the breath control of a 25 yr.old.....This to me was a triumph I will never forget. Listen for my "brava" at the end. Applause is cut...it went on forever.
I always call Magda on her birthday, and she was incredibly lucid all these years.Last year was less than lucid, but look, how many of us will be lucid at 104???? This clip is from 1993, when she was a baby at 83...An amazing woman, and a miracle of opera. I will call,and at least give my message to her friend and caretaker. Bless her!!!!
It seems there is a great number of tenors whose names start with "P." I thought it might be an offbeat,but valuable podcast, and they are magnificent:
1. Antonio Paoli Robert Le Diable/Poliuto (w. Honoria Popovici)
2. Alfred Piccaver Meistersinger/Turandot
3. Nino Piccaluga Werther/Fanciulla
4. Piero Pauli Walkure/Boheme (Leoncavallo)
5. Julius Patzak Schubert: Staendchen/Freundliche Vision
6.Tino Pattiera Martha/Trovatore
7.Sigismund Pilinszky Le Prophete
8.Gotthelf Pistor Walkure/Parsifal
9. Giacinto Prandelli Fedora
Sorry,folks!!! I love to go to the opera, but I really do know the difference between most of the singers (not all) and what you see here!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG36dWHXBT4
When I first Met Dolora Zajick, born Mar.24, 1952, I spoke to her of the RARITY of her kind of voice…She works with young artists,trying to get some of them to sing in the “old style” if the term is valid…For me it is. She is a rarity, and I hope we have more singers of her kind.
Based on my conversations with her over the years, she had me once do a “mini-class’ for her students, illustrating the kind of singing that great singers exhibited in their recordings.
She still has plenty of voice!!!!!
I hope you are enjoying my compilations. I think they represent a wide variety of material.
1. Marilyn Horne Semele "Iris,hence away." (Breathtaking technique)
2. Dorothy Kirsten Mme.Butterfly Farewell
3. She can sing pop also, and very well. "Embraceable you."
4. Tiana Lemnitz Nozze di Figaro "Porgi amor"
5. Leyla Gencer Aida " O Patria Mia"
6. George London Boris Monologue (How we miss him!)
7. Germaine Lubin Tannhauser "Dich theure halle."
8. Christa Ludwig Frau act 2 finale w.Berry,Rysanek,Dalis. (My all-time favorite singer in a given role. It was something I cannot forget.)
9. Regina Resnik Andrea Chenier "La Mamma Morta" (she started as soprano.)
10.Lauritz Melchior Pagliacci "Vesti la giubba"
11.Aprile Millo Forza "Pace"
12.Joan Sutherland/Sherrill Milnes Rigoletto act three duet (WOW!!!)
13. Martha Moedl Parsifal "Ich sah das Kind."
14. Edna Moser Zauberflote "Der holle Rache."
15. Callas/Bechi Nabucco duet (a kind of singing long absent)
16. Birgit Nilsson Tosca "Vissi d'arte"
17. Rosetta Pampanini Manon Lescaut "In quelle trine morbide." (Another example of a lost art.)
18. Luciano Pavarotti NINE high C's (Guess what opera!)
From New Orleans,1954, under Walter Herbert, we present the great Victoria de los Angeles as Mme.Butterfly,with Walter Fredericks,Richard Torigi, and Rosalind Nadell. (73 min.)
I am writing this in advance of Magda Olivero's 104th birthday,which we will celebrate on Mar.25. Sometimes certain thoughts occur to me at a given time (like this morning), and so I feel like putting them down as I recall them clearly.
In all the years in which I have been attracted to the vocal art, I am singling out Mme.Olivero because I have never felt that anyone has quite achieved her level of vocalism and deep-felt emotion. Imagine that someone who was once told something like "Don't quit your day job," owing to a vocal quality that surely does not possess the fullness of a Tebaldi or a Ponselle, and whose rather "wide vibrato" might not be pleasing to all ears.
However, let us reflect on some of the so-called "Kunst divas" who made an indelible mark upon the opera scene, and who may not have necessarily produced the "golden tones" that perhaps the average opera lover appreciates, without delving into the depth of the soul of artists such as Callas, Moedl, Scotto, Jones, Albanese, Rysanek, and other so-called "flawed divas," or in the case of male artists, what a Gobbi, a Chaliapin, a Rossi-Lemeni who achieved so much more than pure vocalism, which may thrill, but which may lack the depth of emotion of artists such as the above.
In the case of Olivero, I use my "Martha Moedl reading the Dresden telephone directory" and still be riveting to audiences for many years. Olivero has had an uncanny ability to phrase and emote in such a way as to tear at your heartstrings every time. In one of our phone calls,I asked her about the manner in which she utters the name of "Nina Micheltorena" in Fanciulla, with a mean-spirited jealousy "between the teeth" that only a very special artist could think of. The very great interpreters "decide" what special effects they can make with merely a word or phrase. Such is Magda Olivero, who lifted me out of my seat in a Fedora with the with words,"Loris,ove sei" in her final moments.
I will forever recall her Met debut at age 65, in which she sang the last phrases of the aria in such a way as to bring everyone to tears. Run to Youtube and find the clip, and pay attention to the final "rimuneri,cosi," where the "u" vowel is held in such a way as to produce the most devastating effect, and then a giant SWELL on the last "cosi," where most sopranos barely make it.
These are but two examples of why I feel that "non posso imagginare un mondo senza Magda" ("I cannot immagine a world without Magda."). However, like the present generation, future generations will learn from what she has contributed as a lesson in how to combine vocalism with emotion, and if you will sample her many contributions to music in roles like Tosca,Fedora, Adriana, Minnie, etc. you may better comprehend what I and so many others feel about this "miracle' of opera.
With my sincerest love for this great lady,
Charlie
What a fitting day for me to have discovered this marvelous young soprano, who studies with birthday girl Diana Soviero!!!!!
Now that I have posted clips in various places, individuals have written me that she is a rising young star , and this is a great thing. Remember that 35 years ago when I heard Soviero's Mimi, and almost fell out of the balcony, I KNEW she was special, and this young lady appears to be following in her footsteps.
A big BRAVA to her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 20, 1890. BOTH Gigli and Melchior were born!!!!!! The GODS must have been in a good mood!!!
The remarkable Carlo Bergonzi, whose performances have proven to be "singing lessons," appears in this Liceo,Barcelona Forza from 1971 under Ugo Savini. Raina Kabaiwanska, Nicolai Herlea, Gwynne Howell,and the young Juan Pons as the Alcalde, complete the cast. (73 min.)
Note: I skipped the narration this week,because you wouldn't want to hear what my voice sounds like.
I again post this ten handkerchief clip in celebration of Diana Soviero's March 19th birthday (shared with my ma). After 35 years of friendship, I still feel that she represents the most remarkable combination of vocalism and emotion imaginable. I treasure what she has meant to me, and to the opera world.
What a joy!!!! However, crabby Zinka sits there as if she is the only star in the world..Just kidding!!!!!!!!!
I do not care who or what you are!!!! I ORDER you to do this....It can be in the shower, in your yard, in the car, etc..... Let me knoiw if they take you away by force!!!!!!!!
I know you just ADORE my compilations, so I present no.9,with a few choice comments. If you played any at parties, did anyone ever guess ALL of them?
1. Gigli, Rethberg, Pinza Attila trio (Need we say more?)
2. Carlo Bergonzi E lucevan le stelle (a veritable vocal lesson)
3. Jussi Bjoerling Romeo 1947 ensemble. (Did the C sound like that live?)
4. Alessandro Bonci Puritani aria
5. Clara Butt Lucrezia Borgia Brindisi (they would laugh today.I adore this!)
6. Karen Branzell Erda Warning (Das Rheingold)
7. Olga Borodina La Favorite aria
8. Montserrat Caballe Adriana Phedre Monologue (Totally wild!)
9. Piero Cappuccilli Luisa Miller aria ( A very great man)
10. Irene Minghini-Cattaneo Azucena aria (sadly killed when Allied bomb destroyed her villa in WW II)
11. Julia Varady Mme.Butterfly "Che tua madre."
12. Charles Dalmores Carmen Flower Song
13. Zinka Milanov (who?) "D'amor sull'ali rosee" (Trovatore)
14. Mario Del Monaco "No,pazzo son"(Manon Lescaut) (Example of subtlety)
15. Merrill/Bjoerling Don Carlo duet (pure gold)
16. Birgitte Fassbaender "Suicidio" ( even though she is a mezzo.)
17. Kathleen Ferrier "An die Musik" (Schubert)
18. Lauren Flanigan Lady Macbeth aria (One of the singers who "takes chances" with repertory. One of my favorite ladies.)
19. Beniamino Gigli "Vedi,io piango' (Fedora)
20. Apollo Granforte Credo from Otello (His name fits his voice.)
A commercial recording from Bucharest,Rumania under Cornel Trailescu, featuring my beloved Virginia Zeani, tenor Corneliu Fanateanu, and the recently deceased Nicolae Herlea. I feel that Virginia proves once again that she is one of our greatest artists. It is not because of our friendship because I have gotten friendly with some artists AFTER hearing them, and it is not as if I made a friend and then "liked every breath he/she took."
What can be a problem is when a singer you know as a person sings badly, and you have to be honest (except you cannot write about it on the internet.)
Have you EVER heard a rendition of this scene more exciting??? Stella loved to cry..but look, if George London was yelling at you, would you not shed a tear or two???? Zinka who????? (Sacriledge)
Our dear Kurt Baum was born on Mar.15, 1900. Despite his having the ugliest voice in captivity and KILLED so many performances, mostly with Zinka.(Silent film acting with the two of them.),he had a great top register. This is an example. His Lohengrin recording with Traubel shows he should have done more German. We HATED the poor guy, but he was "reliable."
When us oldies discovered that thing called "opera" (and became insane), all we had for information was the friendship of others who would play records (78's to start) and the oldtimers on the standee line, where we heard about names like Ponselle and Gigli.
Nowadays we are lucky to have at our disposal an enormous amount of information, generated by the amazing opera forums where a number of remarkable and knowledgeable individuals afford us so much knowledge, (including lots of screaming and yelling.) We have Opera-L, founded by Bob Kosovsky, and Parterre Box, the creation of James Jorden,otherwise known as "La Cieca." James organized a successful podcast site for me personally, and I am happy to report that "from Angola to Zanzibar," I have helped to awaken interest in the vocal art.
Recently, one of the most brilliant opera aficionados, Donald Collup, has created a site known as "Operaticpastcast.com." Here we are able to listen to his magnificent interviews with some of us "who were there," and are able to recall fond memories of our opera experience. The way in which Donald intersperses music with the comments in a mark of great professionalism, as he illustrates comments with vocal examples.
Donald also has interviewed some of our living opera artists such as Lucine Amara, Olivia Stapp, Elizabeth Carron, and Virginia Zeani. From these interviews we gain a personal insight into the careers and deep-felt feelings of some of our fine artists.
As I write this, I am listening to the most recent interview, with a fellow named Handelman, and I am amazed at the professional manner in which my comments are so well illustrated by Donald's musical examples.
I urge you to explore this site, not because I am a participant, but because you will be thrilled at the many memories as recalled by those professional artists and by our mere mortals.
Many thanks to you, dear Donald, for your tremendous efforts.
Do you mean I NEVER knew of this?????? I feel so dumb...i guess it escaped me,until a friend sent it.
Leyla had a 35 year career, and when teachers today fear the idea of chest voice, glottal attacks,etc...I get angry!!!! THIS is a lesson in how to sing with fire!!!! Love it!!!
)
After I did the Adriana, I thought you would like to SEE Caballe in action!!!!!
Teachers today are afraid to teach singers to use the lower register,causing a lot of BOREDOM!!!!
If you wish to hear some remarkable vocalism, listen to this 1976 Tokyo Adriana,under Gianfranco Masini, featuring prime Montserrat Cballe, Fiorenza Cossotto, Jose Carreras, and Attilio D'Orazi. Do not fail to pay special attention to the third act Phedre declamation, whish will make you almost "terrfified" in its intensity. (73 min.)
He left us far too soon. Norman Treigle, born Mar.6, 1923, was a DYNAMO onstage.For me he was one of the greatest singers I ever heard, and I heard him live countless times. He was truly a fabulous artist, actor, vocalist, with a HUGE voice and amazing stage personality. I honor his memory!
Cilea's rarely-heard "Gloria" from RAI Turino, 1969 under Fernando Previtali featuring:
Margherita Roberti (Gloria), Flaviano Labo (Lionetto), Ferruccio Mazzoli (Aquilante), Lorenzo Testi (Bardo), Enrico Campi (Il Vescovo), Anna Maria Rota (La Senese), Alberto Albertini (Il Banditore)
(65 min.)
NOTE: I had a defective "Gloria' up there, and have deleted it.
We adored this "king of the comprimarios," who made the smallest role important. He was born on Mar.5, 1893 and would have sung even past his 60's, had he not died in an auto crash. One of the most delightful things he sang was the old Prisoner in Perichole, where he cracked us up with his "leeetle pen knife." He was beloved by all of us!
I was just directed to the Youtube clip of this escappe from a mental institution. She is all over Youtube, and when I watched the Semiramide aria, I sent it to Joyce Di Donato,who might decide to retire,since she could never equal her rendition. I tell you one advantage of this...that I never felt so NORMAL in my life after seeing this.
In your country, are there any singers .ike this?
In the event that you just joined this site, I wanted you to have an idea of what the La Puma Opera Co.was like. It was not nice for them to throw us out at a Don Giovanni..but you can get the idea. Since they performed in an elementary school auditorium, they must have used the third-graders' orchestra. The company became a kind of "cult experience" amd attracted more and more people who wanted to pppppp in their pantalones!
A rarity; Mario del Monaco as Siegmund in act one of a Walkure from 1966 under Ferdinand Leitner. The Sieglinde is Hildegard Hillebrecht, and the Hunding is Otto Von Rohr. The sound is on the distant side, but I think it is intersting to hear the great Del Monaco in this opera.( 60 min.)
Hey!!!! Who has so much voice at 87. Lucine turns 89 on Mar.1 and she continues to sound as young and fresh as anyone could sound at her age. She saved many Met shows and retained so much of the voice. I made her tapes from 1948, and believe me, there is still that youthful quality.
Happy birthday to a fun lady!!!!!
Maria Callas as Norma in various performances as follows:
1. Trieste 1953 with Elena Nicolai and Franco Corelli under Antonino Votto.(Note the end of the trio has Corelli attacking a B natural and Callas' D natural, making for the kind of singing that just cannot exist today). I love to go to the opera, but they do not seem to "permit" this kind of vocalism. Perhaps singing teachers are afraid that their pupils will not last if they emit sounds like these. I disagree violently!
2. The first part of the "Mira,O Norma" scene w.Fedora Barbieri from Buenos Aires 6/17/49
3. From a Gala in Buenos Aires from 7/9/49, the Casta Diva and cabaletta. These two Buenos Aires scenes are conducted by Tullio Serafin.
4. The Casta Diva and cabaletta from the 1958 Rome 1/2/58 performance, which she did not complete owing to illness. This was a scandal in those days. Gabriele Santini conducts. (Anita Cerquetti completed the performance.)
Erich Leinsdorf leads a 1969 Parsifal from Buenos Aires with Wolfgang Windgassen, Regine Crespin, Franz Crass, and Theo Adam. It had taken quite a number of years for me to totally appreciate this work, but now it is a favorite.(as long as I can listen at home!) (73 min.)
If I had to pick ONE,just ONE commercial recording of ANYONE, this aria for me sung by the fabulous Lehmann,born Feb.27, 1888, would be my choice. This "Ich ging zu ihm" from Korngold's "Das Wunder der Heliane" for me is the most lasting tribute to her greatness.
The beautiful Grace Moore sadly died in an airplane crash at age 47. She possessed a beautiful voice and was a truly glamorous artist. She is joined by Raoul Jobin, Ezio Pinza, and Doris Doe in a 1940 Louise under Ettore Panizza. (74 min.)
Il Guarany (Gomes) duet with Enrico Caruso (born Feb.25 or 27) in 1873, and Emmy Destinn, born Feb.26, 1878. What more can one say????
People wonder why I am so critical of the carryings-on of Franco Bonisolli. In the words of Anna Russell, "tenors have resonance where their brains should be." Of course that is not true in general, but if you heard all the crazy speeches-to-audiences the man makes during live performances and his general conduct as a singer, you might agree that he gives tenors a very bad name!
However, he has a lot of fun in this San Francisco Gala (wearing Errol Flynn's boots) and the C's are fabulous. He died too soon, and I am indeed sorry, but I always felt a superb talent was partly wasted with his carryings-on.
By the way, he always DEMANDED an encore of the aria. On a Vienna tape, he yells "Wasser' before the first high C and gets booed. I do not know if he sang it twice that night, but anyway you cannot say he was dull!
Another of my compilations, derived from various files of the past. I am happy you enjoy this kind of post, because it allows you to play a guessing game and/or enjoy a wide variety of great singing. Here is the information:
1. Beniamino Gigli Fedora "Amor ti vieta" (HONEY!!)
2. Maria Ivogun Seraglio "Martern aller artern"
3. Selma Kurz Rigoletto "Caro nome" (Can she TRILL!)
4. Marjorie Lawrence/Lauritz Melchior Gotterdamerung Dawn Duet
5. Giannina Arangi-Lombardi Aida "O patria mia"
6. Leyla Gencer Idomeneo Electra's aria
7. Beverly Sills Louise "Depuis le jour"
8. Christa Ludwig/Sherril Milnes Macbeth duet
9. Meta Seinemeyer Andrea Chenier "La mamma morta" (Sadly,she died at 33.)
10. Nelly Melba/Enrico Caruso La Boheme "O soave fanciulla' (Just her high C indicates what she was!)
11. Beverly Sills Aida (her only one) "Ritorna Vincitor"
12. Mark Reizen Boris Coronation Scene (See his Onegin aria at age 90 on Youtube.)
13.John O'Sullivan William Tell "O muto asil." (He must have shaken the chandeliers.)
14. Rosetta Pampanini Adriana Lecouvreur "Poveri fiori"
15. Aureliano Pertile Andrea Chenier "Come un bel di di Maggio"
16. Ewa Podles Rinaldo "Or la tromba"
17. Diana Soviero/Dominic Cossa Pearl Fishers Duet
18. Renata Tebaldi Tristan und Isolde "Liebestod" (In Italian)
19. Luisa Tetrazzini La Sonnambula "Ah non giunge"
20. Marcel Wittrisch Paganini aria
Scenes from two brilliant Andrea Chenier performances. The first is from La Scala 1949,under Victor de Sabata, and features Renata Tebaldi,Mario del Monaco,Paolo Silveri, and Fedora Barbieri.
This is followed by a Venice 1972 performance under Paolo Peloso, and features Carlo Bergonzi,Raina Kabaiwanska, and Aldo Protti. (The final duet, by the way, is in the high key.) (74 min.)
Please note: My computer expert has advised me that it is much easier for you to read text if I do not use colors, since many individuals listen to the podcasts on various media other than on the internet.
La Fanciulla del West from RAI Rome 1961 under Arturo Basile. The cast includes Renata Tebaldi,Daniele Barioni, Giangiacomo Guelfi, and Mario Boriello (in Sonora's final lines that make me cry every time.). As a bonus, I conclude with the 1970 Tebaldi/Colzani Card Scene that was one of the most exciting scenes in my opera life.
Georg Hann (January 30, 1897 - December 9, 1950) was an Austrian operatic bass-baritone, particularly associated with the comic (singspiel) German repertory.
Born in Vienna, he studied at the Music Academy there with Theodor Lierhammer. He joined the Munich State Opera in 1927, and remained with this theatre until his death. He also appeared regularly at the Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival, quickly establishing himself as a leading buffo interpreter, notably in roles such as Leporello, Falstaff, Kecal, Ochs, La Roche (role he created in 1942), etc.
He made guest appearances at the Berlin State Opera, La Monnaie in Brussels, the Paris Opéra, the Royal Opera House in London, La Scala in Milan.
He did not limit himself to comic roles but also sang Sarastro, Pizzaro, Gunther, Amfortas, Daland and tackled a few Italian roles as well notably Wurm, Alfio, Tonio, as well as Mefistophele in Gounod's Faust.
Hann died in Munich aged only 53.
Hann sings arias and scenes from:
Zar und Zimmermann (Lortzing), Der Wildschutz (Lortzing) w. With Wolfgang Windgassen and Res Fischer, Barber of Bagdad (Cornelius), w.Lorenz Fehenberger, Nabucco, Falstaff, Gypsy Baron, Die Bettelstudent(Millocker).
Those of you who have ever been a part of an opera workshop will understand what goes into performing opera in the communities. Paul Plishka sent me this photo from about 55 years ago. He is the Colline and Ted Lambrinos (at right) is Marcello. At left is Dickie Boyajian and Robert Swanson (Schaunard.)
The young guy seated is Charlie Handelman as Benoit. I also did Alcindoro, and in fact over the years I did every male role in Boheme, except Rodolfo. They would not let me do the Musetta because they said I did not have the LEGS.
Our beloved maestro was Armen Boyajian, teacher of Sam Raney,Paul,Galvany, and me. We worked hard, and it was worth it. This meant so much to me, to see Paul, who had an illustrious career, and all oif us together.
Turkey had given us the great Leyla Gencer, and now from this land we have one of the most magnificent tenors, and this finale is so touching..but outdoors in paris it must be cold.!
From Dresden studios in 1938, Karl Boehm leads a superb cast in act three Meistersinger (abr.).The cast includes Hans Herman Nissen, Torsten Ralf, Margarete Teschemacher, Sven Nilsson (Pogner), Martin Kremer (David), Helene Jung (Magdalene) (65 min.)
Hi
For those of you who use I-Tunes for my podcasts, there is availability for comments.I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
As ever Charlie
Here is part two of the 1937 Lohengrin. They may have made cuts, but the cast is superb. (51 min.)
The first part of a two-part Lohengrin from 1937 under Maurice de Abravanel. The stellar cast includes Kirsten Flagstad, Rene Maison,Karin Branzell, Julius Huehn, and Ludwig Hofmann. (71 min.)
In 1971, under the great maestro Armen Boyajian, we did Anna Bolena in Paterson,New Jersey.We had a great company, but this performance means so much to me,because it was the beginning of the great career of Sam Ramey, and Galvany was incredible. The high D (held forever) comes out a bit drowned out,but you can hear it. I was the Rochefort and ran out of breath at the end of this scene.How could anyone keep up with her???
Imagine what we felt as the Ballo curtain rose on the debut of the great Marian Anderson, born Feb.17, 1897. So sad that bigotry prevented many fine Afro-American artists from appearing at the Met,or in some cases, on ANY opera stage. Bless her memory!!
Another compilation of material from my files. I hope you enjoy the selections, and remember what "fun" you can have if you give an opera party and ask the guests to guess, giving prizes for the winners.
1. Julia Varady Aria from Puccini's Edgar
2. Shirley Verrett Favorita Cabaletta (We went nuts at Carnegie Hall.)
3-4. Leonard Warren Ernani and Pagliacci arias
5. Ljuba Welitch Vissi d'arte
6.Dolora Zajick Principessa aria from Adriana
7. Milanov/Bjoerling Ballo Love duet
8. Janet Baker Traume
9. Alessandro Bonci Luisa Miller aria
10. Maria Callas Puritani "Vieni al tempio"
11. Steber/Kullman Carmen act one duet
12. Enrico Caruso "Mia piccirella" (Makes me CRAZY!)
13. Renata Scotto Butterfly "Che tua madre."
14. Mario del Monaco Otello "Dio mi potevi"
15. Marisa Galvany What else but the famous Aida act 2 E flat.
16. Nicolai Gedda Manon "Ah fuyez."
17-18 Leyla Gencer/Cornell Macneil and then Hilde Gueden/Leonard Warren in the Rigoletto "Si,vendetta' duet.
Marisa Galvany sings a magnificent Turandot from 1980 Cincinatti under Anton Coppola. Harry Theyard, Benita Valente, and James Courtney complete the cast. They just do not make them like this anymore, and she just gave a recital with plenty of voice, even at an age equivalent to mine. (63 min.)
Whether or not you celebrate Valentine's Day (Feb.14), I am sending this to you because you are all so supportive of my efforts to bring opera to more and more people around the globe, and make me so very happy. Love to you all!!!
May I extend a happy birthday to one of the great singers in my opera experience. Johanna Meier was born on Feb.13, 1938, and I was so pleased to make her some live tapes a few years ago.She was superb in operas like Ariadne,Walkure, Tosca,etc. and this Liebestod is an example of her absolutely gorgeous voice.
Gianna Pederzini (February 10, 1900 - March 12, 1988) was an Italian mezzo-soprano.
Pederzini was born in Trento. She studied in Naples with Fernando de Lucia, and made her stage debut in Messina, as Preziosilla, in 1923. She sang widely in Italy, notably as Mignon and Carmen, and made her debut at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, as Adalgisa, in 1928, and at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, in 1930.
Abroad, she appeared at the Royal Opera House in London in 1931, the Opéra de Paris in 1935, the Teatro Colón in 1938, and the Berlin State Opera in 1941.
She defended a wide repertoire, she took part in the 1930s in revivals of rare operas by Rossini and Donizetti, while singing the standard mezzo roles; Azucena, Ulrica, Amneris, Laura, but also a few dramatic soprano roles such as Santuzza and Fedora, etc.
In the 1950s, she began concentrating on "character roles" such as the Countess in The Queen of Spades, Mistress Quickly in Falstaff, Madame Flora in The Medium, and took part in the creation of Dialogues of the Carmelites at La Scala, in 1957. She died, aged 88, in Rome.
Arias by this superb mezzo from: Trovatore, Carmen, Mignon, Forza, Favorita,F igaro, Italiana, Werther (65 min.)
ELISABETH CARRON - Opera Singer
"Radiantly communicative" "Singing and acting with the authority of a great artist" "A transcendental artist" Such laudatory comments from critics and public alike have followed Elisabeth Carron's appearances throughout her career. With a repertoire of astonishing versatility, this superb American-born and trained singer has captivated scores of audiences with her exceptional vocal range and theatricality.
Elisabeth Carron made her sparkling debut in the role of Cio-Cio-San in New York City Opera's Madama Butterfly in 1957, immediately establishing herself as a ranking Puccini stylist. "Visually and vocally she has made the role her own." (Musical America). Other reviewers deemed it "an exquisite performance", pointing out that "Miss Carron's voice is assured, pure and in perfect control... a poignant and utterly believable creation".
Adding the roles of Mimi, Liu and Suor Angelica to her repertoire gained further acclaim and the ringing applause of appreciative audiences. An early career highlight was her appearance as Glauce in the Dallas Civic Opera's historic production of Cherubini's Medea, co-starring Maria Callas, Jon Vickers and Teresa Berganza. Her San Francisco Opera debut was made in the demanding role of Konstanze in Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio, which, coupled with a stunning first-ever performance as Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata, earned her the designation of "the opera discovery of the year" and a reviewer's opinion that "She is a splendid actress, with the kind of petite, delicate, hothouse beauty that can make such a character as Camille come to life, and that she possesses an extraordinary singing voice".
Her mad scene in the title role of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor was hailed as a masterpiece of rare dramatic intensity. She received more accolades as a Strauss specialist during a string of memorable performances as Zerbinetta, Daphne and Aithra. The New Yorker magazine singled out her portrayal of Aithra, observing that she sang the "extraordinarily difficult high passages with ease and brilliance."
Miss Carron is equally at home interpreting contemporary works. She appeared in the original cast of the New York City Opera Company's revival of Marc Blitzstein's Regina in the role of Birdie Hubbard. Musical America magazine added to her laurels with verbal bouquets for her "beautiful voice and touching portrayal of Regina's poor, broken, driven-to-drink sister-in-law." Her stand-out performance is a highlight in the Columbia Records production of Regina. Raymond Ericson, the distinguished New York Times music critic, included the Columbia recording in his "Best of Opera" discography. Miss Carron also won praise for her rich evocation of Anna Maurrant in Kurt Weill's Street Scene and her sensitive interpretation of Maria Corona in Giancarlo Menotti's The Saint of Bleeker Street, another dynamic role subsequently recorded.
Miss Carron was a respected member of the Vocal Faculty of the famed Manhattan School of Music. She has been instrumental in the development of many outstanding young talents. Her students have won major singing competitions and have gone on to productive careers. She is frequently called upon to serve as a judge in prestigious vocal competitions.
Though Miss Carron's career included performances with nearly every major American opera company as well as international appearances, she is one of a generation of American singers whose artistry is not adequately documented by recordings. Elisabeth Carron - Opera Singer
The great maestro and the NBC Symphony in 1950 Falstaff rehearsals, featuring Herva Nelli, Giuseppe Valdengo,Frank Guarrera (Ford),Cloe Elmo (Quickly), Nan Merriman, Teresa Stich-Randall, and Norman Scott. (65 min.)
Note:The original podcast was flawed, and I am repeating it.
Adelina Patti had a warm, crystalline, and very agile high soprano voice.[10] Her vocal emission was of perfect equality and her vocal range was wide, from low C to high F (C4 - F6).[10] Regarding her technique, critic Rodolfo Celletti said, "Her voice was a technical marvel. The staccatos were marvels of accuracy, even in the trickiest intervals, her legato was impressively smooth and pure; she connects the voice from note to note, phrase to phrase, lifting and gliding with an exceptional virtuosity. Her chromatic scale was deliciously sweet, and her trill was wonderful and solid."[11]
Adelina Patti 1905 recordings. A sensational singer,even at age 62.
The selections are as follows:
Voi lo sapete, Pur dicesti, Old folks at home,Batti,batti, Jewel song,Il Bacio, Last Rose of Summer, Ave maria (Bach-Gounod), Robin Adair, Home sweet home, Si vous n'avez rien a me dire, Comin' thrpugh the rye, Banks of Allen Water, On parting, 'Twas within a mile, New Year message to her hisband, Baron Rolf Cederstrom, Kathleen, La Serenata, Casta Diva, Connais tu le pays, Ah non credea. (65 min.)
This sensational basso was born on Feb.10, 1923. Siepi had a voice of pure velvet.I saw him countless times, and he remains one of the greatest singers EVER!!!!
Maria Callas as Kundry in act two of Parsifal under Vittorio Gui, Rome 1950. Africo Beldelli and Giuseppe Modesti complete the cast. Collectors all wish to have the rumored complete Tristan und Isolde, but I have added an early recording of the Liebestod (60 min.)
The remarkable Christa Ludwig selections from:
Cenerentola (1959) from Vienna, under Alberto Erede
Lohengrin (1967) with Ingrid Bjoener,Walter Berry, under Karl Boehm
Don Carlo (1967) under Berislav Klobucar
Aida (1970) with Richard Tucker, under Fausto Cleva
Mahler's Kindertotenlieder (1967) under Loren Maazel
(73 min.)
The legendary Licia Albanese, now over 100 years of age, sings one of her great roles, a Mme.Butterfly from 1941 under Gennaro Papi. Completing the cast are Armand Tokatyan, Lucille Browning, John Brownlee, and Allesio de Paolis. Bless this great artist! (73 min.)
What can be more heartwarming than to see the retirn, in Genoa, of the wonderful Aprile Millo in "Il Tabarro."? She has retained the beauty of tone, and the kind of Italianate style that is rare today.(Not to mention the optional high C in the aria.).
All these years,she has been so loving and kind to me and I am so happy for her!!!!!
Leopold Simoneau sang so briefly at the Met, and it is a shame,because it was a really beautiful voice. In this Hoffmann from Vienna, 1954, under Lee Schaenen, Simoneau is joined by his wife Pierette Alarie as Olympia, with Suzanne Danco as Giulietta,Antonia, and the Muse. The great George London sings the villains, with Dezso Ernster as Crespel, Renato Cesari as Schlemil, Renato Capecchi as Spalanzani, and Robert Destain in the comic roles. (73 min.)
Claudia Muzio was so famous for her Traviata Letter..and to celebrate her birthday on Friday, Feb.7, we present the great Mari Lyn, who follows in her great tradition..and her TraviYENTA has caused many people to commit SUICIDIO!!!!
WHY do they do not do this opera?? Maybe because Virginia is not around...Note act two love duet..it is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am upset..i never hear my own tapes!!!!
That warm,emotional voice of baritone Giuseppe Taddei is heard in arias and songs. The man was a special artist, one of the greats.
Arias are from: Favorita, Ballo, Don Carlo, Vespri, Andrea Chenier, Adriana Lecouvreur, L'Arlesiana.
The songs are: Santa Lucia Luntana, Dicitincello vuie, Voce 'e notte, Senza nisciuno, Marechiare, Napule canta, Passione, I te vurria vasa', Pecche. (66 min.)
It is most appropriate, on Martina Arroyo's birthday (Feb.2), to begin to celebrate Black History Month, and also to relate some of my past experiences with Afro-American artists.
Sadly, not until Marian Anderson's 1955 Met debut as Ulrica (which was one of my most thrilling experiences, as that curtain rose and the audience cheered), Afro-American artists did not sing at the Met. I was able to hear Lawrence Winters, Adele Addison, and Camilla Williams at City Opera in the early 1950's, but imagine what other artists were lost to the Met earlier.
Owing to the Marian Anderson breakthrough, Met audiences (myself included) were pleased to have heard such artists as Leontyne Price, Reri Grist, George Shirley, Gloria Davy, Mattiwilda Dobbs, Robert McFerrin, Leona Mitchell, Grace Bumbry, Simon Estes, Jessye Norman, and my all-time love, Shirley Verrett, etc.
The unfortunate element of course, is that race prejudice denied many of the artists before Anderson an opportunity to be heard in the great Met, but at least Mr. Bing made the breakthrough, however late. We must be thankful at least for the precedent set by Mme.Anderson, and we owe much to her historic debut.
Charlie
When she took the high A at the end on "AMOOOOOORE"..a friend was so aghast, he hit me in the ribs and I almost fell to the standing room floor!!!!!!! You could not imagine what it was like!!!!!!
January 31, 1955. Weather like New York last week. A teenager wakes up at 4:00 and arrives at the Met at 6:00 for his first Otello,featuring the debut of the lady whose birthday (then unkown to us) was Feb.1. The teen enters a telephone booth (remember them?). A cop asks him what he is doing there.The guy says, "Waiting for the opera tonight." Shortly, another group of nutcases get on the standee line, to freeze until 7:00P.M..
Feb.1, 1955..about 12:00 and out comes the lady who became our "madre" and in freezing cold weather,signed every single program, and it was her 33rd birthday!!!
So you understand why Feb.1 means so much to me and to those who were privileged to have this incredible lady..on and off stage..as a "buddy" in our teen years.
Bless your memory, dearest Renata Tebaldi. You will remain forever in our hearts!!
Charlie
From 1958, under Jean Morel, we bring you Faust with Nicolai Gedda (in his debut season), Hilde Gueden,Jerome Hines, and Robert Merrill.
Please note that owing to an error on the original disc, I have substituted Scotto,Kraus, and Ghiaurov for the final scene. (74 min.)
Mirella Freni and Gianni Raimondi head the cast of Mascagni's "L'Amico Fritz" from La Scala 1963, under Gianandrea Gavazzeni. Rolando Panerai and Bianca Maria Casoni complete the cast (66 min.)
In this 1969 Berlin Tosca under Loren Maazel, Mme.Lorengar sings with such beautiful expression that I am sorry I never experienced her live. Franco Tagliavini and Ingvar Wixell complete the cast (73 min.)
Cesare Bardelli was a true Italian baritone and had a fine career. I saw him in this Attila in 1972 in Newark,New Jersey, with Jerome Hines and Leyla Gencer. I know you will enjoy this, and especially his dear daughter Vera will be able to listen to her dad.
To that great guy,Marcello Giordani, who celebrates his birthday on Jan.25 (1963)...I wish him the best. He recalls the SQUILLANTE tenors of the past. Live at the Met he shakes the chandeliers!!!!!
Love from Charlie
New York is suffering under the worst icy-cold weather conditions in many years;however, we were cheered up when,during our snowstorm, that the delightful Anna Netrebko decided to have a little fun on her balcony.
The photo has made so many of us happy, and let me share it with you!
I bring you still another of my compilations of great artists in order to make you happy, and for your opera parties, where you give expensive gifts to those who guess all the selections.
1. Magda Olivero (turns 104 in March) Iris aria
2. Getrude Kappel Walkure "Hojotojo"
3. Alfredo Kraus Romeo "Ah leve-toi,soleil" (sings it up a half step.)
4. Karita Mattila "I could have danced all Night" from "My Fair Lady."
5. Maria Callas "La mamma morta" (see the touching scene in the film "Philadelphia")
6. Sherrill Milnes Attila cabaletta (with amazing high B flat)
7. Elena Nikolaidi Don Carlo "O don fatale."
8. Claudia Novikova La Perichole Hilarious act two "drunk aria."
9. Ivan Petrova Yolantha (Tchaikowsky) King Rene aria
10. Ezio Pinza Amore de tre Re Archibaldo's Monologue (INCREDIBLE!)
11. Rosa Ponselle Tosca "Vissi d'arte"
12. Cesare Valletti Manon "Le reve"
13. Samuel Ramey Boris Clock Scene
14. Antonietta Stella Attila "Santo di patria"
15. Ebe Stignani Semiramide aria (see why she is my all-time favorite mezzo.)
16. Richard Tucker Turandot "Nessun Dorma"
Under the baton of Riccardo Chailly, we hear a magnificent 1977 SF Turandot, with Montserrat Caballe, Luciano Pavarotti, Giorgio Tozzi, and Leona Mitchell. This is the brand of singing that lifts you out of your seat (second only to the Nilsson/Corelli performances of the 1960's.) (73 min.)
On her Jan.22 (1897) birthday we think of the person who once said, "First you have Caruso and Ponselle..and THEN come singers!" No words are adequate to describe this phenomenon. Retired in 1937 after a feud with the Met, but left a great legacy of recordings unequalled in opera history.
I was outside the Met stage door a few years ago after a Macbeth and this guy,whom I never met, looked at me and said,"Are you Charlie??You are more famous than I." This was our first encounter....Joe is a sweetheart of a man, and we wish him a happy Jan.22 birthday. Lovable in every way!!!!!
I may kid around and may not agree with all of Placido's choices of repertory these days, but who could ever deny his incredible contribution to the world of music for 50 years, and so from this birthday boy to him, I wish him a wonderful happy birthday (Jan.21). Charlie
Renzo Rosselini's opera "La Guerra" from a 1960 RAI Rome broadcast under Massimo Freccia. The cast features:
Magda Olivero Marta
Nicoletta Panni Maria (her daughter)
Renato Cesari Marco (her son)
Giacinto Prandelli Erik
Ottavio Taddei Il Postino
Walter Alberti Il prete (60 min.with my narration)
For your opera parties, here is another pot-pourri. (No narration.):
1. Margarete Klose Orfeo "Che faro" (In Deutsch)
2. Anna Moffo Puritani "Vien,diletto."
3. Elena Nikolaidi Macbeth Sleepwalking Scene (dig the TEMPI!)
4. Theodore Uppman "Nancy Hanks"
5. Julia Varady Macbeth "La luce langue"
6-7. Leonard Warren arias from Ernani and Barbiere
8. Licia Albanese and Afro Poli in Boheme act three scene.
9. Daniele Barioni Mme.Butterfly "Addio,fiorito asil": (I adored that voice!)
10. Jussi Bjoerling Turandot "Nessun dorma"
11. Giuseppe Di Stefano Aida "Celeste Aida"
12. Leonce Escalais Robert le Diable aria (squillo like crazy!)
13. Mirella Freni Fedora "O grandi occhi."
14. Christa Ludwig Samson et Delilah "Mon coeur"
I sincerely hope you like these compilations. I think they are fun!!!!!
(ERROR: Add Alessandro Ziliani Dame Blanche aria after the Warren selections.)
The Met 1961 Martha (in English) under Nino Verchi did not really catch on, despite the presence of Richard Tucker, Victoria de los Angeles, Giorgio Tozzi, and Rosalind Elias. However, for historical value, here is some of it. (47 min.)
Here is one of many compilations of great artists at Covent Garden in the period 1904-1910.
They're all good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was I born too late?
1.Emmy Destinn Lohengrin: Elsa's Traum
2. Melba/Caruso O soave fanciulla (her high C is to DIE FOR!)
3. Charles Dalmores Carmen Flower Song
4. Emma Calve Herodiade Il est doux.
5. Giuseppe Anselmi Tosca Recondita Armonia (note slight change in ending)
6.Celestina Boninsegna Ballo Ma dall'arrido
7. Selma Kurz Les Huguenots O Beau pays (famous for her trill)
8. Giovanni Zenatello Andrea Chenier Si, fui soldato
9. Riccardo Stracciari Trovatore Il Balen
10.Mattia Battistini Faust Valentin's aria
11. Clarence Whitehill Meistersinger Wahn! Wahn!
12. Maria Gay (Mrs.Zenatello) Carmen Card aria (slight chest voice.)
13. John McCormack Don Giovanni Il mio tesoro (considered the STANDARD!)
14. Alessandro Bonci Pearl Fishers Je crois entendre
15. Edoardo Garbin Fedora Vedi,io piango (w.Giannina Russ.)
16. Louise Kirkby-Lunn Samson et Delilah Printemps qui commence
17. Emile Vanni-Marcoux Pelleas et Melisande Una grande innocence
18. Mario Sammarco Otello Era la notte
19. Peter Cornelius Walkure Wintursturme (in Danish)
(71 min.)
I always brought opera to my foreign language students, and even staged the shaving scene from the Barbiere once. Kids need to be brought UP to appreciate what the arts are all about.
In the Bronx, New York, the absolutely brilliant and lovable counter-tenor, Anthony Roth Costanzo has brought opera to sixth grade kids and I am just overwhelmed by his efforts. You do not have to be a teacher to love what you see here. May he continue on this quest to educate young people in this way, and of course continue to thrill opera audiences all over the globe.
Despite some rather distant sound (the tape recorder was not close up), we hear a New Orleans Les Huguenots from 1975 under Knud Andersson. The cast features Rita Shane (Marguerite), Marisa Galvany (Valentine), Enrico di Giuseppe (Raoul), Paul Plishka (Marcel), Susan Marsee (Urbain), and Dominic Cossa (Nevers). (70 min.)
Here is a selection of various fine sopranos on the Classical Evolution label.I think you will find them interesting:
1.Sumi Jo Queen of the Night aria
2-3. Cecilia Bartoli, Figaro and Donna del Lago arias.
4.Lucia Alberti Fille du reggiment Romance
5.Anna Tomowa-Sintow Ritorna Vincitor
6.Ghena Dimitrova Vissi d'arte
7-8. Alexandra Pendatchanska Romeo and Faust arias
9. Raina Kabaiwanska Manon Adieu au petit table (no recitative.)
10. Gwyneth Jones (with James King) Scene from Schmidt's "Notre Dame"
11. Sylvia Sass Liebestod
(about 65 min.)
The brilliantly talented Angela Meade at the Richard Tucker Gala last year in the Due Foscari aria.They do NOT make them like this most of the time....
I was playing this the other day, and when Remola took a high J# above Z, three cats and seven dogs in the house all came to my door......not fair..I could not feed them!
With all the music available to us, we still cannot “hear it all,” even in 10 lifetimes.
My dear buddy Bob Fazio became close with the fabulous Giovanni Martinelli in the great tenor’s later years,but he still had the same “white’ quality..I never really appreciated..BUT when you see a series of clips like these..you realize the man was a vocal GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Forget the English)
To ADORE for her absolutely amazing ability to tug at your heartstrings! Born Jan.6, 1903. Favero is part of the line of divas who possessed the kind of love of the vocal line that is totally ABSENT today. Along with Muzio, Scuderi, Zeani, Olivero,Albanese, Soviero, and Scotto, she transported you to a new dimension of emotion. Listen to what she accomplishes with a mere phrase. We who claim to know what these artists contributed LONG for someone who can follow them.
The much-beloved Leyla Gencer sings Odabella in this 1972 Florence Attila, under Riccardo Muti. The cast includes Nicolai Ghiaurov,Veriano Luchetti, and Norman Mittlemann (73 min.)
GREAT voice...Grace Bumbry excelled in mezzo AND soprano roles..Born Jan.4, 1937, let us celebrate her wonderful career.
Even after knowing someone 50 years, I am still amazed at what she accomplished, but too many critics never understood the greatness of Marisa Galvany..but you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We just had a Happy New Year talk about the divas who get INVOLVED..you know:Moedl,Callas,Olivero,etc. She started some master classes down in Raleigh, North Carolina.Mayber some day we can produce some divas who are not afraid to let it all hang out. As ever Charlie,unpaid agent of about 5 divas.
Robert Maxwell Stern's affectionate look at some of the ladies who would fall under the category of "demented." Please be advised that one might not be able to digest the contents of this podcast in one session, unless you enjoy torture and have a few tranquilizers and/or strong beverages on hand: (72 minutes of joy.)
1. Rosalina Mello (1920) "Fado Celestial" (Portuguese folk song.)
2. Alice Gerstl Duschak (83 yrs.young): "Reigen" (Weber). (She taught Jessye Norman)
3. Betty Jo Schramm "Va,va,tra le selve" from Artaserce by Graun.
4.Tryphosa Bates-Batcheller (1945,age 69.) "Canzonetta' from Margita by Meyer-Helmud.
5.Matalia De Andrade Manon Act 2 aria Portuguese artist (HERE, you need that drink!)
6. Bacchanale from Samson et Delilah, played by the Homophone Orch (I think the average age was about 7.)
7. Olive Middleton "Miserere" (age only 75, with interpolated high C). The DARLING cult figure of New York's La Puma opera. (I saw her..I think she had teeth,although not sure whose it was.)
8.Norma-Jean Erdman-Chadbourne and her talented husband in the Aida Tomb Scene (In English).
Sadly, they could not find a real tomb for the guy.)
9. Sylvia Sawyer Aida Judgement Scene exc, She was the star of Capitol records, who caused singers I know to fall on the floor in hysterics, especially owing to her great Italian diction.)
10. Vassilka Petrova in Tosca excerpts (she PAID!) She had 6 husbands. I guess she vocalized enough to drive them away.
11. Mari Lyn (Marilyn Sussman) "Una voce" (Cadenzerized.). The DARLING of Youtube. I told Soviero how unusual she was, and before Diana watched the "Traviyenta," she said, "Maybe she will study with me." Diana came close to wetting my couch!
12.Sari Bunchuk Wontner in Traviata arias. (great orchestra at the end.)
13. Tryphosa (again?) singing "Darling Nelly Gray."
14. FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (age 73) "Valse Caressante" by McMoon (her hiusband.). Need I say more??????
PLEASE continue to listen to my podcasts, despite this one.
Rare historical recordings from volumes 47 and 48 of the "Record Collector" series.
1.Meta Seinemeyer (1929) "Die Nacht" (Rubenstein) (Tragic death at 33)
2-3. Heinrich Schlusnus (1920) "Zueignung" (R.Strauss) and Hamlet aria
4-5. Marcel Journet (1912 and 1916) Robert le Diable aria (Meyerbeer) and Cleopatre aria (Massenet)
6-7. Nino Piccaluga (1925 and 1928) Arias from La Fanciulla del West and Andrea Chenier
8. Anne Roselle (1926) "O Patria mia."
9-10. Leon Campagnola (1922 and 1911) Walkure "Ein Schwert" and Favorite aria (en Francais)
11. Antonio Pini-Corsi (1907) Fra Diavolo (Auber) "Del Capitano alla Salute."
12. Gaetano Pini-Corsi (1909) (His brother) Siegfried Forging Song
13. Umberto Pini-Corsi (1904) (Their cousin, possibly age 14.) "Una Furtiva lagrima"
14. Ninon Vallin (1939) "Mailied" (Beethoven)
15. Franz Voelker (1937) "Staendchen' (Schubert) (One of Charlie's top favorite tenors.)
16. Julius Patzak (1932) Faust aria (In Deutsch)
17. Ettore Bastianini (1953,live perf.) Il Tabarro aria
Taken from so many files, I present another compilation of good stuff, useful for parties and quizes. I hope you like them. More to come!
1. Federica Von Stade "My Funny Valentine"
2. Leonard Warren "Largo al Factotum"
3. Virginia Zeani Maria Rohan aria
4. Giuseppe Anselmi "Una furtiva lagrima"
5. Daniele Barioni "Amor ti vieta"
6. Olympia Boronat " The Nightingale (Alabiev)
7. Gre Browenstijn "Vissi d'arte"
8. Maria Callas "Depuis le Jour"
9. Nicolai Gedda Cabaletta from "La Sonnambula"
10. Lina Bruna Rasa Cavalleria Scene
11. Elvira de Hidalgo (Callas' teacher) "Una voce"
12. Mario del Monaco "Esultate"
13. Leonce Escalais Jerusalem (Verdi) aria
14. Gottlob Frick Hagen scene from Gotterdamerung
15. Igor Gorin Attila aria
16. Herman Jadlowker "Fuor del Mar" (Oberon)
17. Margarete Klose "Che Faro" (Orfeo-in German)
Apr.22, 1972..Rudolf Bing's regime ends (except for the Gala that evening) with Corelli and Caballe in Don Carlo, act 4. Are you prepared for the last NOTE????
(28 minutes plus the last note, so the podcast lasts an hour.)
Just to know these podcasts make you happy all year round, it is one of the joys of my life, and at this time may I wish you all,from Angola to Zanzibar (I cannot find the Angolese or Zanzibarese translations, but you get the idea.)
Your buddy Charlie
Rudolf Kempe leads an Arabella from Covent Garden, 1953, starring Lisa della Casa and Herman Uhde in the leading roles, with Elfriede Trotschel as Zdenka, Lorenz Fehenberger as Matteo, Ira Milaniuk as Adelaide, and Max Probstl as Count Waldner (67 min.)
Note: at the request of one of our loyal listeners, I will limit the time on podcasts to 80 minutes. I hope this is all right;if not, let me know!!!
A glorious cast in a 1958 Naples Andrea Chenier under Franco Capuana. Antonietta Stella, Franco Corelli, and Ettore Bastianini head a cast that also includes Loretta Di Lelio (Mrs.Corelli) as Bersi, Vito de Taranto as Mathieu, Antonio Pirino as the Spy, and Antonio Cassinelli as Roucher. (70 min.)
My computer geniuses tell me I may extend the podcasts as to length, but still feel it is easier for you to download if the time is not excessive, but the podcasts can be longer. I am not sure about this, so I need your feedback (to Placido21@aol.com). If you wish me to stay with the 74 min.maximum, I will, but I can go much higher. Let me know if I can extend the time.
The remarkable Lauritz Melchior sings highlights from Siegfried, Tannhauser, Tristan (w.Frida Leider),Pagliacci,Otello, Walkure (w.Lotte Lehmann), Meistersinger, Gotterdamerung (with Kirsten Flagstad), plus the live "Walse" from the 1940 broadcast of Walkure, where you need a stopwatch!!!!
(72 min.)
Mado Robin was amazing...Dec.29, 1919...Died of cancer so young!!! It was not a freak voice..she could really sing well,other than the high K over T..
Last season Piotr introduced me to the son of Jan Kiepura and Martha Eggerth, who has just passed away at 101. He then called "mom" from the dressing room. Here she is at around 90,with the same great style and love of the vocal line. May the dear lady rest in peace. Charlie
For our lovable Piotr Beczala on his Dec.28 (1966) birthday!!! He has brought so much to us on and off stage. In all my years as an opera aficionado,I consider him so special and not only do we adore him on stage but also he is an affectionate lovable guy.
He also affords me an opportunity to clear my tenor collection of the too many CD's I have purchased, which I happily bring him!!!!
The fabulous lady sings the following material in Elektra:
1. Monologue of Elektra under Karl Boehm in 1980.
2. Scene (as Chrysothemis) with Varnay under Richard Kraus in 1953
3. Klytamenestra scene with Behrens from 1996 under Maazel.
4. Scene w.Birgit Nilsson (again as Chrysothemis) from 1965 Vienna.
5. From the 1980 film under Boehm:the recognition Scene with Fischer-Dieskau.
6. Finale of the opera 9as Chrysothemis) with Christel Goltz from Munich 1965 under Boehm.
(76 min.)
Alex Penda, formerly Alexandrina Pendachanska, (name too long to sign autographs??), a Bulgarian soprano, sings in a manner totally ABSENT since the days of Callas and Galvany. I am stunned!!!!!
May she continue to earn great praise in her career, and perhaps she will enlighten the opera world as to what exciting singing is all about (in the tradition of her beloved countryman (lady),Raina Kabaiwanska.
Let us talk about STYLE!!!! Do we know any German singers who can top Bing Crosby????? This was a great man!!! Happy Holidays!!!
I am told we only get a portion of what that was!!!! I just CRY when the man opens his mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for your interest and support, and may your holidays be happy ones!!!!!!!!! (Even if you prefer Justin Bieber over Piotr Beczala.)
I always complain about the "Price-isms" that crept into the Price singing over the years;this is an example of TRUE GREATNESS!!!! I never understood why she resorted to so many strange sounds with that phenomenal voice, but at least we hear what the reputation was all about here!!!!
...Iwill not be able to do this. Lina Vasta could teach some sopranos how to sing....Imagine,at 92!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only a bunch of nutty people (like my friends and I) could run to Sam Ramey's house after this Maria Stuarda, put on my tape, and count how many seconds Galvany holds the E flat. This is called, living life!!!!" She still is a great friend, but I always feel badly that more people did not know her...however,YOU DO!!!
(With Franco Tagliavini). Did i ever tell you my Raina story? Probably...but here it is again for new listeners:
In 1972, we had a party for Leyla Gencer after her Atilla. The photos of all other divas were removed and only Leyla was on the walls. New Years' Eve..in walked Kabaiwanska, and staring at the walls, exclaimed, "What is this..a SHRINE????" We cracked up!!!!
The great lady..Kabaiwanska born on Dec.15, 1934.Emerged as one of the most important divas!!!!!!
Dec.15, 1910..she almost made it to 100! I think this is the greatest rendition of this scene EVER!!!!!One of the greatest singers in opera history.
I have often stated that at times a single line or word or even SYLLABLE out of the mouth of an artist can tell you something that is special about the singer. During last night's truly glorious Tosca performance by Sondra Radvanovsky, I realized that the "VI" of "Vissi d'arte" (I think that is an E flat) represented the level of brilliance of tone that was so special to me, and of course that voice last evening had to be the most glamorous since my olden "Antonietta Stella' days.
Mme.Radvanovsky has grown into one of the most brilliant sopranos in my memory, and the tone just cuts through in middle,upper middle, and top (enormous up there) that is so thrilling you sit there in amazement;this from the supposed jaded Charlie,who has seen a few good Toscas over 60 years.
If you take a section beginning "L'innamorata Tosca e prigioniera" in act one, where the tone just radiates through the house, or the end of the Vissi d'arte, which often kills a soprano, with remarkable control, you realize that there is an effortless stream of sound that is worthy of the ovation she received, and remember, I am the guy who usually says, "that audience knows nothing."
When Tosca kills Scarpia in this staging, she stabs him over and over on each "muori," causing me to think of a certain soprano named Vera at a company called "Gran Scena" who does a bit more stabbing. Radvanovsky was on fire here, and let go with some angry outbursts (also as in "sogghigno di demone," and later "Aiuto!" as Scarpia is on top of poor Tosca on the floor.
In sum, she was fabulous, even after all the superb Toscas you know I have seen!!!
Marcello Giordani was his usual brilliant self, singing top notes ("La vita mi costasse' and "Vittoria" reminiscent of a Corellian brilliance, and he sings the "E lucevan" with some beautiful pianissimi and amazing breath control. I am glad he will do Radames next season and thankfully in act two,unlike Mr.Alagna, he WILL sing the top notes. I found it lots of fun that when the two of them sang the B on "diffonderem!" in act three, the two voices were so equally brilliant that I long for the two of them in the Andrea Chenier act four final duet.
Mr.Gagnidze was a very exciting Scarpia,singing and acting with great emotion and power;it is not a great voice, but in this role he was able to sustain the level of "evil" and he was extremely effective, especially dancing with the three hookers.
I find it an extra blessing that the Met uses John Del Carlo (not a buffo voice) as the Sacristan, Eduardo Valdes, a bright-voiced tenor, as Spoletta, and Richard Bernstein,who should be elevated to larger roles, as Angelotti.
Thankfully, the olden days of having so-called "voiceless comprimarios" is gone, and even in smallish roles, these artists make a mark.
So you see, even after having heard some of the truly great Toscas, I was thrilled that I could enjoy an evening where i could resonant with many bravoes for a fine cast. GREAT NIGHT!!!! As ever, Il puzzo del giardino.
Who said that first come Caruso and Ponselle and THEN come singers??? This is from 1951..She retired in 1937...she had "issues." LORD, this is from heaven!!!!!
VAT?????? You seeeng my aria like theees??You may be cuter, but vat are you doink to my best aria??? EEf I vas not ded, I vud come and keeeel you!!!!!!!
I am glad I am retired....... ZM
Yesterday those jerks at Scala booed Beczala at opening Traviata. The tradition of the "Loggionisti' is a disgrace and Piotr has received an incredible amount of praise.
Those "Italian traditions" to many of us are just disgusting..but he has received a tremendous amount of support and his own posts show he is a gentleman..well,they booed Callas and Freni and Pavarotti,so he is in great company!!!!!
Born Dec.9, 1895 and sadly died so young in childbirth. One of the most charming singers with the "smile' in the voice; however, not easy to accept the "goat-like' vibrato. You have to accept the "whole package."
Another fun-filled compilation of arias and scenes for you pleasure.I announced the selections, but here again are the artists (in order):
Ews Podles, Sam Ramey, Regina Resnik, Helge Roswaenge, Cesare Siepi, Leo Slezak, Hina Spani, Eleanor Steber, Diana Soviero, Conchita Supervia, Francesco Tamagno, Renata Tebaldi, Norman Treigle, Richard Tucker, and Francisco Vignas (73 min.)
On Dec.7, the 150th birthday of Pietro Mascagni, here is an example of his wonderful music, other than Cavalleria Rusticana, as Virginia Zeani, Umberto Borso, and a loud prompter sing this duet from Piccolo Marat,which they ENCORE!
More Franco: Werther,Mefistofele,Pagliacci, Cavalleria, Lodoletta, Andrea Chenier,Fedora, Mme. Butterfly, and I threw in a live PIRA!!!!! (36 min.)
The amazing Franco Corelli is heard in his early (1955-1958) recordings of arias from:
Fanciulla,Turandot,Adriana, Favorita, Werther (with his wife Loretta di Lelio), Trovatore, Otello, I Lombardi, and Un Ballo in Maschera (35 min.)
The great Swedish tenor, Set Svanholm, sings scenes from Die Meistersinger (1939 Stockholm), Aida (1939 Stockholm), and Die Gotterdamerung act three (1942 Bayreuth). (50 min.)
Sometimes someone comes along that enriches your life. Piotr to me is the guy who has made going to the opera a delight...and it is also my pleasure to bring him good tenor stuff from my collection. He is a great artist and a sweet guy..
Dec.5, 1946 this great tenor was born. He did get into heavy repertory which shortened his career,even before the illness. However, he raised 750 million dollars for Leukemia, and that alone was a fabulous achievement. Bless him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here she is again!!!!!! That is some talent...and the F is so solid/ What I like is that she is not a"chirpy" coluratura. Bless her!!!!!
Tell me she will have a HUGE career!!!!!!!! Only THIRD prize in Operalia competition. This is specikal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A glorious Luisa Miller from Palermo, 1963 under Nino Sanzogno. In the cast we have Antonietta Stella, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Cornell MacNeil (high A flat to DIE FOR!), Oralia Dominguez, Raffaele Arie (Walter), and Enrico Campi (Wurm) (approx.73 min.)
I am doing so many of these this week, I forgot to eat,clean the house or myself, but look, it is a pleasure to serve you. Remember, any suggestions for future podcasts (and that includes anything that might help a young artist with a career), send to Placido21@aol.com
Highlights from a 1948 Radio Paris recording under Jules Gressier featuring Jose Luccioni, Maria Vitale, and Charles Gambon (65 min.approx.)
More material from Virginia Zeani's career. I present two scenes from Eugene Onegin, the second with her husband, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni. This is followed ny arias from The Consul, Der Freischutz, Aida, Assassino nel Catedrale (Pizzetti), Forza, and a brief interview concludes the program (73 min.)
A performance of I Lombardi from 1980's at Carnegie Hall under Eve Queler. The three stars are Aprile Millo, Carlo Bergonzi, and Paul Plishka. (74 min.)
The 66 year old Edita Gruberova is one if the most exciting, if a big eccentric in vocal production, artists in the universe. I love especially the way she usually "swoooops' up to the top;not here, but she is so involved and people travel all over the globe to see her!!!!!
As a language teacher,I always had aspirations of learning and performing this. Ruggero Raimondi is absolutely BREATHTAKING in this Viaggio a Rheims aria!!!
This brilliantly exciting Rigoletto from Buenos Aires 1961 under Argeo Quadri features Leyla Gencer, Cornell MacNeil, and Gianni Raimondi. I think it is THRILLING! (73 min.)
This podcast is designed to instruct any singers who wish to sing Tosca exactly what the correct approach to this most difficult role. I sincerely hope that Mme.Petrova will serve as an important model for future generations, especially if they are deaf.
I present another selection by the "new discovery" (for me),Turkish tenor, Bulent Bezduz. After Leyla, I never thought I would find another wonderful singer from his land. Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Una furtiva lagrima"' featuring the beautiful Turkish tenor voice of Bulent Bezduz. Like the ending?????????????????
One of my new "Met Opera buddies" is the fine Czech basso,Stefan Kocan, acclaimed last season for the Sparafucile in the new Rigoletto. I am happy to bring him some cd's of famous bassos,etc. so I can have some room in my house! Here is the great scene from Don Carlo with Rene Pape.
It is gratifying to me when a present-day artist takes interest in the treasures of the past, and I am happy to be of help in this regard. Tomorrow (Dec.2) I see Stefan as Gremin in Eugene Onegin, and I know it will be a fine performance.
A superb 1969 concert performance of La Fille du Reggiment from Carnegie Hall under Roland Gagnon with Beverly Sills,Grayson Hirst,Fernando Corena, and Muriel Greenspon (73 min.)
Supposedly Beverly Sills once said she would rather have five years like Callas instead of 25 years of her...Callas 1949-1955 could never be bettered!!!!
This is the second compilation from early files. You might use them for an opera party, in which you give out cheap gifts to the winner(s). ENJOY! (app.70 min.)
1. Grace Bumbry Turandot: "In questa reggia"
2. Fiorenza Cossotto Trovatore: "Condotta" (Sounded "miked' in the theatre. An amazing singer.)
3. Nadezda Kniplova Walkure: "Hojotoho"
4. Cornell MacNeil/Renata Scotto Rigoletto: "Si vendetta" (WOW!!)
5. Lina Bruna Rasa Andrea Chenier : " La mamma morta." (An example of over-done chest voice. She supposedly dived into the orchestra pit!!!)
6. Aprile Millo Ernani: "Ernani involami."
7. Maxim Mironov L'Italiana in Algeri: Fabulous rendition of Lindoro's Aria.
8. Elena Nikolaidi Semiramide: "Bel raggio"
9. Birgit Nilsson/Richard Tucker Ballo in Maschera: Love duet
10. Eugenia Burzio Saffo aria (less-known wonderful soprano.)
11. Piotr Beczala Land of Smiles: "Dein ist mein ganzes herz." (His new album of operetta arias just received a big prize, and deservedly so.)
12. Giuseppe Di Stefano Faust: The legendary "Salut demeure" with the phenomenal high C dimuendo.
The ONLY live video footage of Zinka!!!!!!!! Can you understand why I went nuts...88 times......
SO..you vant to know vy Charlie Handelman vent NUTS at every Chenier? Leesen to the reprise of the "Ora soave" ven I do a double attack in ppp and seeng "O-Ora soave." Also leesen to my friend Bergonzi ven he starts his own "Or soave" in pianissimo. Thanks to God it vas not Meester Baum!!!!
It may be distant, but Nelly Miricioiu shows us what an exciting Norma is!!!!! I am just discovering her...well,there is so much material. She is wonderful and has an enormous repertory. Check her out!!!!!!!!!!
After the fabulous Mexico Aida in 1972, my dear maestro Armen Boyajian accompanies Marisa Galvany in the Vespri aria!!!! High EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
WHY I think Virginia Zeani is the greatest!!!!! She is also for me the only link to singers of the past, and she still has E flats (on the phone).She is "family."
The first complete commercial Ring of the Nibelung was presented over several years. Georg Solti conducted a cast of absolutely phenomenal singers, and I thought those of you not acquainted with the set, or with Wagner's masterpiece in general, might enjoy some samples. The artists include:
Birgit Nilsson,Regine Crespin,Christa Ludwig, Gottlob Frick, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Gunther),George London, Hans Hotter and Eberhard Waechter (Donner.).
NOTE: When you arrive at the Donner hammer blow near the end of the Rheingold, be sure to warn your family and neighbors that no one killed anyone.
The guy is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Turkish tenor with a superb voice. Look at Youtube for many selections. Jose Cura, thankfully, only conducts.
From 1973 under Anton Guadagno, the great tenor Richard Tucker sings Eleazar in Halevy's "La Juive." The cast includes Yasuko Hayashi, David Gwynne, Michelle le Bris, and Juan Sabate. (73 min.).
Please note that I had,in error, published this podcast as a wave file, and have corrected it to the proper mp3 file.
As I indicated in the narration, I have an incredible number of files from all the podcasts I have done, and I have decided, on occasion, to put together some of the selections for your listening enjoyment. The singers in this compilation,in order are:
Giuseppe Anselmi, Janet Baker, Daniele Barioni, Maria Callas, Franco Corelli, Mario Del Monaco, Barbro Ericson,Ellen Faull,Marisa Galvany, Nicolai Gedda, Renata Tebaldi and Rosalind Elias, Hans Hotter, Alexander Kipnis, Dorothy Kirsten, and Lotte Lehmann. I hope you enjoy this new feature. (73 min.
A compilation of some rare selections from volume 21 of the superb David Wayne Collection, featuring French artists of the period 1904-5. I announce the selections, but here are the artists:
Jean-Francois Delmas, Ernest van Dyck, Leon David, Victor Capoul, Marie de Reszke, and Pedro Gailhard. (40 min.)
From Munich in 1984 Algis Shuraitis conducts Pique Dame with the following cast:
Vladimir Atlantov-Herman
Julia Varady-Lisa
Elena Obratsova-Countess
Bodo Brinkman-Yeletsky
Alexander Woroschilo-Tomsky
(73 min.)
A recital by Mme.Caballe from Carnegie Hall on Mar.19, 1978 acc.by Miguel Zanetti. The selections (announced) include arias by Handel,Vivaldi, and Donizetti with songs by De Falla, Granados, Vives, Chapi, and Nieto/Jimenez plus 7 encores. (73 min.)
Rudolf Kempe conducts highlights from one of my favorite works, "Die Frau Ohne Schatten." The cast features Leonie Rysanek as the Empress, Hans Hopf as the Emperor, Josef Metternich as Barak, Marianne Schech as the Dyer's Wife, Lilian Benningsen as the Amme, and Kurt Boehme as the Spirit Messenger (73 min.)
One of the most treasured sopranos in opera history. Czech soprano Emmy Destinn (1878-1930), recorded over 200 arias and songs and I present some to you for your enjoyment. I have announced the selections. (approx.73 min.)
This is my first miscellaneous podcast, so there may be a repeat of one selection;I also am not sure if the narration came out, so I will give you the information here. Edoardo Sanzogno was a publisher who was instrumental in getting many operas brought before the public, especially verismo works.Here are scenes from some of them:
Cavalleria: Serenata (Caruso);Voi lo sapete (Bruna Rasa)
Pagliacci: Nedda/Tonio sc. (Pampanini and Galeffi); No,Pagliaccio non son (Caruso)
Boheme (Leoncavallo): Mimi Pinson (Storchio)
Zaza: Buona Zaza (Sammarco)
Andrea Chenier: Improvisso (Pertile); Nemico della patria (Ruffo);La mamma morta (Cigna)
Fedora: O grandi occhi (Della Rizza);Amor ti Vieta (Gigli-to die for!!!!)
Siberia (Giordano): Qual vergogna (Caniglia)
Marcella (Giordano): Dolce notte misteriosa (Schipa)
L'Arlesiana: Lamento di Federico (Tagliavini)
Adriana: Io son l'umile ancella (Olivero-who will be 105 in March.);Acerbe Volutta (Elmo);Poveri fiori (Muzio)
Sly (Wolf-Ferrari): Un orso in musoliera (Piccaluga) (approx.65 min.)
I saw Erin Morley the other night as Sophie in Rosenkavalier at the Met. She was radiant, but here she shows off high G!!!!!!!!! If only one of these girls could sing Gioconda!!!!
Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving, it is still a time for me to give MY personal thanks to all of you for your continued support and interest and patience when there is a glitch. My life has been enriched so much by being able to spread the word to you about what opera means to me and to all of you, and to present great treasures of the past. I wish you all my best!! Charlie
My dear friend, Elizabeth Carron sings scenes from a New York City Opera Suor Angelica and a Mme.Butterfly.(1973). She is a sweet lady with a personality as beautiful as her voice. (30 min.)
This is a new system, so I did not get the audio intro.but I will fix this in the future. Glad to be back!!!!!!!!
I am really so tired of being Galvany's unpaid agent...but i guess it is worth it,knowing how people adore her most remarkable singing. I think this is a sensational example of vocal technique.
I think Zinka said, "The girl vill not last!!!!!!!"
NOTE: Use of chest voice (the word"muoja") and some "authoritative"attacks on certain phrases. This is a special artist for me, and I am so happy to have heard heard. We wish her the best!!!!
After the great Gilda of Mme.Lungu, I went to Youtube and was ASTOUNDED that this "little Gilda' was able to became a totally different soprano,according to this music...great low notes, much dramatic thrust..How many singers can adapt this way to various vocal challenges????
She was also as lovable backstage as anyone can be!!!!!!
How thrilling to discover a new voice. Irina Lungu's Gilda was so gorgeous, and as a person she is as radiant as her voice...I hope she does more and more here because we NEED her brand of soprano....LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From 1969..I never knew about this....I thought i knew of every BREATH she took...Imagine the chest voice and then the e flat.......
Guardian of the fountain in last night's FRAU...He is a Met audition winner..He hit one top note that made me feel he would major talent!!!!!
Hi all,
Still have a few glitches, although not quite as bad as our Healthcare computer site, but i will send you some nice videos to keep you busy until I resolve this. I do not want to lose my fan club!!!!
It was the greatest delight for me this evening to open up Opera News and read this article about Diana Soviero, who has been a friend since 1977, when I was astounded at her Mimi, and felt she was a rare throwback to the days of Albanese,Tebaldi,De Los Angeles,etc. When I asked her something like, "Who are you?" and mentioned that I had not heard a soprano who combined the finest elements of both Stimme and Kunst divas, and who made me think of Tebaldi, she told me how Tebaldi has kissed her when she was a young lady. THAT FIGURED!!
All you need to do is go to Youtube and watch her final scene from Suor Angelica and you will best understand, as it mentions in the article, that she falls into the Zeani,Scotto, Olivero, Freni mold. I know people who have told me that a regular sized hanky is not enough for them, and they needed more of a large towel to catch the tears!
I have always believed that it is a rare trait of Diana to be able to sing so beautifully, with lush tone, great range, and CHEST VOICE (which practically no one uses today) and at the same time emote with the kind of depth that more often a "flawed" diva possesses, but she also sings so flawlessly, and does not have to "compensate' in any way.
In the article she speaks of singing sick, and that reminds me of the "Bronchial Violetta" at City opera, where I did not know she was ill, and we were literally banging on the proscenium to witness a Violetta for the ages.
Another very special element in Diana's art is the way she uses even one WORD to express a certain emotion, as for example the "Lui" in act one Tosca in the phrase, "Ed io veniva a LUI tutto dogliosa." It is an example of how she uses a single word to bring out the depth of emotion. (cf.Magda Olivero's career.)
I am so happy for her, and for all of her many students who will be able to learn so much of what she has to offer, but as you well know, I am still waiting for another such diva, but perhaps she can produce some as a result of her amazing ability to convey emotion,while improving vocal technique.
So tell us,O Charlie, what you think of her? Best always, Charlie
What opera should be (and mostly AIN'T these days), when the PRODUCTION counts more than the artists!!!!!!
This Rysanek Met farewell in Pique Dame will illustrate the adoration we all felt for her, born Nov.14, 1926. She knew of her prognosis at the time of her farewell, a courageous woman. Yes, she had vocal flaws, and went through a bad period in the early 1960's, but NO ONE was more committed to the stage in our experience, and she "owned" roles like the Frau Empress and Senta in the Flying Dutchman. She will remain forever in our hearts.
We first heard Latonia in the beautiful aria from Puccini's "Edgar" and she brought the Carnegie Hall house down with that fabulous voice. However, our beloved Met head, Mr.Gelb, gives her nothing. Note the last notes (Like Tebaldi!!!)****
She is also a "fun" person...see Facebook!!!!!
This weeks marks a year that dear Marisa lost her dear husband, but she is starting to do some small recitals and Master Classes in Raleigh,N.Carolina. I hope she does well...she has so much to give, and we know that when we lose a loved one,we must be strong and go on.
Anyone who knows the work of dear Joyce di Donato will tell you that she has been one of the greatest singers and most darling people you might know.
I still think of the first time I met her and told her my name and she said,"OH..you are famous on the internet" and I said "I think maybe more INFAMOUS!!!!
Born Nov.9, 1885, Pertile was the very first tenor I ever heard, when at age 14, I lugged the 78 r.p.m. set (remember 78's???) of Aida to my home. The man was one of the greats. Zeani told me she worked with him and adored him.....
Born Nov. 8, 1921..Here is the great Jerome Hines in his last perf.at 80...He was a STALWART FORCE in opera!!!!!!!
Sorry!!! Some computer problems (again) and will solve them and be back soon..Meanwhile,enjoy the videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Her debut season was not very good. I was there...but you do find the greatness in the woman.She returned in 1958 and was much better...but the great years were 1949-1955. Still, this is a great document.
Great man..Jon Vickers, born Oct. 29, 1926...You told them that "Tristan" is not "DRISTAN" (a cough formula.)
LOVE the ascending decoration at the end of the duet, but Frizza does not allow Meade and Barton to hold the B flat...but glorious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MY NEW LOVE !! As Adalgisa in Norma last night, she showed that she will be a great star in the near future..Magnificent,rich voice with brilliant tops (easy C's) and lush lows. This is someone who will shortly "take over' the mezzo fach in the opera world!!!! (and a sweet person)
I understand you are tired of my Marisa Galvany posts,.....SO WHAT!!!!!!!! Let's face it..This is an example of sensational singing..fearless...and the chest NEVER hurt her voice......but today this would be called "vulgar." She says she still can get up to a D!!! She is currently giving some master classes in Raleigh,North Carolina. Maybe she can show the kiddies that chest does not hurt the voice if you know how to sing!!
All of us here in New York, and I am sure throughout the entire operatic world, feel that Joyce di Donato is one of the most extraordinary artists in our memory, an artist who would be considered magnificent in ANY opera era. It is not simply "una voce" (poco fa) but a special talent, a personality, a loving lady who can thrill us by virtue of her sincerity in all she accomplishes. I hope you enjoy this clip.
By the way,slight delay in podcasts, as i found a slight glitch. PIACENZA!!!!!
We hear so much about Simionato, Cossotto, etc.BUT I place Verrett up there with the all-time greatest..maybe for me THE GREATEST!!!! That B natural at the beginning was as loud as any Nilsson note. It was a gorgeous,lush voice with phenomenal top and remarkable chest voice. Adored her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dmitri knew him.What a fabulous voice..Born Oct.24, 1911. Lisitsian did one Met Amonasro...that is all..sad...
GREAT MAN!!! Oct. 23, 1913. Not known for high notes but one of the most sensational artists EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Walkure act one from 1953 with the young Birgit Nilsson and Set Svanholm. The conductor is Hans Schmidt Isserstadt from Hamburg Radio. (65 min.)
One of the great JOYS of my life is to have Virginia Zeani as a friend and honorary "sorella." She turns 88 on October 21, and is still active in her teaching career, and even can still hit E flats on the phone! NO ONE sings like this these days, and I know you will greatly appreciate her career and her contribution to the vocal art.
Dear tenor Henry Price celebrated his birthday on October 18. I wrote him that if he could survive that insane woman in the audience in1977 giving out such a scream, he could survive anything!!!
We never found out what that was all about, but perhaps it was a rival soprano, as Ashley Putnam made her debut that evening.
The superb tenor, Joseph Calleja, sings two selections from his newest album, "Amore." I know you will enjoy the selections which are "You raise me up" and "Musica Proibita."
I loved the late Enrico di Giuseppe,born Oct.14,1938. He was so under-appreciated in my opinion. I once complimented him on his :high E flat" in Coq d'Or and he replied, "E NATURAL!" This finale of act one of the Saint of Bleeker Street with the wonderful Catherine Malfitano is superb!!!
Born October 12, 1935, the great Pavarotti brought so many people to opera. Yes, he became something of a "caricature' over the years, but who can deny his incredible contribution to opera..and that FABULOUS voice!
Part Two of my tribute to one of my favorite tenors, Galliano Masini.(all selections announced.)
Part one (I had to break this up) of a tribute to Galliano Masini, 1896-1986. A wonderful tenor!!!!!
I do not care where you are tomorrow. You VILL sing this, in key, and never mind Muti senza acuti..I do not care if you are in the shower, at work, in the car,In bed alone or with three people...you MUST honor the great Verdi on his 200th birthday. Look, I have heard many tenors who are worse than you!!!
All'aaaaaaarmiiiiiiiiiiii! Charlie
Not many opera stars can do "crossover," but the great Stephanie Blythe's new album entitled, "As Long as there are songs" shows us how a great opera star can sing pop music so beautifully, I include "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" and "The Man that got away" and I know you will enjoy Mme.Blythe's remarkable endeavor.
The marvelous Turkish soprano, Leyla Gencer, was born on October 10, 1928. She was born on the same day as we celebrate the 200th birthday of Giuseppe Verdi. She sang 12 Verdi roles, so it is a convenient coincidence.
She sings arias from Werther, Le Nozze di Figaro, Idomeneo, La Wally, Assassino nel Catedrale (Pizzetti), Monte Ivnor (Rocca), Il Trovatore, Forza del Destino, La Traviata, Aida, and IDue Foscari. (68 minutes)
Oct.10, 1813 (Giuseppe Verdi) and Oct.10, 1928 (Leyla Gencer).How incredibly fitting for the great Leyla,who sang 12 Verdi roles, to be born on Verdi's birthday!!!!!
Chereau, who just passed away, was criticized for his "controversial" Ring. It was great....and I cry my eyes out every time at the way Jones and McIntyre embrace with that divine music!!!!!!!
A blazing performance of Nabucco from Naples, 1949 under Vittorio Gui. The cast includes Maria Callas,in her vocal prime, Gino Bechi, Gino Sinimberghi (Ismaele),Luciano Neroni (Zaccaria), and Amalia Pini (Fenena) 72 minutes)
Imagine that you are a member of the Italian audience at the premiere of Verdi's Nabucco, and you are witness to history! The audience made them encore the chorus and it was the beginning of a fabulous career as an incredible genius, whose 200th birthday we celebrate on Oct,10.,
Celebrating the 200th year of Verdi's birth.(Oct.10, 1813), Riccardo Chailly leads the Orchestra Sinfonica of Milan in a series of rarely-heard Verdi orchestral music, including opera preludes later discarded. VIVA IL MAESTRO!!! (63 min.)
Here is a "goofy"(pictured) podcast of all sorts of strange happenings (announced) that I think might be enjoyable for opera parties. Over the years,we have collected so many of these 'oddities," and I wish to share them with you.
Mamma mia!!!! This is a blazing performance of Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda" from Florence 1967 under Francesco Molinari-Pradelli. The cast includes Leyla Gencer, Shirley Verret, Franco Tagliavini,Agostini Ferrin (Giorgio), Giulio Fioravanti (Cecil), and Mafalda Masini (Anna.) (69 min.)
A seldom-heard but truly superb work, Donizetti's "Poliuto," from opening night La Scala, December 7, 1960 under Antonino Votto. The cast features Franco Corelli, Maria Callas, Ettore Bastianini, and Nicola Zaccaria. (69 min.)
The amazing Magda Olivero (now 104 yrs.young) in a great role in Iris of Mascagni from Amsterdam 1963 under Fulvio Vernizzi. Others in the cast are Luigi Ottolini,Renato Capecchi, and Plinio Clabassi. (71 min.)
Songs and arias (announced) by Luciano Pavarotti in a 1973 New York recital. We may sometimes forget that he was one of the greatest tenors in opera history. (66 min.)
Met opera's newest star..Yuri Cundari Cundari. I have been going to the opera for many years but I NEVER heard anything like this. Check out his Vesti la giubba and Elektra scene. He will sing the role of Il PUZZZZO del giardino this season.
My beloved tribute to Martha Moedl, one of the greatest artists in opera history. All selections are announced (73 min.)
Glad we ironed out problems and will be doing more podcasts for you, when I am not at the Met. ( I am amazed I have 35 Met tickets this season...maybe I am not as jaded as i thought, but the repertory is better, and i do have some singers I love so much (Piotr and Netrebko in Onegin Tuesday,Oct. 2)
The Met never recognizes the great young talent that is available in world-wide bathrooms....I feel they are so ignorant of what is there.....We need to help them to understand that such talent cannot be ignored.
NON MANGIARE before you watch this..and get rid of little kids and small animals!!!!!
I present the Garden Scene and the Prison Scene from Boito's Mefistofele, featuring two of the greatest verismo sopranos, Magda Olivero and Virginia Zeani.
The Olivero performance is from Macerata, 1972, and features Cesare Siepi and Giorgio Merighi.
The Zeani performances is from Trieste, 1970, and features Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (Virginia's husband) and Umberto Grilli. (61 min.)
Just to see if these podcasts are FINALLY working, here are arias from Luisa Miller and I Masnadieri, from the wonderful new Jonas Kaufmann Verdi album. He is superb!!!!
When I see two Normas this year, with Sondra Radvanovsky and Angela Meade, I will be very let-down, because NO ONE can compare with Mme.Lynn.Oh well, tutto declina!!!!!!
Cornell MacNeil, born Sept.24, 1922, caused a FUROR every time he sang his sensational high notes. It was breathtaking!!! Bless this man, not just for high notes, but for his great singing.
The night after we saw Warren pass away on stage, the great Bastianini, born Sept.22, 1922, sang a magnificent Gerard in Andrea Chenier. It was March 5, 1960 and we were not in a very good mood;however, at least we did hear another great baritone. We lost him too soon of throat cancer, but he will always be remembered as one of the great baritones.
I heard this great man shortly before his passing. He sang this aria and "La donna e mobile."He sounded as brilliant always. Born Sept.24, 1927, he was a model of taste,style,technique.One of the greatest tenors ever!
One of the most famous sopranos, Elizabeth Rethberg, born Sept. 22, 1894. I am told that we just do not get the gorgeous "overtones" on recordings, whichhappens very often.
Repairman due tomorrow so hold your breath and hope to resume regular podcasts soon.
Here is an example of Rise's great versatility. They showed some clips from her films tonight at the tribute.
I was 16 and sneaked into the backstage area at the old Met. I suddenly found myself in a hallway on the way to the dressing room of the first singer I ever met, Rise Stevens, who had just sung Carmen. To this DAY I can see her smiling face and actually feel the "greasepaint on my hand" I joined her music club and went every year to her home, where we had a beautiful time always. I have just returned from a breathtaking memorial tribute to Rise at the Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. I was in the lobby and I perceived someone who might have been Nicky Surovy because I recalled him from a TV show;I had not seen him since he was about 15, and went over to him, my eyes beginning to fill with tears, because of what Rise was and what a life she had enjoyed with her fans, and Nicky was a "connection" to her. We spoke briefly and then I entered the sold-out theatre, to witness a truly heartwrenching tribute to Rise, who came close to 100, but passed away a few months ago. The hostess was Federica Von Stade and we had speeches by Rosalind Elias, Harolyn Blackwell,Ann Ziff, and of course Nicholas Surovy. The number of film clips, some never before available, was astounding, including a remarkable dance sequence with Ray Bolger, and she KEPT UP with him. There were arias, family photos and just so much that it was something extraordinary to behold. Her whole life passed by us and in many ways she "was there" tonight. Elias told a funny tale about how she adored Rise and STOLE Rise's Chesterfield cigarette poster once (They allowed those ads then.). Nicky told many tales of their lives and he was as charming as anyone could be. They showed selections never before seen, like the Jean of Arc aria and other material from various TV shows. This was a "class act" and no one deserved it more than the beloved lady whpo brought opera to so many including yours truly. I saw Nicky again at the end of the show, shook his hand, and again felt that same "connection" and left the theatre reflecting on the life of this dear lady, who made my young life so joyous. There so many tales and so many clips that I could go on and on but I have given you a fairly good idea of this evening at it will stay with me forever. Bless Rise, the beautiful Rise , who shook this teenager's hand so many years ago. With all my deepest feelings Charlie
Sept. 16, 1977 was the sad premature passing of someone who contributed more to opera than perhaps any other individual, even for a relatively short time. Callas had her flaws, but here in Norma you hear the Maria who took the opera world by storm!! Bless her memory!
I just discovered the tenor whom I will see in "La Sonnambula" at the Met, This is Javier Camarena, still another of the huge array of present-day tenors who make life so happy! (However there are no Radameses or Manricos.)
The guy is GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you think I would ever let you forget "the note"? Nothing compared to this moment, at which I used to "collapse' over the railing in the old Met standing room !!!
Hi all,
When I started this podcast site, there was the ability to add comments by you;sadly, I realized that all kinds of ads...many many of them, intruded, and i had to cut out this feature. I do like to get your feedback so I can learn if things are to your liking and if you have special requests. If you would be so kind as to send me some feedback (Placido21@aol.com), I would appreciate it. You may write in Spanish,French, or Italian if you wish (I had Latin,but they do not write it any more since they knocked off Caesar.).
I hope to get the regular podcasts running soon,but for now,I can send the videos.
Your friend Charlie
This unfortunate lady, related to the Del Monaco family, had consumed too many tranquilizers prior to this performance. I know it is funny, but so tragic. They really should have halted the proceedings, because this is so sad, even in the hilarity it produced all over Youtube.
Just listen to Schipa saying,"Suzel,buon di" and you know what elegance of style means. The Favero/Schipa Fritz duet is an example of a style long gone from our opera scene;they are too busy giving us a "show," and I am sorry..I say this always, but I would like to know if there is ONE TEACHER who understands this brand of artistry.(Probably Soviero does.)
In the temporary absence of my podcasts, I can analyze some material the way I do on my podcasts. Here is a perfect example of how Maria Callas, despite vocal imperfections (although this is in her prime), could thrill us to no end by her knowldge of Italian style and remarkable phrasing. This is an example of what she was as a great artist. I always marvel at what she does with
"small moments" in the opera repertory;as much as I love Anna Netrebko, her new Verdi album is lacking in this kind of detailed approach to phrasing.
Our Facebook diva-friend, Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs in the Stefan Herheim Salome..Yes, he is "strange" but it seems to work. I am still conflicted about different productions these days because they are,on some level, entertaining, and even clever...but at the same time i often wonder if we are going too far!!!
In case you might not know that now they are putting on a tremendous number of COMPLETE operas on Youtube. Go to Google and click on "Complete Operas." Here is one of them:
Someone as delusional as I am decided to do a "Summertime Mix" and please do not let small children and any animals in the room when you play this, because we do not want to cause emotional disaster!!
I have already posted this Puritani duet as sung by Ed Rosen and myself years ago. We should have called it "The Pirates sing Puritani" or the "Pirate cantano" I Puritani." As usual,Ed hams it up on the final A flat, but on a good day in my shower I can do it. We did have a lot of fun doing this at the Belle Epoque restaurant, and no one lost their meal.
"Perle Nere" or "Black pearls' is the term often used for opera disasters. My feeling here is that singers are human (really??) and we expect so much of them.We do not realize that what they do is a "miracle" and with a few exceptions, what you will hear is just an example of how hard it is to get out there on a regular basis and perform. There are a few selections perhaps that are "accidents"(like the Carmen who overdosed on pills).
Let's give them a break!! I say this,remembering I once had to laugh at myself for cracking like mad as Monterone, when I just started singing and did not have the proper technique. I remember saying that if I was in the audience I would have laughed at this guy!!!
I discovered this beautiful Tchaikowsky opera when I was Marisa Galvany's doctor in a production we did many years ago. I will see Onegin soon with Mme.Netrebko and Piotr Beczala and a later one with the happy return of Rolando Villazon. Here they are in the beautiful duet and i know you will enjoy it.
I hope you are enjoying these videos while I await the return of my "Computer Doctor."
This 1920 Africaine aria drives me NUTS!!!!! Caruso died a year later. What a fabulous sound he makes..Note the combination of lyric and dramatic tone..and those "vowel sounds" in every part of the range, and when he goes above the passaggio, it makes me thrill every time!!!!
Thanks for your patience!! Still ome glitches but I will have things done soon..So, just a bit more time and thn will have the podcasts running again...
Yma Sumac, famous for her incredible range (born Sept. 10, 1927) gets mad and hits a high Q# and leaves the stage.
I am sending some videos to you while i wait to do podcasts again. Charlie
Hi all,
I am updating my Windows system, so please bear with me until I am ready for new podcasts.
My best Charlie
In my extremely unhumble opinion, I have long considered Leyla Gencer, despite the scoops and the "camp chest" one of the greatest singers. Not every artist possesses a "pure" voice, and many of us have understood that a Moedl, a Kabaiwanska, an Olivero, a Callas, etc. can excite us as much,or even more than an artist known more for beauty of tone.
This Roberto Devereux, from Naples 1964 under Mario Rossi should illustrate that point. In the cast are also Piero Cappuccilli, the great legendary baritone, Ruggero Bondino, and Anna Maria Rota.(69 min.)
In 1972, following a Gencer Attila, we had a party for her;my friend made sure no other diva's photos were on the wall; a few months later, at another party, in walked Raina Kabaiwanska, who exclaimed, "What is this,a SHRINE?" (It was!!!)
I will soon present highlights, with Magda Olivero, of this beautiful Mascagni Opera, Iris. In this scene you hear the beautiful voice of Yohihisha Yamaji, who sadly passed away in his 30's. This scene is presented to give you some idea of the beautiy of the work ahead of presenting the podcast.
Sept. 2, 1896.Birthday of another great verismo soprano..WHY? WHY? This is a lost art.I have bored you to death with my critique of today's lack of this Italian style. After Muzio,Favero,Zeani, Scotto, Soviero..it is GONE!! Georghiu has it, but the voice is just too small in the opera house. I miss singers like Pampanini so much.
Presenting the great (age 63) Magda Olivero in an Adriana from Newark,New Jersey in 1973 under Alfredo Silipigni. She is joined by Placido Domingo,Maria Luisa Nave, and Enzo Sordello (71 min.)
As we have always known by her recordings, Olivero is a miracle of style and emotion. I am so happy to have seen her live in Tosca and Fedora. She is now 104 and we hope she goes on forever, and she will always be "forever" in our hearts.
In celebration of the birthday (August 31, 1917) of Ramon Vinay, we present a fabulous 1948 Otello under Fritz Busch and featuring Licia Albanese in her prime, Lepnard Warren,John Garris, Nicola Moscona, and Martha Lipton. (70 min.)
This is the brand of performance that can lift you up by nature of its excitement and the total commitment of these artists to their roles.
In honor of and in loving memory of dear Regina Resnik, whose would have turned 91 on August 30, I present a fine Falstaff from Covent Garden 1961, under Carlo Maria Giulini. Dame Quickly was one of the famous Resnik "signature roles," and she is joined by Geraint Evans,Mirella Freni, Luigi Alva, John Shaw, and Josephine Veasey. (71 min.)
Material from Massenet's "Herodiade" as sung by many famous artists, and some lesser-known but quite fine. I have divided this into three sections and here is the order of each section as to artists.The selections are announced, as you hear.
1. Ninon Vallin, Germaine Cernay, Geori-Boue and Jose Luccioni, Charles Cambon, Maryse Beaujon
2. Cambon, Cesar Vezzani, Vezzani and Jeanne Guyla, Emma Calve, Edouard Rouard,Fernand Ansseau.
3. Paul Lanteri, Lise Charny, Leon Campagnola, Vallin, Mattia Battistini. (67 min.)
The beloved tenor, Richard Tucker, was born on August 28, 1913. Of all the tenors I have seen, he remains the greatest! It was a glorious voice, and to quote Regina Resnik, "He left his blood all over the stage." The selections (announced) are from recitals in New York of 1972 and 1974, plus two Andrea Chenier excerpts and the "Rachel" aria from La Juive.
Bless the memory of this great man! I will never forget him!! Charlie
Aug.28, 1913. One hundred years ago, the great Richard Tucker was born. He remains my all-time favorite tenor of those whom I saw live. He sometimes got a "bad rap" for chopping some phrases. Yes, this did happen at times, BUT listen to this glorious Andrea Chenier act two scene as an example of legato,and the thrilling "hook' into the top notes. In the theatre it was something sublime!
Bless his memory forever! There will never be another!!!!
Two selections from Anna Netrebko's new Verdi album. They are from Vespri Siciliani and il Trovatore. See what you think!! (7 min.)
Another comparison podcast on the wonderful "Che gelida manina" aria as sung by the following tenors (in order):
Eduardo Garbin, Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, Giovanni Martinelli, Luigi Marini, Frederick Jagel, Armand Tokatyan, Giuseppe Giacomini, Peter Dvorsky, Francisco Araiza, Giuseppe Sabbatini, Frank Lopardo, Ramon Vargas, Richard Leech, and Marcello Giordani (70 min.)
Selections (announced) by four of the most remarkable bassos in opera history. The singers are: Adamo Didur, Tancredi Pasero, Nazareno de Angelis, and Jose Mardones (50 min.)
Highlights from a 1951 RAI Venice Attila w.Caterina Mancini,Italo Tajo, Giangiacomo Guelfi, and Gino Penno, under Vittorio Gui. This is followed by some Nabucco scenes from 1951 RAI with Caterina Mancini and Paolo Silveri. (70 min.)
**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lVY-ZkkRII
Here is your "homework" for today. I want you to pore over ALL your opera experience...and see if you can think of ANY MIRACLE that can compare with what the "baby' 66 (not 65) year old Magda Olivero Does here....singing,emotion,breath control,phrasing, over-all attention to detail of the line, absolute control.etc...you name it....I would be hard-pressed to find anything like this lady in this rare film...and remember that if you look on youtube you will find this is evident in her 80's in live material.....and maybe even now at 104..well,I do not want to push it. Life would not be the same for me without her!!!!!**
(Announced) Marvelous singing by the treasured Kirsten Flagstad in opera and song. No words can adequately describe the fabulous career of this great lady. I know you will love it. (71 min.)
The great Regina Resnik was laid to rest today. I am so glad I visited with her on her 90th birthday.On August 30, she would have been 91. I lost two of my "icons" this year, Rise and Regina, but I knew Regina for over 50 years. She had a phenomenal intellect, plus a great sense of humor. I will miss her, and at least have all my memories of superb performances, live and on recordings.
One of my friends once joked about her being so exacting in her portrayals and said, "When she enters heaven, she might complain that the pearly gates open in and not out!!"
I will always treasure my happy memories of her, on and off stage,.
Sincerely, Charlie
I feel so sorry for the new-born kid's mother as his first cries were heard about 5 blocks away!!!!! SQUILLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ashley Putnam surely is a fine singer, and her birthday was August 10. However, my remembrance of her for the first time at her City Opera debut in 1977 is clouded by the insane lady who got up and gave a "Geschrei,"To this day,we never found out what really happened.
I told the tenor Henry Price I was there..and he replied, "SO WAS I!!" What a trouper!!!
She could do it ALL!!! Director,producer,filmmaker,teacher,coach, and, oh YES, a huge opera career. I will miss her!!!
Today, August 9, 2013, is a sad day for me and for all opera lovers. We have lost dear Regina Resnik, one of music's greatest icons, and a dear friend for over 50 years. Let us listen to arias and scenes from her dual career,as soprano and mezzo (announced), and spiritually thank her for all she contributed in the world of music. Pictured is the album I made for her. (61 min.)
Rest in Peace, my dear friend.
It is with the deepest sympathy that I announce to you the passing of my dear Regina Resnik, an icon in the world of music, and a dear friend for over 50 years. I will have more details as they come in, and will do special tributes. Regina would have turned 91 on August 30, and last August at 90, we had a lovely visit.
My tears flow but I know she will be in my heart forever.
Charlie
From various commercial recordings, we present scenes (announced) from Puccini operas, featuring many of the great stars of the recent past. They include:
Carlo Bergonzi, Roberto Alagna,Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, Jussi Bjoerling, Mirella Freni, Renata Tebaldi, Kiri Te Kanawa, Montserrat Caballe, Sherril Milnes, Joan Sutherland,Rolando Panerai,Leo Nucci and Franco Corelli. (68 min.)
Selections from the earlier part of the 20th century, featuring the marvelous voices of:
Frieda Hempel, (pictured),Lucien Muratore, Celestina Boninsegna, Jacques Urlus, and Margarete Matzenauer. All selections are announced (68 min.)
Here are selections from live radio programs in the 1940's. (Selections announced.) Some of the finest singers are included: Eleanor Steber, Charle Kullman, Beniamino Gigli, Erna Berger, Eugene Conley, Rose Bampton, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Pia Tassinari, Rise Stevens, Dorothy Maynor, Alexander Kipnis. (55 min.)
(Photo: Eleanor Steber)
Thank HEAVEN mommy was not around to hear this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vassilka hits the greatest unnatural B natural in captivity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Has anyone had a problem burning a podcast on to a disc??I received word that the Dorothy Kirsten Tosca was a "restricted' item and could not be burned. Write to me at Placido21@aol.com if any problem exists and i will contact the libsyn helpdesk. Thanks Charlie
Zinka Milanov material mostly from 1965-1966. Some I have presented previously, but it is nice to hear her last appearances (in Newark and Trenton, New Jersey). I added the Covent Garden Vissi d'arte from 1958, the famous "Enzo adorato" note from 1957, and Zinka speaking of hr career in 1976 and 1978.(70 min.)
I have announced all selections and the photo you see is Zinka and the 20 year old kid who stood on the old Met Standee Line for hours, as we all froze while waiting for the doors to open. I would not trade it for anything.
Zinka was not exactly a "umille ancella,' and once said, "No vun can take my chair!" She was right!
The second part of the Berlin 1980 Macbeth with Olivia Stapp and Renato Bruson (51 min.)
The first part of a marvelous live Macbeth from Berlin, 1980 under Giuseppe Sinopoli. Olivia Stapp and Renato Bruson (still singing close to age 80) are the evil pair, with Victor von Halen as Banquo and Veriano Luchetti as Macduff. (51 nin.)
One of my personal favorite operas, this Pique Dame under Kazimierz Kord features Nicolai Gedda,Raina Kabaiwanska, Regina Resnik, John Reardon (Tomsky), and William Walker (Yeletsky) (70 min.
When Dorothy Kirsten passed away, we learned she was born about 10 years later than we thought;this Tosca in 1970 from San Francisco under James Levine is therefore more amazing than we thought, so she was closer to age 70 than was originally reported. Placido Domingo and Louis Quilico join her in this nostalgic presentation. (74 min.)
The 100 year old plus Licia Albanese and Carlo Bergonzi head the cast of this 1958 Boheme under Thomas Schippers. Laurel Hurley, Mario Sereni, Norman Scott, and Clifford Harvuot complete the cast of this truly beautiful performance. (73 min.)
The very first singer I ever saw on a stage (Radames 1951). I saw him 40 times.he was NOT a "shouter," but tried his best to shade that enormous "bronze column of sound." We simply adored this man, who gave 1000% every night!!!!! Bless his memory!
Del Monaco was born in Florence to a musical upper-class family.[2] As a young boy he studied the violin but had a passion for singing. He graduated from the Rossini Conservatory at Pesaro, where he first met and sang with Renata Tebaldi, with whom he would form something of an operatic dream team of the 1950s. His early mentors as a singer included Arturo Melocchi, his teacher at Pesaro, and Maestro Raffaelli, who recognized his talent and helped launch his career.
That career began in earnest with Del Monaco's debut on December 31, 1940, as Pinkerton at the Puccini Theater in Milan. (His initial appearance in an opera had occurred the previous year, however, in Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana in Pesaro.) He sang in Italy during the Second World War and married, in 1941, Rina Filipini. In 1946, he appeared at London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for the first time. During the ensuing years he became famous not only in London but also across the operatic world for his powerful, metallic voice. It was almost heldentenor-like in scope but Del Monaco was no Wagnerian, confining his activities overwhelmingly to the Italian repertoire.
Del Monaco sang at the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1951 to 1959, enjoying particular success in dramatic Verdi parts such as Radamès. He soon established himself as one of four Italian tenor superstars who reached the peak of their fame in the 1950s and '60s, the others being Giuseppe Di Stefano, Carlo Bergonzi and Franco Corelli. Del Monaco's trademark roles during this period were Giordano's Andrea Chénier and Verdi's Otello. He first tackled Otello in 1950 and kept refining his interpretation throughout his career. It is said that he sang Otello an astonishing 427 times. However, the book published by Elisabetta Romagnolo, Mario Del Monaco, Monumentum aere perennius, Azzali 2002, lists only 218 appearances by him as Otello, which is a more realistic figure. Aptly, the tenor was buried in his Otello costume. Although Otello was his best role, throughout his career, Del Monaco sang a number of other roles with great acclaim, for example: Canio in Pagliacci (Leoncavallo), Radames in Aida (Verdi), Don Jose in Carmen (Bizet), Chenier in Andrea Chénier (Giordano), Manrico in Il trovatore (Verdi), Samson in Samson and Delilah (Saint-Saëns), and Don Alvaro in La forza del destino (Verdi).
Del Monaco made his first recordings in Milan in 1948 for HMV. Later, he was partnered by Renata Tebaldi in a long series of Verdi and Puccini operas recorded for Decca. On the same label was his 1969 recording of Giordano's Fedora, opposite Magda Olivero and Tito Gobbi.
The audience reaction to this Philadelphia 1963 Puritani under Richard Bonynge tells the story! This is indeed the kind of bravura singing that thrills you beyond compare. Joan Sutherland and Nicolai Gedda head a cast that also features Justino Diaz, Ernest Blanc, and Betty Allen. The "Vieni fra queste braccia" duet is in the high key and the attacks on those D's cause pandemonium in the theatre. Enjoy! (72 min.)
A RAI 1954 recording of highlights from William Tell under Nino Sanzogno. It features the beloved Paolo Silveri, who sent this CD to me. The king of the high notes, Mario Filippeschi is the Arnoldo, with Anna Maria Rovere as Matilda, Nicola Zaccaria as Gessler, Raffaele Arie as Gualtiero,, Margherita Benetti as Jemmy, and Giannella Borelli as Edwige. (71 min.)
Here are some scenes from a 2004 Philadelphia Don Carlo with some superb artists.The conductor is Maurizio Barbacini, and the cast is headed by Eduardo Villa, a tenor I have just "discovered," and I hope we see much more of him. The cast also includes Angela Brown, Ewa Podles, Franco Vassallo, and Vitalij Kowaljow. I find that whoever recorded this was sitting a bit closer to the orchestra than I would like, but the voices come through pretty well. (72 min.)
Highlights from a Bolshoi 1948 recording of Boris Godunov under Nikolay Golovanov. The famous Mark Reizen is the Boris and the cast features Georgy Nelepp (Dimiitri), Nikhander Khanayev (Shuiski), Maria Maksakova (Marina), Maksim Mikhailov (Pimen), Vassily Lubenzov (Varlaam), and Ivan Koslovsky (The Simpleton.) (65 min.)
NOTE: Error in the photo.Reizen and not Pirogov is the Boris.
Licia was born on July 22, but perhaps earlier than 1913. She remains a legend in opera history. I met her a few times and it was like touching history, considering her career. Here she kisses the stage, with great affection, at the old Met closing.
Rossini's rarely heard opera "Zelmira," from San Carlo 1965 under Carlo Franci. The cast is as follows:
Virginia Zeani (Zelmira), Gastone Limarilli (Antenore), Nicola Tagger (Ilo), Anna Maria Rota (Emma), and Paolo Washington (Polidoro.) (69 min.)
The Mytilene warriors are mourning the death of Azor. Antenore, with the help of Leucippo, plots to take over the throne of Lesbos by trying to incriminate Zelmira in the deaths of Azor and her father. At first, even Emma, Zelmira's confidante, believes the accusations. Fearing for the safety of her young son, Zelmira reveals to Emma that her father is still alive and asks her to take the child into hiding. Prince Ilo returns to the island. Zelmira is afraid to tell him of the accusations against her or to defend herself. Instead, Prince Ilo hears only Antenore's version of the story. Antenore is crowned King of Lesbos. Leucippo attempts to murder Ilo, but is stopped by Zelmira. Found with the dagger in her hand, Zelmira is now also accused of attempting to murder her husband and is imprisoned.
Act 2 Leucippo intercepts a letter from Zelmira to Ilo in which she tells him that her father is still alive and that the accusations against her are false. He and Antenore temporarily free her from prison and trick her into revealing her father's hiding place. Both father and daughter are recaptured and await their deaths at the hands of the plotters. Meanwhile, Prince Ilo is distraught at what he believes to be the death of Polidoro and the unhappy end to his marriage. Emma appears and tells Prince Ilo the truth about Zelmira. He and his men rescue Zelmira and Polidoro. Zelmira is happily reunited with her husband and child, while both Antenore and Leucippo are led off in chains.[3]
Here are three exquisite selections from the new album with songs by Donaudy entitled "Vaghissima Sembianza" on the La Sirena Label. The selections are "Vaghissima Sembianza,"Tempo alfin di muover guerra," and "Oh del mio amato ben."
I am sure you will agree with me that Mme.Blancke-Biggs is one of our finest artists.
Highlights from James Levine's 25th Anniversary Gala in 1996. All selections are announced.
We all will welcome the maestro as he returns to the Met in Cosi Fan Tutte on Sept.24, 2013.
(68 min.)
The superb baritone,Giuseppe Taddei, appears as Michele in "Il Tabarro." This is from Venice, 1969 under Oliviero de Fabritiis. Angelo Mori is Luigi, Jolanda Michieli sings Giorgetta, and Anna Di Stasio is La Frugola.
This is followed by some scenes from Gianni Schicchi with Taddei, Adriana Martino (Lauretta), Luciano Saldari (Rinuccio), and Mafalda Masini (Zita.) (69 min.)
From Philadelphia in 1963 under Carlo Moresco, here is an exciting Tosca, despite a somewhat distant sound. The cast includes Ferruccio Tagliavini and in a baritone role toward the end of his career, the famous Ramon Vinay. (70 min.)
ANOTHER superb young tenor...Go to YOUTUBE and see the clips of Fernando Portari. I discovered him on the Rondine video w.Cedolins.That last scene breaks your heart!!! I highly recommend him, and you know I have seen good tenors....
Tears came to my ancient eyes this morning as I made this 1966 Andrea Chenier podcast. It brought back so many memories of my misspent youth and what Renata Tebaldi meant to us personally, and even though I go faithfully to the Met, they do not scream and carry on like this, because the "bigger-than-life" sounds of Tebaldi and Corelli just do not exist. Anselmo Colzani is the Gerard, with Raymond Michalski as Mathieu, William Walker as Roucher, and Andrea Velis as Incredibile. Lamberto Gardelli conducts. (73 min.)
Ovations are cut on this tape, but I have heard it uncut and they go on forever!!!
The great tenor (at 60) Beniamino Gigli in highlights from Manon Lescaut from RAi Milano,1950 under Alfredo Simonetto. Adriana Guerrini is the Manon,with Mario Boriello as Lescaut.
This is followed by Carmen highlights (in Italian) from 1949 under Vincenzo Belleza with daughter Rina and Ebe Stignani. (66 min.)
Highlights from a 1990 Manon Lescaut under Nello Santi from the Bastille,Paris. Diana Soviero is joined by tenor Vasile Moldoveanu. (40 min.)
Here are two excerpts from the beautiful new album recorded by Ailyn Perez, one of the finest young sopranos in the world of opera. She sings the song "Del cabello mas sutil" and the Manon aria "Adieu,notre petite table." I highly recommend this album to opera lovers everywhere. (8 min.)
From La Scala, 1953, under Carlo Maria Giulini, we hear Catalani's "La Wally" with Renata Tebaldi in the title role, Mario del Monaco as Hagenbach, Renata Scotto as Walter, Giangiacomo Guelfi as Gellner, and Giorgio Tozzi as Stromminger. (73 min.)
The story is set in the Austrian Tyrol where the free-spirited but vulnerable Wally is in love with the handsome Giuseppe Hagenbach, the son of her father's implacable enemy. This leads to the inevitable disastrous conclusion.
Act 1 The village of Hochstoff
A shooting contest is being held in celebration of the 70th birthday of Wally's father, Stromminger. A hunting party arrives from the nearby village of Sölden led by Hagenbach. Old enmities quickly surface and a quarrel develops between Stromminger and Hagenbach, who trade threats and insults before Hagenbach is drawn away by his companions.
Vincenzo Gellner has his own heart set on Wally and is quick to notice that during the quarrel she is clearly infatuated with her father's enemy. When left alone with Stromminger, he tells the old man of his suspicions. Recognising that Gellner is in love with his daughter, he insists that Wally agrees to marry him within a month or else leave his house forever. Wally retorts that she would rather take her chances in the Alpine snows than marry Gellner.
Act 2 The Eagle Tavern at Sölden
A year has passed; Stromminger has died and Wally has inherited his fortune. However, Hagenbach has become engaged to Afra, the landlady of the Eagle Tavern, and is apparently not interested in Wally.
A festival is taking place in Sölden and Wally is drawn to the tavern knowing that Hagenbach will be there. Hagenbach is persuaded to accept a challenge to try to win a kiss from Wally. What begins as a game quickly develops into something more serious, and Hagenbach easily wins his wager. When Wally realises she has been the victim of a cynical bet, her jealousy and fury boil over. She turns to Gellner, who is also at the festival, and insists that if he loves her he must kill Hagenbach.
Act 3 A ravine
La Wally returns to her home. The anger she felt has now subsided and she wishes she could take back her words. At that moment there is a knock at her door. It is Gellner, who describes how under cover of darkness he was able to set upon Hagenbach and hurl him into a deep ravine.
Wally is horrified and hurries to the ravine in the hope of saving Hagenbach, even though she believes he loves Afra. She herself goes down a rope to rescue him and successfully raises his unconscious body back to the surface.
Act 4 High in the Alps
Lonely and depressed, Wally has climbed into the mountains above the village. Her only friend, Walter, has followed and urges her to come down for the Christmas festivities and reminds her of the dangers of avalanches. She sends him away and contemplates her imminent death.
Wally hears another voice. It is Hagenbach, who has recovered from his injuries and come to confess his love. The lovers are reconciled and Hagenbach goes to find a safe path back down the mountain. He shouts up to Wally, but the noise of his call sets off an avalanche which carries him away. Wally stands for a moment on the edge of the precipice before hurling herself down to her death.
From the Vienna Stadhalle in 2011 under Marco Armiliato, we present a superb concert that features Anna Netrebko, Erwin Schrott (Mr.Netrebko!), and Jonas Kaufmann, The selections are announced. (70 min.)
Opera lovers are looking forward to the Met debut of lovely soprano Olga Peretyatko in "I Puritani' next season. Here are two arias from her new album entitled, "La Bellezza del Canto." They are from Les Contes D'Hoffman and La Rondine. I am sure you will enjoy this fine young artist. (10 min.)
In a performance from Teatro Verdi, Padova in 1974, Virginia Zeani sings the role of Fedora, with Aldo Bottion as Loris, Elena Baggiore as Olga, and Guido Mazzini as De Sirieux. The conductor is Francesco Maria Martini. It is a performance recorded live in the theatre, so some of it is a bit distant, but it does capture the wonderful performance (68 min.)
A compilation of arias and scenes from Richard Strauss operas.(announced). Included are such artists as: Lotte Lehmann, Maria Ivogun, Rose Pauly, Charles Kullmann, Barbara Kemp, Richard Mayr, Tiana Lemnitz, Viorica Ursuleac, Erna Berger, Margarete Teschemacher, and Gerhard Husch. (68 min.)
I recently found out that the San Carlo,Naples audience carried on so much after Sills' "Amami,Alfredo" that she had to return to the stage for a bow after she had gone into her dressing room. Sills gives her usual heart-wrenching performance and she is joined by Alfredo Kraus and Mario Zanasi. The conductor in this 1970 performance is Aldo Ceccato. (73 min.)
Just a little aside from me: The many times I saw Sills, I always said that she was "better than the sum of her parts." One would not think of her in the Bolena or the Roberto Devereux, or even as Violetta with an essentially "coloratura" voice that excelled in operas such as Le Coq D'Or and Julius Caesar. However, what emerged was a phenomenal career and I am so thanksful I saw her in just about all her roles.
From 1956 Florence under Gabriele Santini we present an all-star Forza del Destino, with Renata Tebaldi in glorious voice, Giuseppe Di Stefano,Giulio Neri, and Giangiacomo Guelfi. (74 min.)
A collection of arias as sung by some of the great divas of the past. The selections are announced but the list (in proper order) is as follows:
Luisa Tetrazzini, Nelly Melba, Adelina Patti, Frieda Hempel, Amelita Galli-Curci, Rosa Ponselle, Lotte Lehmann, Eva Turner, Nina Koshetz, Eide Norena, Maria Nemeth, and Claudia Muzio (69 min.)
Pierre Monteux conducts Offenbach's opera from 1955 with a cast headed by Richard Tucker and including Martial Singher, Roberta Peters, Rise Stevens, Lucine Amara,Mildred Miller, Norman Scott (Crespel), Alessio de Paolis (comic tenor roles), Clifford Harvuot (Schlemil), and Sandra Warfield (Mother's voice.)
Scenes from two performances of Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers." The first,in Italian,is from Milano under Armando LaRosa Parodi in 1960, featuring Alfredo Kraus,Giuseppe Taddei, and Pina Margarini.
The second performance is from French Radio under Manuel Rosenthal in 1959 with Alain Vanzo, Gabriel Bacquier, and Janine Micheau. (69 min.)
This absolutely divine lady was born on June 20, 1892..Just the way she sings, "Oh Signor" is worth everything when you are so STARVED for this kind of singing..totally absent today.
An exciting performance of Floyd's "Susannah" from 1999 under James Conlon with Renee Fleming, Samuel Ramey, Jerry Hadley, and John McVeigh. This has become one of the most famous of American operas. (73 min.)
A superb Tristan und Isolde from 1955 under Rudolf Kempe with a great cast that features Astrid Varnay, Set Svanholm, Josef Metternich,Blanche Thebom, and Jerome Hines (69 min.)
To honor my dear Maria Galvany on her June 19th birthday, I present an Attila from 1979 featuring Justino Diaz, Enrico Di Giuseppe, and Cornelius Opthof from Cincinatti, conducted by Anton Coppola. This is a thrilling performance and we all wish Mme.Galvany a very happy birthday!! (68 min.)
The luscious organ-like voice of Fedora Barbieri is heard in this La Scala 1950 Orfeo under Wilhelm Furtwaengler. Hilde Gueden is Euridice and Magda Gabory is Amor. (72 min.)
Happy Fathers' Day!!!!!! Sorry that Rigoletto and Gilda were not in a particularly good mood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have posted this before..but we have new members..or old members who want to sample the greatness of Mari Lyn..WITH TITLES!!!!! I sent this to Joyce di Donato...I hope she will still talk to me....
One can love Cesare Valletti or Irmgard Seefried, but what is wrong with also loving a BIG VOICE???? Some crabs frown on my saying that a certain voice "blew the roof off the theatre." Maybe they want to have everyone sound as if they are singing the Dichterliebe instead of Norma?
What singers knocked you out in your life? For ancient me, it was Nilsson,Tebaldi,Verrett,Corelli,MacNeil,Del Monaco..and other "provincial"(doity woid) singers like Lando Bartolini, Nicola Martinucci,Gino Penno,Caterina Mancini (I assume Mancini) who thrilled the hell out of us.
Recently a singer said to me, "They don't like SQUILLO." Well, tough!!!!
No one should ever have to be apologetic for loving singers who made you feel as if the roof was shaking. In contrast, some voices cannot project at all,and despite their artistry and perhaps nice vocal quality, they cannot get the voice over the orchestra (and I assume not even with water running in my bathroom.)
Just sit back and revel in the BIG NOISES...do we have any today???? Zajick is a rarity....I guess teachers are afraid to produce Nilssons and Corellis, and that is why a lot of the dramatic moments in opera go for naught. Also, you could turn up a Niilsson or a Corelli recording to ear-splitting volume, and you still would not know what the artist sounded live...but you are all young and will have to accept what is there.
Charlie (Guleghina fan)
Sad day for me, remembering dear Rise and that she would have turned 100 today. The photo you see is a young me with Rise at our last music club gathering, and I feel so fortunate to have known her for those years. She is the first singer I ever met, and to this day,I can "feel" the handshake and the greasepaint when I first met her after a Met Carmen. I was 16, but the memories are so vivid.
As we go on in life, there are some people who will forever remain in our hearts, and Rise was one of them.
After all these years, I just noticed that I can trace your downloads in some countries to the extent that I can see,for example, what individual provinces of China (my second most popular nation for downloads). I therefore LEARN the names of the various areas of certain countries..not all. This is very interesting, and as always I am so happy to see that these podcasts go to so many parts of the world.(nothing yet in Greenland..why?)
As always,I thank you for your support.We are at about one million two hundred thousand "hits" in six years. What did I do when I was teaching and there was no internet?
I thank you for your continued support. So far I have not run out of material. Again,if you have any special requests, e-mail me at Placido21@aol.com. Placido..oh yeah..he is singing all the unborn kids in Frau next season!! (Just kidding...i think.)
The beloved Rise Stevens would be 100 on June 11, the exact same day as Richard Strauss was born in 1864. How appropriate that a great Octavian would share this day with the composer of this great work, a work in which Rise excelled. George Sebastian in San Francisco, 1945, conducts the third act of Rosenkavalier, with Rise, Lotte Lehmann, Lorenzo Alvary, Nadine Conner, Herta Glaz and Allesio de Paolis (Valzacchi and Annina), and Walter Olitzki (Faninal.) (52 min.)
How appropriate that Rise Stevens,who would have been 100 on June 11, was born on the same day as Richard Strauss (1864). He would be PROUD!!!!
Bless my dear Rise forever in my heart!!!!!
An all-star cast in Boito's Mefistofele under Lamberto Gardelli. Renata Tebaldi, Carlo Bergonzi, and Nicolai Ghiaurov make this a marvelous performance. (73 min.)
A veritable LESSON in singing by the legendary Carlo Bergonzi, the Nemorino on this 1967 Elisir under Gianandrea Gavazzeni. In addition, Renata Scotto, Giuseppe Taddei, and Ivo Vinco perform magnificently and show what proper Italianate style is all about . (73 min.)
Under the legendary Bruno Walter, here are scenes from a most exciting "Forza del Destino" featuring Stella Roman, Ezio Pinza, Lawrence Tibbett, Frederick Jagel, and Salvatore Baccaloni. We were most fortunate that during World War Two we were still able to assemble a great cast, lacking some artists unable to come here. It is a wonderful era in opera history, and I think this performance exemplifies the period. (72 min.)
Countertenor??????? I think his mommy played Tebaldi when she was pregnant.
GREAT!!!! Not a countertenor in my view...but a male soprano.....amazing!!!
Highlights from a 1938 Berlin performance of Strauss' "A Night in Venice," featuring the superb Marcel Wittrisch as Caramello and a cast including Karl Schmitt-Walter (Herzog), Carla Spletter (Anna), Rosl Seegers (Ciboletta), and Margarethe Arndt-Ober ( Agricola). The conductor is Heinrich Steiner. (64 min.)
Teresa Stich-Randall had an illustrious career, and I am sure she did some fine singing, but these arias from Puritani,Ernani, and Traviata always were part of what we called a "party tape." I guess it is the lack of vibrato that drives us to hysteria...but you figure it out. i just do not understand it. (25 min.)
Act three of the Freni/Domingo Fedora, followed by some scenes featuring Ferruccio Tagliavini and Pia Tassinari. This is such beautiful and emotional music. (69 min.)
The first part of the Freni/Domingo Fedora and then highlights from a commercial recording of the opera with Gilda Dalla Rizza (pictured) and Antonio Melandri. (73 min.)
I CRY my eyes out!!!! One of the greatest singers I ever heard!!!!! The beloved Shirley Verrett.
A preview pf the beautiful album "Heart's Delight," that honors the great Richard Tauber, who would be thrilled to have the wonderful Piotr Beczala sing his material. I just received this album, and I sincerely recommend it to you. Piotr is fast becoming one of our "opera icons," and he is to be highly praised.
You never know when the emotion will strike you;I just played this Arabella scene, perhaps George London's greatest role as Mandryka. My eyes just did fill up with tears, thinking of this great man, who might have had a longer career.
There is a foundation for young artists in his name. The man will never be forgotten.
Born May 30, 1919, George London was one of opera's greatest stars. His career was somewhat shortened by a herniated vocal chord, but he had a fabulous career.On stage he was a true DYNAMO!!!!!! We adored him!!!
You sopranos out there....Watch out or you may end up like this...and of course,you can learn good Italian from Mari.
DEAR lady and great singer...Olivia Stapp.born May 29, 1940. We became friends over the years, and tell me if ANY dramatic soprano today compares....Love her.
I hope you like this compilation of 10 sopranos singing Odabella's entrance aria and cabaletta from Verdi's "Attila."In order,they are:
Antonietta Stella, Dimitra Theodossiou, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Mara Zampieri, Marie Krikorian, Caterina Mancini, Marilyn Zschau, Angeles Gulin, Linda Strummer, and Marisa Galvany. (67 min.)
One might wonder how an essentially "lyric coluratura" could pull this off, and it was one of the great deats of singing/acting in our experience.
May 15, 1929 is the birthday of this 'kid" who surely made so many opera lovers out of people,owing to her infectuous personality and he great voice and stage presence.
The great Mario del Monaco sang his first Otello in Buenos Aires in 1952.The conductor is Antonino Votto. The late Delia Rigal sings Desdemona, and the role of Iago (who became an Otello years later) is sung by Carlos Guichandut. The Cassio is Eugenio Valori and the Emilia is Emma Brizzio. (71 min.)
One of the legendary Maria Callas performances. This Tosca from Mexico 1952 is conducted by Guido Picco. Giuseppe Di Stefano is the Cavaradossi and Piero Campolonghi is the Scarpia (72 min.)
Leonie Rysanek and George London in the terrifying finale of the Flying Dutchman. You have no idea what that was like..her FEROCIOUS attacks on the top notes..the acting by both of them.It was stupendous!!!!
Happy 200th, great man!!!!!!!
This is SOME VOICE!!!! Kipnis sings scenes from Seraglio, Simon Boccanegra, Don Carlo, Meistersinger, Parsifal (with Fritz Wolff) and then three Russian folk songs,followed by the Brahms "Vier ernste Gesange" and then Brahms' "Von ewige liebe" and finally Schubert's "Erlkonig" "Heidenroslein" and "Ungeduld." (72 minutes)
How do you do full justice to one of the greatest geniuses in all music? On May 22, we celebrate the 200th birthday of Richard Wagner. We know from various sources that he was not exactly a Teddybear, but most of us who appreciate opera, treasure his work, separately from any personality characteristics;in fact, if we delved into the lives of many composers, we might not find everyone as lovable as we might want. Who cares?
Here are some scenes from his operas with the Vienna Philharmonic under Hans Knappertsbusch:
Gotterdamerung: Dawn and Siegfried's Rhine Journey and Funeral Music
Parsifal: "Ich sah das Kind" sung by Kirsten Flagstad
Walkure Finale sung by George London
Tristan und Isolde Prelude and Liebestod sung by Birgit Nilsson. (63 min.)
The finale of the closing of the old Met. "Auld Lang Syne" gets to me every time. Remember, I lived my youth on the old standee line, and the joys of friendship with so many other opera lovers, the fun we had, the great performances we saw (after freezing outside the Met for so many hours.) will remain in my heart forever.
Aida Triumphal Scene: Verna,Madeira, Baum, Sereni,Macurdy, Scott.
Cosi Fan Tutte: Trio with Stratas, Miller, Guarrera
Magic Flute: Quintet with Pracht, Grillo, Kriese, Shirley, Uppmann
Vanessa: Quintet with Steber, Thebom, Dunn, Alexander, Harvuot
Rosenkavalier Final Trio with Caballe, Raskin, Elias
Andrea Chenier: Final Duet with Milanov, Tucker (Zinka's very last Met appearance.)
Faust (the opera that opened the Met in 1883) Trio with Tucci, Gedda, Hines
Auld Lang Syne (and many,many tears) (56 min.)
Here is part two of the Met closing of April 16, 1966:
Osie Hawkins first announces some cancellations, and then the following are sung:
Forza final trio: Rigal,Peerce,Tozzi
Gioconda Act 2 duet: Crespin, Cvejic
Trovatore: D'amor sul'alli rosee: Price
Manon Lescaut Act 2 Love Duet: Tebaldi, Corelli
Die Meistersinger Prize Song: Sandor Konya.
Gotterdamerung Immolation Scene; Nilsson (48 min.)
Part one of the closing of the Old Met.Contents as follows:
Nat.Anthem;Lauder Greenway greeting; Tannhauser Entrance of Guests (Stokowski) and introduction of honored guests;Rudolf Bing Greeting.
Lucia Sextet: Moffo, Sergi,Walker, Diaz, Ordassy,Anthony
Ballo: Eri tu: Merrill Otello duet: McCracken,Colzani
Don Carlo aria: Siepi Louise Depuis le jour: Kirsten
Carmen Quintet: Resnik, Votipka, Baldwin, Franke, Cehanovsky
Butterfly Un Bel di:Albanese (and she kissed the stage)
Walkure: Wintersturme: Vickers
Barber of Bagdad: Heil,diesem Hause Corena
Barbiere: Una voce poco fa Peters
Some of my favorite singers in this Vespri Siciliani from Palermo, 1957 under Tullio Serafin. Featured are Antonietta Stella, Giuseppe taddei, Mario Filippeschi, and Bernard Ladysz. (70 min.)
The great miracle of singing, Birgit Nilsson, was born on May 17, 1918. In tribute to her we present the following scenes:
Ariadne:Est gibt ein Reich (Stockholm, 1949) under Eugen Jochum
Die Frau Ohne Schatten: Act 2 finale (Munich 1977) w.Theo Adam under Wolfgang Sawallisch
Tristan act 2 sc.w.Grace Hoffman (Florence 1977) under Artur Rodzinski
Liebestod from Orange 1977 under Karl Boehm
Siegfried Final sc.w.Hans Hopf Bayreuth 1960 under Rudolf Kempe
Gotterdamerung Immolation Scene Bayreuth 1960 under Kempe (71 min.)
An exciting performance of Verdi's "I Lombardi" from Rome, 1969 under Gianandrea Gavazzeni, with Renata Scotto, Luciano Pavarorri, Ruggero Raimondi, Anna di Stasio (Viclinda), and Umberto Grilli (Arvino.)
Marisa Galvany and I go back 45 years...Still one of the greats....and I make sure everyone knows it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The OPERA GODS must have loved May 17, for they created Zinka Milanov (1906) and Birgit Nilsson (1918). Bless their memories!!!
What more is there to say??I have heard this live and on records over a zillion times, and the effect never ceases to be less than a MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When we did Anna Bolena in Paterson,New Jersey in 1970....did I think someday Sam Ramey and Marisa Galvany would be doing it at City Opera (but without me). Just to stand there (as Rochefort) and hear that final D....wow!!!! Our maestro,Armen Boyajian makes the piano sound like an orchestra!!!
I wish all the mommies out there a Happy Mothers' Day, hoping it does not resemble what Marisa Galvany did.
Sayao, born may 11, 1902, DEFINED the word "beloved." She did not have to have a huge voice...but what she did (including using chest voice), was just a miracle of style and love of the phrase. She once delighted us by spening an entire Met intermission with us, answering questions, etc. She was adored!!!!
From Salzburg, 1937, Arturo Toscanini conducts the Vienna Philharmonic in scenes from Die Meistersinger with Hans Herman Nissen, Maria Reining, Kerstin Thorborg, Herbert Alsen (Pogner), Hermann Wiedemann (Beckmesser), Henk Noort (Walther), and Richard Sallaba (David.) (72 min.)
I am glad my mommy never was like this.Otherwise, I might have turned out to be abnormal, when you all KNOW I am totally together....Right??????
Watching this gorgeous DVD of Tchaikowsky's "Iolantha" today and discovering yet another marvelous artist. Look,there are so many out there. Ekaterina Scherbachenko has a rich,luscious voice and I hope you enjoy the Onegin sample here.
Boy,are we LUCKY that the great George Gershwin's estate included the provision that ONLY Afro-Americans could appear in "Porgy and Bess." One thing I will say, is that Gershwin might have liked Mari Lynn's wonderful jazzy interpolation, but I guess it is just as well, because Catfish Row would never be the same with Mari......You know, I love to listen to Mari, because it makes me feel so normal..YEAH!!!!
BUY the new Tchaikowsky Iolantha on DVD (paired with Stravinsky's "Persephone.") This is a great performance from Madrid with Ekaterina Scherbachenko and this wonderful Pavel Cernoch, seen here with my great love,Kristine Opolais. This was a glorious afternoon for me,seeing the Iolantha!!!!
A beautiful compilation of famous artists of the past singing Puccini material. Arias and scenes are from Tosca,Boheme,Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, Mme.Butterfly, and Manon Lescaut. All selections are announced. (69 min.)
A collection of music as composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. The contents are as follow:
1. Der Ring Des Polykrates aria Gundula Janowitz
2. Violantha Duet with Hans Hopf and Hildegard Hillebrecht
3. Die Tote Stadt Act One scene including Marietta's aria Ilona Steingruber and Anton Dermota
and 4. the baritone aria from act 2 "Mein sehnen,mein Wehnen" Alfred Poell
5. Das Wunder Der Heliane "Ich ging zu ihm" Steingruber (also check out Lotte Lehmann's rendition on Youtube, which is one of my all-time favorite recordings.)
6. Die Kathrin Scene w. Steingruber
7-11 songs as follows: "Ich bin ein Liedersanger" Janowitz and Rudolf Christ.
" Soldaten Marsch und Gebet" Steingruber
"Szene in Nachtlokal" Rose Schweiger and Anton Dermota
"Arie des Malignac" Alfred Poell
"Wanderlied" Anton Dermota
The Austrian State radio Orchestra from Vienna, 1949 (59 min.)
More material from the career of 172 year old diva Olive Middleton, the cult figure of the 1960's and star of the (in) famous La Puma Opera Company. After a decent "Pace" from around 1955, Olive sings highlights from Trovatore, Gioconda,Fedora, Norma, Walkure (as Sieglinde) and I just could not resist playing you a "typical" La Puma adventure, the act two opening of Walkure. As I always warn, if you are a purist, do not listen...(I bet you can't resist!!) (36 min.)
My dear Diana Soviero stars in this La Boheme from 1980, Los Angeles, under John Mauceri. The cast features Riccardo Calleo, Frederick Burchinall, Robert Hale(Colline), Robert McFarland (Schaunard), and Stephanie Sundine (69 min.)
35 years later I am so happy I found her,one of opera's great artists and a treasure in my life.
(The photo is ancient. I had hair.)
A mini podcast of scenes from acts 3 and 4 of Charpentier's Louise. This is 1977 under Julius Rudel and in addition to the great Beverly, one of the most beloved figures in opera, we have John Alexander,Frances Bible, and Robert Hale. The sound is a bit distant, but the voices come across pretty well. (38 min.)
Frida Leider was born at Berlin, where she studied singing while working in a bank. Her first engagements led her to opera houses in Halle, Königsberg, and Rostock. After an engagement with the Hamburg State Opera in 1923, she was hired by the Berlin State Opera as first dramatic soprano. After her retirement from the stage in 1946, she remained there as the director and manager of a studio for the rising singers of the Berlin State Opera.
Frida Leider made regular guest appearances for over 15 years at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in London, at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, at La Scala in Milan, and at the State Operas of Vienna and Munich. Naturally, she also made appearances at the Bayreuth Festival, where she was the unrivaled star soprano of the 1930s. In the 1920s she alternated Wagnerian roles with Florence Austral at Covent Garden and the two recorded large parts of The Ring for HMV.
Leider married the first concert master of the Berlin State Opera, Prof. Rudolf Deman. The couple had no children. She died in her home city of Berlin.
Leider had a wonderful voice, and especially the warmth and feeling is there. We hear first two excerpts of two commercial recordings of Tristan from 1929 under Leo Blech, with Elfreide Marherr as Brangaene, and then under Sir John Barbirolli in 1931. This is followed by live Gotterdamerung Act 2 scenes from 1936 with Herbert Janssen and Ludwig Weber, followed by a commercial recording of the Immolation Scene in 1929 under Leo Blech.
From the Russian Gala this week..Who would imagine this "Adina' as Lady Macbeth???Just amazing!! The delivery..the furor...the lady is an amazing artist..who continues to grow..and thrill the world!!!!
THIS is the way they used to do it.Nowadays it is a BORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy no.83 to Roberta Peters, a fine artist and someone deserving of the best!!!!!
From La Scala 1969,under Thomas Schippers, we present the Rossini "L'Assedio di Corinto," featuring Beverly Sills, Marilyn Horne, Justino Diaz, and Franco Bonisolli. (70 min.)
Just returned from the Met where I heard Lisette Oropesa live for the very first time. She was one of the finest Gildas I ever heard ; the voice is so seamless in tone and she is a consummate artist in every sense of the word. This clip is a bit faded, but you hear the wonderful technique. I am so glad for her!!!! Charlie
...because it makes my life so treasurable...A world without the Ring for me would not be the same.Here is the great finale of the Valencia Gotterdamerung under Zubin Mehta. The entire Ring has so many wonderful effects..I recommend it...just go on food stamps like me!!!
I have previously posted,from Youtube, some material of the Latvian soprano,Kristine Opolais. I wish to present the final portion of her Suor Angelica, under Andris Nelsons, with Lloba Braun as the Zia Principessa. By now, you know I have spoken of all the great divas I have heard for over 60 years, and you do understand that when I rave, it is because I have found someone very special. New York audiences will be treated next season to her Mme.Butterfly.(You will excerpts on Youtube.) What a revelation for the usually jaded Charlie to find such an artist among us. (29 min.)
The Magic Flute (in Italian) from RAI Rome 1953 under Herbert Von Karajan. In the cast are:
Nicolai Gedda,Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Giuseppe Taddei, Mario Petri, Rita Streich, and Alda Noni (Papagena) (64 min.)
Ok..now go into the shower and YOU do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Do NOT take anyone in there with you,or you might be drowned!!!!!
From Turino, 1999 under John Mauceri, the great Renata Scotto sings Poulenc's one-woman opera, La Voix Humaine. I know you will enjoy one of the very last of the great verismo divas. (50 min.)
With permission of the star, here is a sampling of Piotr Beczala's new Verdi album.Mariusz Kwiecien joins him in the Don Carlo (with a nice interpolated high C at then end.) I think you will all love it. I get NO commision, although there are some who think I ought to be committed.
What a joy to see that a young "kid' is so well-educated in opera that he is influencing others to enjoy his marvelous site. Here is some info..and his site may be found at: operateen.wordpress.com.I had no internet when I was his age, and what a pleasure to have someone NOT KNOW who Justin Bieber is!!!
Harry Rose, a 15-year-old high school freshman from Westchester County, says he wants to run an opera house when he grows up. For now, however, being a star among opera fans on the Internet will do just fine.
Harry is best known by his Twitter handle, Opera Teen, and his resumé also includes guest critiques for the Huffington Post, reviews for industry sites like Parterre Box, and commentary on his own Tumblr blog. This Saturday, he’ll be on the Operavore show to talk about his favorite operatic experiences. As a preview, we ask Harry about his entry into the world of opera, where audience members are typically four times his age.
First opera-going experience: A double bill of Leoncavallo's Cavalleria Rusticana and Mascagni's Pagliacci at the Metropolitan Opera in April 2009. “Even though I was only 11 at the time, I have two very clear memories of the entire evening: one was Franco Zeffirelli's magnificent production, that’s rumored to be replaced next season. The second was mezzo-soprano Ildikó Komlósi as Santuzza. Her passionate volatile mezzo stole the evening.”
Opera characters he’d invite over for dinner: I’d definitely invite Tosca, who would make for some great conversation. Also, Rusalka, a very interesting and enigmatic character. And Guillot in Massenet’s Manon. His motives are screwy but he’s just a funny, funny character.
Most Despicable opera character: Scarpia from Tosca. “He’s the playground bully of Rome. He’s mean to be mean. That’s why he’s despicable. Same thing with Iago from Otello.”
Challenges of being a teenage opera fan: The costs. Harry is too young to take advantage of student discounts at the Met. He recalls attending an opera at La Scala in Milan three years ago (age 11) and paying 110 euros to sit in the nosebleed seats.
What he’s looking forward to: Komlósi as the nurse in Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman without a Shadow) at the Metropolitan Opera in November. “Komlósi has mostly focused her career in Europe so an appearance here is a treat.”
Fodder for great Twitter conversation: Dream casting operas with favorite singers.
Tags: * music * opera teen * operavore
DIOS MIO!!!!! I just discovered Lucrecia Garcia..She is all over Youtube...What a soprano,in the "old tradition." Check her out!!!!!!!
Here is Piotr Beczala as the Duke in the new Met (modernized) Rigoletto. I actually liked the production, despite some of the DUMB translations. I do not read titles, but I hear some were really silly.
Under the direction of the legendary Fritz Reiner, we present an all-star Rosenkavalier featuring the beloved late Rise Stevens, Eleanor Steber, Erna Berger, Emanuel List, Martha Lipton, and Giuseppe Di Stefano. The only time in all my opera-going in which I totally "lost it," was at the finale of the trio. Many people have considered the Rosenkavalier trio as the most sublime moment in ALL opera. I surely agree. (70 min.)
May I share with you (whether you care or not) one of the really delightful experiences of my early opera-going, when my friends and I had nothing to do in the summer, with no MET! A dear friend, Joan Abel, invented a take-off on the famous Monopoly game and called it "Monoperaly" Each of the players had little pieces of papers with singers names and points. We had big fistfights first when we had to decide how many points a Flagstad would get compared to a Baum.
The concept was that if you rolled the dice (no rolling Marijuana cigarettes at that time) and landed on an OPERA (Joanie covered the usual places with names of operas, so if i landed on BORIS and could cast it with the singers in my collection (with the approval of everyone),I could OWN IT, and if you ever landed on it, I could take your singers,if they were also appropriate..so for example,if you had London,Siepi,Hines,etc..and i could cast it with YOUR singers, I got them (like money).
One night i landed on Siegfried, but had only people like Peters, Valletti,etc. and I could not cast it..although I did argue for a "lyric Siegfried," but was voted down!!!
Jail was BED....GO was "Va fuggi"(like Zinka in Trovatore), and some of the Community chest cards were things like "Zinka falls on your head..go back 5 spaces," or "Pick a singer from the "bank" without looking and you have to go to BED with the singer.(I once got BAUM!!!)
So you see how much crazy fun we had, but I was very immature then,and as you know I am now ready for more intelligent games like "Potsy" and " Kill the tenor."
There was once an opera game called "Triviata," and i wonder if it still in existence. Maybe some of you more intelligent people could think of something (keep it clean) we could do online that might be fun for mature opera lovers..but you will NEVER match Monoperaly.
Thanks Joanie,wherever you are!!!!! Charlie
Anja Silja,Phillip Langridge and Roberta Alexander combine in the great finale of Janacek's Jenufa, one of the finest operas ever written.
You know by now how much I loved the beloved Leyla Gencer, sometimes flawed, but nevertheless,one of the most important sopranos. Here are excerpts from a 1957 la Scala Forza under Antonino Votto, with Giuseppe di Stefano,Cesare Siepi,Aldo Protti, and Franco Calabrese (Marchese). (73 min.)
A compilation of some of the most important Italian artists from around the 1950-1960 period. Included are Tito Gobbi, Magda Olivero, Anita Cerquetti, Cesare Valletti, Paolo Silveri, Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi, Rosanna Carteri, Mario Filippeschi, Renata Tebaldi, Ebe Stignani, and Giuseppe Di Stefano. (70 min.)
When do I get to hear anything? There is just too much, and I wonder whatever possessed me to have items like "The Complete Works of The Rolling Stones."(Lord Forbid!!).However, some performances stand out in one's memory, and this Carnegie Hall 1974 Pearl Fishers under Eve Queler, with Nicolai Gedda (the GOD of the tenor voice), Renato Bruson (still active at 77), and Christiane Eda-Pierre is special to me. Especially thrilling is the version of the final trio, not always perfomed these days, and of course Gedda's high C pianissimo at the end of the aria is in itelf a tremendous achievement. I know you will enjoy this. (71 min.)
On that terribly tragic evening, March 4, 1960, we never got to hear the cabaletta to this aria, because Warren's last words were, "E salvo, o gioija." On the occasion of his birthday (Apr.21, 1911),I present the aria as he often sang it at the Met, with the fabulous ending. He was a great man and we still mourn his tragic passing.
A superb Parsifal from Rome, 1956 under Eugen Jochum featuring Wolfgang Windgassen, Martha Moedl,Herman Uhde (Klingsor), Ferdinand Frantz (Amfortas), and Ludwig Weber (Gurnemanz.)
(73 min.)
Highlights from a brilliant Ballo under Nello Santi from 1963. The cast includes Birgit Nilsson, Richard Tucker, Robert Merrill, Mattiwila Dobbs, and Jean Madeira. Note that the way it was tracked did noit allow me to include some key material. (61 min.)
A few years ago,I had published the final night of the old Met, Apr.16, 1966, and this week was the (sad) anniversary of the closing. I think something happened to the post, and I will do a three-part podcast fairly soon. It was a sad occasion, but I am glad I have the memories.
The great soprano Anna Netrebko has a great time,as does the audience, in this fabulous rendition of the Giuditta Aria. I saw her do this live, and the voice is HUGE!!!!! I feel she is the greatest soprano of our time!!!!!! I think she was "with child" here.
A compilation (announced) of material as sung by the radiant Maria Muller. This indeed is a superb voice, and I know you will enjoy her art. (71 min.)
A rather "unsubtle" but exciting Naples 1951 Trovatore, conducted by Tullio Serafin, with Maria Callas in her prime, Paolo Silveri, Cloe Elmo, and an aging Giacomo Lauri-Volpi (I think the Pira is booed). This is the kind of show we never experience today;it has its flaws, but it is really mostly quite exciting. (72 min.)
The most beloved Licia Albanese in her Met farewell as Manon Lescaut. At this writing, Licia is over 100, and one of the most loved opera artists in our time. Richard Tucker and Mario Sereni complete the cast. This is a 1966 performance under Kurt Adler. (71 min.)
Leonie does not care if it is concert..she still lets out her famous GESCHREI!!!!! She will never ever be replaced!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I first met Sam in 1970, when we were rehearsing "Anna Bolena," we all realized that some day Sam would realize his dreams, and go on to have a great career.It was NOT an "Impossible dream." Sam just did a run of "Bluebeard's Castle," which will probably be his last stage work, but not bad to have a career that spanned over 40 years. My best always to a wonderful Basilio (to my Bartolo).
After the remarkable triumph of Michael Fabiano in I Lombardi last week, I want to offer another example of his art. Trust me...this is NOT souped up! He just opens his mouth and out flows tone after tone of sheer beauty and power. As long he does not listen to me, he will do the roles that are appropriate and last 25 more years.
More brilliant tenors are coming along. Bryan has a wonderful brilliant voice, and he joins our "new crop" of tenors..We are fortunate to have him!!!!
Can we associate any other singer with ONE NOTE???? I just long-distance texted Zinka, and she says she was having an "Enzo Adorato" contest with Ponselle...Who won????
So sad a day,Apr.13, 1966, when my all-time favorite singer,Zinka Milanov,retired from the Met stage. NO ONE has even touched her...and no one will!!!!!! Sadly,today,no one has learned to kick their Tosca train like Zinka....well,you can't have it all!!!!!!
Dear Aprile Millo,one of the kindest and most loving ladies, was born in "Aprile"..On the 14th. We wish her the happiest of birthdays.
Give me 5 minutes in a time machine and this is pick number one!!!!!!!!!!! Makes me crazy!!!!!
An abridged Don Giovanni (exc.) from NBC TV in 1960, in English.It stars Cesare Siepi,Leontyne Price, Judith Raskin (Zerlina), Helen George (Elvira), Charles K.L.Davis (Ottavio), James Pease (Leporello), John Reardon (Masetto), and John Macurdy (Commendatore.) The conductor is Peter Herman Adler. (55 min.)
Happy birthday to the famous Montserrat,who holds the record for the longest high note in Met history!!!!!!!!!!!!. Apr.12, 1933.
Angela Meade, Michael Fabiano,Kevin Short in the Lombardi Trio from Apr.8.
This is a revelation for us in NYC.We have not been treated to this kind of singing for quite a while. (Ever since i saw Tamagno's first Otello.)
Michael is Fabianolous!!!!!!
A NDR (German Radio) performance of highlights from a 1952 Das Rheingold under Wilhelm Schuchter. Some of the great artists of that era are heard,especially those "black voices."
Ferdinand Frantz (Wotan) Gottlob Frick (Fasolt) Josef Greindl (Fafner)
Gustav Neidlinger (Alberich) Wolfgang Windgassen (Loge) Paul Kuen (Mime)
Res Fischer (Fricka and Erda) Josef Metternich (Donner) (72 min.)
This will give you some idea of why the audience last night went ballistic at Michael's "La mia letizia." Still, you MUST hear him live to derive the total picture..but you can get some idea here.
Pardon me as i do some unusual gushing in regard to last evening's OONY 's " I Lombardi" under Eve Queler. In the olden days, we had no Youtube and all the exposure to voices before we heard them live, and as i recall hearing voices like Antonietta Stella, Daniele Barioni, etc. the revelation was something i will never forget.
I had only heard Micgael Fabiano live as cassio, plus some Youtube selections, but you know you MUST be there to enjoy a voice properly, and when Michael Fabiano concluded the "La mia letizia infondere,"the first live aria I ever heard from him (Cassio does not tell too much), the audience gave him one of the most prolonged and LOUDEST ovations since I attended Lillian Nordica's first performance.
Mr.Fabiano has a positively glorious lirico-spinto voice of such glamor that you bask in every tone, something akin to early Carreras, and Fabiano's voice fills the hall with the kind of ravishing tone that makes you almost feel he has some kind of electronic device in his throat. In every vocal situation, not just when his voice goes into the passaggio, you hear true glory, and when he stood in a side box to sing the "ghost of Oronte," it was totally captivating, as the voice rang out throught the theatre. Michael is only 28, and he better not listen to me, because I already have him singing everything in the tenor repertory;however, I do hope as Alfred in Fledermaus next season, they allow at least five arias in the prison scene.
So you see, the Avery Fisher audience, offering him huge ovations, knew exactly what he is about, and on Franco's birthday, another star was born in New York.
Angela Meade is an immensly talented singer, another star of the documenatary, "The Audition," and shge has an unusual way of sailing into these high high pianissimi, where you think the tone is soft, and gets even softer,up to high C;I believe she can probably do the same thing above a C, and for a dramatic soprano, this is most unusual. The fortes are brilliant and ride over the ensembles, and I look forward to her Norma next season.
Where has Kevin Short been all my life? What a gorgeous,rich basso voice!! He said he has not been at the Met in many years...their big loss. In the trio (a quartet,if you count the solo violinist, he emitted such beautiful tones, and he surely belongs way up there with the finest bassos in my experience.
Making his OONY debut was tenor Noah Baetge, possessive of a voice of great brilliance, and thrilling us with a very long-held high C in act three. It was nice to see Brandon Cedel, recent winner of the Met auditions (I picked him immediately) in the role of Pirro. He definitely is headed for a big career. The superb New York Choral Society added a tremendous thrill to the evening, and I really had not paid enough attention to this, Verdi's fourth opera, which should be perfomred more often.
I want MORE of this in my life!!!! As ever Charlie
For April 8, I present a tribute to Franco Corelli, Born 1921. He was one of the greatest tenors in opera history. (Selections are announced.) (71 min.)
MIO DIO!!!! I saw Franco's Romeo but do not know if he did what he does here..Mamma mia!! And he worried about anything?????? I just went ballistic!! (Muti would kill him!!!!!)
A 1958 Naples Mme.Butterfly under Angelo Questa, starring Renata Tebaldi,Giani Raimondi, Giuseppe Valdengo, and Anna Di Stasio.(72 min.). Please be aware that although the sound is superb, the prompter is rather loud.
I attended the first Turandot in 1961 and let me tell you,it was one of the greatest things in my memory. Stokowski stopped after the "Nessun dorma," because he knew we would go nuts, and then re-started the music.
Even without Loretta, Franco might have still been a difficult guy, but he was adored by so many, and no one..NO ONE has taken his place in this repertory!!!!!!!
My favorite Corelli moment..The high C on the "e" vowel in the Poliuto aria....Drives me nuts!!! We miss you,Franco!!!!!!!
Highlights from a Golden-Age-of-Wagner Tannhauser in 1936,under Artur Bodansky. It features, Kirsten Flagstad, Lauritz Melchior,Lawrence Tibbett, Emmanuel List, and Margaret Halstead. In those days they did make cuts in Wagnerian performances, but I am not sure if the cuts involve this music. If you do know the opera well, you will possibly hear some cuts. I know it is a bit longer to sit through Wagner these days, BUT I hate cuts (unless everyone is terrible.) (71 min.)
It was my great pleasure last evening to hear Piotr Beczala as Faust at the Met. More and more of us are calling him the "new Gedda," although he possesses his own unique voice and style. His new Verdi and operetta CD's will be coming out soon, and I will play a few selections for you.(with his permission.)
The unusual event last night occured when he introduced me to the son of the famous Polish tenor, Jan Kiepura, who proceeded to telephone his mother, the legendary 101 year old Martha Eggerth. This was a wonderful extra treat for me, and I must tell you that I was quite taken by the experience,especially after Piotr sang so magnificently. You know I have been around awhile and I tell you that Piotr is fast becoming a very special artist in the opera world.
Ballet Music from Verdi Operas; Vespri, Macbeth, Trovatore, Don Carlo, Otello. Edward Downes conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra (70 min.)
A selection of arias from commercial discs, 1939-1943 by the legendary Hans Hotter. The arias and scenes (in this order) are from Hans Heiling (Marschner),The Flying Dutchman, Die Meistersinger, Die Walkure, Aida (with Hilde Scheppan),Otello, Falstaff, and Pagliacci. All material such in German. (68 min.)
A "mini-cast" of the great Confrontation Scene in Elektra, from 1964 under Arnold Quennet, featuring the remarkable Martha Moedl and Marijke van del Lugt. (17 min.)
The last scene of Siegfried from1972 under Erich Leinsdorf with the exciting Ursula Schroeder-Feinen and Helge Brilioth. (38 min.)
This amazing baritone was noted not only for his voice, but for his superb Italianate style, and for the amazing ability to sing notes that only a tiny number of baritones sang.(Traviata,Attila B Flats).We hear arias (in this order) from:
Puritani,Luisa Miller,Traviata.Ernani,Ballo, Faust,Forza,Il Guarany,Zaza, and Andrea Chenier.
(68 min.)
Unlike Santuzza, may I wish you all a wonderful Easter Holiday!!!!!!!!
Gavazzi,Simionato,Cossotto, Troyanos,Verrett,Obratsova,W.Meier, Urmana
Had I not discovered Zinka Milanov when I was in college, I know my average would have been higher, but I cannot say I have regrets as to what opera has given me since 1953. Then, I had this fantasy about what would happen if I were born maybe 30 years earlier and saw the kind of seasons that the Met Annals reveal. I would be a triple Lois Kirschenbaum, never stay home, and probably end up dropping out of college..well,no,of course not..because it would probably go like this:
"I saw Caruso and Ponselle last week;i need not go again!!." It was much like this in 1954 because now I say things like, "I should have seen Steber, De los Angeles, etc. more," but naturally one must put things in some perspective. Just to think of a little Charlie around 1918, a typical week might go like this.(From the 1917-1918 annals.)
11/12/17 Aida Muzio,Caruso, Matzenauer, Amato, Mardones
11/13 (In BROOKLYN) Tosca Farrar, Althouse (taught Tucker),Scotti
11/14 Boris Didur, Rothier, De Segurola, Matzenauer, Althouse
11/15 Elisir Hempel,Caruso, Scotti, Didur
11/16 Boheme Alda, McCormack, De Luca, Didur
11/17 Faust Farrar, Martinelli, Rothier (Mat.)
11/17 (Eve.) Traviata Hempel, De Luca, Carpi (who???)
So you see, this is IMPOSSIBLE to process, and the era was just so replete with sensational stars, and maybe a few who at that time may have not been Caruso or Ponselle, but in the cast each night usually there was at least one great star, and probably more, as you see above.
I guess it is all right I was born later, because I would have never been a teacher, and I propably cud not spel propally anymorre.
Now you see why people say, "Get over it,Charlie...They're DEAD!!!"
Sam once told me about that "skinny little chain-smoking" basso whom he saw in Sam's early days.It was the great Norman Treigle, a giant on the stage;Sam managed to "inherit" some of the great Treigle roles, and here is one of them. Treigle would be honored!!!
One fine day (Un bel di) in 1970, we started our Anna Bolena rehearsals with Marisa Galvany, me as Rochefort, and some new young guy named Sam Ramey. Imagine suddenly hearing that great voice for the first time, and subsequently we sang in Barbiere, Boheme,Hoffmann, etc.and to this day we have kept up a friendship (He is the "King of Facebook.") and so to dear Sam, not a devil of a guy in person, we wish the happiest of birthdays!!!!
Highlights from Kalman's "Countess Maritza", with Sena Jurinac, Karl Terkal, Anneliese Rothenberger, and Rupert Glawitsch, followed by highlights from Lehar's "The Land of Smiles," with Charlie's favorite tenor, Piotr Beczala and Camilla Nylund.. (73 min.)
Can you spend two hours watching and listening to the GREATEST singing imaginable????? I saw many of them!!!!!
Some people complain I love dead singers....Well,tough!!!! Can anyone these days do this?????
Callas and Bechi in Nabucco scene. To die for!!!!!!!!!
Not much left........Makes me cry...because it is a remnant of a sensational,if short, career......She uses a lot of chest...i think because she cannot do it any other way.....Such a sad end to a career.......But what she gave to music is something of a miracle,even in a short time. (56 min.)
I saw Magda as Fedora circa 1972.(She was 62)......When she uttered, "LORIS..OVE SEI????" the chills ran up the spines of everyone. Here,with the great Mario del Monaco is the Fedora finale. Again,happy 103rd,dear Magda!!!!!!
As we celebrate Magda Olivero's 103rd birthday (Mar.25),just think of how we cried our eyes out...Note the last phrase,"Rimuuuuuuuuneri cosiiiii."THAT itself sums up what she was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bless her!!!!!
She was just a 65 year old kid here at the Met!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It took me time, but Parsifal grew on me and it is SUBLIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Easter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Charlie
Magda is a baby here at 83, but I bet she still has a lot left.I will call her tomorrow,Mar.25, as I always do......I cannot imagine a world without her. She is a MIRACLE!!!!!!
Maria Malatesta Calabro..Over 80..Go to her Youtube page..There is more!!!!!!!! This is just amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been waiting since Maria died for another Norma......I am so happy we found one!!!!!
This documentary is a MUST for young singers, and having seen most of them,I tell you they are just tremendous. There is one very sad thing to say,and that is that shortly after this,tenor Ryan Smith died of cancer. Rest in peace! If you have not seen this, it is something to treasure!!
Happy birthday to Dolora Zajick, who is the last of the "let it all hang out" singers..I was so happy when she had me give a demonstration lesson,with recorded examples, to her students....showing them how you need not fear to approach singing with power and strength..too few singers can do this today,.They prefer to be "safe." (Whatever that means.)
The dear late Rise Stevens sings music by Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, Cole Porter,and Irving Berlin. (66 min.) I will never forget her!
She was 80 here...She was the most captivating singer in my life!!!!!!! Flawed..yes...but no one could just stand there and take over the WORLD of opera!!!!!!!!
Another of those blazing recordings from the Cetra Soria Archives. Angelo Questa leads the Radio Turino Orch.in 1955 in this Favorita with Fedora Barbieri,Gianni Raimondi,Giulio Neri, Carlo Tagliabue, Mariano Caruso, and Loretta di Lelio(Mrs.Corelli.) (66 min.)
In loving memory of the late Rise Stevens, I present a podcast of arias that feature this great artist in her prime years. I have announced the selections. In tribute to my beloved Rise. (68 min.)
**Through my tears, I am trying to find words to describe was Rise Stevens meant to me in my life. The first singer I ever met at 15 was Rise, and we went to her home every year in the club we had for her. She was as kind and gracious as any human being could be, and at this moment I think back to all those years, onstage and off, and the pleasure she gave to us.
I see that Octavian as she came down the stairs with the rose for Hilde Gueden, the elegance, the beauty, the rich voice as she began the Presentation Scene; I see the gorgeous Delilah with Mario Del Monaco; I recall how we used to wonder how many times they had to sew up the curtain at the end of Carmen, where she fell and died in that production.
But most of all, I think of the lady who was the first "star" I ever met, and i actually never forgot the "greasepaint feeling" on my palm as she shook my hand as if she always knew me
That is all I want to say at this moment about Rise, as I try to remember more and more of the beauty of this woman, who brought many others to opera, and who will remain in my heart forever.
Dearest Rise, rest in peace....you will never be forgotten.
Lovingly, sadly, but happy she was a part of my life.........and that of so many. Charlie**
One of the world's greatest aingers, Lilli Lehmann recorded a wide variety of material (announced) and I sincerely hope you enjoy it. Remember,she was almost 60 here. (66 min.)
Lehmann sang in the first Bayreuth Festival in 1876, singing in the first complete performances of The Ring Cycle as Woglinde and Helmwige. She performed in London in 1884, and appeared at the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1885–1890. Together with her Met colleagues Fischer, Alvary, Brandt, and Seidl, she helped to popularise Wagner's music in America. By remaining in America beyond the leave granted her by the Berlin Opera, she faced a ban following her return to Germany. After the personal intervention of the Emperor, the ban was lifted.
She appeared at London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 1899 and sang in Paris and Vienna in 1903 and 1909 respectively. In 1905, she sang at the Salzburg Festival, later becoming the festival's artistic director. Lehmann was also renowned as a Lieder singer. She continued to give recitals until her retirement from the concert stage in the 1920s.
Her mature voice, of splendid quality and large volume, gained for her the reputation of being not only one of the greatest Wagnerian singers of her day but also an ideal interpreter of Bellini's Norma and the operatic music of Mozart. She was considered unsurpassed in the rôles of Brünnhilde and Isolde but sang an astonishingly wide array of other parts. Indeed, across the span of her career, she performed 170 different parts in a total of 119 German, Italian and French operas. She was noted not only for her rendering of the musical score, but also as a tragic actress.[1] She was also a noted voice teacher. Among her pupils were the famous sopranos Geraldine Farrar and Olive Fremstad.
In 1888, she married the tenor Paul Kalisch.
Portrait with signature, 1903
Lehmann founded the International Summer Academy at the Mozarteum in Salzburg in 1916. The academy's curriculum concentrated on voice lessons at first but it was extended later to include a wide variety of musical instruction. [2]
The Lilli Lehmann Medal is awarded by the Mozarteum in her honour. Her voice can be heard on CD reissues of the recordings which she made prior to World War I. Although past her peak as an operatic singer when she made these records, they still impress.
Just watch and listen and i am sure you will understand why I have always placed Diana in the category of the greatest singers in my opera life. Muzio would approve!!!!!
Here are scenes from the ancient (1952) recording of Il Trovatore, featuring Stella Roman, Gino Sarri,Antonio Manca Serra, AND the true model of proper Italian diction, Sylvia Sawyer as Azucena. Anyone who wishes to learn Italian must use Sawyer as a MODEL, but if you follow her example and travel to Italy, someone may throw you off the leaning tower of Pizza. (46 minuti di non so che)
Here's a really exciting Cav. with Rysanek,Domingo,Benito di Bella, Ruth Falcon, and the great Astrid Varnay as Mamma Lucia. It is from Munich 1978 under Nello Santi, and i know you will enjoy it.
(69 minutes)
More of my beloved friend Diana Soviero, the very last of a breed.They do not like this kind of singing anymore...With Scotto, Diana constitutes a "lost art." Happy Birthday again,Diana, and to my other beloved diva, my ma. March 19 was a great day!!!!
I cannot wait for March 19!!Here is the first of the Diana Soviero clips. I have posted it before, I believe.Get your big towels ready for the most emotional singing you can imagine. I have know Diana since i almost fell out of the balcony at her Mimi in 1977, and I have not changed my mind as to her greatness as a singer..last of the verismo ladies.
You'll get more later this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A 1978 Toronto,Canada recital by Renata Scotto and Carlo Bergonzi,two of the most famous artists of the past generation. (Contents announced.) (60 min.)
From the Teatro Massimo "Bellini" in the 1990's (no date noted in my info.) we present a most exciting Puritani under Richard Bonynge, with soprano Mariella Devia, tenor William Matteuzzi (with the high "F"), Paolo Washington (Giorgio), and Christopher Robertson (Riccardo.). (68 min.).
I do strongly advise you not to attempt the "F" at home, unless you wish to scare someone.
Zinka who????? I almost gave her up at the 1956 Antonietta Stella Met Aida debut. Luscious, sumptuous,gorgeous voice..Born Match 15, 1929..She remains for me one of the all-time greatest!!!!!
SORRY ZINKA !! NO ONE in a given role ever thrilled me as much as Christa Ludwig in Frau. I cannot describe adequately what that was like!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
A rare appearance by the great Gedda in Tosca.This is from Nice,France in 1987 under Tchakarov. The Tosca is Olivia Stapp and the Scarpia is Theo Adam. The performance is recorded live so there is some distance, but to hear Gedda in a rare role for him is worth it. (72 min.)
An interesting German Radio (Koln) 1950 performance of Tales of Hoffmann under Eugen Szenkar with Rudolf Schock, Alexander Welitsch, Wilma Lipp, Martha Moedl, Elfriede Trotschel, Maria von Ilosvay(Niklaus), Otto Von Rohr (Crespel), Willy Hofmann (Spalanzani), Walter Kassek (Franz and Pitichinaccio), Marion Matthaus (Mother's voice), and Robert Blasius (Schlemil). (73 min.)
Beginning in 1830, Vincenzo Bellini embarked on a project to compose an Ernani, but he never got to complete it. Very few fragments remain, and we present them here, with the Oltenia Phil.Orchestra under Franco Piva. The cast is as follows:
Ernani Patricia Morandini (a travesti role written for Giuditta Pasta)
Elvira Rosanna Savoia
Don Carlo (a tenor in this version) Paolo Pellegrini
Don Sancio (also a tenor) Patrizio Saudelli
Ines Nina Batatunashvili (mezzo)
I hope you enjoy this rare set of excerpts. (37 min.)
Claudia Novikova was born on Mar.9 ,1895. This has to be one of the most charming (and funny) renditions of ANYTHING!!!!! La Perichole "drunk aria."
Which one do you like the best???? For me it was Del Monaco,who walked across the Met stage holding the note and we went ballistic!!!!!!!!
Wilhelm Furtwaengler conducts scenes from a 1937 Covent Garden Gotterdamerung with Kirsten Flagstad, Lauritz Melchior, Kerstin Thorborg, Herbert Janssen, and Ludwig Weber (71 min.)
In the 1970's (I do not have the exact date), the great tenor Nicolai Gedda gave a recital (broadcast) from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Musica Aeterna Orchestra was conducted by Frederick Waldman, and the French horn soloist was Antony Miranda (in the Britten piece.).
Gedda sings the Serenade for tenor, horn, and strings by Benjamin Britten, followed by arias of Rameau and Gretry. (39 min.)
A fine cast in this Scala 1968 Bellini "I Capuletti e i Montecchi" under Claudio Abbado, featuring Renata Scotto (Giulietta), Giacomo Aragall (Romeo), Luciano Pavarotti (Tebaldo), Agostino Ferrin (Capellio), and Alfredo Giacomotti (Lorenzo.) (72 min.)
Gina Cigna, born March 6, 1900,lived to 100! Here is Met 1937 broadcast with Martinelli and Castagna. Thank God,I never knew of this perf.I sang along with the Cetra,where she did not take the D..otherwise I would have ruined my voice at 16!!(What voice???)
Highlights from a Dresden 2011 Gala under Christian Thielemann. It features excerpts from Lehar's Giuditta, Land Of Smiles, Paganini, and Der Zarewitsch. (28 min.)
A not-too-well-known opera by Saverio Mercadente ( 1795-1870), "Elisa e Claudio" with the following cast:
Virginia Zeani Elisa
Agostino Lazzari Claudio
Domenico Trimarchi Tricufazio
Ugo Trama Arnaldo
Giovanna Fioroni Carlotta
From San Carlo, Naples, 1971 under Ugo Rapalo (69 min.)
I mentioned the Stella Fanciulla Poker Scene in my podcast.Here it is,with Anselmo Colzani. Note her nervousness and how she finally gets her way. Wonderful!!!!
Verdi and Puccini arias (announced) by the wonderful Antonietta Stella. I have always placed her as one of my all-time beloved divas! (67 min.)
An interesting compilation of scenes from operas of German Composers of the 20th Century.
1-2 Franz Schmidt "Notre Dame" (w.Gwyneth Jones)
3-5 Alexander Zemlinsky "Es War Einmal"
6. Zemlinsky "Der Traumgoerge"
7. Zemlinsky "Der Kreiderkreis."
8-9 Zemlinsky "Der Koenig Kandaules"
10. Franz Schreker "Der Ferne Klang"
11. Schreker "Der Schatzgraber"
12-14 Manfred Gurlitt Three scenes from "Wozzeck"
Lucine is a"baby" here at 70, but for her March 1 birthday we wish her the best, and go to Youtube to find a clip of her singing at 87! How many artists can sound youthful after over 65 years of singing? We wish her well, and trust me, she is as much fun as anyione could be.(But i will not tell you her jokes...this is a "family" site. LOVE TO HER!!!!!
A sample from Jonas Kaufmann's new Wagner Album. "Der Engel" from the Wesendonck Lieder. Go BUY IT!!!!!!!
An exciting Tosca on Cetra (the label that I was bought upon),with Adriana Guerrini, Gianni Poggi, and Paolo Silveri under Francesco Molinari-Pradelli. (70 min.)
PODCASTS ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Feb.27, 1888,the great great lady was born.....If I had to see ONE diva in my life from the past..it would be this remarkable lady!!!
The very first Met telecast. Renata was a bit "chubby" here......butso what....Listen to that EMOTION!!! LOVE HER!!!!!
As we celebrate the 79th birthday of Renata Scotto on Feb.24, I think back to the period when so many people (including yours truly) spent so much energy trashing her, largely owing to her essays into heavier repertory, and the extremely flawed top voice. Yes,indeed, like my beloved Martha Moedl, she was a "flawed Kunst diva," but when we stop and take note of the body of work that Scotto produced, and realize that,along with Diana Soviero, she has been the very last of the kind of "verismo sopranos" whose emotional intensity recalls the now-forgotten era of Muzio,Favero,Zeani,etc.
There is so much more in singing than just "voice," and we can point out many artists who might be deemed "unlistenable" to those who do not delve more deeply into their over-all contribution to music. Callas would be a prime example, as would be Leyla Gencer, Gwyneth Jones,Conchita Supervia, Magda Olivero,Raina Kabaiwanska,and others who were not simply "producers of gorgeous vocal tones," but who bring so much deep emotion to singing...the phrasing, the importance of even a single syllable, the love of the vocal line, the unforgettable "golden moments" that we may remember so well, even despite some rather "strange" sounds,like Leyla's scoops, Jones' taking three hours to get on the correct pitch of a note, Moedl's not knowing what will come out, Supervia's "goat-like' vibrato,etc.
So we wish Mme.Scotto a very happy birthday and those of us who can shed some of the "baggage of the 1980's" must revere what she has meant to opera;sadly, there do not seem to be any singers today who can bring us the kind of depth of feeling that,for example, Muzio singing "O del mio amato ben" or just Moedl standing there as Brunnhilde without even uttering a single note, can offer.
Thanks to you,Mme.Scotto, and I humbly apologize for some of my rants!!! Sincerely, Charlie
After that Parma Tosca, the audience demands an encore at end of opera...I love it!!!!!
Feb.22, 1927 was the birthday of one of the greatest sopranos ever,Regine Crespin. It was an amazing voice, and here she sings the aria from The Damnation of Faust.She will never be forgotten!!!
The finale of an unusual production of one of the greatest operas,Die Frau Ohne Schatten. It is available on DVD complete (Salzburg 2011).Look it up on Amazon..It is totally UNCUT and takes place in a studio...this is the staging..but the singing is truly remarkable.
Yes,she had her flaws...but LORD,Leonie Rysanek remains in our hearts one of the most exciting singers EVER!!! Here is the duet from "Aegyptische Helena" with Bernd Aldenhoff.
Have you all seen this wonderful scene from the Video "The Golden Ring?" Birgit enjoyed the joke!!!!!!!!
Marian Anderson (February 27, 1897 – April 8, 1993)[1] was an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. Music critic Alan Blyth said "Her voice was a rich, vibrant contralto of intrinsic beauty."[2] Most of her singing career was spent performing in concert and recital in major music venues and with famous orchestras throughout the United States and Europe between 1925 and 1965. Although offered roles with many important European opera companies, Anderson declined, as she had no training in acting. She preferred to perform in concert and recital only. She did, however, perform opera arias within her concerts and recitals. She made many recordings that reflected her broad performance repertoire of everything from concert literature to lieder to opera to traditional American songs and spirituals.[2]
Anderson became an important figure in the struggle for black artists to overcome racial prejudice in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. In 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused permission for Anderson to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall. The incident placed Anderson into the spotlight of the international community on a level unusual for a classical musician. With the aid of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anderson performed a critically acclaimed open-air concert on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. She sang before a crowd of more than 75,000 people and a radio audience in the millions. Anderson continued to break barriers for black artists in the United States, becoming the first black person, American or otherwise, to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on January 7, 1955. Her performance as Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi's Un ballo in maschera at the Met was the only time she sang an opera role on stage.
Anderson worked for several years as a delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Committee and as a "goodwill ambassadress" for the United States Department of State, giving concerts all over the world. She participated in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, singing at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Anderson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978, the National Medal of Arts in 1986, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991.
I was there and saw her debut.A historic occasion,paving the way for so many wonderful Afro-American artists.Sad so many suffered under the prejudice of others, but at least she made it.I was there!
Rigoletto on radio today from the Met. They no longer allow the Rigoletto to sing "AVRAIIIIIII".Instead,he says "avrai" and then the duet..and is thre anything like this????Leyla's glottal attacks and a fabulous ending.......
I love compilations like this. If you like high notes...have fun!!!!! I hope the podcast glitches are fixed soon. Thanks for your patience.
I have been informed that since Placido has nothing much else to do these days, he will probably be taking over the Pope's job, and besides, he LOVES the costume. Unfortunately, he will have to sell Madrid (es propietario de la ciudad) and as far as Marta goes...well,look, you can't have everything!!! Buena Suerte, Placido!!!!!!
May I wish you all a most happy Valentine's Day. Ella Fitzgerald has the kind of style in pop that many of our great opera stars possess in their fach. (Skip the AD!!)
My best wishes to all of you....Charlie
ANOTHER great voice for Wagner, although it was Farrell's decision not to sing a complete Wagner opera..Preferred JAZZ...well, in opera,one of the great voices of all time, and a very funny lady!!!
I just LOVED this lady....Magnificent voice..Born Feb.13, 1938. She should be more noticed. I saw her in Tosca, Ariadne,etc. She would be the GREAT Wagnerian of today!!
Born Feb.12, 1940, Gilda Cruz-Romo today would be QUEEN of the dramatic sopranos!!!!!!What a marvelous,exciting artist!!!!!
In 1967,Beverly Sills was "discovered" in this role..but she was always wonderful. We came close to falling out of the balcony at the way she sang this music!!!!!
This is not my week..Another Libsyn glitch..so meanwhile,I will give you some videos..PACENZA!!!!!
One of the joys of my life is when a marvelous artist shows such a lovely personality, and also is interested in singers of the past, and even visits this site. Stefan Kocan, a Slovak bass,currently at the Met as a sleazy Sparafucile in the Las Vegas Rigoletto. Stefan is not just a fine artist, but a "regular guy" and i am so happy to have met him and enjoy his amiable personality.
In 1965, we did Tchaikowsky's beautiful and less-known "Iolantha." This was when I met Marisa Galvany, since I was her doctor (we did it in English.) The Met will do it in a few years, with these two great singers, Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala, LOVE THEM!!!!!!
In my effort to please you all, I was told I could make my podcasts longer;however, if you only want the podcasts shorter than 74 min.because you want to burn them to a CD, I will keep the format the same. Please write me at Placido21@aol.com if you feel I should NOT lengthen the podcasts. I will then keep everything the same.
As ever Charlie
Do we know of any Violettas who can conclude "Sempre Libera' like this??All she had to do was take a high E flat..Well,what more can we ask of this great lady???
Several years ago,I sang the Sacristan in a Tosca with a superb artist, Dorothy Bishop. Since then, Dorothy, one of the sweetest and most talented individuals I have ever met, has been a HUGE hit all over the globe.This is from Helsinki,Finland. How many Toscas do you know who can belt out pop songs, hilariously imitate some of our personalities (She did Sarah Palin BETTER than Sarah Palin), and hit high D's????
Have you ever wanted to yell at some idiot(s) at the opera who talk,eat,text, and annoy you? I am happy Patti blasted this guy for taking a FLASH photo!
Turandot from 1985, Rome with Gwyneth Jones,Diana Soviero, Nicola Martinucci, Alessandro Corbelli. Great Performance!! (72 min)
Podcasts have returned!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leonie Rysanek tears up the stage in a scene from act two Jenufa...There cannot today EXIST anything of this nature!!!!! LORD! How we miss her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is why Dolora Zajick is so UNIQUE these days.Even at 60, and with Asthma, she drives us NUTS with that fabulous voice, a throwback to the "biggies" I used to hear. She has FUN!!!!
Here is the Comte D'Ory aria sung by our newest discovery, Pretty Yende. She has thrilled NY audiences these weeks.!!!
Our new sensation from S.Afrika..Pretty Yende, who replaced Nino Machaidze on short notice in the Met "Comte D'Ory." What a wonderful lady!!!!! a true STAR!!!!
Could we cast my favorite film as an OPERA?? Every time Madeline LeBeau utters the words, "Mugir ces feroces soldats," with the tears streaming down her face, it gets to me...every time...
Still some glitches on the podcast site....I will "entertain" you meanwhile with some more videos..Thanks for your patience.
Charlie
Now LOOK, it is nice to have some smaller opera groups perform for an audience. I think Mr.Gelb should give serious consideration to changing the new Ballo to this cast and production. Note how the Riccardo cannot get the papers out of his pocket..that is even funnier than his singing..I think!)
I know..I am mean! However, this just made my day!!!!!
**Sweet memories of Funny Renata "Tosca Quotes"
Renata was so funny and I recall some of her humorous quotes, both from Tosca:
- At a big hotel party, she grabbed the knife to cut the cake and exclaimed,
"Questo il bacio di Tosca!!"
- When we saw her off on the train to Philly.(The Met went there on Tuesdays), the baggage handler opened the door of the open last car where she stood, and she said, "Spoleta,CHIUDI!"
I will add that when us kiddies sat in the first row at Carnegie for a Bell Tel.Hr. appearance, she looked down at us, winked, and then DESTROYED the place by starting the "Inflammatus!" We felt the show was just for us.**
This act two Fanciulla scene in 1970 caused us to tear programs and throw them down!!!!!
So how can anyone not think of her the way we all did..and still do????
**Do we need more words to describe the great Renata Tebaldi, on her birthday,Feb.1? Little did us "kids" know, when we first met her,on the occasion of her Met debut,Jan.31, 1955 as Desdemona, that she was celebrating her 33rd birthday. Her performances were "events" and the love she brought across the footlights and after the show was something that has remained with me all these years.
On this day,let us all remember one of the most treasured singers in opera history. Your friend "Carlos" remembers you. (When I met her, her English was bad, as was my Italian, so I spoke in Spanish and thus,she called me "CarloS."
With all my love,
"Carlos"**
More of our Feb. 1 birthday girl, the sensational Renata Tebaldi. I guess singers today would be scared of using chest voice...That is why so many are boring!!!!
We miss the late Cornell MacNeil.He had the HUGEST baritone voice I ever heard,even bigger than Warren. This is an Example of how he ROCKED the Met!!!!
For Renata's birthday on Feb.1, I present an example of the most phenomenal voice imaginable..A Wagner-like sound,with the greatest beauty you can imagine...and as lovable offstage as anyone could be. More coming!!
Even if you are not Italian, you will enjoy (?) Mari Lyn's wonderful Trovatore aria. (with interesting titles.) Be warned! I do not advise eating or drinking before watching this.
I have just been in contact with Met head Peter Gelb, who watched the travesty of Beyonce lipsynching the National Anthem. He agreed with me that some singers,who were contracted several years ago, and who cannot sing, should be allowed to do a "Beyonce" in a few cases.
I am not going to mention any names,because you know how tasteful I am, but the thought of a Milanov/Tucker Chenier next season might be a revelation. Also, I would like to have Justin Bieber appear as Norma, with Maria doing the voice.
By the way, the Rondine this week, except for the glorious Kristine Opolais, should have had the rest of the cast miked. Do NOT believe the coming broadcast. It LIES!!!
Virginia Zeani may not hit the E flat here, but she did on the phone on my birthday!!!!!
How come all the great stars celebrate birthdays this week? Marcello celebrates on Jan.25 (b.1963), and we had Joe Calleja on the 22nd and what's his name and me on the 21st.
We love Marcello, possessor of a brilliant voice, fine technique, and one of opera's favorites. I hope he has a great day and many,many more!!!!
Carlo
You all know when I get started on a great new voice, I inundate you with clips...Why not? This is a truly gorgeous voice and I hope you love it as much as i do.
I am always so happy to "discover" new divas.You all know I have seen the greats, and so when someone like Mme.Opolais comes along, I am so thrilled. She not only has the voice, but she has the kind of depth of emotion that is so important in opera.
I have just returned from La Rondine at the Met with the Latvian soprano, Kristine Opolais, as Magda. What a wonderful treat to add another superb diva to our array of wonderful sopranos.
Talk about "nice guys!!" Joseph Calleja,born Jan.22, 1978, is one of our finest tenors. His voice in some ways harkens back to the style of De Lucia,Bonci,Anselmi. He is a great artist, and one of the most "regular dudes" one could know. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
I know I kid the Placido fans a lot, but who can ever deny his remarkable accomplishments in the world of music. I wish him all my best, but hope he remembers that he did promise me ESPANA for my birthday tomorrow. Amazing man at 72!!!!!
Un poco temprano (a little early)for Jan.21 birthday,but Placido has had an amazing career and he will always remain an icon in the field of music. I hope he remembers his pledge to me and gives me Madrid on Monday,since we share the same birthday. Feliz Cumpleanos,Placido!!!!!
On Monday,January 21,the opera world will celebrate (see photo) the birthdays of two individuals: One is one of the LEGENDS in the opera world, a great artist, a revered musical aficionado, and person of worldwide fame. The other person has a nice beard.
SUPERB Manrico tonight, and had seen him also in Turandot..Voice even from bottom to top, and plenty of SQUILLO!!!!! Best dramatic tenor around today......I hope you like the clip!!!!!
Need we say more about one of the greatest singers in opera history, especially in the bel canto repertory. She turns 84 on Jan.16 and has won the battle against cancer. BLESS HER!!!!!
You know how much of a pain I am about singers, so when a special one comes along, I am so thrilled, and i am not alone about what Michael Fabiano has already accomplished. Next season at the Met he will do Alfred in Fledermaus, and as in the Jan Kiepura film, "So ends our night," I hope he will sing the PIRA in act three in jail, plus a lot of other arias!
Signor Fabiano is a welcome addition to a fine array of tenors that regale us with their superb talents these days. In "my day' we had a few great ones, but also..well,you know who.....
Under the leadership of conductor Georges Pretre, here are three lovely ladies in Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier. They are Gundula Janowitz,Brigitte Fassbaender, and Ileana Cotrubas, with Karl Ridderbusch as Baron Ochs. (69 min.)
...and why not???It makes my life so full, and this one from Valencia is stunning!!!!!! Now you see why I am poor!!!
A few lowlights from a 1965 Tosca with the famous cult figure Olive Middleton. She truly endeared herself to opera lovers and even in her 70's, she managed to exhibit some sense of emotion and even a few high C's, although most of her singing was closer to Berg than to Puccini. We all loved her and even some Met singers attended her performances. She is currently coaching with Maria Jeritza and Frances Alda. (31 min.)
From La SCala 1967 under Herbert von Karajan, here are highlights from the Verdi Requiem featuring Leontyne Price, Luciano Pavarotti, Fiorenza Cossotto, and Nicolai Ghiaurov. (67 min.)
Although it was not "official," Sam Ramey did tell me that the Timur in Turandot last night would be his last Met appearance. Sam and I go back 42 years, we sang in Anna Bolena and other operas. We always knew Sam had the goods, and the great career he had is surely appreciated by countless opera lovers all over the globe. Now Sam has even more time to annoy people on Facebook!! Love to my old buddy , who did last night tell us that his days of taking off his shirt as he does in this Attila clip are a thing of the past!!!
That SNEAKY James Jorden gave you a new photo on the top of the podcast site. Well, I must say it brings back memories of the old Met, where we LIVED in the standing room.
We are BLESSED these days with a wonderful group of tenors, and here is still another,Matthew Polenzani!!!!! I have been pleased to have heard him now in Seraglio,Don Pasquale, Elisir, and last night's Maria Stuarda!!! Great guy!!!
Here is a glorious sample of what I saw last night at the Met. It was a great evening, and I wish there would be more like this. In your city, you may be seeing this in the theatres on Jan.19. It was superb!!!!
BUT the best thing is that since Mme.Van der Heever shaved her head for real, I told her I was happy at least I have more hair than SOMEBODY!!!!
Joyce di Donato continues to give a "Master Class" in singing every time she appears!!!!
In recent weeks New York opera audiences have thrilled to the magnificent (SQUILLANTE) voice of tenor Bryan Hymel, heard in the Troyens, and also seen in theatres around the globe. You know how many fine tenors I have heard, and he surely belongs with them, and he is destined for a brilliant career.(He surely picks easy arias!!). All our best to him!!!
In Italiano, we present Donizetti's delightful opera,starring Mirella Freni, Alfredo Kraus, Vladimiro Ganzarolli, and Anna Di Stasio, from 1975, under Nino Sanzogno. (71 min.)
I have spoken often about the great "Verismo" sopranos, and when I think of Favero on her Jan.6 birthday (born in1903), I am filled with great emotion, but at the same time I am so sorry that this style of singing is just not in vogue today....So when I make podcasts involving Muzio,Zeani,Soviero,etc..you know I am trying to spread the word as to the kind of emotional singing of a Favero,etc.
One of my all-time thrills was to be onstage when Marisa Galvany sang the Bolena, and especially this great scene. I hope you enjoy the various divas!
From 1980 Aix-en-Provence under Jesus Lopez-Cobos, we bring you an example of remarkable Bel Canto singing. The cast includes Montserrat Caballe, Marilyn Horne,Samuel Ramey, and Francisco Araiza (72 min.)
For Grace Bumbry, born Jan.4, 1937, I present this example of her great singing. She now resides in Salzburg and we often communicate. I bet she can still sound gorgeous!!!
Jaded Charlie sees the Met new Maria Stuarda next week.I hope it is wonderful, BUT listen to a scene with Galvany and Sills that caused INSANITY in the audience!!!!!!
In honor of the first time the Met opera is presenting Maria Stuarda....here are some
"Vil bastarda" scenes..but for me the best was Sills/Galvany...LOVE THIS!!!!!
She is 66. One of the most amazing singers..OK,the last note is a bit "under' but who cares. This is the brand of singing VE RBOTEN at the Met...TRUST ME!!!!!
You have heard this before,but I must tell you that it is an example of some of the most exciting singing you'll ever hear!!!!
DO NOT PEEK before you listen!! Here are the 15 Flower Songs from Carmen (61 min.)
If you guess them all, I will send you my entire Fischer-Dieskau collection:
Roberto Alagna, Peter Anders, Fernand Ansseau, Vladimir Atlantov, Enrico Caruso, Franco Corelli, Raoul Jobin, Antonio Cortis, Libero de Luca, Mario del Monaco, Placido Domingo, Beniamino Gigli, Jussi Bjoerling, Giuseppe di Stefano, and Nicolai Gedda.
This is a staging of the Maria Stuarda Confrontation Scene as per the Bette Davis/Joan Crawford film, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane." I wrote Joyce di Donato to tell her that in the coming Met Stuardas I do not think she should follow this staging.
If my beloved Renata had ever had a fight with me, and used the kind of chest voice she uses on "Tre assi e un paio," I would have run screaming out the door. She scared us to death...one of the many great "Tebaldi moments."
To all of you great opera lovers all over the globe, I wish you a most HAPPY NEW YEAR and many thanks for your undying support. You make my life so happy all year long!
From Charlie
The very great Cesare Siepi at age 63 in a superb Simone Boccanegra that features Renato Bruson (still singing these days at 77), Ileana Cotrubas, Taro Ichihara, and Enrico Serra (Paolo.) The conducter is Gabor Otvos. (71 min.)
The great tenor,who "teaches a vocal lesson" when he sings. This is a 68 year old man who is a legend. I heard him at 78, and he was just as wonderful. He is not in the best of health these days at 88, and I hope he feels better soon. We love him so much.
Facing a tough audience at Parma in 1962, after there had been some altercations, Tebaldi sang a great Mimi, and saved the day. Others in the cast are: Renato Cioni,EnzoSordello, Silvana Zanolli, Giorgio Taddeo (Colline), and Otello Borgonovo (Schaunard) under Arturo Basile. (64min.)
I have just received a series of wonderful compilations of various arias, terrific for your opera parties, where you can give prizes if you wish if people can guess some or all of the selec tions. I did not do a narration here, but here are the mezzos doing the Trovatore "Stride la Vampa":
Giuseppina Zinetti, Nell Rankin, Irene Dalis, Blanche Thebom, Miriam Pirazzini, Elena Nicolai, Oralia Dominguez, Bruna Castagna, Ebe Stignani, Irene Minghini-Cattaneo, and Fedora Barbieri. (29 min.)
I hope this series is enjoyable to you. My best for a happy New year
Charlie
Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin which means HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our beloved Piotr for Dec.28. How fortunate the opera world is to be able to enjoy his great singing!!!
Part One of a 1972 Rigoletto with a stellar cast under Richard Bonynge. Featured are Sherrill Milnes,Luciano Pavarotti,Joan Sutherland, Ruggero Raimondi, and Batyah Godfrey. (55 min.)
I think if we counted up all the tears that Puccini,born Dec.23, 1858, has provided to the opera world, we might have another "Pacific Ocean." Bless forever what he has given us!!!!
Music for the Holiday Season (announced), as sung by famous artists. I know you will enjoy the selections and I wish you all the happiest holiday season!! (62 min.)
At 66, still able to thrill us! Gruberova born Dec.22, 1946. A bit eccentric vocal production,but the way she gets to the top...is wild..That kind of "scoop." One of the most adored singers!!!!!
One of my saddest days, and a sad day for opera lovers, was Dec.19, 2004, when we lost our beloved Renata Tebaldi. My memories are still so vivid of her incredible singing, and the relationship we had over the years, with those "birthday phone calls' I made to her in the later years. The love she spread on stage and off stage was something none of us "kids" could ever forget, and we will think of her fondly for the rest of our lives.
Born on Dec.19, 1863, Milka Ternina was the teacher of my beloved Zinka Milanov, who just texted me and said, "I VAS BETTER!!!"
The miraculous Birgit Nilsson is heard in recitals from Australia and New York. Selections are announced on the podcast. I do not believe ANYONE in opera history could produce tones like her!!! (70 glorious minutes.)
Let us pause for a moment or two and think of the horrendous tragedy that occured this week in the school in Connecticut. Even if I was not a teacher and loved kids the way I do, it is just mind-boggling to think of what occurred, and we should spend a moment of reflection to remember the poor little kids and the teachers who are no long with us physically, but will always be in spirit.
Not as appreciated as i feel she should be, Raina Kabaiwanska was born on Dec.15, 1934. The feeling, the style, the love of the vocal line are special,if not a great tone. I really recommend you watch some more Youtube videos.
Dec.15, 1910..(Some say May 15),is the birthday of the SENSATIONAl Giulietta Simionato, who,in this clip, shows why she is revered as one of the greatest singers of all time. Sorry she did not make it to 100.
Crabby jaded Charlie found a marvelous new soprano at Aida last night.She is Liudmyla Monastryska, possessor of a gorgeous and rich voice, with a brilliant top range and lovely pianissimi. I bravoed all night, and I think she was truly superb. Here is a sample.
Not a good day for divas. Gallina was a very famous artist and we hear her last scene of Onegin with Benjamin Luxon. Some straight tones,but a very great star!!!!!! Never to be forgotten!!!!
When she entered in Rosenkavalier act Three, the stage GLITTERED. It was a gorgeous ethereal voice and we remember her for what she did for all of us as a great artist. Rest in Peace!
Born Dec.11, 1892, Giacomo Lauri-Volpi sings a "Nessun Dorma' that is as thrilling as one could expect!!!!! I wish we had one tenor like this today.
Remember that lovable film about Verdi's "Casa di riposo" for old singers, some of whom can still sing? Sarah Scuderi was the STAR of the film, and she was born on Dec.11, 1906. What a loving tribute to singers of the past who might not have the finances to live a luxurious retiremen t. This is so gorgeous!!!!
The marvelous Sondra Radvanovsky is singing the Met Ballo today; she possess one of the most brilliant voices I ever heard, but you MUST hear her live, because she has a kind of resonance in the house that sounds like a "mike is in her throat." I once told her some tones were "Isolde tones." Here is a clip rom her Chicago Ballo.
The late Shirley Verrett, one of my all-time favorite artists, appears as Carmen in this Rome 1967 performance under Georges Pretre. The superb Australian tenor, Albert Lance, is the Don Jose, with Robert Massard as Escamillo. (70 min.)
Highlights from a 1975 Barcelona Tosca under Giuseppe Morelli, with Virginia Zeani, Placido Domingo, and Piero Francia. Why don't more people realize how great she is?? Well,you've heard this before. (70 min.)k
DIOS MIO!!!!!! My friends (including Virginia Zeani) heard Boheme in Florida last night and went NUTS over this guy!!! This is a fabulous voice and i hope we hear much more of him.. BRAVISSIMO!!!!
My favorite part of my favorite opera!! I had mentioned that a few years ago Dolora Zajick asked me to give a "Handelmanian" class for her young students; she has a project with young singers, trying to bring back the kind of singing so missing today. Note how she sings the end of this scene with incredible abandon. I will see her as Amneris in two weeks. Note she takes the high B that usually only Aida takes toward the end. She has FUN!!!!
Not just Cavalleria Rusticana!! Mascagni wrote such gorgeous music...This scene from his Piccolo Marat is just amazing. Virginia Zeani, Umberto Borso, and a loud prompter perform. The audience actually made them repeat this whole duet!!!!!
Just enjoy these marvelous scenes from an opera written by Giuseppe Verdi, who made his fame at the premiere. However, not all performances are up to his standards. If you are a basso, I suggest you do not attempt to learn Zaccaria with this recording. (16 wonderful minutes.)
The sensational Kirsten Flagstad is heard in the World Premiere of Strauss' Four Last Songs from 1950 under Wilhelm Furtwaengler in London.She is then heard in three Strauss songs: Befreit, Allerseelen, and Caecilie, from San Francisco in 1950 under Merolla.
She is joined by Set Svanholm in Wagner Scenes from The Flying Dutchman, Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde, and Die Meistersinger, from 1949 also under Gaetano Merolla. (70 min.)
Carreras was born on Dec.5, 1946. In his prime it was a glorious voice, one of the greatest in opera;yes,he did push the voice into heavier roles and even before the illness he was having problems, but for a time he was a true sensation, and he came thrugh a serious illness with great dignity and amazing courage.
I always like to "spread the word' about exciting young artists. Here is info.on Othalie Graham....A great singer..and GORGEOUS!!!!
Canadian-American Soprano Othalie Graham is critically acclaimed throughout North America. As Turandot, the Boston Globe says her “timbre and power were thrilling - steely ring from top to bottom - and her path from imperiousness to passion was convincing.” Of a recent performance as Tosca, the San Francisco Chronicle praised her “high-powered blend of musical assurance and theatrical temperament. Singing the role for the first time, Graham displayed a potent and secure soprano that soared effortlessly through the role. Most impressive was her blend of delicacy and sheer muscle, which often combined forces within the space of a single phrase...her rendition of ‘Vissi d’arte’ was a heartbreaker.”
Emerging into the Wagnerian repertoire, Ms. Graham’s notable roles include Senta in Der Fliegender Holländer, Isolde in Tristan und Isolde, Brünnhilde and Sieglinde in Die Walküre, and Elisabeth in Tannhäuser. Other prominent roles include the title role in Elektra, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Leonora in Fidelio, Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera, Leonora in La Forza del Destino, Ariane in Ariane et Barbe-Bleue, Serena in Porgy and Bess, and Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana.
Recent engagements include the title role in Turandot with Arizona Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Columbus, Opera Delaware, Utah Festival Opera, Connecticut Grand Opera, and Sacramento Opera; Odabella in Attila with Sarasota Opera; the title role of Aida for the inaugural performance of the Istanbul International Opera Festival; Leonora in Il Trovatore with Utah Festival Opera; the title role in Tosca with Festival Opera; and the title role in Elektra at Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts. In the current 2010-2011 season and beyond, engagements include the title role of Turandot with the Vancouver Opera and Pensacola Opera, Minnie in La Fanciulla del West at the Nashville Opera, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 and Turandot excerpts in concert with the Washington Chorus at the Kennedy Center, and Isolde in Tristan und Isolde with the Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra in California.
Concert highlights include a New York recital debut with the Liederkranz Society after winning its annual competition; a Wagner concert co-sponsored by the Wagner Society of Washington D.C. featuring Brünnhilde’s Immolation Scene from Götterdämmerung and Isolde’s Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde; Brünnhilde excerpts from Die Walküre for the L’Opera de Montreal gala; the title role in Turandot with Boston’s Chorus Pro Musica, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra, and the Harrisburg Symphony; Elijah with Bryn Terfel and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; a featured appearance with Eve Queler at the Dahesh Museum of Art; as well as opera galas for Pacific Opera Victoria, Vancouver Opera, and Canada’s Oakville Symphony.
Ms. Graham was the first-place winner of the 2010 Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition in the Wagner Division; the first-place winner of the 2005 Joyce Dutka Competition; a recipient of the prestigious Sullivan Foundation Grant for 2005; and the first-place winner in the Wagner Division of the 2009 Liederkranz Competition. In Canada, her many awards and honors include the coveted Jean Chalmers prize in the Canadian Music Competition, winner of the Edward Johnson Competition, and first place in the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques Competition.
She is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts.
Awards
Have you ever seen this adorable 1932 clip of the great Tetrazzini singing with Caruso??I think it is PRECIOUS!!!!!!
Here is a comparison podcast of some wonderful mezzos and contraltos singing the Ulrica Scene from Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera." The singers,in order, are:
Bruna Castagna, Grace Bumbry, Jean Madeira, Susanne Resmark, Marian Anderson, Ewa Podles, Giulietta Simionato, Ebe Stignani, Regina Resnik, Fedora Barbieri, and last (and least), Sylvia Sawyer (66 minutes)
Just listen to the section beginning "Coraggio" in the Vespri aria..That tells it ALL! The exciting attacks, the intensity, the verve....something unheard today!!!!
Some artists can "read the telephone directory" and make a fabulous impression. The late Maria Callas, born Dec.2 (or 3?), 1923, was such an artist. We all know of her flaws and her stormy life, but her legacy will live forever in the hearts of true music-lovers.
OK friends....tell us what is "different" about this rendition....(Hint: Get a pitchpipe.)
Another Callas' clip for her birthday.This was from one of the last recitals (with Di Stefano).Note she has to sing more chest voice...It is so sad...One of the greats at the end, but the feeling will never fade!!!!!.
From New York City in 1994, I bring you the radiant voice of the superb Peruvian tenor, Juan Diego Flores, a man who sings as gloriously as anyone I have ever heard.
Included (announced) are songs and arias by Bellini,Rossini,Donizetti, Gluck, Morales, Serrano, and Tosti. (70 minutes).
Note that the only times that encores have been allowed at the Met is when Flores sang the Fille du Reeggiment aria (with 18 high C's) and on a broadcast of Elisir, where he repeated the "Una furtiva lagrima." This is a rarity in New York Met opera.
What is left to say about this legend? Yes, we know all about her flaws, personal difficulties, but what remains forever is a legacy of a phenomenal contribution that will never be forgotten. Here is the first of a series of clips for your personal remembrances and in tribute to her.
Gedda is now 87...This is rather recent......Not sure when..but the man is a VOCAL GOD!!!!!
Dedicated to another ageless singer, Martha Eggerth (now 100).
One of the very last exponents of truly emotional style and careful attention to the delicacy of phrasing in opera has been Renata Scotto. This 1967 Radio Turino Butterfly from 1967 under Artuto Basile is an example of her great artistry, despite some of the top notes that were often a bit problematical as the years passed.he is 33 here, but for many more years her Butterfly remained possibly the greatest of them all.She is joined by Renato Cioni,Franca Mattiucci, and Alberto Rinaldi. (71 min.)
A delightful Die Fledermaus from Stuttgart Radio, 1938 under Gustav Goerlich.The cast includes Margarete Teschemacher (Rosalinda), Peter Anders (Alfred), Karl Mikorey (Eisenstein), Einar Kristjansson (Orlovsky), Martina Wulf (Adele), and Karl Schmitt-Walter (Dr.Falke.).
In act two the guests are Erna Berger, Peter Anders, Maria Reining, and Esther Rethy. (70 min.)
Darling miraculous Magda Olivero turns 103 on March 25. She will speak in that gorgeous "verismo Italian" when I call her...Hard to imagine a world without this beautiful spirit!!!!
Part One of a 1961 Vienna Don Carlo under Fausto Cleva,featuring Flaviano Labo,Antonietta Stella, Giulietta Simionato, Eberhard Waechter, and Walter Kreppel. (61 min.)
The GOD of singing in a magnificent example of the heart and soul of the great Caruso. Note the way he enters his "passaggio" on a word like "notte" and for me EVERY Caruso "vocal situation" is unique in my mind. Bless this great man!!!!
The beloved Bidu Sayao makes her Met debut as Manon in 1937 under Maurice Abravanel. The cast is completed by Sydney Rayner, Richard Bonelli, Angelo Bada, Chase Baromeo, and George Cehanovsky. This is a historic event, for it heralds the great Sayao career. (71 min.)
**My very dear opera friends,
You may or may not understand a "crazy collector's mentality," but as I approach age 77, I look around and feel that some day I do not want my enormous collection to go into a dumpster. My joke is that when I met Anja Silja a few years agho after a Jenufa, I asked her for the Elena Makropolous formula so I could have 356 hyears more to listen to my tapes. She must have thought "who is this nutcase?"
I have been discarding reels and cassettes (ever hear of them?), but what remains is still an enormous collection of CD's,VHS videos, and LP's, not just the items I used for a 25 year "Pirate business" but lots of commercial material. For example, do you know anyone who has over 50 Elektras or every Ring that was ever recorded?
I look around and wonder what I was thinking when I would visit Tower Records after a Met performance and buy something like the complete works of Heinrich Schlachenheimer (??)This is why I am so glad Tower closed because I can save a little money!
In your travels (and I am also speaking to singers or opera-lovers who reside in other countries), you might know some younger opera lovers, similar to a 17 year old Charlie Handelman who knew every note of Zinka Milanov's repertory.(and most of the words.) Also,you may be affiliated with a school like MSM where young students can enjoy some of my enormous collection...rather than have it lay around and gather dust.
This does not mean that I am discarding everything, but let's face it....there is just too much...and I would like to "spread the wealth" to those of you who might be interested. Of course, you would need a truck, a U-haul, or a large tenor to pick stuff up. Why should it sit around here and some day be discarded, although my executor can do what he wants with it..but it would be an enormous job.
Well, that is where I am at the moment, and please feel free to write or phone me if you have any ideas..but do not give anything to anyone who never heard of Claudia Muzio!
Love Charlie Placido21@aol.com**
I have spoken often of the old La Puma Co.and have played you scenes. TELL ME...could any of you sit there and not have a serious accident in your.....They finally threw us out one night...we could not stop laughing..I miss them so..but at least we have the Met.....
When many opera singers attempt "crossover," they fall on their face..no names mentioned....but when Sumi Jo sings "Send in the Clowns" with such beauty and style, it is indeed a pleasure.
Scenes from a glorious Parsifal under Hans Knappertsbusch from Bayreuth 1951. The stellar cast includes Martha Moedl, Wolfgang Windgassen, George London, Ludwig Weber, and Herman Uhde (Klingsor.) (73 min.)
Several Golden Age artists sing songs of Paolo Tosti.(Announced).They as follows:
Adelina Patti, Mattia Battistini, Fernando de Lucia, Emma Eames, Charles Dalmores, Enrico Caruso, Giuseppe Anselmi, John McCormack, Alfred Piccaver, Dusolina Giannini, Rosa Ponsellle, and Richard Tauber. (62 min.)
Who cares about the U.S.Financial crisis, problems in the Mideast, will Angela Gheorghiu show up, and all the other pressing problems in this world? The most important news of the day is that it looks like the Hostess company, maker of Twinkies, and other high cholesterol snacks, will be SAVED!
So many of us who were about to commit "Suicidio" feel that life is worth living again. Thanks the Lord for bringing us out of this potentially disastrous situation!!!
Another example of the versatilty and artistry of Leyla Gencer, "Queen of the Pirates." This is an Adriana from Naples, 1966, Under Oliviero di Fabritiis. The cast also features Amadeo Zambon, Enzo Sordello, and Adriana Lazzarini. (70 min.)
For a little change of pace, I present a series of songs as written by Giuseppe Verdi.(Announced.) They are sung by Renata Scotto, accompanied by Vincenzo Scalera in 1989 (50 min.)
Another "innovative' production of La Boheme,from Salzburg 2012.This is coming out next month on DVD and Blue Ray. It features two of the greatest artists of today, Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala. I think you might consider purchasing it ,unless you are a purist.(I used to be.)
My darling friend, Marisa Galvany, lost her husband, George Kornbluth last week. In his memory,I would like to present this video, thinking that wherever dear George is, he is recalling all the beautiful days with Marisa and all who loved him. He was a wonderful man, and we shall miss him.
Sincerely,
Charlie
This is a most exciting Ballo from 1940 under Ettore Panizza, featuring Zinka Milanov, Jussi Bjoerling,Alexander Sved, Bruna Castagna, and Stella Andreva. (70 min.). Why didn't mommy take me, even though I was only 4!!!
Even in concert, the remarkable Leonie manages one of her famous GESCHREIS!!!! Did you know the union of stage hands got mad because they could not get any overtime;this is because Leonie rolled around in the dust, and they were not needed!! (Well,figuratively, anyway.)
On her birthday, let us remember the sensational Leonie Rysanek, one of the greatest artists in opera history. Yes, she had her flaws, especially in Italian repertory, but she made roles like Senta,the Empress, Sieglinde,etc. totally unforgettable. We will not see her like again!!!!
As I indicated in my spoken commentary, sometimes you forget, with all the material available, just how some performances stay in your memory, and how unbelievably exciting the Mexico 1951 Aida was. Here is a mini-podcast of most of act three with Callas,Del Monaco, and Taddei. Sorry, they do not make them like this anymore!!!! (24 min.)
Wanna hear great singing????? My old buddy Sam Ramey(hates the wig), Luciano, and a singer I always adored, Lauren Flanigan, in the Lombardi Trio.
Born November 7, 1926, Joan Sutherland has been one of the greatest singers in opera history. She earned the name "La Stupenda." Note her wild ending of the aria..Count the number of high C's!!!
The very great mezzo Christa Ludwig in scenes from Parsifal (w.Fritz Uhl and Walter Berry, Vienna 1961 under Von Karajan), Walkure w. James Morris under James Levine, and the marvelous finale of a 1966 Frau Ohne Schatten under Karl Boehm w.Berry,Rysanek, and Dalis. (70 min.)
Born Nov.8 , 1921...Hines' last appearance..Really amazing!!!!!! A stalwart basso for so many years!!!!
I want the ones with the high D flat, and the best for me is the first one..Sondra Radvanovsky..some sopranos do not (or cannot) take the note.
In order we have:
Sondra Radvanovsky, Mariella Devia, Christine Weidinger, Dimitra Theodossiou.Darina Takova, Mariella Devia again, Katia Ricciarelli, Lucia D'Anselmo, Nelly Miricioiu, Joan Sutherland twice, and Vasso Papantoniou.
I just love these comparisons!!
We ancient collectors are so STARVED for Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs style of singing..Brilliant tone,warmth of emotion, GREAT LOW NOTES, wonderful easy top range...and what I call "authoritative glottal attacks' on certain phrases. She is my new "find."
Let's face it!!! When I get started on a new diva, I get CRAZY!!!!! However, you already know about what I love...and this is the kind of singing I DIE FOR!!!!! This is my all-time favorite aria, and she is absolutely magnificent.!!!
I just discovered a diva who reminds true opera lovers of the kind of singing so badly missing today...Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs lets it all "hang out" like a Caterina Mancini,Marisa Galvany, Maria Callas. I went nuts!
She is also a Facebook friend, and a sweetheart!!!! More to come!!!!
Choruses from French operas, including Mireille, Romeo et Juliette (Gounod), The Pearl Fishers, La Jolie Fille de Perth (Bizet) w.Alfredo Kraus, La Damnation de Faust (Berlioz), Herodiade (Massenet), Hamlet (Thomas) w.Thomas Hampson and Gregory Kunde, and the Salve Regina from Poulenc's Dialgues des Carmelites. (69 min.)
In 1955, Cappuccilli auditioned for La Scala in Milan, where the auditioners, deeply impressed, encourage him to enter the Viotti competition. After his first place award, he made his official operatic debut in 1957 at the Teatro Nuovo in Milan, singing Tonio in Pagliacci. In 1960, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, singing Giorgio Germont in La traviata, which was to be
Cappuccilli spent most of his career singing in Europe, with only infrequent travels to North and South America. He made his debut at the Teatro alla Scala in 1964, as Enrico, at the Royal Opera House in London as Germont in 1967, and his Opéra de Paris debut took place in 1978, as Amonasro. He also appeared at the Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival. He worked with the greatest European conductors of his time (Karajan, Gavazzeni, Abbado, Kleiber) and became one of the finest interpreters of the Italian repertoire.
Cappuccilli was highly respected as a "Verdi baritone", where his beautiful voice, fine vocal technique, musical elegance, and dignified stage presence, were shown to their best advantage.
He left an impressive discography, he recorded Lucia di Lammermoor twice, first with Maria Callas in 1959, and with Beverly Sills in 1970. Other notable recordings include; Rigoletto, opposite Ileana Cotrubas and Placido Domingo, under Carlo Maria Giulini, Macbeth, opposite Shirley Verrett, and Simon Boccanegra, opposite Mirella Freni and Nicolai Ghiaurov, both under Claudio Abbado. He also recorded Don Carlos, Il Trovatore and Aida under Herbert von Karajan
Cappuccilli sang until his mid-sixties; an automobile accident in 1992 ended his stage career. He died in his native Trieste, at the age of 78.[2]
Pagliacci,Zaza,Macbeth,Attila,Due Foscari,Forza,Trovatore,Do Carlo,Pearl Fishers, Chenier, Nabucco,Ernani,Roberto Devereux.
(68 min.)
In my efforts to keep you entertained, I mix audio and video clips along with my podcasts. I consider the Lehmann aria here as one of my top favorite commercial recordings of all time!!!
The final passages send me to heaven!!!!!!!!!!!
Edita Gruberova has a kind of "eccentric' vocal approach..but so exciting..and the way she goes up to the top (scooooops) is a thrill. I really love her.... WE NEED HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A pretty good cast!!!! Don Giovanni under the legendary Karl Boehm in Naples 1955, with early Birgit Nilsson,Sena Jurinac,Alda Noni, Giuseppe Valdengo, Sesto Bruscantini, Anton Dermota, Gottlob Frick, and a new guy as Masetto named Walter Berry.(He might make it some day!!) (71 min.)
I am sure that wherever you reside, you have experienced tragedies owing to Mother Nature, as we have this week on the Eastern Seaboard, owing to Sandy, a devastating example of what weather patterns can cause.
I wish to express my sincere best wishes for anyone in my area, or in any land where you have suffered such tragedies. This is not the time to "Esultate" after a storm, but to reflect on how people must work with each other and come together, even in the face of such devastation.
How unimportant our "trivial pursuits" appear, in the face of real tragedy, and I hope we will all pull together whenever we face such a heartbreaking situation, no matter where we live.
Sincerely, Charlie
From RAI Turino, 1951, under Arturo Basile, we present Cilea's "L'Arlesiana," with Ferruccio Tagliavini, Pia Tassinari (his wife), Paolo Silveri, Gianna Galli, and Loretta de Lelio (Mrs.Franco Corelli.) (68 min.)
P.S. My brilliant (??) intro.did not come out, but the cast speaks for itself, so you can be spared my voice at least once.
Born October 29, 1926, Vickers in some roles was absolutely a SENSATION. I was not a fan of his in Italian opera, but in Wagner,Grimes, and a few other roles he was one of the greatest singing artists EVER! I hear he is not well!!!! Bless a man who can achieve this incredible career!
How fitting that the Met is presenting Ades' opera "The Tempest," when the East Coast is suffering in the midst of "Sandy," a horrendous storm.
For soprano Audrey Luna, her role makes the Queen of the Night seem like Sarastro by comparison.
In 1972, after a Sills/Galvany Maria Stuarda, one of the greatest shows I ever saw, we went back to Ramey's house to hear my tape(I am the "bravoer.") We were hysterical counting how many measures Marisa held the E flat in the trio. Beverly was also phenomenal in music that you would not associate with her. The two ladies performed that Confrontation Scene like two madwomen, and the audience went ballistic!!!
The ever-jaded crabby Charlie loves to go to the opera, BUT what you see here from dear Diana Soviero is a totally lost art...Like Carteri,Zeani,Scotto,Muzio,Favero,etc..THIS is the kind of emotional delivery that we collectors adore. When I fell out of the balcony on Mar.13, 1977 (OUCH!!) at her Mimi, and we became buddies for life...I thought Tebaldi was cloned. She did tell me Tebaldi once kissed her as a little girl...so it must have rubbed off!!!!!
Dmitri Hvorostovsky told me how he adored Pavel Lisitsian,and he did know him personally. I always found Lisitsian,born Oct.24, 1911, to have an absolutely gorgeous voice, like Dmitri.
Should I be ashamed that I "enjoy" crazy productions???? The singing is usually fine, and some ideas sort of work...but maybe I am so caught up in the craziness, I forget that many new directors do have some novel ideas, but I am conflicted because I am "enjoying" this stuff...but not sure WHY!!!!
How can singers participate in stuff like this??? Imagine Callas,Corelli,Melba,MOI, involved in this Eurotrash..some modern productions are quite interesting, but to me, this is a joke!!!!!
An early Renata Tebaldi performance from Naples, 1951 under Gabriele Santini. Featured also are Giino Penno (loudest high notes I ever heard), and Ugo Savarese. ( 72 min.). Featured also is a bonus of Tebaldi, Campora, and Taddei in the finale of the Traviata Gambling Scene from Naples, 1952, where uncharacteristically, Tebaldi thinks she is Elektra.
Look..the poor kid loses a brother, a baby, and has the devil after her. Don't you think that would make anyone a nutcase??????
For my darling friend and great artist, Virginia Zeani, I wish a most happy birthday (Oct.21). I have known many artists over the years, but I must say that Virginia (along with Tebaldi) has made my life so happy. I hope you will be listening to many Youtube features, and I know you will enjoy them. Bless you, my darling Virginia!!
Zeani was born Virginia Zehan, in Solovăstru, Romania. She studied first in Bucarest, with Lucia Anghel, then with famed coloratura soprano Lydia Lipkowska. Her singing for the Italian Cultural Society in Bucarest so impressed the Italian Ambassador, the Consul and the Press Attaché that they quickly arranged for her to study in Italy, and in March 1947 she travelled to Milan to work with the great tenor Aureliano Pertile.
Early career in Italy With no previous stage experience, in May 1948 she made her professional debut in Bologna, deputising at short notice for Margherita Carosio as Violetta in La traviata, and was immediately offered a tour of thirty more performances. Violetta was a role she would sing an estimated 648 times around the world, during her career. Her partner that evening was tenor Arrigo Pola (Alfredo), the voice teacher of Luciano Pavarotti.
Her career was at first primarily focused in Italy, where she sang in many of the regional opera houses. She describes these years as "making the bones", singing many performances of big roles in smaller houses to gain strength and experience.
National and international recognition In January 1950 she was invited to star in a three month "tournee", or season, in Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt, singing Violetta, Nedda, Michaela and most significantly Adina in L'elisir d'amore opposite the great Italian tenor Beniamino Gigli. She was 24, he was 60.
In 1952 came an important step when, again at short notice, conductor Tullio Serafin chose her to replace Maria Callas as Elvira in i Puritani in the Teatro Communale in Florence. Soon her growing reputation led to invitations to many of the major opera houses of Europe, and Violetta was her debut role in Vienna, and Paris. She made her debut at La Scala, Milan in 1956, as (Cleopatra) in Handel's Giulio Cesare, opposite Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, whom she married shortly afterwards.
Despite having appeared in several successful tours of Great Britain she had yet to appear at Covent Garden. Her debut eventually came in 1960, once again as an emergency replacement, but this time for the indisposed Joan Sutherland. She recalls arriving at the Royal Opera House at 4pm, after a sleepless night and flights from Vienna via Frankfurt. There was just time for costume fittings and a brief rest before she walked, for the very first time, onto the Covent Garden stage. She had never before met any of the cast and had to ask "Which one is my Alfredo?" That remarkable performance was broadcast world-wide and has been preserved on disc. Zeani also appeared in Barcelona, Leningrad, Moscow, Philadelphia, Bucharest etc. and eventually in New York's Metropolitan Opera, as Violetta, in 1966.
Repertoire In her early career she won considerable success in bel canto roles such as Lucia di Lammermoor, (Gilda) in Rigoletto, (Elvira) in I Puritani, and the title role in Linda di Chamounix, and lighter lyric roles such as Massenet's ("Manon") and (Marguerite) in Gounod's Faust. As her voice matured she gradually turned to more dramatic roles including Puccini's Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly and Tosca, and verismo operas including Fedora and Adriana Lecouvreur. She tackled more Verdi roles including (Aida), (Desdemona), (Elisabetta), (Alzira) and (Lina) in Stiffelio, as well as two Wagnerian heroines, (Elsa) in Lohengrin and (Senta) in The Flying Dutchman.
She created the role of (Blanche) in Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites in 1957 at La Scala, later performing his solo masterpiece for soprano La Voix Humaine.
In 1972 she enjoyed one of her greatest successes as Magda in Gian Carlo Menotti's The Consul.
In all she sang some 69 major roles and only ever cancelled two performances.
She sang with many famous colleagues including tenors Beniamino Gigli, Mario Filippeschi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Carlo Bergonzi, Nicolai Gedda, Alfredo Kraus, Jon Vickers, Luciano Pavarotti, and Plácido Domingo, mezzo sopranos Giulietta Simionato, Fedora Barbieri, Shirley Verrett, Lili Chookasian, Grace Bumbry, baritones Gino Bechi, Tito Gobbi. Nicolae Herlea and basses Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, Boris Christoff, etc. A warm-voiced singer with stunning looks and an affecting stage presence, she made few commercial recordings, but many of her live performances exist as bootleg recordings and YouTube postings.
Teaching
Virginia Zeani, "Teacher of the Year 2010" at home in her music room in Florida
Zeani retired from the operatic stage in 1982, but, together with her husband, Nicola Rossi Lemeni, in 1980 began to teach singing at the music school in Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The couple were later both honored as "Distinguished Professors". After her husband's death in 1991 she taught at IU for many more years before moving to Florida where she continues to teach talented young singers, In 2010, having now taught for thirty years, the magazine Classical Singer named her Teacher of the Year.
Amongst Zeani's most famous pupils are Sylvia McNair, Susan Patterson, Angela Brown, Stephen Mark Brown, Elizabeth Futral, Marilyn Mims, Vivica Genaux, Mark Nicolson, Heidi Klassen, James Valenti Elīna Garanča and Ailyn Perez.
Awards She was the recipient of many major awards including Commendatore of the Italian Republic. In 2010, King Michael of Romania awarded her his highest honour, "Nihil sine Deo",[1] and in May 2011 she travelled to the Elisabeta Palace in Bucharest where he invested her with the award.
References
Since my adopted sister Virginia Zeani celebrates a birthday (87) on October 21, I am starting early to give you some samples of her greatness. I have told you enough about her and you know what I feel for her as both singer and friend.Here is the first one.
Callas did it...Galvany did it..Guleghina did it....and NOW...Dimitra Theodossiou takes the fabulous interpolated high E flat at the end of the Nabucco duet w.Nucci.
But the Met probably would not like her..too exciting!!!!!!!
Anita Cerquetti had to retire very soon. She had a magnificent voice,as you will hear, in arias from Ernani, Agnese di Hofenstaufen (Spontini), Oberon, Vespri Siciliani, Forza del Destinmo.William Tell, Aida,and Ernani. (63 min.)
Anita Cerquetti (April 13, 1931) is an Italian dramatic soprano who had a short career in the 1950s.
Cerquetti was born in Montecosaro, near Macerata, Italy. She was originally a student of the violin and trained eight years with Luigi Mori. After a mere one year of vocal study at the Conservatory of Perugia she made her operatic debut in Spoleto in 1951 as Aida. She sang all over Italy, notably in Florence as Noraime in Les Abencérages, under Carlo Maria Giulini in 1956, and as Elvira in Ernani, under Dimitri Mitropoulos in 1957. Her Teatro alla Scala debut was in 1958 as Abigail in Nabucco. She also sang on RAI in a wide variety of roles such as Elcia in Mosè in Egitto, Mathilde in Guglielmo Tell, Elena in I vespri siciliani, etc.
Cerquetti made headlines in January 1958, when she replaced "in extremis" the ailing Maria Callas in Norma, at the Rome Opera House. She was already singing the role at the San Carlo in Naples. She commuted between the two cities to honor both engagements for several weeks. This "tour de force" won her great acclaim but had serious effects on her health. Shortly after she started withdrawing little by little from the stage until her complete retirement in 1961, aged only 30.
Cerquetti sang relatively little in America. Her debut there was at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1955, as Amelia in Un ballo in maschera, opposite Jussi Björling, with Tullio Serafin conducting.
Cerquetti made only two commercial recordings, both for Decca in 1957, a recital of Italian opera arias and a complete La Gioconda with Mario del Monaco, Ettore Bastianini, Giulietta Simionato, Cesare Siepi. Among her "pirated" recordings is a 1958 Aida, from Mexico City, with Flaviano Labò, Nell Rankin, Cornell MacNeil, Fernando Corena and Norman Treigle. The Rome Norma of 1958 with Franco Corelli is also available. In 1996 she sang and talked in Jan Schmidt-Garre's film Opera Fanatic. A recording of Don Carlo from Florence 1956 featuring Cerquetti as Elizabetta is available from Melodram.
Highlights from an exciting Fidelio from Vienna, 1953 under Herbert Von Kareajan. It features Martha Moedl, Wolfgang Windgassen, Josef Metternich, Otto Edelmann (Rocco), Rudolf Schock, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, and Hans Braun (Don Fernando.) (65 min.)
Not the typical Lucia voice (like Callas), but very exciting!!!!! By the way, anyone who can guess all her fake names and the real one, I will send you all my Maria Malibran tapes.(WHO???)
Oslo Norway recent La Boheme.....Do not ask what it means!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Good singers anyway,but.......)
OK......My buddy James Jorden (La Cieca) repaired the podcast problem, and they will be back tomorrow..Thanks for your patience!!!!! I will still provide video clips as a bonus!!!!
Funny joke on Birgit Nilsson during the Solti Gotterdamerung recording session....From the documentary,"The Golden Ring."
Anna has such a great personality, to accompany a fabulous voice. How many singers today would be great in any era? LUV HER!!!!!
In the event you are new to this site, here is a repeat of the wildest stage happening we ever taped. I think it might have been a jealous diva, since it took place at Ashley Putnam's City Opera debut in 1977. When I told the tenor, Henry Price, that I was there,he said, "So was I!!!"...How did he go on?????
There were many rumors, but we really never found out what this was all about,but at least we have this for posterity. I covered some music classes once, and the kids made me play this every day!!!!!!
Born October 12, 1935, Pavarotti remains as one of the greatest singers in opera history. Yes, the "hype' could be a bit much, but let us remember the sensational voice!!!!!!
Glorious Elisir tonight.....How often do we have FOUR singers of top quality all together??They rarely can do it with Verdi, but the cast tonight was simply a delight. Polenzani,Netrebko, Kwiecen, Maestri. I had a ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (but did not see the Yankees win)
The gorgeous basso voice of Met basso Morris Robinson. I saw him last night in Trovatore, and he was superb. Do not ever mess with him, as he is an ex-football star!!!!!!
In blessed memory of the great Leyla Gencer, born October 10, 1928.How we adored her...she sang a HUGE repertory.Yes,she could sometimes be variable, but in all, one of the greats. I always said that if there was no Callas, "She would be Callas."
Echoes of Cornell MacNeil!!! Fabulous sound last night as De Luna..What a true Verdi baritone, and you know jaded me!!! BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice to make new diva discoveries!! Last night Mme.Giannasstasio sang a superb Leonora. It is a big,opulent tone and she was superb in her fioratura. I would like more chest voice (You know me.) I really loved her and hope we hear more of her!!!
Hi again,
In my effort to acquaint you with some of the special voices in the history of the vocal art, especially until my podcasts return, I am presenting one of the most remarkable voices, Eva Turner.This legendary soprano had a steely voice that could probably be heard across the English Channel. Enjoy!!!!
Imagine being able to sing this aria (1993) at 83....One of the most incredible artists in opera history.
My darling friend of over 35 years and the last of the great Verismo sopranos gives a New York Master Class Wednesday at the Manhatten School of Music. Diana's classes are so interesting and vibrant. I have rarely seen singers in my life I love more.
I was in the Met lobby last week, and i heard this SOUND!!! I got so upset, thinking someone was being murdered....and look what happened to me.
NO MEZZO I ever heard thrills me more than the sensational Ebe Stignani, who sings the Don Fatale in a live 1938 San Francisco broadcast..and she never came to the Met...Well,what else is new??Want a list???
I showed you Elizabeth DeShong in my review page of the Borgia. Here is the young marvelous tenor, Michael Fabiano, whom I mentioned in my review. He is truly superb!!!
Dear buddies and buddiettes,
I wish to review the SF Lucrezia Borgia broadcast, although as I have said a few times (??),it was on RADIO,not in my physical presence. The most telling element was that I made three marvelous discoveries in one show, Vitalij Kowaljow,Michael Fabiano, and Elizabeth DeShong.
Fabiano,who appeared in the telecast called "The Audition," has a gorgeous lyric tenor voice. His style reminds me of Alfredo Kraus, but with a more glowing tone. I look forward to his Cassio, and hopefully a lot more. His Gennaro (here comes the pun) was not "generic" as many singers today seem to be.
Elizabeth DeShong, in the lower register (my favorite area of the female voice), reminded me of a kind of a lyric "Clara Butt" or maybe a lyric Obratsova. The voice is so exciting, and she gets up to high C easily.
Vitalij Kowaljow was the STAR, as far as I believe; his is a gorgeous bass-baritone voice, and I also liked the decorations in the repeat of the Act One cabaletta. (unlike Chaliapin, who sings the most eccentric descending phrases imaginable in "La mia vendetta."), Did he not appear as Wotan in the Kirov visit?
Renee has always posed an enigma for me; in music with "quiet orchestration" as in Arabella act one or Traviata act two, the lady is sublime. Today,had I been there as i was at Carnegie several years ago for Borgia, I would not have been as impressed, since her voice lacks enough squillo to rise over an orchestra. On the broadcast she was thrilling, and at least there is ONE diva around today who is not afraid to sound like Lina Bruna Rasa in the low register.(well,sort of.). Although she avoided taking a high E flat in the final cabaletta, she sang beautifully and with her usual enthusiasm. I only wish she was more than a "radio voice" in the Met.
I hope to hear more of my three "discoveries' real soon. I feel warm and fuzzy when I realize that there are still some fine artists with us who can excite jaded old me.
Lovingly, Charlie
I wish the Met would be able to stage the Gotterdamerung finale as beautifully as this from Valencia under Zubin Mehta....yes, I know, her costume is not really flattering (She is Jennifer Wilson.)..but look, who said you need Lindsay Lohan as Brunnhilde...who would probably steal the Ring anyway.
Here is more of Marco Berti. Please remember that you must BE THERE to totally appreciate what SQUILLO is. I almost fell out of my seat last night... I think Berti is now the ONLY "heroic tenor" for Manrico,Radames,Calaf, etc. You know how fussy I am....but I really found him special.(and just spent money on Amazon.)
Not since the old "Corelli days" have I been as thrilled as I was last evening when Marco Berti sang Calaf in the Turandot. The voice is brilliant from middle to top;the SQUILLO in that tone made me CWAZY!! I also so much appreciate what he wrote to me after i wrote to him.(Below). We need him so much!!!!
Mio caro signore....BRAVISSSSSIMO per Calaf.... Ho visto Corelli......ma non importa Lei e MAGNIFICO...Io gridava molto ieri sera..Carlo Handelman Lei segue la tradizioni dei tenori SQUILLANTI!!!!!!! Marco Berti 7 hours ago Marco Berti Dear Charles, I was very touched to read his words, I have always tried in all the years of his career to give my best and my best, sometimes I could sometimes not. What you are saying is the culmination of a lot of sacrifices and hard work, Thank you very much for giving me understood and supported. Grazie davvero. Marco
I know this is not operatic (unless it is two tenors fighting over a cab ride to the Met), but I wanted you who live in so many countries to understand the great maturity and kindness that New York businessmen exhibit.
However, do not let this clip prevent you from visiting our beautiful city..just wear armor!!!!
He left us too soon. Wunderlich, born Sept.26, 1930 was to have made Met debut, but tragically died, and we are still not totally sure of the circumstances. This was a great man and we treasure his memory;no wonder Piotr Beczala loves him...there are many similarities.
Until I get those delightful podcasts going again, I am giving you some special material most of you have heard, but it is worth a repeat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This familiar clip of my all-time favorite singer is re-played for anyone who might have been living on another planet, where they never heard of a pianissimo!!!!!
Opening Met Elisir tonight with the great Annna Netrebko. I know it will be a great success.
This GREAT singer can do comedy as well sing some of the most difficult opera roles!!!!!!!
Those of you who do not see some of the "innovative" productions of operas might be shocked at this Calixto Bieito concept of Parsifal. I wonder if I "enjoy" some of these productions because of sheer "entertainment" or do I find some real value in the concept. Some of what we call "Eurotrash" can be quite interesting, but some of the productions are so bizarre, I cannot understand what the director is doing.
The excellent tenor, Andrew Richards, makes his Met debut this season as Don Jose. I wrote him that I enjoyed his Parsifal a lot, even the singing.(gggg).
NOTE: Some NUDITY AT THE END!!!! ( Andrew's END)
JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the La Puma Opera and now you know why we ppppp'd in our pantaloni..Note the tenor does not know how to sing the vowel "A" but instead sings " IIIII". Is there anyone out there who would be able to contain their laughter???Note,whoever was taping had trouble not getting totally hysterical. I must say, we did have fun, in a sick way, but remember, they were SERIOUS!!!!!
For me, the most gorgeous voice in the middle register I EVER heard, was Daniele Barioni. He did not last long, but he thrilled us from his debut in 1957 in Tosca,Boheme, Butterfly,Fanciulla,Traviata,etc. In Rondine, he is joined by PRIME Anna Moffo, who is simply exquisite here. This music is some of Puccini's greatest.
The audience was so ASTOUNDED at Cornell MacNeil's last note of the Ernani aria, they screamed before it ended. It was awesome.He was born on Sept.24, 1922, and we lost him recently. I always thought Warren's top was huge...MacNeil's top was SCARY!!!!!!
How sad that Ettore Bastianini, born September 24, 1922, passed away of throat cancer so young. He had a fabulous,dark voice and was a premiere baritone in opera history.
You do not have to sing Otello to be a great great tenor.Born Sept.24, 1927, Kraus is a perfect example of "How to sing." This is an adored man!!!!! Una leyenda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My dear ma used to love Nicolai Gedda's rendition of "Dein ist mein ganzes herz," so at a little party, accompanied by my dear late buddy,Bob Fazio, I decided to try it..with a really inappropriate high A flat at the end.(but look, I am a big HAM!). This is several eons ago, but you know it is still there...but I do not intend to make a comeback. BE KIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was the very first Met telecast, and Scotto was on the "chubby" side(she didn't like that)..but who cared??? She was treated badly at times, but as we listen to her and what she does with words, coloring the voice,etc...she emerges as one of the very last of the "verismo" sopranos.
Yes, he was a nervous wreck(with that wife!!!!) and could drive us crazy..but NO ONE could thrill more than this man!!!! I saw him 40 times and I will never forget him.Rest in Peace, Franco!!!!!!!
My latest discovery!! How does he do it??? Really an amazing talent, and when you have an artist like this, opera companies can revive rare works!!!!!
A DISCOVERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Michael Spyres has a range from low N to high Z......I will put a few more clips on of this amazing man!!!! They should revive operas just for him!!!!!
Sometimes a singer comes along who reminds you of the great artists you have heard for so many years. Such an artist is the Polish tenor, Piotr Beczala (pronounced "Bechawa"). I have already played material with Piotr, one of the sweetest guys you could meet, but I wanted to show you something I treasure in the "Nicolai Gedda' tradition. Piotr also loves Gedda, and there are some elements of Gedda, and another tenor Piotr admired, Fritz Wunderlich in his voice, but he is still a totally unique artist.
I note that at this moment,there are 2454 downloads from Poland, and I am sure he is a celebrity there, as he is throughout the opera world. I hope you enjoy my 2012 favorite singer.
When I told a friend I do not always know what you might enjoy, he told me that since there is so much out there, I am a kind of "curator" as if I decided to show various paintings in a museum. However, you can still send me comments and suggestions to: Placido21@aol.com. Hopefully, the regular podcasts will return soon, but meanwhile, I seem to be able to discover (by racking my brain), what might please you.
Anyone living in a country where they never heard of the great hilarious Anna Russell, I present her phenomenal Ring Analysis...The best line is, "I'm not making this up,you know." She is a LEGEND!!!!
I bet you thought you would get away without hearing my darling Marisa Galvany in the Bolena. This is 1974 from City Opera, but when we did it she held the last E flat for about an hour.
Since I am the only one here who "knows where to go" to find things you will love, especially until the podcasts return, here is another treat for you. This is one of my favorite scenes, and I am very nostalgic about it, since I sang Rochefort in Bolena with Marisa Galvany and Sam Ramey.To rehearse with Galvany and look down her throat as those fabulous D's and E Flats came forth was a thrill for me. Have fun..but do not try this at home!!
In the temporary absence of my podcasts, I offer you some repeats of the favorite selections you have enjoyed.This Lotte Lehmann recording makes me CRAZY!!! I rank it way up there with the most ravishing recordings i ever heard. ENJOY!!!
One of the VERY FEW divas who "lets it all hang out" is Lauren Flanigan, one of the most exciting and dedicated artists. She not only a great artist, but does amazing charity work for the poor, and I just wish I had seen her even more in her great City Opera days; however,I did happily catch her in Macbeth, Mother of us All, Atilla, Vanessa, and Tote Stadt, and was always thrilled with her total committment to the role. Here is a scene from Nabucco, and I know you will like it.
Despite all my stupid and often insulting Rita Hunter jokes, she was one of my favorite singers..Brilliant tone, great feeling, pianissimi,chest voice..Last wonderful Aida and Brunnhilde i saw. I really recommend the ENOC Ring, if you can take Goodall's slow slow tempi. She died really too soon.
Her famous long hair once got caught in Del Monaco's boot in Samson et Delilah..We loved dear Blanche!!!!
Blanche Thebom (September 19, 1915 – March 23, 2010[1]) was an American operatic mezzo-soprano, voice teacher, and opera director. She was part of the first wave of American opera singers that had highly successful international careers.[2] In her own country she had a long association with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City which lasted 22 years. Opera News stated, "An ambitious beauty with a velvety, even-grained dramatic mezzo, Thebom was a natural for opera: she commanded the stage with the elegantly disciplined hauteur of an old-school diva, relishing the opportunity to play femmes du monde such as Marina in Boris Godunov, Herodias and Dalila."[3]
While Thebom sang a broad repertoire which encompassed everything from Handel and Mozart to Verdi and Debussy, she was best known for her performances in the operas of Richard Wagner. Two Wagner roles with which she was particularly associated were Fricka in Die Walküre and Brangaene in Tristan und Isolde.[4] She notably sang the latter role in a famous 1952 recording made in London with Kirsten Flagstad, Ludwig Suthaus, and conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler. In addition to several other recordings, she also appeared in two feature films during her career: Irish Eyes Are Smiling (1944) and, with Mario Lanza, The Great Caruso (1951).[5]
After retiring from the stage in 1967, Thebom worked as an opera director in Atlanta for 6 years. She then taught singing both privately and on the music faculties of the University of Arkansas and San Francisco State University. She also co-founded the Opera Arts Training Program of the San Francisco Girls Chorus and served on the board of the Metropolitan Opera for nearly four decades.[3]
We LOVED HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are examples of either arias, phrases, or even a single WORD that exemplify the great talent of an artist; note the way Mme.Malfitano PLUNGES into this music.There are so few today who can do this. Lauren Flanigan, Renata Scotto, Diana Soviero,etc.KNEW how to do this..I love this scene!!!!
I guess that I am guilty, on the Jewish New Year, for posting this, but look....I did light a candle for Sue's voice. You know I have posted her great high E flat in the Aida I was in, but did not realize what a GESCHREI it was until I saw the tape. I was too busy singing the RE to pay attention.
If you happen to be one of those people who are not into S/M, do NOT listen!!!!
HEY!!! Despite his not being at the Met this year... I will attend Joe Calleja's recital at the New York Winery on Oct.11 at 8 P.M. I am glad to see Joe..he is missed...but he is singing 67 Otellos in Italy so he has no time for us.....Look forward to this with our great guy!!!!! Here is the song from his new album..If only Lanza had his style!!!!
Still awaiting new software to get those podcasts back. Thanks for your patience.(I have lost mine!!)
In my efforts to select material that is special to me (and to you), while the podcasts have to be delayed a while longer, I am selecting some material you will like (and in some cases have heard). Remember that I seem to know what you like, no matter if you have Youtube or not, with its jillions of videos.
I am sure that you have thought of certain "moments' that sum up the greatness of a particular artist, and here is my "Franco moment," with the fabulous High C on the "Eh" vowel which drives me (and the Scala audience) totally crazy!!!!!
The magnificent Tatiana Troyanos, who passed away too soon. She was one of the truly great singers.Born Sept.12, 1938, she will always be missed, but never forgotten.
My friend is off to La Fenice to hear what Verdi originally wrote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yma Sumac had a range of 587 octaves..well,almost....She was born on Sept.10, 1927...she gets MADDDDDD here!!!!!!
A very happy birthday (Sept.8) to dear Linda Strummer, wife of another darling person, Peter Strummer. I wish we had her around today!!!!!!!!! (well,she is "around' on Facebook)
TRAGIC death at only age 33, Seinemeyer was a great singer and was born on September 5, 1895. What a loss to opera!!!!!!!!
Catching up on birthdays...The GREAT Rene Pape, born September 4, 1964. I hope someday he will do Wotan.This man is absolutely a sensation!!!!!!!!!
HIYA ALL,
When my computer buddy returns from seeing Verdi's original Traviata at La Fenice, I will be able to do podcasts again.We had to re-install things and so there will be a delay.Meanwhile,I will send you some videos.
Thanks for your PACENZA!!!!!!
Carlitos ( a name given me by Rolando Villazon)
Our dear Facebook buddy, Larry Brownlee, who has one of the most amazing vocal techniques in our opera universe. He is also an avid sports fan and a "regular dude." We love him so much!!!!!!
**My dear opera-loving friends,
It is a special occasion indeed when we are fortunate to celebrate the life and career of a great artist. On August 30th, Regina Resnik will celebrate her 90th birthday, and I invite you to pay tribute to one of the great icons in the world of music.
Whether or not one has personal knowledge of an artist's reputation as a friend or colleague, those of you who are devoted opera aficionados have studied the careers of various important artists, and appreciate their immense contributions in the world of music.
Mme.Resnik is a totally unique figure in the world of music, having successfully achieved highest praise in a double career as both soprano and mezzo. In addition, her world-wide recognition as teacher, coach, filmmaker, television producer ( the popular "Regina Resnik Presents" series.) and her highly praised Broadway appearances in "Cabaret" and "A Little Night Music" are examples of her great versatility; in addition, the vast number of opera productions she has directed, along with the aforementioned achievements, have resulted in having her stand totally alone in the world of opera. I am sure that those of you who are well-informed as to the achievements of various artists will understand my praise.
Mme.Resnik's many vocal achievements are well-documented in both commercial and live recordings of such roles as Dame Quickly, Eboli, Amneris, Klytaemnestra, Carmen, Sieglinde and Fricka, and a vast number of both soprano and mezzo roles from stages in opera theatres world-wide.
How refreshing it is to be able to thrill to a role she "owned' like Klytaemnestra, that mean lady in Elektra, and then cause utter hilarity in the audience at the Rudolf Bing Farewell Gala with her "Chacun a Bing's Gout!"
I hereby declare August 30th "Regina Resnik Day" for all to celebrate with me, and all of our love and best wishes to one of music's greatest treasures.
With all my love and appreciation,
Charlie**
Now LOOK! I know you sort of like me, but PLEASE do not stop belonging to this site, just because I wanted to show you something of what we saw at the La Puma Opera Company when we thought opera was serious.
Note how the tenor sings all of his high vowels on "III" ("Tosca' becomes "TEEEEESCA" in the aria. Also, how unkind of the guy taping to keep laughing..I NEVER laughed at La Puma....I held it in until I ran hysterical out of the place nd almost had a serious accident....
I wonder if,in your city, you have anything like this..but please be KIND to these people who just wanted to perform. OH!!I wish we had them around today. There a few decent singers (the Scarpia) but essentially it was a RIOT!!!
Continuing my 90th birthday Regina Resnik tribute, here is a role that she performed in such a way that the audience was absolutely riveted.(It did not hurt to have Nilsson and Rysanek in the show.) Her famous scary laughter is not heard in the film as it was at the Met. This is the film with Gladys Kuchta.
It may be in English, and I prefer to hear "Reverenza" from Regina. She OWNED this role and Geraint Evans was also wonderful. Remember, this is her 90th birthday week, so you will get a bit more of Regina.
Paul Plishka was born on August 28, 1941. This video tribute to him at a Met Tosca on the occasion of his retirement after a Met career of 45 years is surely well-deserved. When I made my opera debut as Marchese/Melitone in 1960, young Paul was the Guardiano. As good as he was, we never could imagine that he would enjoy such an incredibly long and successful career, despite several personal family tragedies. I am so happy for dear Paul, a wonderful artist and lovable guy.
In advance of dear Regina's 90th birthday on August 30, here is a non-operatic treasure!!!!!!! She could do EVERYTHING!!!!!!
There is so little of Virginia Zeani on video that is live, I thought you might enjoy a sample of her great work. What a thrill for me to be able to learn first hand about some of the great singers with whom Virginia worked. These older artists serve as valuable links to the past, and there are precious few of them left. I know you will enjoy Virginia.
I expect my computer expert soon, so you can again enjoy my podcasts, but i know you like the videos.
**Hi all,
On Tuesday, August 28, we will celebrate the birthday of my all-time favorite tenor of those whom I saw live..Richard Tucker, born in 1913, 99 years ago. Yes, I loved the excitement of Corelli and del Monaco, but like caruso, Tucker could excell in both lyric and dramatic roles, and he was one of the most consistent performers in my experience. Quoting Regina Resnik in an Opera News article, "He left his blood all over the stage!"
When Tucker "hooked' into his passaggio, the effect was absolutely amazing;he had a ringing top that echoed throughout the house, and once Carreras was heard to have remarked, regarding the B flat in Ballo before the last scene,that "the note remained on stage even when he left it."
We know of the negative criticism of Tucker, as he could chop a phrase, let out a Cantorial sob (Gigli sobbed also), and sometimes he might be considered 'over the top"( something we WISH FOR today), but who is perfect? Also,some people do not realize that he could sing a gorgeous legato line (one of my examples is Act two Chenier at "Credo al destino.")
As Alvaro in Forza, at the end of the "Sleale" duet, he would drop the sword, come to the prompter's box, and let out a mighty high B natural that I can still hear in my ear! He was a moving Samson, a cute Ferrando, a brilliant Dick Johnson, and had he not passed away too soon, he would have lasted for many more years. His heart condition did not stop him for giving 1000% every night, and I recall how George Jellinek wrote him that he should ease up, but that was NOT what Tucker was all about.
On his birthday, let us remember one of the greatest singers in opera history and a beloved family man as well.
Sincerely,
Charlie**
What words are adequate to describe the remarkable genius, Leonard Bernstein, born Aug. 25, 1918? Yes, sometimes he needed to be "choreographed." A good friend of mine worked with him (I did not say "under"),and said that he would be conducting "even if the roof fell in," such was his involvement in the music. He surely contributed so much to the world of music!!!!
August 25, 1940 was the birthday of one of the GREATEST artists I have ever heard!! Jose Van Dam for me is an ICON in the music world.
How about a little "goo," as Dmitri and Jonas sing this gorgeous Pearl Fishers duet!!! Nice to know there are still singers like this around today!
If I had to choose ONE commercial recording in my experience that thrills me the most, it is the Lotte Lehmann "Ich ging zu ihm" from Korngolds' "Die Wunder der Heliane."
I recall that Rise Stevens, at one of our club meetings, described how she as a young student saw Lehmann as Eva in Die Meistersinger. It seemed that Rise was almost in a kind of trance over what she beheld. How wonderful that she became Octavian to Lehmann's Marshallin!
As I have said, in the absence of my podcasts for now, I will regale you with some treasured material. I thank you for your patience!
You have heard me praise my friend Ta'u Pupu'a whom I "discovered" when we sang in Rigoletto together several years ago;as good as he sounds here, he has come along to the point where is has been engaged for difficult roles like Bacchus in Ariadne,Radames,etc....and you already have heard samples of his work. Since Saturday, Aug.25 is his birthday, I wanted to present this clip.It is my pleasure to know this great guy.
Here is Schubert's "An die Musik," as sung by the magnificent Janet Baker, born August 21, 1933. I heartily recommend you purchase her recording of Elgar's "Sea Pictures," which ranks so very high in my "desert island" collection. I regret I never saw her live, because she is a sublime artist.
To keep you all interested while I await my repairman to fix my podcasts, I have been sending you some videos that you may enjoy. You would not normally know what to look for on Youtube, but since I have some ideas as to what you might enjoy, I can pick items.
Handelman is the King on the left of the group. I was so busy singing my part that I did not realize, until I saw the tape, that the great diva Sue Hassell thought she was Maria Callas, and hit an E flat that might cause all animals in the neighborhood to come running. It is what we call in Italian a "GESCHREI!!"
Make sure no little animals or small children are in the room when you play this. I have a few other "Perle Nere," which is the Italian expression (Black Pearls) for opera disasters. I sincerely hope you enjoy (??) some of my selections in the meantime.
Do not forget that many small groups have some fine singers..but not this one.(Except of course, ME!)
How wonderful to see dear Piotr Beczala on the cover of the new Opera News, with a beautiful article about his career...not to be missed by those who appreciate what great artistry and of course beautiful singing is all about. I have been singing his praises ever since I first heard him at the Met, and I am glad they chose to highlight his career which is surely becoming one of the most successful in the opera world.
InIn anticipation of Regina Resnik's 90th birthday on August 30, I present her hilarious take-off on Orlovsky's aria, which brought down the house at the Farewell Gala of Rudolf Bing. There are some "private references" that you might not understand, but really the audience just cracked up. My favorite moment is the way she says ,"But ask Corelli TWWWWWice!."
A friend and I ,who know Regina for over 50 years, spent the day yesterday with her, and it was a joyous reunion. You will hear much more on her birthday.
I hope these videos are pleasant until I get the podcast problem solved.!
Let us celebrate the birthday of Miliza Korjus on Aug.18 (1907.) This is a perfect example of "vocal camp" and be sure no little children or animals are near the speakers at the end, and you will see why!!! She made films and was a well-known personality, but no one ever told her what "vibrato" was. I must tell you that most people crack up at the end!!!!!
I never know what videos on Youtube you have seen, but I hope that perhaps some of my videos are new to you...and as entertaining as this one. Birgit enjoyed it!!!!!!
Born August 16, 1951 , Rolandi STEALS THE SHOW at a City Opera Cenerentola, when they added an aria we never hear. It is a RIOT!!!!!
Remember, until the podcasts are repaired, you will get some videos to entertain you..besides, I can rest my voice.(Aren't you lucky!!)
Yes, I love to go to the opera..BUT I do know what we will never experience again. (This is in the regular key,by the way). LORD!!!!! Do not tell me there is anything like this today!!!!!
The dear unforgettable Renata Tebaldi, who filled our young lives on and off stage with the most beautiful loving personality and great artistry one could imagine. I miss her so!!!!
Carmen Melis, teacher of Renata Tebaldi, was born Aug.16, 1885. Here is an example of her work, and she certainly had a fabulous pupil.
I am having some upload problems, so until I have solved them, I will regale you with some videos to keep you out of trouble.
The first commercial recording of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, featuring Camilla Williams and Lawrence Winters in the title roles, with Avon Long as Sportin' Life, Inez Matthews as Serena, June McMechen as Clara, and Warren Coleman as Crown. The conductor is Lehman Engel. (60 min.)
My dear friend Ta'u Pupu'a, a native of Tonga, and former pro-football player. He "tackles" opera like the star he was at the sport. His career is blossoming, and here are some rehearsal excerpts from Tosca,Carmen, Turandot, and the terribly difficult Mahler "Das Lied von der Erde." We wish him the best as he embarks on an exciting career.(and I knew him "when.) (18 min.)
The opera debut, on NBC TV in 1955, of Leontyne Price, in an abridged English version of Tosca. This historic performance features David Poleri, Josh Wheeler, and a newcomer named Thomas Stewart as Angelotti. The conductor is Peter Herman Adler. (72 min.)
An Exciting Il Tabarro from 1946 under Cesare Sodero, with Licia Albanese, Lawrence Tibbett, Frederick Jagel, Margaret Harshaw, Alessio de Paolis, and Virgilio Lazzari. This is followed by some 1970 scenes from Il Tabarro from Florence, with Magda Olivero, Aldo Bottion, and Giulio Fioravanti,under the direction of Gaetano Delogu. (72 min.)
From 1967 under Lamberto Gardelli, a wonderful Rigoletto starring Cornell MacNeil,Nicolai Gedda, Roberta Peters, Bonaldo Giaiotti, and Belen Amparan. You will love this!! (72 min.)
You know by now what I think of Piotr Beczala and Anna Netrebko, artists who would be accepted as magnificent in ANY opera era. I just wanted to show anyone who may not have seen today's telecast of Manon why my eyes filled with tears!!!! To my "jaded' ears, this was a great triumph, and I hope you enjoy it.
The sound track of the 1969 Hamburg Elektra film under Leopold Ludwig, featuring Gladys Kuchta, Regina Resnik, Ingrid Bjoerner, and Hans Sotin. This is followed by the Elektra/Klytaemnestra scene with Martha Moedl and inge Borkh from Rome 1965, under Antal Dorati (71 min.)
You know how much stuff I have laying around, including about 2000 VHS tapes.(Mostly opera). If anyone wishes to receive my free VHS catalogues, let me know at Placido21@aol.com and include name and address.
I would say $ 3.00 each, but you must be able to pick them up by car or bring a heavy diva to carry them, and you probably would be living in or near New York City.
What a shame these things are just vegetating, but that's technology!!!
My dear friends,
At this juncture I feel that the fact we had to omit the comment section,owing to a large number of annoying ads, is really detrimental. Therefore if you wish to comment on any podcast and/or make suggestions for future ones, please E-mail me at Placido21@aol.com.
Ustedes pueden escribir en espanol.
Vous pouvez ecrire en francais.
Voi potete scrivere in italiano.
(But that is all I can handle and forget Latin because I forgot it all.)
I really want your feedback!!!!
I almost weep every time I think of what this great man was to music. He was only 48 at his passing. He was born with the kind of heart and soul that one cannot obtain. Every breath he takes thrills me to death,and let us bless his memory.
A thrilling Trovatore from Paris 2003 under Maurizio Benini. Featured are Roberto Alagna, Sondra Radvanovsky,Dolora Zajick, Stefano Antonuccci, and Orlin Anastassov (Ferrando.) ( 71 min.)
Just a little postscript:
I used to tell Mme.Zajick that is so RARE in our usually "pretty" approach to opera, and that she is a throwback to a Stignani, a Barbieri,etc. She seemed to understand my feelings in regard to what she does want of her own students, and had me do a "Handelmanian Master Class" in which I played recordings illustrating style,emotion, etc.....I cudda beena star!! (But I cannot read music.)
A truly glorious Simon Boccanegra from Monaco, 1966, featuring the kind of singing we adore. Giuseppe Taddei, Giorgio Tozzi, Antonietta Stella (Toni Starr), Gianfranco Cecchele, and Ivan Sardi. The conductor is Giuseppe Patane. (66 min.)
Get out your Pavarotti towels!!!!! Diana is absolutely remarkable here. This is the kind of singing and emotion that a Muzio, a Favero, a Zeani, a Scotto expressed.
I assume that most of you get Youtube in your country, but I can pick out certain videos that I think special. Did you know that Youtube now is able to show you complete operas????
If you have any comments, requests,etc,please E-mail me at Placido21@aol.comand I will try to make you happy.
As ever your friend Charlie
Young Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu (Met Traviata this coming season) sounds beautiful..Funny..he just did COSI..where an Albanian is disguised as an Albanian...!
July 27, 1915. Mario was the first singer i ever saw (Aida) when I was 15.My first impression was a set of white teeth coming toward me before "Celeste Aida." He gave 1000% of himself and we miss this brand of singing!!!!
Anyone who has been living on another planet and never saw Mari Lyn can "enjoy" this example of her great art. Note that the Act Four letter is a perfect example of verismo Italian. Before I showed this to Diana Soviero, I told her, "You will never see anything like this." She replied, "Oh,maybe she can study with me!" Then I played Mari and Diana almost fell off my couch!!!!
We love Mari Lyn and if you go to Youtube you will be able to sample more of her great art, but keep small children and animals away from the screen, lest they become traumatized forever. NOTE: Great Italian translations!!!!
There is just nothing that compares to Nilsson/Corelli in Turandot. I saw several and as I say "the applause and cheers never stopped in 50 years." This is from 1964 La Scala under Gianandrea Gavazzeni with Gallina Vishnevskaya and Nicola Zaccaria. ( 71 min.)
A tender performance of Puccini's "La Rondine" with Virginia Zeani, Luciano Saldari, Gabriella Ravazzi, Angelo Marchiandi (Prunier), and Angelo Romero (Rambaldo.) This is from Lucca in 1971 under Nino Verchi. (70 min.)
Another of my "diva buddies," Olivia Stapp, mezzo-turned-soprano, in a Cavalleria from 1978, with Giorgio Merighi and Matteo Manuguerra, under Riccardo Chailly. You know by now that I try to introduce people to singers who did not make 100 recordings!!!! (65 min.)
The new Opera News features bios of young artists, and one is the magnificent Latonia Moore, who stepped in last year and made her Met debut as Aida on the broadcast. She brought down the house at Carnegie in Puccini's "Edgar" two years ago, and just go to Youtube to sample more of her art, and remember that I have heard them all! ((I even dated Melba.)
Even in 1973 we can tell what a fabulous voice this was. "Pippo" was born on July 24, 1921 and as I have stated many times, he destroyed a fabulous voice by singing heavier repertory and forgetting what a passaggio is. However, perhaps in the history of tenor singing, he would rank way up there for an incredibly gorgeous natural voice. Rest in Peace!
My darling "big sister," Virginia Zeani, one of the greatest sopranos...70 plus roles...and a legend!!!!!!
Piotr is much more than a "singer." He has the depth of emotion, the love of the vocal line, and all the elements that constitute great singing!!!!!
Susan Graham, one of opera's finest artists, celebrates her birthday on July23. Here is Mme.Graham in a scene from a modern production of Ariadne. Happy birthday to a great star!!
Diana Soviero in a scene from Act Two of mme.Butterfly. She combines the great voice with the kind of emotion of a Muzio, a Zeani, an Albanese. Enjoy!!!
An exciting Luisa Miller featuring the young Jose Carreras and the young Katia Ricciarelli from Turino in the 1970's. The conductor is Fernando Previtali and the great Renato Bruson is Miller. Count Walter is sung by Mario Rinaudo and Federica is sung by Stella Silva. (72 min.)
From 1967, the only time Beverly Sills sang the Puccini Trittico. In Tabarro she is joined by a young Placido Domingo and Seymour Schwartzman; in Suor Angelica the wonderful Frances Bible is the Principessa.(Another superb artist who never got to the Met);In Gianni Schicchi we hear Norman Treigle,one of the greatest singers I ever heard, and Salvator Novoa. Julius Rudel is the conductor.
Even in 1967, there were decent tape recorders to preserve performances like this and we must be grateful to whomever recorded the one Sills Trittico. (73 min.)
Licia Albanese, a living legend, turns 103 on July 22, 2012. Last time we met, I walked (slowly) with her (she is tiny) and reminded her of how I loved her Boheme with Gigli. I don't meet legends every day!!!!
My most beloved favorite singer, Zinka Milanov, sings songs by Strauss,Schumann, Giordani,Bozidar Kunc (her brother and accompanist), Brahms, Hageman ,Bersa, and Pavcic.These are from 1955; following these are six Croatian songs, recorded in 1943.
As a bonus, we hear the incredible rendition of the Trovatore aria, "D'amor sull'ali rosee," which got me hooked on Zinka at around age 14. I know you will enjoy these selections. (70 min.)
What can I tell you??? The Wagner grandaughters are directing these new productions of poor Richard, who might be revived and say, "Gee, I never thought of that!!" As I say, on a certain "level" (Twilight Zone??), the productions are entertaining, although I need someone to tell me what is going on and why???? I leave it to you to enjoy these productions in some way or totally get sick. Have fun!!!
In loving tribute to Eleanor Steber, one of opera's finest artists, I present a 1955 Don Carlo with Steber (Born July 17, 1914) and featuring Richard Tucker, Ettore Bastianini, Blanche Thebom, and Jerome Hines, under the direction of Kurt Adler (72 min.)
I just realized that to see past podcasts,you look at the calendar on the right, and click on a date that is in blue. Otherwise you can scroll down only to a limited number of posts. I do hope you enjoy the new videos (even me)..Charlie
The magnificent Eleanor Steber was born on July 17, 1914. The performances I saw with her were unforgettable. Here is but one sample and I hope you think of her as affectionately as I do.
If I may, here is my Alvise with Jennifer Zarchy as Laura. It was a few years ago. I am NOT a bass, but considering I cannot read music..not too bad. If you want me to delete myself, let me know. If you are nice to me, I may someday put up my Monterone..Minestrone..MELITONE... BE KIND!!!!
See how nice it is to give you a video sample after an audio podcast???? I hope you enjoy it and can hear that fabulous middle voice of Di Stefano (1975, Tokyo.) Enjoy!!!!
Here are early recordings by the great Giuseppe "Pippo" Di Stefano from various Puccini operas, live and commercial. You know how angry I become when i hear how phenomenal he sounded and how he just let it all deteriorate. However, aside from that, this is glorious singing. (65 min.)
Next year the Met sets their Rigoletto in 1960 La Vegas.(Piotr...you may be Frank Sinatra), so you see this stuff is coming over the ocean. I do not say it is not "fun" on one level, but do you approve of this new kind of "interpretation?" If you turned the sound off, could you recognize the opera????
OK...This is all for tonight, but I had to practice doing this. I have heard Zinka's "note" 1000 times plus, and i still cannot believe it!!!!!
(I once had hair)
Before I fully matured (like now), I made up a scream tape to be played at parties. If you can guess most of them I will give you all my Andrea Bocelli tapes. Have fun..but keep little kids and animals away when you play this!!!
Addio, senza rancor.
Hello all,
Many of us have known individuals who have changed our lives for the better, and, as we note on this site, I can be of some benefit to others, as a result of my buddy,James Jorden (La Cieca) helping me to create a site where opera lovers around the world can enjoy the great treasures that opera holds.
Today Mr.Jorden (in photo) helped me to add two new features. One is the ability to post videos directly from Youtube, and the other is to set up a hyperlink, so that on occasion you click a URL and go directly to other videos. I hope this adds to your enjoyment of these podcasts, and if you have any special comments or requests, write me at Placido21@aol.com.
My best
Charlie
The great Nicolai Gedda.
NOTE: I now can put videos on this site!!! Aren't you happy????????????????????
In memory of the late Charles Anthony, on his birthday, July 15, here is a sample of one of his master classes.
From 1950, I bring you some rehearsal excerpts from Falstaff Act 2 under the great Arturo Toscanini. The cast includes Giuseppe Valdengo,Frank Guarrera,Theresa Stich-Randall, Cloe Elmo, Nan Merriman, Virgilio Assandri, and Norman Scott (62 min.)
The beloved Magda Olivero, now 102 years young, sings first Poulenc's "La Voix Humaine" from 1970 in Venice under Nicola Rescigno. This will be followed by a series of Ave Marias from several years:
Schubert( 1978), Bracesso ( 1979), Luzzi (1981), Saint-Saens (1985), and Leoncavallo ( 1987). The podcast concludes with a special arrangement,in 1994 (she was only 84), of an Ave Maria that is based on the Cavalleria Rusticana Intermezzo. (72 min.)
Magda is one of the great miracles of opera and when I speak to her every birthday and when friends of mine visit her in Milan, she speaks that gorgeous "Verism0" Italian, and is even more lucid than I am.
Magda Olivero (née Maria Maddalena Olivero, 25 March 1910) is a soprano of the verismo-school of singing. She was born in Saluzzo, Italy.
Olivero made her operatic debut in 1932 on Turin radio in Nino Cattozzo's (1886–1961) oratorio I misteri dolorosi.[1] She performed widely and increasingly successfully until 1941, when she married and retired from performing. She returned to the stage ten years later, at the request of Francesco Cilea, who asked her to sing the title role in his opera Adriana Lecouvreur.[2][3]
From 1951 until her final retirement, Olivero sang in opera houses around the world. Among her most renowned interpretations were the leading parts in Adriana Lecouvreur, Iris, Fedora, La bohème, La fanciulla del West, La traviata, La Wally, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Mefistofele, and Turandot (as Liù.)
She sang in Cherubini's Médée in Dallas in 1967 and in Kansas City in 1968.[4] In 1975, already an international star for four decades, she made her début at the Metropolitan Opera House in Tosca. Her last performances on stage were in March 1981 in the one-woman opera, La voix humaine by Poulenc.[5] Thus, her stage career ended at age 71 and spanned nearly 50 years. She continued to sing church music locally and, well into her eighties, made a recording of several arias. Recordings exist of many of her great performances of both full operas and arias and scenes.
Among her studio recordings are Turandot (as Liù, with Gina Cigna, for Cetra, 1938), Fedora (with Mario Del Monaco and Tito Gobbi, conducted by Lamberto Gardelli, for Decca, 1969) and highlights from Francesca da Rimini (with Del Monaco, conducted by Nicola Rescigno, for Decca, 1969). In 1993, she recorded, with piano accompaniment, Adriana Lecouvreur (with Marta Moretto as the Princesse de Bouillon); excerpts from this recording were published on the Bongiovanni label. At age 86, she performed Adriana's monologue in Jan Schmidt-Garre's film Opera Fanatic. She made occasional singing appearances into her nineties. Olivero celebrated her 102nd birthday on 25 March 2012.
In honor of the 88th birthday (July 13, 2012) of the great Carlo Bergonzi, one of the greatest singers of all-time, I present a 1962 Ernani with Leontyne Price, Cornell MacNeil, and Giorgio Tozzi, under Thomas Schippers. I could entitle Bergonzi's long career as "How to sing!! 68 min.
From 1937, I bring you a Cavalleria Rusticana under Gennaro Papi, featuring the legendary Elizabeth Rethberg, Sydney Rayner, Carlo Morelli, Anna Kaskas (Mamma Lucia), and Irra Petina (Lola.). This is followed by commercial recordings of "Vissi d'arte" and "O Patria mia." What a great artist she was! (70 min.)
I never get to hear my own collection, so,for a change, I decided to listen to this wonderful 1957 Trieste Puritani under Francesco Molinari-Pradelli with Virginia Zeani, Mario Filippeschi, Aldo Protti, and Andrea Mongelli.
I was "weaned" on those old Cetra operas with Filippeschi in some of them, and despite a voice that is not gorgeous, it sounds like ten trumpets. Virginia said it was not that big, but the top was sensational. I also add as a bonus, Elvira's aria and cabaletta from a 1956 Florence Puritani with Virginia. Have fun!! (72 min.)
The miraculous Kirsten Flagstad, born July 11, 1895, is heard in her debut as Sieglinde with Paul Althouse (1935) and then in a scene from 1937 with Marjorie Lawrence as Brunnhilde in act three. Both are conducted by Arthur Bodansky. We then move to her Brunnhilde in 1940, with Lawrence as the Sieglinde, Lauritz Melchior and Julius Huehn, under Erich Leinsdorf. (68 min.)
I have played you a lot of my all-time favorite mezzo,Ebe Stignani.Here on her July 11 birthday, is some info.on her great career. Much adored in opera circles.
Born in Naples in 1903[1] (some sources cite her year of birth as 1904[2]), Ebe Stignani studied music for five years at the San Pietro a Majella Conservatory in Naples, including piano and composition as well as singing. The date of her singing début is usually said to have been in 1925 at the San Carlo opera house in Naples, in the role of Amneris in Verdi's Aida, but there is evidence that she may have sung a number of roles in the previous year. In 1926, she was invited to La Scala Milan by Arturo Toscanini to sing the part of Princess Eboli in Verdi's Don Carlo, and Milan continued to be a principal stage for her during the rest of her career. She sang all of the major Italian mezzo-soprano roles, but also tackled Wagner's Ortrud (Lohengrin) and Brangäne (Tristan und Isolde), and Saint-Saëns's Dalila (Samson et Dalila) conducted by Victor de Sabata.
She appeared with the San Francisco Opera in 1938 and again in 1948 but never at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She toured extensively in North America in the years after World War II. Her first appearance at Covent Garden was in 1937, as Amneris, and she returned to London a number of times, notably in the role of Adalgisa in partnership with Maria Callas's Norma in 1952 and 1957. In the second of the two 1957 performances the thunderous and sustained applause after the duet Mira O Norma led conductor John Pritchard to encore that last part, apparently the only time she ever sang an encore in opera in her career. She also appeared frequently in South America, including the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and in many other European cities outside Italy including Paris, Madrid, and Berlin (where she sang in 1933, 1937 and 1941). Among the new roles which she created during her career were Cathos in Felice Lattuada's Le preziose ridicole (1929), and La Voce in Respighi's Lucrezia (1937).
She retired from the stage in 1958 after appearances in London (as Azucena) and in Dublin (as Amneris). Thereafter, she lived quietly in retirement at her home in Imola. She had married in 1941 and given birth to a son in 1944.
Stignani's voice was large and rich in tone, if sometimes hard-edged, and evenly balanced throughout its considerable range (extending from a low F to a high C). It had sufficient flexibility for her to undertake such roles as Rossini's L'italiana in Algeri, but it was in noble, dramatic parts that she was heard to greatest effect. Critics often referred to the grandeur of her performances. By her own account, she was short and plump, and she admitted her shortcomings as an actress, but she achieved dramatic power and characterization through the quality of her voice and technique. She knew her priorities: speaking to Lanfranco Rasponi, she said, "I was given a magnificent gift, and in a way I am like a priestess, for I feel that it is my responsibility to keep the flame lit in the best possible manner... I am Stignani because of my voice". She was highly disciplined in her choice of roles and in the number of appearances she made, refusing to take assignments which she felt were not right for her voice, and this no doubt contributed to the longevity of her career at the highest level.
In celebration of the 87th birthday of the remarkable Nicolai Gedda,on July 11, 2012, I present a Boheme with Scotto,Guarrera,Boky,Flagello, and Goodloe completing the excellent cast under Henry Lewis from 1972. Gedda has been one of the great operatic ICONS and is beloved in the music world for his artistry, musicianship, versatility, and of course that fabulous voice. (72 min.)
I have added the last act aria from William Tell on the commercial recording as a bonus. (Count the high C's!!)
One of the legendary Maria Callas Mexico performances.This is Aida under Guido Picco from 1950. She is joined by Giulietta Simionato, Robert Weede, and our dear buddy Kurt Baum (well, if you had to see him as much as we did,you would probably agree that he was no Tucker,Corelli, or Del Monaco...and I do not want to hear that "today he would be famous". ) Nicola Moscona as Ramfis and Ignacio Ruffino as the King complete the cast. (72 min.)
A stellar cast in this 1960 Simone Boccanegra under Dimitri Mitropolous, featuring Frank Guarrera,Zinka Milanov, Carlo Bergonzi, Giorgio Tozzi, and Ezio Flagello. (73 min.). Yes, I was there and the show was unforgettable!!!!
She sang magnificently into her 70's ( as we discovered after her passing), we offer a July 6, birthday tribute to her. (1910-1992). Included are Gershwin songs (She knew how to sing pop, a rarity among opera divas), arias/scenes from La Rondine,Gianni Schicchi, Tosca, and Thais (with Robert Merrill), and some Louise scenes with Norman Treigle. We also include some Butterfly scenes when she was almost 65, with Russell Christopher and Nedda Casei. Kirsten was one of our finest American artists and we treasure her memory. (68 min.)
Hello all,
Every time I read the stats and see what interest you have in these podcasts,I am truly happy I can contribute to your pleasure. After all, I was turned on to opera by others, and so I am thankful to them that I can return the favor to you. I thank you again for all your sincere interest.
As ever,
Carlo Magno, traditore(???)
Scenes from the 1847 version of Verdi's Macbeth, from Royal Al;bert Hall in London, 1978 under John Matheson. The wonderful Rita Hunter, one of my favorite artists is the Lady Macbeth, with Peter Glossop, Jenneth Collins, and Richard Greager (Malcolm.) I did not include John Tomlinson,who played Banquo, in these scenes. (68 min)
One of the beautiful elements of this podcast site is to behold the incredible number of countries that participate. When I listened back to my dialogue, dopey Charlie spoke of July 4th as if it were a "global" holiday. I apologize, since each country has its own special day. I think the excessive New York heat got to me.(if that is a good excuse)
Scenes from two operas that featured Montserrat Caballe at her greatest! First we have Maria Stuarda from Barcelona, 1969 under Reynald Giovaninetti, with Ina Delcampo,Pierre Duval, and John Darrenkamp, followed by a New York 1965 Roberto Devereux under Carlo Felice Cillario, with Lili Chookasian, Juan Oncina, Walter Alberti, and Ted Lambrinos. You will need a watch with a second hand at times to count how incredible is her breath control, especially in the Stuarda act two prayer. (72 min.)
The glorious 1973 Fille du Reggiment under Richard Bonynge with the great Joan Sutherland, Luciano (9 high C's) Pavarotti, and Regina Resnik. Fernando Corena and Jean Kraft complete the cast, which brought audiences to their FEET!!!! (68 min.)
Another example of the great singing and emotional delivery of Diana Soviero in this 1995 Montreal performance of Giordano's Fedora,under Alfredo Silipigni. Ermanno Mauro and Gaetan Leperriere complete the cast, and I am sure you will enjoy it. (71 min.)
P.S. Again, I thank you for your interest. At this rate,we may reach TWO million downloads before Domingo retires. (probably more like five million.)
Reminding us of the olden days when they had the "Night of the Seven stars,"this Scala 1962 Huguenots under Gianandrea Gavazzeni features the voices of Corelli,Sutherland,Simionato,Ghiaurov,Tozzi, Cossotto, and Ganzarolli. (73 min.)
Les Huguenots was chosen to open the present building of the Covent Garden Theatre in 1858. During the 1890s, when it was performed at the Metropolitan Opera, it was often called 'the night of the seven stars', as the cast would include Lillian Nordica, Nellie Melba, Sofia Scalchi, Jean de Reszke, Édouard de Reszke, Victor Maurel and Pol Plançon.
Scenes from a most exciting 1964 Scala performance of Boito's "Mefistofele," featuring Nicolai Ghiaurov, Carlo Bergonzi, and Raina Kabaiwanska, under Gianandrea Gavazzeni. (70 min.)
Wait till you hear this superb performance of Nabucco.It is from San Francisco, 1982 under Kurt Herbert Adler, and it features two artists I cherish personally as well as vocally. Olivia Stapp is a marvelous Abigaille.Today she would eclipse everyone!! Paul Plishka, recently retired from opera after a 45 years plus fabulous career, Matteo Manuguerra, a baritone who should have been better recognized, tenor Gordon Greer as Ismaele, and Susan Quittmeyer as Fenena. This will thrill you! (69 min.)
I am especially nostalgic in presenting to you a beautiful 1969 Carmen under Zubin Mehta, featuring a great artist I have known and loved for over 50 years. Regina Resnik has been one of opera's icons, not only in her vocal careers as soprano and mezzo, but as director, producer,filmmaker, coach, and teacher. This Carmen features the magnificent Richard Tucker, Justino Diaz, and Judith Raskin, and i know you will truly enjoy it. (73 min.)
I present an exciting La Gioconda from Chicago, 1966 under Nino Sanzogno. The cast is headed by Elena Suliotis, and features Renato Cioni, Fiorenza Cossotto, Giangiacomo Guelfi, Ivo Vinco, and Elena Zilio. (69 min.)
From 1949 under Wilfred Pelletier, here are scenes from Gounod's Faust, featuring Giuseppe Di Stefano, Dorothy Kirsten, Leonard Warren, Italo Tajo, and Dorothea Manski. (70 min.)
The happiest of birthdays to my beloved Marisa Galvany (June 19), one of the most exciting singers in my many years of opera-going. I present scenes from Ballo, Aida, Traviata, Attila, and Il Trovatore. (72 min.)
The photo of the Nabucco scene is to remind you to go to Youtube, if you never have, and you will be amazed at the high E flat at the end of the Nabucco duet which she takes "out of the air." It is another thrilling Galvany moment.
Love from Charlie
A fine Bolshoi Theatre radio performance of Eugene Onegin, featuring Gallina Vishnevskaya, Sergei Lemeshev, Eugene Belov, Ivan Petrov (Gremin), and Larissa Avdeyeva (Olga.) The conductor is Boris Khiakin and the performance dates approximately from the 1960's. )71 min.)
I was told..and correctly, that the Rigoletto debut was Joe Calleja....I can KILL the person who labelled it wrong..Maybe I need to listen to my own podcasts, and now i have to write Piotr and apologize.........
Arias and scenes as sung by four of the great singers of the last opera era: Nicolai Gedda, Gundula Janowitz, the late Arlene Auger and the late Tatiana Troyanos. I am sure you will treasure their great artistry. (72 min.)
A most exciting performance (highlights, as always) of Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda," from a 1971 La Scala performance under Carlo Felice Cillario. The cast features Montserrat Caballe, Shirley Verrett, Ottavio Garaventa, Giulio Fioravanti, and Rafael Arie (64 min.)
A 1956 Fidelio under Erich Kleiber from Cologne,Germany. Featured are Birgit Nilsson, Hans Hopf, Paul Schoeffler, Gottlob Frick, Hans Braun (Don Fernando), Gerhard Unger (Jacquino), and Ingeborg Wenglor (Marzelline.) (73 min.)
A dream cast in Bellini's "Norma" from La Scala 1955 under Antonino Votto,featuring Maria Callas, Giulietta Simionato, Mario Del Monaco, and Nicola Zaccaria. (70 min.)
This was at our last club meeting in 1960 out at Rise's home on Long Island. The guy next to her did have hair at the time but look, time marches on!! How can I ever forget her?
How can I forget the very first opera star I ever met, and then we went to her apt.every year for the music club,and it was a joyful afternoon. In honor of her 99th birthday on June 11,2012, I present highlights from a 1939 Rosenkavalier with her idol, Lotte Lehmann, Emmanuel List, and Marita Farell. Bless her forever in my heart. (70 min.)
A superb rendition of Bizet's "Pearl Fishers" (Highlights, of course) from Los Angeles, 1980 under Calvin Simmons. We lost him and tenor Barry McCauley so young. Diana Soviero, Dominic Cossa, and John Seabury (Nourabad) complete the excellent cast (72 min.)
Highlights from a RAI Rome 1973 Arabella under Wolfgang Rennert, with Montserrat Caballe, Siegmund Nimsgern, Oliviera Miljakovic (Zdenka), and Jeanette Scovotti (Fiakermilli.) (67 min.)
An Italian Thais that features the great voice of Ettore Bastianini. Thais is sung by Fiorella Carmen Forti, and the Nicias is Glauco Scarlini. This is from Trieste, 1954, under Luigi Toffolo (71 min.)
As I indicated on the podcast narration, EVEN I never heard of some of these singers, and I am ashamed...but look, you need to live 5 lifetimes to even scratch the surface of what is out there. Here are the singers' names, in order of appearance: (like the podcast, 5 at a time.) (72 min.)
Jose Garcia, Julius Lieban, Gertrude Forstel, Elisa Petri, Paul Payan
Riccardo Stracciari, Florence Smithson, Barbara Kemp, Heinrich Schlusnus, Umberto Urbano
Anne Roselle (In photo), Adamo Didur, Tinka Vesel-Polla, Karl Schmidt Walter, Alexander Sved,
Christina Maristany, Pierre Bernac and Leila Ben Sedira, Louis Orlac, Friedl Beckmann, and Margarita Carosio.
We know how marvelous an opera Cavalleria Rusticana is, but Mascagni wrote other operas with truly glorious music. One of them is "Piccolo Marat" (I can't find the plot anywhere so far.) You will hear Virginia Zeani as Mariella, Umberto Borso as Piccolo Marat, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni as L'Orco, Afro Poli as Il Carpentiere, and the coinductor is Oliviero de Fabrittis in a live performance from Livorno in 1961.
The audience goes wild after their duet,and demands an encore!!!!!! (72 min.)
Two of the greatest singers of Wagner, Birgit Nilsson and Hans Hotter,perform scenes from Die Walkure and the Flying Dutchman,plus a bonus of Hotter singing Schubert's "An die Musik" and "Meeresstille" accompanied by Gerald Moore. (67 min.)
What a shame that I did not know who Virginia Zeani was, when in 1968 the Rome opera brought Otello by Rossini to the Met. Well,at least we have this document featuring one of our favorite sopranos. This is from 1960 Rome under Fernando Previtali, and also features Agostino Lazzari as Otello, Giuseppe Baratti as Iago,Franco Ventriglia as Elmiro, and Anna Reynolds as Emilia. Look for the plot on Wikepedia or other sites. (70 min.)
Born on May 31, 1931, I have always felt that Shirley Verrett ranks way up there with Simionato,Cossotto,etc. She was a marvelous singer, who blew the roof off with a magnificent voice, and I will never forget her. We lost her in 2010, but her memory lives on.
In memory of the marvelous George London, on his May 30th birthday, we shall hear duets from Eugen Onegin (with Valerie Bak), Aida (with Astrid Varnay, Arabella (with Eleanor Steber, arias from Prince Igor,Flying Dutchman, and a scene from act one of Parsifal. Also included,from a live recital, are the Mussorgsky "Songs and Dances of Death." We pay tribute to this glorious artist. (71 min.)
For May 30, we wish the marvelous mezzo,turned soprano,Olivia Stapp, a very happy birthday. She has been one of our finest artists, and you will hear scenes from Elektra, Macbeth, Anna Bolena (as both Seymour and Anna), and Tosca (with Nicolai Gedda). (60 min.)
Highlights from an Italian version of Berlioz's "Les Troyens" from La Scala, 1960 under Rafael Kubelik. Mario del Monaco,Giulietta Simionato(Dido),Nell Rankin (Cassandra). and Nicola Zaccaria (Narbal) are in the cast. (67 min.)
An all-star Forza from New Orleans, 1953 under Walter Herbert. In the cast are Zinka Milanov, Mario del Monaco, Leonard Warren, William Wilderman, and Norman Treigle (Marchese). Need I say more??? (72 min.)
Yes, they did once make them like this: A brilliant Scala 1972 Simone Boccanegra which features Piero Cappuccilli,Mirella Freni,Nicolai Ghiaurov, Gianni Raimondi, and Felice Schiavi (Paolo). The conductor is Claudio Abbado. (and stop telling me I only like dead and retired singers!!!) (72 min.)
"My aunt sings opera," said a kid in my Spanish class one day. I thought to myself, "Big deal!." I was polite..."What is her name???" TERESA STRATAS!!!!!!
Born May 26, 1938, she has had many emotional problems,but who can doubt her great artistry...Best to her!!!
Born: May 26, 1938 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre: Opera
Stratas is one of the controversial stars of the latter half of the twentieth century, and one whose personality and life, like that of Callas, another great soprano of Greek descent, are inextricably linked with her performances in the minds of many members of the public. Also like Callas, she had a special magnetism as a performer, due to her dramatic intensity and exceptional physical beauty. Her top became weak during her middle and late career and she lost some focus in the middle of her voice, which sometimes caused her to force. However, her performances on stage and on film were so riveting that most were willing to forgive those vocal flaws, and even her habit of canceling, usually due to nerves.
She grew up in Toronto and began singing in nightclubs and in her father's restaurant when she was twelve. Encouraged by her successes, including radio performances, and after being given a free ticket to La Traviata, an experience which she said overwhelmed her with the concept of what the human voice can do, she auditioned for the Opera School at the Royal College of Music in Toronto in 1954. She had never studied voice, knew opera only from that one performance, and brought Smoke Gets in Your Eyes as her audition piece, but her personality and potential talent were so impressive that she was admitted, and was such a quick learner that she made her debut with the Canadian Opera as Mimi in 1958, and won the Metropolitan Opera Auditions of the Air the next year, making her debut as Pousette in Manon the next year. In 1960, she created the title role of Glanville-Hicks' Nausicaa at the Athens Festival. Her Covent Garden debut was again as Mimi in 1961, and in 1962, she made her La Scala debut as Isabella in de Falla's Atlantida. In 1974, she came to international fame with her appearance as Salome on a television production of Salome, considered one of the very few singers in living memory who could convincingly portray Salome's transformation from naive teenager to depraved woman. In 1979, she sang the title role of the first performance of the three-act version of Berg's Lulu at the Paris Opera.
In the 1980s, she almost completely withdrew from the operatic stage, though she made notable recordings of Weill songs, and appeared in films of La Traviata and Amahl and the Night Visitors. She also explored Broadway, earning a Tony Award for best actress for her performance in Rags in 1986, and recorded Julie in Showboat. In 1981, she backpacked through India, where among other activities, she volunteered for Mother Teresa's projects in the poorest areas of the cities. In 1988, she returned to the Met to create the role of Marie Antoinette in Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles.
Let us remember the great Beverly Sills, born on May 25, 1929. She was an amazing artist, and was able to take a basically light coluratura voice, and often turn it into a voice that thrilled even in more dramatic roles. Rest in Peace.
From Scala,1959 under Gianandrea Gavazzeni, highlights from Zabdonai's exciting opera, Francesca da Rimini, featuring Magda Olivero, Mario del Monaco, Gianpiero Malaspina (Gianciotto), Piero de Palma (Malatestino), etc. (68 min.)
From 1958 Chicago under Tullio Serafin, here is a really fabulous cast in Verdi's "Falstaff," with Tito Gobbi,Cornell MacNeil,Renata Tebaldi,Giulietta Simionato,Anna Moffo,Alvino Misciano, and Anna Maria Canali. (62 min.)
Most of the early Verdi opera "Alzira," from Rome 1967, under Franco Capuana. The cast features Virginia Zeani (Alzira), Cornell MacNeil (Gusmano), Gianfranco Cecchele (Zamoro), and Carlo Cava (Alvaro). (72 minutes)
Highlights from a live 1972 Vienna Medea under Horst Stein. The remarkable Leonie Rysanek is the Medea, with Bruno Prevedi, Lucia Popp, and Nicolai Ghiuselev completing the cast. (54 min.)
A comparison of six marvelous mezzos in the Act One Waltraute Monologue from Die Gotterdamerung. In order they are:
Rosette Anday, Elizabeth Hoengen, Margarete Klose, Hanna Schwarz, Christa Ludwig, and Martha Moedl (who was a mezzo at the start and end of her career.).
I wish to call your attention to the magnificent Youtube rendition by Katharine Goeldner, if you wish to go there. It is surely as fine a rendition as the above. (62 min.)
A pot-pourri of tenors from the earlier part of the 20th century who excelled in a very bright and powerful top range for the most part. Those included (in order on the podcast) are:
Leonce Escalais, Bernardo de Muro, Eduardo Garbin, Mario Gillion, Aristodemi Giorgini, Icilio Calleja, Giovanni Zenatello, Antonio Paoli, Dimitri Smirnov, Leonid Sobinov, and (in photo), John O'Sullivan. (68 min.)
Someone must have done something right on May 17, because both Zinka Milanov and Birgit Nilsson were born.(Nilsson in 1918, Zinka in 1906). Anyone here who never saw Nilsson live would need OXYGEN if they heard what that was like in live performance. She was an absolute MIRACLE in opera history, and beloved lady to all.
Swedish soprano Birgit Nilsson was born on May 17, 1918 in the town of Vastra Karup in the province of Skane (Scania) in southern Sweden. She married Bertil Niklasson, a veterinary student she met on a train, on September 10, 1948. Miss Nilsson made her operatic debut on October 9, 1946 as Agathe in Der Freischütz with only 3 days notice. Her debut came shortly after she had joined the Swedish Opera School. After her brief stint as Agathe, Miss Nilsson made her breakthrough performance as Lady Macbeth in 1947 at the Royal Opera in Stockholm. Miss Nilsson attained international stardom after a performance as Isolde in Wagner's Tristan und Isolde at the Metropolitan Opera in New York on December 18, 1959. She says, though, that the single biggest event in her life was when she was asked to perform at the opening of the 370th season at La Scala as Turandot on December 7, 1958. In 1966, Miss Nilsson was asked to appear in a rather unusual performance at the Metropolitan Opera. During a showing of Tannhäuser, she was asked to sing the parts of both Venus and Elisabeth. They did not appear on stage at the same time, of course! Birgit Nilsson is probably best known for her portrayals of Turandot in Turandot, Brünnhilde in Richard Wagner's Der Ring Des Nibelungen (a role with which she made her La Scala debut in 1958), Isolde in Tristan und Isolde, and Elektra in Elektra. Miss Nilsson is also known for her interesting relationship with Rudolf Bing. When Bing was asked if Birgit was difficult, he replied, "Not at all, you put enough money in and a glorious voice comes out." When preparing her taxes Miss Nilsson was asked if she had any dependents. "Yes," she said, "Rudolf Bing." Miss Nilsson retired from opera in 1984.
Comments? E-mail me here! (Please note: I am NOT Birgit Nilsson! I am just the person who made this page.)
For May 17, Zinka's birthday (1906).No one thrilled me more from my first opera experiences and she became my favorite singer. Was I cute at 19? (Don't answer that!!!) Never to be forgotten!!!!!
Born in Zagreb, Croatia as Zinka Kunc (pronounced [zîːŋka kûnt͡s]), she studied with the Wagnerian soprano Milka Ternina and her assistant Marija Kostrenčić. She also studied in Milan with Campi and in Vienna with Stickgolt. On October 29, 1927, she made her operatic debut as Leonora in Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore in Ljubljana, Slovenia, at the young age of 21. Her debut in her native Croatia, at the National Theatre in Zagreb, took place five weeks later as Marguerite in Charles Gounod's Faust
After an early debut in Dresden (November 5, 1928, also as Leonora), her teacher, Ternina, was not pleased and much work commenced to perfect her technique. She performed in Zagreb and Ljubljana almost exclusively for the next six years. Later she became a member of the New German Theatre in Prague, where all performances were sung in German. She was discovered there by Bruno Walter, who recommended her to Arturo Toscanini for a performance of Verdi's Requiem in Salzburg.
In 1937, the soprano made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera, once again as Leonora. At that time she adopted the name Milanov, which was the stage name of her second husband, an actor. According to Milanov herself, "Kunc" wasn't "glamorous" enough for the Metropolitan Opera. In the article "Zinka Takes Off" (Opera News, November 2004, vol 69, no. 5), it is stated that the name change was deemed necessary since the gentlemen at the Met feared the "implications inherent in what they predicted would be the standard American mispronunciation — but they were never forthright with her about it".[citation needed] On November 8, 1937, Erich Simon, who was in charge of engaging Milanov, cabled Edward Ziegler, the assistant manager of the Met, "Mme Zinka KUNZ-MARCOVIC has informed me that she wishes to perform under her husband's stage name, MILANOV."[citation needed]
She was in romantic relationship with Marshal of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito, before he married Jovanka Broz. In 1947, she left the Met when she married, for the third time, to Yugoslav general and diplomat Ljubomir Ilić, and returned to live in Yugoslavia.[citation needed] She was at the peak of her artistic and vocal powers when she made her debut at the Teatro alla Scala as Tosca in 1950. Milanov returned to the Metropolitan Opera the same year, invited by Rudolf Bing in his first year there as general manager.[citation needed]
She gave her final performance in 1966 at the closing night of the old Metropolitan Opera House. Having worked as a voice teacher while still performing, Milanov devoted herself to teaching after her retirement. Among her pupils were Betty Allen, Grace Bumbry, Christa Ludwig, , Dubravka Zubovic and Milka Stojanovic. She recorded prolifically from the 1940s through to the 1960s. Her voice was well-suited to Italian operas such as those of Verdi, Ponchielli, Puccini and the verismo composers. She died in New York City, aged 83.
From 1965, highlights from a delightful "Elisir d'Amore" with Nicolai Gedda,Mirella Freni,Fernando Corena, and Mario Sereni under Thomas Schippers. (71 min.)
A beautiful performance of Mascagni's "L'Amico Fritz," one of the operas that they ought to perform more often.This is from Milano, 1953 under Vittorio Gui, and features Cesare Valletti, Rosanna Carteri, Carlo Tagliabue, and Rina Corsi. (65 min.)
A fine live performance of Tannhauser under Rudolf Kempe from 1955. The cast includes Ramon Vinay,Astrid Varnay,George London, Blanche Thebom, and Jerome Hines. (69 min.)
You all know of my great praise for dear Marisa Galvany, and you have responded with praise to my podcasts of her material. Here is another selection of her material, with some repeats, but sometimes it is more valuable to hear a compilation. Included are scenes and arias from Ernani,Traviata, Cavalleria (with Domingo), and Aida (as Aida and Amneris.) (58 min.)
Galvany studied primarily under Armen Boyajian (also the teacher of Paul Plishka and Samuel Ramey). She made her professional opera debut at the Seattle Opera in 1968 in the title role of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca. The following year, she portrayed the title heroine in Simon Mayr's Medea in Corinto in New York City, a performance which was recorded for Vanguard. She made her first international appearance in 1972 at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in the title role of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida.
In 1972 Galvany was offered a contract to join the roster of principal singers at New York City Opera by Julius Rudel. She accepted, making her debut with the company later that year as Elisabetta in Gaetano Donizetti's Maria Stuarda opposite Beverly Sills in the title role. She continued to sing regularly with that company through 1983, portraying such roles as Abigaille in Nabucco, Amelia in Un ballo in maschera, , Odabella in Attila, Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana, Violetta in La traviata, and the title roles in Anna Bolena and Luigi Cherubini's Médée. She also sang in several different productions of Tosca where she partnered such tenors as José Carreras and Harry Theyard.
In 1973, Galvany filmed her acclaimed Lady Macbeth, in Macbeth, for the Canadian Broadcasting Company, opposite Louis Quilico. That same year she made her first appearance with the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company as Aida with Pier Miranda Ferraro as Radamès, Joann Grillo as Amneris, and Gianfranco Rivoli conducting. In 1974 she made her first appearance at the New Orleans Opera opening the 1974-1975 season as Rachel in Fromental Halévy's La Juive with Richard Tucker as Eléazar. She returned to open the company's next two consecutive seasons as Aida and Valentin in Les Huguenots, the latter production with Rita Shane and Susanne Marsee. She later returned to New Orleans to sing Salomé in Jules Massenet's Hérodiade.
Galvany made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1979, in the title role of Norma. In 1985, the singing-actress sang Gertrud in Hänsel und Gretel and Ortrud in Lohengrin on tour with the company, then the Kostelnička in Jenůfa during the Fall Season in the theatre. At the Cincinnati Opera, she appeared in Turandot (with Harry Theyard) and Salome (with Ticho Parly as Herod).
During the mid 1980s, Galvany began to add mezzo-soprano roles to her repertoire. She sang Amneris in Aida at the Cincinnati Opera in 1985. In 1992 she sang the title role in Bizet's Carmen with the New York Grand Opera. (NYGO) She performed frequently with the NYGO up into the early 2000s.
On the international stage Galvany has appeared at the Opern- und Schauspielhaus Frankfurt, the Liceu, the Great Theatre, Warsaw, the National Theatre in Prague, and the National Theatre in Belgrade among others. She has also sang in operas in Brazil and Venezuela.
References * The Metropolitan Opera Encyclopedia, edited by David Hamilton, Simon and Schuster, 1987. ISBN 0-671-61732-X * Galvany, Marisa biography at operissimo.com (in German)
Rosanna Carteri is, for me, an example of a "lost art" in opera. She possesses the emotion, the attention to word and phrase, the beauty of voice, and all the elements that I honestly feel are so rare in these days. I am not intending to denigrate anyone, but you "cognoscenti" by now (with slight prejudice from me) might understand what I mean. I hope you enjoy this soprano as I do (71 min.)
Rosanna Carteri (born 14 December 1930) was an Italian soprano primarily active in the 1950s through the mid-1960s.
Rosanna Carteri was born in Verona but was raised in Padua. She studied with Cusinati and started singing in concert at the age of twelve. She won a RAI singing contest in 1948 which led to her operatic debut at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome as Elsa in Lohengrin in 1949, aged only 19. She made her La Scala debut in 1951. Other debuts were at the Salzburg Festival as Desdemona in Otello in 1952 under the direction of Wilhelm Furtwängler, San Francisco as Mimi in La Bohème in 1954, the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Marguerite in Faust in 1955, the Arena di Verona as Mimi in 1958, Covent Garden as Tosca in 1960, Opéra de Paris in 1961 as Violetta in La Traviata.
Carteri made a few recordings for Cetra early in her career, in such operas as Guglielmo Tell, La Bohème and Suor Angelica. She recorded La Traviata for RCA Victor with Cesare Valletti and Leonard Warren under the direction of Pierre Monteux. She participated in several television productions for RAI such as Le nozze di Figaro, La Traviata, Otello, and Falstaff.
Carteri also participated in the creation of some contemporary works such as Ifegenia by Ildebrando Pizzetti in 1950, Proserpine e le straniero by Juan José Castro in 1952, Calzare d'argento again by Pizzetti in 1961 and Il mercante di Venizia by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco also in 1961.
Retirement Carteri decided to retire from singing in the mid-1960s while still only in her thirties to devote herself to her family.
Part one of highlights from a wonderful 1980 Don Carlo under James Levine. The cast features Giuseppe Giacomini, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Tatiana Troyanos, Sherrill Milnes, Paul Plishka, and Jerome Hines. (66 min.)
A most exciting reading of Bellini's "Il Pirata" (highlights) with Montserrat Caballe, Flaviano Labo, and Piero Cappuccilli under Franco Cap[uana from Florence, 1967 (68 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn0TfE1Hewc
The link is long..Instead of copying it,go directly to Youtube VASSILKA PETROVA, but be careful you do not eat,drink, or have any small animals near the computer....
A most exciting performance of Boris Godunov (In German), featuring Hans Hotter, Hans Hopf, Martha Moedl,Lorenz Fehenberger, Kurt Boehme (Varlaam), Kim Borg (Pimen), under Eugen Jochum. Munich 1957 (65 min.)
Here are highlights from a marvelous Lohengrin from Berlin Radio 1942, under Robert Heger. The cast features two of my all-time favorites, Margarete Klose and Franz Voelker, and stars Maria Muller, Jaro Prohaska, and Ludwig Hofmann(the King.) (71 min.)
Remember that there are 1240 wonderful videos on my "Mrfriendofpera" site." Have fun!!
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=FLES6h-GjCki9eZg4gNu5fLg&feature=mh_lolz
Go to Mr.Friend of opera site and click Zinka's photo at upper right.Then you see, and upper left the "Favorites".....Then scroll for what you want.
Here is the easiest way to access the site:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrFriendofopera
Another of the great Callas Mexico performances,a Puritani under Guido Picco from 1952. Although the sound is not the greatest, we can judge how phenomenal Callas was in those historic Mexico performances. The cast includes Giuseppe Di Stefano, Piero Campolonghi, and Roberto Silva. (72 min.)
This wonderful work is performed by the Chicago Opera, 1965, under Nino Sanzogno, and features Nicolai Ghiaurov,Renata Tebaldi, Alfredo Kraus, and Elena Suliotis. (69 min.)
The great Astrid Varnay was born on April 25, 1918. Let us celebrate the memory of this legendary soprano with highlights from her illustrious career. All selections are from the 1950's and they include scenes from Parsifal, Tannhauser (Venus and Elizabeth),Tristan und Isolde, Flying Dutchman (with Hans Hotter),Elektra (w.Hoengen and Schoeffler, and concluding with the Gotterdmaerung Immolation Scene. (68 min.)
She made her sensational debut at the Metropolitan Opera on 6 December 1941 in a broadcast performance singing Sieglinde in Wagner's Die Walküre, substituting for the indisposed Lotte Lehmann with almost no rehearsal. This was her first appearance in a leading role, and it was a triumph. Six days later she replaced the ailing Helen Traubel as Brünnhilde in the same opera. Varnay and Weigert became closer and were married in 1944. It was also at this time that she had lessons with former Metropolitan Opera tenor, Paul Althouse.
In 1948 she made her debut at Covent Garden and in 1951 in Florence as Lady Macbeth. In that year she also made her debut at Bayreuth after Flagstad, who had declined the invitation to Bayreuth, recommended that Wieland Wagner engage Varnay. She sang at Bayreuth for the next seventeen years, and appeared regularly at the Metropolitan until 1956.
She left when it was clear that the Met director Rudolf Bing did not appreciate her, and went on to become a mainstay of the world's other great opera houses, especially in Germany, in Wagner and Strauss but also several Verdi and other roles. She had already made Munich her home, where audiences considered her a goddess.
In 1969 she gave up her repertoire of heavy dramatic soprano roles and began a new career singing mezzo roles. After being the world's leading Elektra for over twenty years, she now established herself as a great interpreter of Klytemnestra. The role of Herodias in Salome became her most often-performed role: 236 performances. She returned to the Metropolitan in 1974 and last appeared there in Weill's Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny in 1979.
In the mid-1980s, character roles now became Varnay's metier. Her last appearance on stage was in Munich in 1995, fifty-five years after her Metropolitan debut. In 1998 she published her autobiography Fifty-Five Years in Five Acts: My Life in Opera, written with Donald Arthur (German title is Hab'mir's gelobt).
In 2004, a documentary about her life and first New York career entitled Never Before, produced by Donald Collup, received acclaim in the USA. Her recordings of Strauss heroines such as Elektra and Salome along with the Wagnerian roles are among the treasures of the medium, while transcriptions of broadcast performances of her great roles document her art in sound, and a few video recordings of her late career preserve evidence of her acting ability. Astrid Varnay died in Munich on 4 September 2006, aged 88.
Selected recordings
12 selections featuring live performances by some of opera's greatest singers.Included are:
Renata Tebaldi,Leonie Rysanek,Leontyne Price, Zinka Milanov, Eleanor Steber, Birgit Nilsson, Kiri Te Kanawa,Kirsten Flagstad, Hilde Gueden, Judith Blegen, Renata Scotto, Tatiana Troyanos, Placido Domingo, Jon Vickers, Luciano Pavarotti, Franco Corelli, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and Lauritz Melchior (70 min.)
Scenes from a wonderful 1955 Meistersinger under Fritz Reiner. The cast includes Paul Schoeffler, Irmgard Seefried, Gottlob Frick, Hans Beirer, and Erich Kunz. (72 min.)
Highlights from acts and ond two from a historical 1940 Buenos Aires Walkure under Erich Kleiber. The cast includes Marjorie Lawrence, Irene Jessner, Rene Maison, Herbert Janssen, Emanuel List, and,in a rare early performance of Fricka near the start of her illustrious career, Rise Stevens as Fricka. ( 71 min. )
EXCITING STUFF! Naples, 1963 Favorita under Fernando Previtali, with Giulietta Simionato, Gianni Raimondi, Mario Zanasi, and Nicola Zaccaria. (71 min.)
Leonard Warren was born on April 21, 1911. He was a sensational singer, up to the moment,on March 4, 1960 that he died on stage before our eyes. I present this 1945 Rigoletto in his memory.
The cast also includes Jussi Bjoerling, Bidu Sayao, and William Hargrave, conducted by Cesare Sodero. (71 min.)
A fascinating event, as the great soprano Astrid Varnay makes her Met debut as Sieglinde,replacing Lotte Lehmann, on the Dec.6 Walkure broadcast...her Met debut, (with no rehearsals) AND the first time she EVER sang on ANY stage. This must go down in opera history as one of the great events.
In the cast are Lauritz Melchior,Helen Traubel,Friedrich Schorr, and Alexander Kipnis, under Erich Leinsdorf. (68 min.)
I must also make mention of Donald Collup,former singer and pianist, who interviewed Mme.Varnay in her later years, and produced a magnificent documentary of her fabulous career. Mr.Collup's fascinating home page can be found at: http://www.collup.com. I must also mention that his remarkable collection can be found at his store at: http://www.collup.com/dczcdz.html.
Gilbert und Sullivan in DEUTSCH????? Why not??? It features my beloived Martha Moedl, the late great Arlene Auger, Gerd Nienstedt,Alexander Malta, and tenor Peter Bahrig. This is from 1968 WDR radio. The conductor is Franz Marszalek. (60 min.)
It's hard enough to sing "patter" in English....well, this should be fun!!!!
Geee.It is "Aprile in Aprile." Happy birthday, April 14, to a dear lady and great singer. She is a sweetheart and I have always felt she was a kind of "spirit" for me personally since we first met.
Love from Charlie
Aprile Millo was born on April 14, 1958, in New York City. She was the daughter of Margherita Ghirosi and tenor Giovanni Millo, the first American hired by La Scala after World War II. She developed an early interest in music, and after graduating from high school in 1977, she was chosen to be one of the first eight apprentices at the San Diego Opera Center. A string of vocal awards followed, including the Geraldine Farrar Award, the Montserrat Caballé Award in Barcelona, and first prize in the Concorso Internazionale di Voci Verdiane in Bussetto, Italy. Upon her return to the United States, Millo joined the Utah Opera Company in Salt Lake City. It was in Salt Lake City that she made her professional stage debut with the Utah Opera in the title role of Verdi's Aïda in 1980. The following year, she travelled to New York to attend the Metropolitan Opera's open-call auditions, where she was invited to take part in the company's Young Artists Development Program. The next several years were spent learning roles, refining her acting style, and perfecting her vocal technique. During this time, she made her La Scala debut replacing Mirella Freni as Elvira in Ernani on January 4, 1983. In 1984, Aprile Millo was signed to a three-year contract by the Met that called for her to work primarily as an understudy. On December 3, 1984, she made her Metropolitan debut replacing Anna Tomowa-Sintow as Amelia in Simon Boccanegra, which critics described as "a blazing success". Three weeks later, on December 22, she performed the same role in her originally scheduled Met debut. The next year, in 1985, Millo took first prize in the Richard Tucker Competition. On January 19, 1986, Millo made her Carnegie Hall debut in a concert version of Verdi's I Lombardi alla prima Crociata. That year, she also achieved success in the role of Aïda, singing the role in New York, as well as all over Europe and South America. It was as Aïda that she opened the 1989-90 Met season in an Emmy-winning production that was also telecast internationally. During her career, Millo has made several recordings, including a debut CD of Verdi arias called Presenting Aprile Millo which was released by Angel Records in 1986. She also recorded the singing voice for Elisabeth Taylor in Zeffirelli's film, "The Young Toscanini". She has an extensive Met repertoire, including the Verdi heroines she is famous for (including Desdemona, Luisa Miller, Leonora in Il Trovatore) as well as some Puccini roles, including Liù in Turandot and as Tosca, a role she sang at the Met in the 98/99 season.
Go to my Soprano Bios
The marvelous Ljuba Welitsch as Amelia in Ballo from 1949 Edinbugh under Vittorio Gui. The cast includes Mirto Picchi, Alda Noni, Paolo Silveri, Jean Watson.(Ulrica), Ian Wallace (Sam), and Hervey Alan (Tom). (65 min.)
Zinka's sad farewell,on Apr.13, 1966, was the 88th and last time I heard that incredible voice live...but it will always be with me...forever. You know that when you are a teen and are turned on to a special artist,entertainer,sports figure,etc...that stays with you all your life.
The greatest voice I ever heard!!!!!!!!!!!!
Photo: Booohooo.I was once cute!!!!!
The superb mezzo from Sweden, land of fabulous artists, Barbro Ericson, in selections from the Verdi Requiem,Don Carlo, Ballo, Pique Dame, Boris, Aida, Das Rheingold, Lohengrin, and Saul and David. (68 min.)
Barbro Ericson Hederén Helen Augusta, born April 2 1930 in Halmstad , is a Swedish opera singer ( mezzo-soprano and alto ).
Ericson was educated at the College of Music and Opera School in Stockholm . After debuting at the Opera in 1956 she was employed there in 1958 . She came to portray over 100 roles, mainly in the major mezzo roles in works by Wagner , Verdi and Strauss . She has also made more modern roles such as Mother Goose and Baba in Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress , Mescalina in Ligeti's The Great bern wife , Marie in Berg's Wozzeck , and Madame de Croissy in Poulenc's Karmelitsystrarna . Ericsson has also appeared in several scenes in foreign countries such as Bayreuth , Salzburg , Metropolitan , Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, La Scala and Covent Garden .
Her records span from Gluck's Orpheus to Carmen and the high soprano role of Santuzza in Mascagnis In Sicily . Two of her biggest successes was in 1975 as Amman in Richard Strauss's Die Frau ohne Schatten and previously as Klyteimnestra the same composer's Elektra .
Ericson was awarded a scholarship from the Set Svaneholms Memorial Fund in 1967 . She was appointed to the Royal Court Singer in 1968 and received Litteris et Artibus 1978th
So sorry to hear of the passing of a great singer. Rest in Peace,beloved lady!!!
Lili Chookasian (born August 1, 1921; died April 9, 2012) is an American contralto who has appeared with many of the world's major symphony orchestras and opera houses. She began her career in the 1940s as a concert singer but did not draw wider acclaim until she began singing opera in her late thirties. She arose as one of the world's leading contraltos during the 1960s and 1970s, and notably had a long and celebrated career at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City from 1962 through 1986. She was admired for her sonorous, focused tone as well as her excellent musicianship. She often chose, against tradition, to sing oratorios from memory.
Never mind the "wrong language." I adore French, but Freni and Pavarotti are in such glorious form, I had to do this one. Rolando Panerai is Lescaut,Antonio Zerbini is the Count, and Franco Ricciardi is De Bretigny. Conducted by Peter Maag. (71 min.)
What more can we say,as we remember Franco's birthday,on April 8, 1921! I saw him 40 times, and although there were times we wanted to shoot him (well,married to Loretta was not easy), he was ADORED!!!!! God bless him forever!!
With a rich and ringing spinto tenor voice and movie-star good looks, Corelli won a wide public following from early on his career. However, while the public was enthralled with the tenor, music critics were divided, with some complaining about what they perceived as self-indulgence of phrasing and expression. During the 1960s the anti-Corelli sentiment among critics was epitomized by Alan Rich of the The New York Herald Tribune in a 1966 article which, while acknowledged the vibrancy and white heat of his singing, considered Corelli a throwback to an earlier era when, from Mr. Rich's perspective, musical compromises were common and stylistic refinement lacking. Rich said that, Corelli is "not employed by an opera, but employs it to serve purposes it was not meant to serve."[2] Also, many critics did not look favourably on his performances in French opera, owing to the tenor’s exotic French diction and style.[1] However, Corelli also had his admirers among several highly respected and notable critics, including Harold C. Schonberg of The New York Times, who once defended the expressive liberties taken by Corelli as possessing "its own kind of logic".[2]
An interesting 1934 recording of Cavalleria Rusticana in French,under Gustave Cloez. In the cast are Germaine Cernay, Gaston Micheletti, and Arthur Endreze, with Cernay singing also arias from Le Cid and Samson et Delilah. (52 min.)
Born: April 28, 1900 - Le Havre, France
Died: 1943 - Paris, France
The French mezzo-soprano, Germaine Cernay (born: Pointu), studied piano and solfeggio when still a child. She joined the Conservatoire of Paris taking singing lessons with Albers and Engel.
Germaine Cernay she made her debut in 1925 at the Paris Opéra as Euryclée in Fauré’s Pénélope but she eventually appeared most of her career at the Opéra-Comique (Salle Favart), where she made her debut in 1927 in Alfano’s Risurrezione opposite Mary Garden. After a number of small parts she sang roles such as Mallika (Lakmé), Suzuki, Mignon, Geneviève, Carmen and Charlotte, among many others. She was also a star at the La Monnaie of Brussels and at a number of provincial French opera houses. She toured North Africa, England, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland. In a broadcast she tried to sing Mélisande (a soprano role). Without neglecting the stage, her mind continuosly changed to sing melodies and oratorios. She was a famous interpreter of Bach. Germaine believed deeply in God and intended to spend her life in a cloister, but she died before having fulfilled her wish.
Decca,Phillips, and DGG put out a special commemorative cd set for the Verdi year,remembering the great man's death in 1901. How could anyone accomplish what he did?????
I announce all selections and casts and I know you will enjoy the variety. (67 min.)
Giovanni Simone Mayr's rarely heard "Medea in Corinto" under Newell Jenkins.
The Medea is Marisa Galvany (play the high E natural 10 times),Joan Patenaude-Yarnell as Creusa, Allen Cathcart as Jason, Robert White as Aegeus, Thomas Palmer as Creonte, and Molly Stark as Ismene. (72 min.)
(Our photo from the live perf. Galvany is the one with the makeup.)
An almost complete Act 3 1956 Parsifal from Rome under Eugen Jochum, with Wolfgang Windgassen, Ferdinand Frantz, and Ludwig Weber (my personal favorite Gurnemanz.) (61 min.)
In London in 1926 and 1929, the phenomenal Lauritz Melchior made some recordings under the direction of Albert Coates. I know you will agree with most critics that Melchior was a "one-of-a-kind" artist. He sings the Tannhauser Rome Narrative, and then scenes from Siegfried with Rudolf Bockelman, Albert Reiss, and Norah Gruhn as the Forest Bird. (58 min.)
...and speaking of a "one-of-a-kind Wagner singer, I have seen a few Wagnerian tenors who surely were "one-of-a-kind".....but I won't mention their names.
YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Send me all names and address and I will send you as a gift, Justin Bieber and Sarah Palin in the new Ring DVD which was just released on the AIUTO.....SOCCORSO>>>>>>HILFE!!!!! label.
Now,Charlie...Is that nice???????????????????????????????
Sorry..It is 2 A.M. NY Time.....I have had some depression lately..and you brought me out of it..so I do not have to call Anna Netrebko to come over.
Look...I am not perfect...I would admit my faults .....if I had any........
Conductor Rico Saccani seems to fancy himself the reincarnation of Toscanini,(look at his site) but he does have some superb recordings,mostly from Budapest. Unfortunately,he lists only the principals of this Rigoletto,Leo Nucci, Marcello Giordani, and Mariella Devia. (67 min.)
Nucci is still singing and we sadly only had him briefly at the Met;likewise Devia, a great diva. Marcello takes a wild high D natural at the end of "Possente Amor" which made me CWAZY! Have fun!!!
Ljuba Welitsch made a sensational debut as Salome at the Met. Here is a 1952 perf.under Fritz Reiner, with Elizabeth Hoengen,Set Svanholm, Hans Hotter, and Brian Sullivan. (65 min.)
Only portions of this Walkure from 1960 Buenos Aires under Ferdinand Leitner exist, and nothing of act three, but there are some exciting moments for you to enjoy. The cast includes Martha Moedl, Hans Hotter, Gre Brouwenstijn, and Hans Beirer. (58 min.).
As I remarked on my narration, Martha Moedl's "Hojotojo" might be termed "OH LORD!" by most of you;we felt that way in 1957 when we first saw her. However, you know how I am crazy for her, and well...how many singers do we know who "let it all hang out?" The lady is still for me and for so many one of the greatest singers ever..as long as you do not expect an easy top. We could use more singers today with such "abandon." Well, not too much!
(Photo:Gre Brouwenstijn.)
21 popular selections (announced) by the sensational Rosa Ponselle. Unimaginable how she sounded live. (65 min.) Bio follows:
Legendary Operatic Diva, Rosa Ponselle, was discovered at age 21, while singing in vaudeville, by Enrico Caruso who brought her to the Met to appear opposite him as the "Leonora" in the 1918 Metropolitan Opera premiere performance of Verdi's La FORZA del DESTINO. She became the first American-born artist to sing a major role at the Met without the benefit of prior European training or experience, and is credited with opening the doors of the Met to the American-trained singer. Most remarkable about Ponselle is that she had no vocal training prior to her operatic debut. Born with a natural gift for singing and acting, she was a true Dramatic Soprano having many revivals done for her. For the 19 seasons that she sang with the Met, she was considered its reigning queen, and was dubbed by Huneker as "The Caruso in Petticoats". Geraldine Farrar is reported to have said when discussing singers, "There are two you must put aside, one is Enrico Caruso, the other is Rosa Ponselle. Then you may begin to discuss all the others." Leonard Bernstein, who credited Ponselle with changing the direction of his young life, wrote in a letter to her, "Yours is the first operatic voice I ever heard, at age eight, on an old Columbia 78, singing 'Suicido'. Even through all the scratchiness and surface noise, that voice rang through in such glory that it made me a music-lover forever. I thank you every day of my life." is is ultimate perfection.'"f us all." Legendary Operatic Diva, Rosa Ponselle, was discovered at age 21, while singing in vaudeville, by Enrico Caruso who brought her to the Met to appear opposite him as the "Leonora" in the 1918 Metropolitan Opera premiere performance of Verdi's La FORZA del DESTINO. She became the first American-born artist to sing a major role at the Met without the benefit of prior European training or experience, and is credited with opening the doors of the Met to the American-trained singer. Most remarkable about Ponselle is that she had no vocal training prior to her operatic debut. Born with a natural gift for singing and acting, she was a true Dramatic Soprano having many revivals done for her. For the 19 seasons that she sang with the Met, she was considered its reigning queen, and was dubbed by Huneker as "The Caruso in Petticoats". Geraldine Farrar is reported to have said when discussing singers, "There are two you must put aside, one is Enrico Caruso, the other is Rosa Ponselle. Then you may begin to discuss all the others." Leonard Bernstein, who credited Ponselle with changing the direction of his young life, wrote in a letter to her, "Yours is the first operatic voice I ever heard, at age eight, on an old Columbia 78, singing 'Suicido'. Even through all the scratchiness and surface noise, that voice rang through in such glory that it made me a music-lover forever. I
Around 1970, after our "first premier basso" Paul Plishka, had already established himself as one of the fine bassos in opera, there arrived from Kansas a young man named Sam Ramey, and as part of the Paterson,New Jersey Company, under the marvelous Armen Boyajian, we began to sing many operas with Sam as the lead.
It was my pleasure to sing in Anna Bolena,Boheme,Tales of Hoffmann, and Barbiere with Sam. We knew he had great talent, but as we know, he has had one of the great opera careers, and on this March 28, I wish him a happy birthday.
Sam!!! Put your shirt on...you DEVIL!!!!! Love Charlie
A very great tenor,Georges Thill ,in arias from Herodiade, Aida, La Juive, Alceste, Le Cid, Les Huguenots, Pagliacci, Lohengrin, Traviata,Wm.Tell, Joseph (Mehul), Sapho (Massenet), Romeo et Juliette, Fortunio (Messager), L'Attaque du Moulin (Bruneau), and Parsifal. (67 min.)
A FORCE OF NATURE!!!! I always told Dolora we need to clone her...because there is NO ONE ELSE these days who sings like the "old-timers."
LOVE from Charlie
Bless the great lady who reaches 102 on Mar.25. She is a miracle in the world of music, and in her honor here are scenes from the Fanciulla del West from Venice, 1967 under Oliviero de Fabritiis, with Daniele Barioni and Giangiacomo Guelfi. (70 min>).
Words always fail me when I speak of this beloved lady, and i know she will express her usual greeting to you all in our yearly phone conversation. I do not imagine a world without her.
Love to you, my dear Magda.
P.S. Called her Monday and she sounds like a KID!!! Her voice is so clear, and that "Verismo Italiano" is something I treasure.She sends you all her love, knowing how many people appreciate her.
In my opera-going experience, I cannot say any singer touched my heart more than the lady who would be 100 years old this day, March 22, 2012. This 1964 scene from Elektra tells only a tiny fraction of what she was onstage. It had nothing to do with a pure vocal tone, but it was a "total package" of beauty and excitement that opera lovers will remember if they were able to witness at least some of her career, as I did.
I behold her right now, from 55 years ago, as Isolde, and the Brunnhildes, and will never forget her. (19 min.)
In honor of my dear Diana Soviero's 21st birthday, I present highlights from a 1980 Los Angeles Boheme under John Mauceri. This was the opera (in 1977) in which I first heard this very great artist, and you know the rest.
In the cast are Riccardo Calleo, Frederick Burchinall, Robert McFarland (Schaunard),Stephanie Sundine, and Robert Hale. (71 min.)
I follow this with the letter I wrote to everyone on this day.
She means so much to me. Charlie
**Hello everyone,
Every March 19 I celebrate the birthdays of two of the greatest divas in my life,those of Diana Soviero, and my ma. Ma didn't have much chest,but she could kick up storm in the Follies in the 1920's.
I will never forget the first time (Mar.13, 1977) that I heard that glorious Soviero voice as Mimi ,and,coupled with the depth of emotion, the attention to phrase, the combination of what we term "Kunsst/Stimm divas (both voice and art divas). I wish my darlings,one in my memory forever, and one who has always been so appreciated by directors,colleagues,audiences and of course her students all my best on this day.
Anyone who does not know her worth, just go to Youtube with 5 Pavarotti towels, and watch her Suor Angelica finale,which is an example of the kind of verismo singing you hear from Muzio,Favero, and Zeani,and does not exist today.
All my love to my two girls.
Charlie**
This is a magnificent Vespri Sicilani from Scala 1970 under Gianandrea Gavazzeni. It features Renata Scotto, Piero Cappuccilli, Ruggero and Gianni Raimondi (no relations) and I know you will enjoy it. The more I hear Scotto, the more I am captivated by her feeling for the line and the style. (71 min.)
Treigle was born in New Orleans, the fifth and final child of a poor carpenter and his wife. Following his 1946 marriage to the former Loraine Siegel, the bass-baritone began vocal studies with the contralto Elisabeth Wood. In 1947, he made his operatic debut with the New Orleans Opera Association, as the Duke of Verona in Roméo et Juliette.
Between 1949 and 1951, he attended Loyola University of the South's College of Music, while performing various roles with the local opera company.
In 1953, Treigle made his New York City Opera debut, as Colline in La bohème. Three years later, the bass-baritone scored his first significant success, as the tormented Reverend Olin Blitch, in the New York premiere of Floyd's Susannah. He made his European debut in this same opera, at the Brussels World's Fair, in 1958.
In succeeding seasons, Treigle became one of the top bass-baritones in North America, and was acclaimed as one of the world's foremost singing-actors. He sang in many experimental productions and participated in several important premieres, in operas by Einem, Copland, Moore, Floyd, Orff, Dallapiccola and Ward (The Crucible). Perhaps his greatest roles were in Faust (as Méphistophélès), Carmen (as Escamillo), Susannah, Il prigioniero, Les contes d'Hoffmann (the four Villains), Boris Godunov and, especially, Mefistofele.
Strange Child of Chaos: Norman Treigle.
In the autumn of 1974, Treigle made his London debut at Covent Garden in a new production of Faust. On February 16, 1975, Treigle was found dead in his New Orleans apartment. He had been diagnosed as a chronic insomniac and it was determined that he had consumed an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. By his first wife, he had a son (who died in 1993) and a daughter, Phyllis. He had also adopted the daughter of his second wife, from whom he was separated at the time of his death.
Mr.Gelb MUST cut corners at the Met since he spent 500 zillion dollars on the new Ring...so he has to cut down on the chorus...He will therefore use a new chorus for some spectacles.
Will the audience know??????
**So,we had the Talmud, the Koran, War and Peace, Don Quijote (I had to read ALL of it), but now comes my review of the wonderful Latonia Moore's Met debut!!! (Do not worry,it will be somewhat shorter than the above.).For me, the most important element of the Aida was that the DUMB theory, totally dispelled by the marvelous low register of Latonia, that you cannot sing chest because "it shortens the top range." Just take the phrase in act three " O patria,patria,quando mi costi,etc.) or the opening of "Ritorna Vincitor" where unlike every Aida I have heard in recent years cannot say "parola" like a true Italian. (Sweet said, "parowwwwwlah).
Will Gelb understand the importance of someone who today joined "minor" artists like Varnay,Flagstad, and te Kanawa in making a fabulous debut on the eadio? Is it possible that perhaps he will decide that this was a special event and do some cast changing for next season?
Latonia has a luscious voice, with all the elements of a great soprano, as I thought years ago at the "Elgar" performance at Carnegie. I am so happy for her...and did you ever hear such a prolonged ovation after "Ritorna Vincitor," which was in some ways "Zeani-like" in temperament and the lower register (and Virginia loved it, by the way.)
Blythe sang magnificently, but I hate when Armiliato rushes the very end of the Judgement Scene, not allowing the kind of thrills that,for example, Antonino Votto gives with Simionato. Morris is getting on,but he surely has paid his dues. Ataneli sounded excellent with Madama Moore in the duet, and of course Marcello sang as brilliantly as always, with the "squillante" sound I love so.
So you see, the review was not as long as you thought,but at least I expressed what I felt about the "new star" who might end up as famous as that guy on the Knicks...that could be very Linteresting.
VIVA LATONIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chesty Charlie**
**At a Licia Albanese gala years ago, and then in the complete Puccini "Edgar" at Carnegie Hall, I heard the magnificent voice of Latonia Moore,who brought the house down, and when I met this sweet and lovely lady, I threatened to picket the Met if they didn't grab her up!!!!
Well, now she joins Astrid Varnay,Kirsten Flagstad, Kiri te Kanawa and others I cannot think of now, making a Met debut on a broadcast (March 3). I am wishing this superb lady all my best for the Aida, and hope and pray the Met will learn something and give her more material over the years.
I have some arthritis these days, so I am glad I do not have to walk around at Lincoln Center with my "Latonia Belongs at the Met" sign.
I wish this beautiful diva all my best!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Charlie**
This is the Met debut (1966) of the fabulous Alfredo Kraus (including a D natural). Francesco Molinari-Pradelli conducts, with Cornell MacNeil, Roberta Peters, and Ruza Baldani. (71 min.)
One of the world's most popular divas was Geraldine Farrar (1882-1967). I present highlights from La Boheme, Mme.Butterfly, Tosca, and Il Segreto di Susanna (Wolf-Ferrari). In the duets we have Enrico Caruso, and in the Boheme quartet we have Caruso, Antonio Scotti, and Gina Viafora
(55 min.)
As Lucine Amara celebrates birthday no.87 on March 1, I tell you that the voice is STILL as luscious and clear as on my 1948 audition tapes....No kidding!!!!! I give you the Youtube link below......and,trust me, she has never lost that sound!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Lucine+Amara&oq=Lucine+Amara&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=12&gs_upl=0l0l0l118139l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0ll0l0
http://www.henryrosner.org/caruso/
The above link will take you to the GOD of opera, Enrico Caruso, born Feb.23, 1873.
Bless his memory forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A most exciting performnce of Cherubini's "Medea," from Dallas, 1967 under Nicola Rescigno. Magda Olivero makes a rare appearance in this opera, with Bruno Prevedi, Nicola Zaccaria, and Biancamaria Casoni.
(64 min.)
From Covent Garden, 1937, a live performance of the third act of Die Walkure under Wilhelm Furtwaengler, featuring Kirsten Flagstad, Maria Muller, and Rudolf Bockelman. (64 glorious minutes)
We rarely have heard the great Cesare Siepi in German opera. Here is act three of Parsifal from 1971 with Sandor Konya and Thomas Stewart. The conductor is Leopold Luwig. This is what we call "pure velvet." A great man!!! (74 min.)
Virginia Zeani sings the three Hoffmann heroines from a Geneva 1966 perf. Her husband,Nicola Rossi-Lemeni sings the villains, and Jon Crain is the Hoffmann. (Part One-28 min.)
A most exciting Otello from Covent Garden under Sir Georg Solti. Mario del Monaco,Tito Gobbi, and Raina Kabaiwanska are the featured artists, supported by Josephine Veasey and John Lanigan.
(70 min.)
Maybe he did not want to use his name "Caruso," but those who loved him thought he EARNED IT!!!!!!!!
Bless his memory.!!!!!!
Anthony was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the child of immigrants from Sicily. He studied music at Loyola University New Orleans, where he studied under Dorothy Hulse, also the teacher of Audrey Schuh and Harry Theyard, from where he graduated in 1951. The tenor sang the role of the Messenger in Il trovatore, at the New Orleans Opera Association, in 1947. At the age of twenty-two, he auditioned under his birth name for the Metropolitan Opera's Auditions of the Air. He won the auditions, but Sir Rudolf Bing convinced him to drop his surname, saying that it would invite comparisons with Enrico Caruso.
[edit] At the Metropolitan Anthony made his debut at the Metropolitan on March 6, 1954, playing the role of the Simpleton in Boris Godunov. Critics were impressed; The New York Times wrote, "Mr Anthony had better be careful. If he does other bit parts so vividly, he'll be stamped as a character singer for life." In the event, this proved true; although Anthony performed some larger roles early in his career (including Don Ottavio, to the Donna Anna of Herva Nelli, in Don Giovanni), he made his mark as a comprimario singer.
On February 17, 1992, following Act II of a performance of Puccini's Tosca, Anthony was honored in an onstage ceremony on the occasion of his breaking the record of George Cehanovsky for most appearances by an artist at the Metropolitan Opera. By the time of his retirement, Anthony had performed 2,928 times with the company, over fifty-six seasons.[2]
Anthony is an honorary member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes (IATSE) Local One in New York City.
He
In the words of that famous Josef Schmidt film, we are getting close to one million "songs" (downloads) and it is a great pleasure for me to spread the word and share with you the treasures that have enriched my life.
When we reach a million, we will have to do something special.(Any ideas??). perhaps a Lady Gaga orJustin Bieber podcast.(For those in far-off lands, look them up on Wackypedia.).
Thanks again for all your support.
As ever Carlo Magno (I just saw Ernani)
GREATEST BASSO IN MY LIFE>>>Pure Velvet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
His international reputation was established in 1950, when Sir Rudolf Bing brought him to the Metropolitan Opera in New York to open the 1950 season as King Philip II in Don Carlo. He was to remain principal bass at the Met until 1974, adding roles such as Boris Godunov (in English) and Gurnemanz in Parsifal (in German), and singing all the major roles of the bass repertoire.
His debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, was in 1950, and he appeared there regularly until the mid 1970s.
In 1953, Siepi debuted at the Salzburg Festival with a legendary production of Don Giovanni conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler, staged by Herbert Graf, and designed by Clemens Holzmeister. He made an immediate impact in the title role of Don Giovanni which became perhaps his best known role, as it had been for the most famous Italian bass of the generation before, Ezio Pinza. This performance has been released on CD, and a 1954 mounting of this production was filmed in color and released in 1955.
Siepi was a frequent guest at the Vienna State Opera. In 43 performances he sang Don Giovanni, more often than any other singer in modern times except for Eberhard Wächter. In 1967 Siepi was Don Giovanni in a controversially received production staged by Otto Schenk and designed by Luciano Damiani that showed Mozart's masterpiece in the light of the commedia dell'arte, emphasizing the comic and ironic elements of this opera (conductor Josef Krips strongly opposed this production's concept). In Vienna he also sang Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Colline (La bohème), Fiesco (Simon Boccanegra), Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Padre Guardiano (La forza del destino 1974 in a new production conducted by Riccardo Muti), Gurnemanz (Parsifal), Méphistophélès (Faust), Filippo II (Don Carlos), and Ramphis (Aida). His final performance at Vienna was in Norma (Oroveso) at the Austria Center Vienna in 1994.
He was a particularly fine recital artist, especially in Community Concerts under Columbia Artist Management, and a sensitive interpreter of German Lieder. He married Met ballerina Luellen Sibley and they had two children.
Siepi enjoyed a long career, and performed regularly until the 1980s, including lead roles in the ill-fated Broadway musicals Bravo Giovanni and Carmelina. In addition to his studio recordings, there are also many live recordings of performances of his major roles.
Siepi's formal farewell to the operatic stage occurred at the Teatro Carani in Sassuolo on 21 April 1989. Indeed, Capon's List shows live recordings made as late as 1988.
Siepi's last studio recording was as the old King Archibaldo in RCA's 1976 taping of Italo Montemezzi's L'amore dei tre re, with Anna Moffo and Plácido Domingo in the cast.
Siepi died at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia on July 5, 2010 after suffering a stroke more than a week earlier.
A brilliant Elektra with Astrid Varnay, Leonie Rysanek, Hans Hotter, and Res Fischer from 1953 under Richard Kraus. (71 min.)
She made her sensational debut at the Metropolitan Opera on 6 December 1941 in a broadcast performance singing Sieglinde in Wagner's Die Walküre, substituting for the indisposed Lotte Lehmann with almost no rehearsal. This was her first appearance in a leading role, and it was a triumph. Six days later she replaced the ailing Helen Traubel as Brünnhilde in the same opera. Varnay and Weigert became closer and were married in 1944. It was also at this time that she had lessons with former Metropolitan Opera tenor, *Paul Althouse.*
In 1948 she made her debut at Covent Garden and in 1951 in Florence as Lady Macbeth. In that year she also made her debut at Bayreuth after Flagstad, who had declined the invitation to Bayreuth, recommended that Wieland Wagner engage Varnay. She sang at Bayreuth for the next seventeen years, and appeared regularly at the Metropolitan until 1956.
She left when it was clear that the Met director Rudolf Bing did not appreciate her, and went on to become a mainstay of the world's other great opera houses, especially in Germany, in Wagner and Strauss but also several Verdi and other roles. She had already made Munich her home, where audiences considered her a goddess.
In 1969 she gave up her repertoire of heavy dramatic soprano roles and began a new career singing mezzo roles. After being the world's leading Elektra for over twenty years, she now established herself as a great interpreter of Klytemnestra. The role of Herodias in Salome became her most often-performed role: 236 performances. She returned to the Metropolitan in 1974 and last appeared there in *Weill's Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny in 1979.*
In the mid-1980s, character roles now became Varnay's metier. Her last appearance on stage was in Munich in 1995, fifty-five years after her Metropolitan debut. In 1998 she published her autobiography Fifty-Five Years in Five Acts: My Life in Opera, written with Donald Arthur (German title is Hab'mir's gelobt).
In 2004, a documentary about her life and first New York career entitled Never before, produced by Donald Collup, who interviewed her, received acclaim in the USA. Her recordings of Strauss heroines such as Elektra and Salome along with the Wagnerian roles are among the treasures of the medium, while transcriptions of broadcast performances of her great roles document her art in sound, and a few video recordings of her late career preserve evidence of her acting ability. Astrid Varnay died in Munich on 4 September 2006, aged 88.
Camilla Williams, emerita professor of music The NAACP's Roy Wilkins had asked her to sing a spiritual at the August 1963 civil rights rally in Washington, D.C. But Camilla Williams ended up singing The Star Spangled Banner as well.
Williams recalled that another singer on the program was caught in traffic, and Wilkins needed someone to sing the national anthem. (Contralto Marian Anderson was stuck in traffic.)
"I ran up all the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and was out of breath when I got to the microphone," she said. But she sang to the 200,000 gathered there and the next year, after King won the Nobel Peace Prize, she sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic for a gathering of dignitaries and friends of the civil rights leader. "I was honored to know Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta," she told the audience.
Williams was the first black singer on contract to appear with the New York City Opera. She premiered in 1946 as Cio Cio San in Madame Butterfly, and she was the IU School of Music's first black professor of voice.
I spoke to her only recently...I am so sad...She was so kind and I reminded her she was my first ever Butterfly.Sadly, the racism in music prevented her from coming to the Met. Bless her memory. (She was 92)
Ciao a tutti,
When we gathered outside the Met stage door on Feb.1, 1956, after Tebaldi's debut as Desdemona (we lost our voices for weeks), we were unaware that it was her 34th birthday. As usual, she signed every program in the freezing cold, and that was our first encounter with the lady who made our lives so happy, on and off stage. She would be 90 this day, and let me remember some of my personal tales of this beloved lady:
Those of us who heard her live do not believe that there was EVER any soprano who combined a phenomenally gorgeous quality and Brunnhilde-like volume. Imagine a Gioconda duet withe two of them..get the earplugs!
I am following this with a few anecdotes from my personal experience, just to give you a more personal view of her personality:
1. She did not like to fly, and one Tuesday night, when she was off to sing in Philadelphia (The Met went there regularly), we were seeing off and she was standing in the last (open) car of the train;the baggage handler opened the door and she said, "Spoletta,chiudi!"
2. She did another Tosca thing at one of our huge hotel parties, as she cut the cake, waving the knife with a hearty, "Questo e il bacio di Tosca."
3. Every Met Tebaldi evening ended with us nutcases chasing the limo up 40th Street and her yelling "Ciao" out the window.Once I did not notice a fire plug and almost became the world's last castrato.
4. As she came out at Carnegie (Bell Tel.Hr.) for the "Inflammatus" in 1955, she saw the "gang" in the first row, winked down at us and then launched into that great piece. We felt she was performing it for us. I do not think I ever really lost that "groupie mentality."
5. After my dad died, I took my mom, a former Follies girl, to see her in Traviata.She took mom's hand backstage, and every time I saw her years after, she always asked, "Com'e la mamma?"
Well,basta for all that....Just remember how thrilling it was for teens to find themselves close with a lady who filled the hearts of opera lovers everywhere with her great voice and her undying love. (Ooops..I almost wet the keyboard.).
On your 90th,dear Renata, thanks for all you were in life to so many who will never forget you.
Charlie
Here are arias and scenes from earlier Tebaldi performances, commercial and live. Included are: Boheme,Butterfly, Adriana, Louise, Giovanna D'Arco, Andrea Chenier,The Verdi Requiem and also a "Vissi d'arte' as sung by her teacher, Carmen Melis. (68 min.).
May my darling Renata never be forgotten!
She said, "Dammi il braccio,mio piccinO" and I,knowing Boheme at 19 (with hair), responded, "Obbedisco,SignorA." SNAP!!!!! This photo will forver remain in my heart.
We begin with some scenes from a 1951 Rio de Janeiro Fedora with Beniamino Gigli (born 1890) and Elena Nicolai, conducted by Nino Sanzogno. Also included are three arias from Fedora with Gigli. (44 min.)
Here we present highlights from a superb Gotterdamerung under Artur Bodansky. Despite the transcription disc sounds, one can understand what great Wagnerian artists existed in that era. Marjorie Lawrence, Lauritz Melchior, Friedrich Schorr, Ludwig Hoffman, Kathryn Meisle and Dorothee Manski (Gutrune) are the artists. (63 min.)
I also wanted to mention that the "kid" at around age 20 was the Guardiano in our Forza del Destino in Paterson, New Jersey, under the brilliant leadership of Paul's teacher and coach, Armen Boyajian. I also want to express my deep affection for Paul, and wish him all the best. He has always been a wonderful artist and a fine human being.
Love from Melitone
Paul Plishka (born August 28, 1941) is a Ukrainian-American bass opera singer.
Mr Plishka comes from Old Forge, Pennsylvania and Paterson, New Jersey; his parents were American-born children of Ukrainian immigrants. He studied at Montclair State College and with Armen Boyajian (also the pedagogue of Marisa Galvany and fellow basso Samuel Ramey), and made his operatic debut with the Paterson Lyric Opera, in 1961.
Plishka made his formal debut with the Metropolitan Opera as the Monk in La Gioconda, in 1967. He became one of the company's leading basses, and has appeared in many other theatres, including the Teatro alla Scala (debut in La damnation de Faust, 1974) and the New York City Opera (I puritani, 1981).
The bass sang over 1,600 performances with the Met, placing him at Number 10 on their official list of most-frequent performers, which dates back to the company's inception in 1883. On January 10, 2012, bid Farewell to the company, as the Sacristan in Tosca, opposite Patricia Racette and Roberto Alagna.
He is a National Patron of Delta Omicron, an international professional music fraternity. [1]
Paul Plishka's artistry was recognized in 1992 when he received the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and when, several years earlier, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great American Opera Singers in a celebration at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Phil.
I think you will like the new style of my VIDEO site...so check it out...
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrFriendofopera
The happiest of birthdays to the great Marcello Giordani as I present five beautiful Italian songs from his album, "Ti voglio tanto bene." Marcello is a very great artist and a lovable human being as well. Bravo al MAESTRO MARCELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Con affetto,
Charlie
Dear Rita Gorr just passed away. She would have turned 86 in February.I saw her Met debut as Delilah, and her Amneris matched Birgit in size of voice....A wonderful artist.
Rest in Peace.
Highlights from a rare 1935 performance of Romeo et Juliette, conducted by Louis Hasselmans. It features Eide Norena, Charles Hackett, Giuseppe de Luca, Leon Rothier, and Gladys Swarthout. The sound is not great,owing to the original transcription discs, but it is quite acceptable. (71 min.)
On a freezing morning on Jan.31, 1955, I awoke at 4:30 to get to the Met standee line to wait all day for the debut of the lady whose 90th birthday comes on Feb.1.Therefore when we met her outside for the first time, it was her 34th birthday(born Feb.1, 1922.) She was the most beloved artist one could imagine and we became close, as did many others, because she was our (mommy." I called her for many years on her birthday and to this day, that 19 year old kid never quite recuperated from knowing this loving lady and one of the greatest sopranos in opera history. Can we do any special kind of tribute here on Feb.1 in her memory???It would be nice, especially for the younger fans of opera who never saw her.?? I have some cute stories to tell and many things about her singing only those who saw her could explain. No one who knew her on and off stage will EVER forget what she meant to us.
If you have any requests for lives arias/scenes, e-mail me at Placido21@aol.com
Just to remind you of my Google Videos (168 of them) at:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Handelmania&hl=en&tbs=vid:1
I have met many singers, and they are usually sweethearts...but dear Joe is so special to all who know him on and off stage. May I wish him a wonderful birthday and may he continue to thrill audiences all over the globe.
The three arias are from the new album, "The Maltese Tenor."
Born on Jan.22, 1897, Rosa Ponselle was considered my many to have had the most gorgeous voice EVER! Unfortunately she retired in her late thirties, but at least we do have her Villa Pace recordings, and the voice was still remarkable. Imagine a "kid" making a debut with Caruso in Forza at the Met!!!!
When I think of that "other' Spanish speaking dude with whom I share a birthday, I often look back on my youth, and remember someone I resembled. Of course, as I compare us two, I do feel slighted, since he has sung more roles than I, I take the train and he has a jet, and I may own 250 Toscas, but he owns Madrid.
Love to a great icon in the world of music (Not me!!!)
| Born: January 21, 1941 - Madrid, Spain | | The famous Spanish tenor and able conductor, Plácido Domingo, was born to zarzuela singers. After a tour of Mexico, they settled there and gave performances with their own company. Placido joined his parents in Mexico at the age of 7 and began appearing with them in various productions while still a child. He also studied piano with Manuel Barajas in Mexico City and voice with Carlo Morelli at the National Conservatory there (1955-1957). Plácido Domingo made his operatic debut in the tenor role of Borsa in Rigoletto with the National Opera in Mexico City in 1959. His first major role was as Alfredo in La Traviata in Monterrey in 1961. That same year he made his USA debut as Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor with the Dallas Civic Opera. Then he was a member of the Hebrew National Opera in Tel Aviv (1962-1964). He made his first appearance with the New York City Opera as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly in October 1965. In August 1966, he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Turiddu in a concert performance of Cavalleria rusticana at New York's Lewisohn Stadium. His formal debut on the stage of the Metropolitan followed in September 1968, when he essayed the role of Maurice de Saxe in Adriana Lecouvreur, establishing himself as one of its principal members. He also sang regularly at the Vienna State Opera (from 1967), Milan's La Scala (from 1969), and London's Covent Garden (from 1971). His travels took him to all the major operatic centers of the world, and he also sang for recordings, films, and television. Plácido Domingo also pursued conducting. He made his formal debut as an opera conductor with La Traviata at the New York City Opera in October 1973, and in October 1984, he appeared at the Metropolitan Opera, conducting La Boheme. He commissioned Menotti's opera Goya and sang the title role at its premiere in Washington, D.C, in November 1986. In 1987 he sang Otello at the 100th anniversary performances at La Scala. On New Year's Eve 1988 he appeared as a soloist with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in a gala concert televised live to millions, during which he also conducted the orchestra in the overture to Die Fledermaus. In July 1990, he participated in a celebrated concert with fellow tenors Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti in Rome, with Zubin Mehta conducting. The concert was telecast live to the world and subsequently became a best-selling video and compact disc. In 1992 he appeared at the opening gala ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Barcelona. In 1993 he sang Parsifal at the Bayreuth Festival with extraordinary success. Plácido Domingo celebrated his 25th anniversary with the Metropolitan Opera singing Siegmund in Act 1 of Die Walküre in a performance broadcast live on radio throughout the world in September 1993. In July 1994, he again appeared in concert with Carreras, Pavarotti, and Zubin Mehta in Los Angeles, which spectacle was telecast live to the world. In 1994 he was named principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Opera. In 1996 he assumed the position of artistic director of the Washington (D.C.) Opera. One of the best-known lyric tenors of his era, Plácido Domingo has gained international renown for his portrayals of such roles as Cavaradossi, Des Grieux, Radames, Don Carlo, Otello, Don Jose, Hoffmann, Canio, and Samson. He published an autobiography, Plácido Domingo: My First Forty Years (New York, 1983). | | |
Joseph Calleja and Tatiana Lisnic sing a concert in Regensburg, 2004 under conductor Alex Kober (65 min.)
Reminder: Especially our new members, that since we had to remove the "Comments' section from this site, since I was getting tons of unwanted ads, you need to write me at Placido21@aol.com if you have any comments or suggestions.
Also, I invite young artists to make private requests for special podcasts that might help you with your repertory. For example, when I did a "Handelmanian Master Class' for Dolora Zajick's students, I did make some podcasts for some of them according to what they were studying.(e.g. 10 Vissi d'artes,etc.). So feel free to make such a request.
In addition, if I say something mean about one of your favorite singers, I will not be offended, since I have done that for years!
When I look at the statistics on this site, I am absolutely delighted at the incredible interest in opera all over the globe. From Albania to Zanzibar,etc...and maybe because of my teaching Romance Languages, I got a special thrill out of the fact that Venezuela ranks numero SEIS!!!!.
I also want you to read the interesting Wikipidia site (on the blog) that lists various opera singers from many countries in the history of opera.
By the way,since we have now so many stars from Latin-America, I did make a list of them, but whatever country you are from (even Brooklyn), you can find some of your fellow countrymen who made it BIG!
Love to you all,
Charlie
(Why did the Wikipedia site come out twice?????????)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Opera_singers_by_nationality
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Opera_singers_by_nationality
Here is part two of this superb La Scala Don Carlo. Enjoy!!!! (70 min.).
What a fabulous cast!!!!
What a cast!!! This is part one of the five act version of Don Carlo from La Scala, 1977, under Claudio Abbado. The stellar cast features Jose Carreras, Mirella Freni, Elena Obratsova, Piero Cappuccilli, Nicolai Ghiaurov, and Evgenyi Nesterenko (Inquisitor) ( 66 min.)
From 1964,am under Jean Fournet, I bring you highlights from Samson et Delilah with Oralia Dominguez (should be more appreciated), Jon Vickers, and Ernest Blanc. (69 min.)
(I wonder if Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature could sing!!)
Compilation of various Confrontation Scenes from Maria Stuarda of Donizetti.I know you will enjoy the various sopranos/mezzos in this act one finale. The pairs (in order) are:
Carmela Remigio/Sona Ganassi Janet Baker/Pauline Tinsley (In English,in mezzo key),
Giusy Devinu/Enkelejada Shkosa Monserrat Caballe/ Shirley Verret
Edita Gruberova/ Carmen Oprisanu Ruth Ann Swenson/ Lauren Flanigan
Leyla Gencer/ Shirley Verret Beverly Sills/ Marisa Galvany
(64 exciting minutes)
Here are the earliest reordings (1956-1959) by Franco Corelli.They originally were on the Cetra label. The arias are from:
I Lombardi, Otello, Tosca, Turandot, Cavalleria, Fedora,Mme.Butterfly, Adriana Lecouvreur, Fanciulla, Andrea Chenier, Lodoletta, Mefistofele, Pagliacci, and Werther. (66 min.)
How we miss him!!!!!!!!
What a great cast (except Oscar) in this La Scala 1956 Ballo under Gianandrea Gavazzeni.It features Antonietta Stella, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Ebe Stignani, Ettore Bastianini, Eugenia Ratti, Silvio Maionica (Sam), and Nicola Zaccaria (Tom.) (68 glorious minutes)
I have a dear buddy who turns off any Violetta who can not show the kind of pure JOY that Mme.Perez exhibits. This is her Covent Garden debut, and i will post more (if she approves.) I met her before she became the wife of the equally endearing Steven Costello,but I only heard her today, and went NUTS./.Crabby Charlie...Listen to the way she sings just these lines on the order of Callas, Soviero, and one of her teachers, Virginia Zeani, for whom I played this part on the phone.
Destined for STARDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More later... Charlie
http://traffic.libsyn.com/handelmania/02_-_Perez_Trav.Opening.mp3
Enclosure
From Naples, 1959, under Francesco Molinari-Pradelli, here is a fine performance of Bellini's "La Sonnambula." It features Virginia Zeani, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, and Nicola Monti (70 min.)
The photo shows Virginia being honored last year in Bucarest.
HAPPY 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 4 is the birthday of a great artist, Mme.Grace Bumbry,pictured here as a former Kennedy Center Honoree. A happy birthday and all our love for a great career!!!!!
You will find a lot of material on Youtube, so go there and enjoy her magnificent talent.
Scenes from a truly beautiful opera, "The Ballad of Baby Doe" by Douglas Moore. The conductor is Emerson Buckley and this recording features Beverly Sills in one of her great roles.It also features Walter Cassell and Frances Bible. I know you will enjoy it. (69 min.).
http://traffic.libsyn.com/parterrebox/Diamonds_pape.mp3
LOVE what he did the other night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Highlights from the La Scala debut of Giuseppe Di Stefano on March 15, 1947. The Manon is Mafalda Favero. Mario Boriello sings Lescaut and Bretigny is sung by Michele Mainardi. The conductor is Antonio Guarnieri. As a bonus, we have the 1951 St.Sulpice aria with Di Stefano. (52 min.)
Here is a repeat of a few Slavic arias (from the CD) as sung by our wonderful Piotr Beczala, whose birthday is Dec.28. He has certainly endeared himself to audiences around the globe, and we look forward to his Met performances in Manon. He is also such a sweet, natural guy, and he has made us so happy to know him.
The great Fritz Reiner conducts this 1950 Tristan und Isolde (exc.) with Helen Traubel, Ramon Vinay, Blanche Thebom, Paul Schoeffler, and Sven Nilsson. *( 71 min.)*
Highlights from a French Radio performance of Massenet's "Werther," under Jesus Etcheverry. The cast includes Albert Lance, Rita Gorr, Gabriel Bacquier, and Mady Mesple. (73 min.30 sec.)
Well, it is Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!
The darling "miracle" of opera, Magda Olivero, who turns 102 in March, is so happy she is remembered, and wishes you all a wonderful Holiday Season. She still sounds as wonderful as always (and I get to practice my operatic Italian, not heard on earth since Dante.)
Buon Natale a Tutti
Charlie
Here is a "Christmas" opera. This is a beautiful La Boheme from Vienna,1963 under Herbert Von Karajan. It features Mirella Freni,Gianni Raimondi, Hilde Gueden, Rolando Panerai, Giuseppe Taddei (Schaunard), and Ivo Vinco. (71 min.)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL YOU LOVELY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Vienna in 1943 under Karl Bohm (pictured), we present highlights (often badly abridged) from this great work. The cast features Torsten Ralf, Hilde Konetzni, Else Schulz(Dyer's Wife), Elizabeth Hoengen, and Josef Herrmann. ( 61 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk4N8ltMAqE
How could these "blank" cartridges do this terrible thing?
I know Fabio recovered well since I saw him a few years ago....
By the way, where were these guys when we had BAUM??????
You all know I have seen tham ALL, but rarely in recent years have I been as moved as hearing Mme.Zhang as Mme.Butterfly today. For the supposedly jaded me (I saw Scotto, Tebaldi, Kirsten,De Los Angeles, Stella, Albanese)
One special element of her singing today was what I term an "authoritative" attack, or slightly "glottal" attack a la Diana Soviero, on certain phrases, making the line all the more important. Have a look at her on youtube and of course I just ordered the album you see in the photo.
Funny in life.....sometimes you never realize what you have heard in opera and what effect it can have, and I burst into tears at the end, not only at her performance, but thinking of the love I had for Renata Tebaldi, our beloved friend for many years. Love from cry-baby Charlie
Born on Dec.15, 1910 (almost made it to 100), the great Giulietta was one of the most amazing singers in opera history. Here are highlights from Cavalleria, Anna Bolena, Aida, and Il Trovatore.
Except for the likes of dear Dolora Zajick, they do not make them like this anymore. (73 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrFriendofopera
Mamma mia!!!I just found that they added a new look to my site "Mr.Friend of Opera."
There are zillions of hand-picked videos from yours truly!!!!!!! ( OPERA FIEND!!!!)
To all you lovable opera fans:
All my best for a joyous Holiday Season.
As ever Charlie
A Tosca from 1959 under Kurt Adler, here is a most exciting Tosca with Eleanor Steber, Carlo Bergonzi, George London, and Allessio de Paolis. You will LOVE it!!! (71 min.)
Thill was born on Dec. 14, 1897, and was one of the great tenors of all time.We present arias from Lohengrin, Lakme, Meistersinger, Les Huguenots, and Herodiade. (27 min.)
Mon DIEU!!! Quelle Voix!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the Dec. 14 birthday (1930) of Rosanna Carteri, we hear scenes from her Cetra Soria recording of La Boheme, with Ferruccio Tagliavini,Giuseppe Taddei, and Cesare Siepi. The conductor is Gabriele Santini. This is a perfect example of the most beautiful phrasing in the true Verismo style that Carteri exemplifies. (37 min.)
Anthony Amato, co-founder of the Amato Opera, died on Tuesday morning at the age of 91. The news was initially posted to Facebook this afternoon by former Amato employee and director of the Amore Opera, Nathan Hull.
For over six decades, the Amato Opera, formed by Amato and his wife Sally Bell Amato, was a fixture on the Bowery and in the East Village arts scene. After its inaugural production of The Barber of Seville in Our Lady of Pompeii Church on the corner of Bleecker and Carmine Streets in 1948, it had stints at the 92nd Street Y, the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Washington Irving High School, 159 Bleecker Street and the Town Hall. The company finally settled in a postage-stamp–sized building next to CBGB's in 1964, where it operated continually until it closed in 2009.
Against the posh spaces of City Center and Lincoln Center, the Amato Opera was a feisty diamond in the rough, making grand opera thrive in a theater that seated 107 and contained a mere 20-foot stage. Entrances and exits were often made by running around the building from lobby to stage door entrance and back again and costume changes were known to take place in the theater’s adjacent gas station. It was part of the draw of the company—you couldn’t help but feel a warm, tingly glee in the Momus scene of La bohème, sitting mere inches away from the bohemians, no
Scenes from the Kongelige Theatre in Denmark (1969-1978) with Birgit Nilsson. Included are scene from Fidelio (w.Willy Hartman) from 1966, Tosca (w.Ragnar Ulfung from 1969 and w.Peter Lindroos from 1978-in third act duet). Finally,we present the final scenes from a Tristan und Isolde from 1973 with Helge Brilioth, Leif Roar(Kurvenal) Ulrik Cold, and Inger Paustian.
As a bonus we present a live "In questa reggia" (total 58 min.)
WARNING: You may play this podcast ONLY if you live in a private house at least one mile from your neighbors.
Here are highlights from a 1973 San Francisco Die Fledermaus under Richard Bonynge. The cast features Joan Sutherland, Judith Blegen, Nolan Van Way (Eisenstein), Ragnar Ulfung, and Huguette Tourangeau.
I must make special mention of the wonderful baritone Bruce Yarnell as Dr.Falke. His tragic death in a plane crash shortly after this performance was a great loss to opera, and he had done extensive work on television and in a wonderful revival (which I attended) of Annie Get Your Gun with Ethel Merman. May we always bless the memory of this fine artist. ( 70 min.)
The very first recording of opera I heard and still my favorite opera. This 1929 commercial recording under Carlo Sabajno with the Scala orchestra and chorus brings back so many fond memories.(Despite my having to lug all those 78 r.p.m. discs home from the library.)
The cast features Dusolina Giannini,Aureliano Pertile, Irene Minghini-Cattaneo, Giovanni Inghilleri, and Luigi Manfrini (Ramfis.) (72 min.)
If not for this recording, I would have been a normal human being.
Showing 1 Result GO TO AMAZON!!! This is already a big seller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALSO:
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I have seen all Mme.Resnik's programs and believe me, they are absolutely glorious!!!!
1.
Regina Resnik Presents Colors of Diaspora: A Kaleidoscope of Jewish Classical Song Starring Regina Resnik (Sep 13, 2011)
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In 1954, we became acquainted with a lovely lady,soprano Shakeh Vartenissian. Unfortunately, the Met never gave her large roles (What else is new??) but she had a magnificent,velvety voice, not unlike her teacher, Rosa Ponselle. Shakeh would sing "D'amor sull'ali rosee" in my ear on the train, and we all had such great times with her. After a brief stint at the Met she went to Europe where she shone in operas like Aida,Macbeth,Ernani,etc.
Go to Youtube and you will find her Donna Elvira arias and scenes from the Verdi Requiem. It was my pleasure today to speak with her aunt, and we recalled some of the beautful qualities she had, both as artist and friend. Shakeh was born in 1924 and we believe passed away around 2003. I still have a photo of her when we went to the beach. (The only singer I ever saw in a bathing suit, because Zinka just wouldn't try one on.)
The trip down nostalgia lane was for me a happy and also sad one, but we do have our fond memories of this great artist and dear human being.
Not many opera singers are successful in "crossover" material, but the famous American soprano, Dorothy Kirsten, was successful in being able to modulate her voice in such a way as to sound "pop" and so here are 15 selections from live radio shows with the likes of Al Jolson,Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. ( 43 min.)
I love this opera, my favorite of the early Verdi works. This is from Rome, 1970 under Riccardo Muti (Senza acuti.).It features Antonietta Stella, Ruggero Raimondi, Giangiacomo Guelfi, and Gianfranco Cecchele. (72 min.)
Many thanks for all your enthusiasm!!!!!
We present highlights from 2 performances of Pagliacci with the great Giovanni Martinelli as Canio. The first is from 1934 with Lawrence Tibbett,Queena Mario, and George Cehanovsky completing the cast, under Vincenzo Belleza. This is followed by highlights from a 1941 performance with Tibbett again, and Norina Greco and Frank Valentino in the cast, conducted by Ferruccio Calusio. I hope you will enjoy memories of this great tenor and all of the artists. (66 min.)
What more need we say about Maria Callas, born on Dec.2, 1923? She may have left us early, but her stamp upon the world of music is indelible, and will remain so through the ages. Yes, we know of her vocal flaws, especially after 1957, but what she gave to opera made the lives of true opera aficionados so rich and rewarding. Bless her memory!
Highlights from a 1956 Florence Gioconda under E.Tieri. The cast includes Anita Cerquetti, Ebe Stignani, Ettore Bastianini, Gianni Poggi, and Giuseppe Modesti. The "Stella del Marinar" was not performed, but I gave it to you in another brief podcast. (66 min.)
Since they chose to cut Stignani's aria in Gioconda,in my latest podcast, here it is from another perf.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tZh-9M9Sgk
Opera singer Sena Jurinac, one of the most celebrated sopranos of the post-war period, has died aged 90.
Born in Travnik in Bosnia in October 1921, the Austrian star studied in Zagreb, and made her debut there 1942 as Mimi in La Boheme.
She made very few recordings across her career, although the BBC recently issued a CD of her 1961 Proms show.
The Vienna State Opera, of which she was an honorary member, confirmed the singer had died in southern Germany.
In a statement, it said it was mourning the loss of a "legendary artist who shaped not only the Vienna State Opera but also the entire opera world".
Jurinac first sang for the company in 1944, playing Cherubino in The Marriage Of Figaro, and remained a member until 1983, when she made her farewell as Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier.
She appeared at the Salzburg Festival in 1947, and soon after made her London debut, singing Dorabella at Covent Garden.
Jurinac went on to become a favourite at Glyndebourne, and was renowned for her interpretation of Mozart.
Scholar Peter Branscombe described her voice as "beautifully pure, rich and even throughout its range".
Austrian news agency APA reported that Jurinac died Tuesday at her home near Augsburg.
From other news sites
A comparison of five Eugen Onegin Letter Scenes:
Sena Jurinac (Rest in Peace), Makvala Kasrashvili, Margaret Price, Theresa Zylis-Gara, and Gallina Vishnevskaya. (65 min.)
Mme.Vishnevskaya is in the photo
Hi all,
Not everyone in the universe celebrates Thanksgiving as we do in the U.S.A. However, it really does not matter, because we all have a lot to be thankful for, and we must also think of those who may have less than we do, and reach out to them always. I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving, and all my sincere thanks for your support.
Hey, when we get to a million downloads, I will have to think of a special podcast. Maybe Justin Bieber singing the Winterreise????
My best,
Charlie
A compilation of material as sung by the magnificent Robert Weede. Included are his Verdi album,scenes from Most Happy Fella, Milk and Honey, and A Cry for Us All.In addition, from a 1951 radio broadcast, he sings Gounod's "Nazareth."
We have now about 954,000 downloads over 6 years. The U.S. leads with 211,322 and the SECOND country, with 24, 853 is China. Of course the podcasts seem to go all over the world, but I just wanted to congratulate the opera lovers in China for being number 2...not in any way forgetting the rest of the world.
By the way, I was most surprised to see some downloads from Mars. I wonder if their sopranos used chest voice.
A fine performance (in Italian) of Tchaikowsky's Eugen Onegin from RAI Milano 1953 under Nino Sanzogno. The cast features Giuseppe Taddei, Cesare Valletti, Rosanna Carteri, Eugenia Zareska, and Rafael Arie. (68 min.)
Part one of an abridged Forza del Destino from 1961 under George Schick. The brilliant cast features Eileen Farrell, Richard Tucker, Robert Merrill, Jerome Hines, and Fernando Corena. (63 min.)
You want excitement? Here is a blazing hot Cavalleria from 1970(?) with a cast that includes Fiorenza Cossotto,Carlo Bergonzi,Anselmo Colzani,Jean Kraft (Lucia), and Nedda Casei. Christopher Keene conducts. (52 min.)
Here is an interesting oddity,as the 26 year old Beverly Sills sings her only Aida. Walter Schroeder is the conductor of this concert version of scenes in Paterson,New Jersey in 1955. Our dear late Irene Kramarich is the Amneris, with Vincent Donato as Radames, and Victor Mincielli as Amonasro. I think you will enjoy this historica treasure. (68 min.)
Highlights from a fine performance of Thomas' Mignon from Mexico, 1949, under Guido Picco. Sadly, the three principles passed away fairly recently, and we honor their memory. The cast features Giulietta Simionato, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Cesare Siepi, and Verdad Luz Guajardo. (70 min.)
This is a great performance of Boito's Mefistofele. The 1931 recording,under Lorenzo Molajoli,features Mafalda Favero,Nazzareno de Angelis, Antonio Melandri, Giannina Arangi-Lombardi, and Ida Mannarini. This is true verismo singing. (71 min.)
Highlights from a most exciting Nabucco from La Scala, 1966, under Gianandrea Gavazzeni.The cast includes Giangiacomo Guelfi, Elena Suliotis, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Gianni Raimondi, and Gloria Lane. Added is a bonus of the fabulous high E flat Maria Callas hits in her 1949 Naples Nabucco, with Gino Bechi. (72 min.)
In the past I have mentioned my friend, tenor Ta'u Pupu'a and have spoken of how we met at our Rigoletto several years ago, and I could not believe he had never sung an opera before. After a few years, having now graduated from Juilliard, he is surely destined for a wonderful professional career (following a professional career as a pro football player...so do not mess with him!!).
Last evening at the Good Shepherd-Faith Church on 66th Streeet (down from a theatre where I hope he will some day debut),he and a lovely soprano, Samantha Jeffreys, sang a recital, and it was one of the most exciting events I have had the pleasure of attending. Ms.Jeffreys has a very large and resonant lyric voice, almost too powerful for a church setting. She is so musical, and was able to excell in both popular and opera material. I noted a cute touch during the Mimi aria,when she got to "ma prego assai il signor," and made the sign of the cross.This shows she knows what is going on! It is hard to scale a large voice down in an acoustical live setting, and I hope in the future she can lighten up somewhat in some of the material( e.g. the "Sombre Foret" from William Tell), but you know they call me "Picky Charlie."
Ta'u was amazing! His first selections, "Tu che non chiagne" and "Non ti scordar di me' were in some parts of the middle and upper middle voice almost "Wagnerian" in tone, and he places every note so beautifully, with a brilliant easy top range.(Well,he has done Bacchus in Ariadne). He also has the ability to shine in popular music and sang so romantically songs from Romberg's New Moon, and with Mme.Jeffreys, some West Side Story selections. He also did a "Corelli" by holding the high B flat at the end of the "Recondita Armonia' a couple of seconds longer, his big brilliant voice roused the audience to many bravoes.
Ta'u sang,as an encore, a beautiful song from his native Tonga, and the two ended with "You'll never walk alone." This was a divine evening, and we all hope for many future successes for these young artists.
Since I am also the President of his non-existant fan club and his totally unpaid agent, I always feel such joy that I "discovered'' a guy who asked me if the Duke in Rigoletto was HARD??? Yup!!!!
Love and best wishes to these marvelous young artists!
Charlie
In tribute to the late Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, born Nov.6, 1920 and the husband of dear Virginia Zeani, I present highlights from the 1951 Cetra Don Carlo under Fernando Previtali. The other artists are Ebe Stignani, Maria Caniglia, Mirto Picchi, Paolo Silveri, and Giulio Neri (72 min.)
The second of two podcasts with scenes from the Covent Garden Boris of 1958 under Rafael Kubelik. The great Regina Resnik is the Marina, with Josef Gostic as Dmitri and Otakar Kraus as Rangoni. ( 45 min.)
The first of two podcasts of scenes from Boris Godunov, Covent Garden, 1958 under Rafael Kubelik. Boris Christoff appears in the Clock Scene and the final scene,with John Lanigan as Shuisky and Joseph Rouleau as Pimen. ( 42 min.)
A birthday tribute to one of the greatest singers in opera history. Victoria de los Angeles was born on Nov.1, 1923. I present a selection of arias from Martha, Traviata, Carmen, Manon, Faust, La Serva Padrona, Le Nozze di Figaro, plus Ravel's Sheherezade and two songs. (72 min.)
Bless the memory of this artist who defined the word "lovable" to millions of opera lovers.
The famous tenor,Jon Vickers, turns 85 on Oct.29. Here are some scenes from Walkure,Parsifal, and Peter Grimes, plus a little "bonus" to celebrate his great career (60 min.)
Scenes from Elektra featuring the remarkable Birgit Nilsson. We begin with her very first Elektra on May 14, 1965 under Berislav Klobucar, from Stockholm. In the cast are Berit Lindholm and Barbro Ericson. This is followed by a performance from 1966 under Thomas Schippers with Leonie Rysanek, and finally the last opera she ever did-also Elektra, from1982 in Frankfurt,under Ralf Weikert. (73 min.)
Let us celebrate the career of a "miracle" in the world of opera.
A compilation of material as sung by the superb French tenor, Alain Vanzo (announced) (60 min.)
Katharine Goeldner sang her first Met Jayne Seymour in Anna Bolena last Friday. This is a magnificent voice and a consummate musician and artist. If you go to Youtube, you will hear a Waltraute scene to DIE FOR!!!
I finally saw a show where everyone was superb,and you know what a crab-apple I am!! Charlie
GO to the Youtube page of soprano Angela Meade!! Her first Anna Bolena on Friday was stunning....The voice is big and rich, with an easy top...but the astounding thing for this Milanov lover was that she has pppppianissimi from HEAVEN!!! She received HUGE ovations, and I say that she will be our newest diva star!!!
Hey Charlie...Tell us what you think!
The 75 year old Carlo Bergonzi returns to New York in 1999. This recital is one that exemplifies his incredible artistry, his joy in the phrasing of songs and arias,and in total, he has remained one of the icons in opera history. (68 min.)
Happy birthday to my darling Virginia Zeani,one of the greatest divas in opera history. (No fooling.). In this tribute we present arias from Mefistofele, Turandot, Adriana Lecouvreur,Traviata, Lucia, Don Carlo, Maria di Rohan, Thais, Zelmira, La Boheme, and the Elisir duet with Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, her beloved husband. (72 min.)
Camilla Williams, now 92, was my first Butterfly when I was about 16. Virginia Zeani's birthday is Oct.21,(tribute coming later) and she told me they were friends from Bloomington,Indiana, where they both taught. Williams had called her on her birthday, and I was so happy to remember her.I called her and told her I would do a little podcast for her. What a sweetheart;so sad that prejudice did not allow her and other Afro-American artists to appear at the Met for so long. I know you will enjoy this and go to Youtube for some of her material. (14 min.)
A wonderful Traviata from 1990 under Rico Saccani featuring Diana Soviero, the dear late Jerry Hadley, and Brian Schexnayder..(72 min.)
Diana and I go back 35 years.Remember,I do not love her because I know her. Many of us love singers onstage FIRST, and in some cases we get to know them (and are even MORE critical.)
An abridged Ernani from Florence, 1957, under Dimitri Mitropolous. The exciting cast includes Mario Del Monaco,Anita Cerquetti, Ettore Bastianini, and Boris Christoff. (70 min.)
An abridged performance of Boito's Mefistofele, featuring Norman Treigle, one of the greatest singing actors in opera history. Julius Rudel conducts this 1970 performance which features also Gilda Cruz-Romo and Robert Nagy. I heartily recommend the book as pictured in the photo. (68 min.)
Hi all,
As of this moment there have been 938,450 hits on this site over 5 plus years. I wish to thank you all,in all corners of the planet, for your support. I hope some of you (or maybe ALL) have become better acquainted with the great treasures that the vocal art affords to us mortals.
My best,
Charlie
P.S. For those of you who never learned Italian from opera (like me), the photo reads: "A simple word that comes from the depths of my heart."
An abridged performance of Salome from Cincinatti, 1982 under Christopher Keene. Marisa Galvany(who else?) is the Salome, with William Justus,Ticho Parley, Rosalind Elias, and Michael Talley (68 minutes)
Please be aware of the fact that the lady in the photo is NOT Marisa Galvany.
Despite some of the extra-hype, how could we deny the incredible voice of Luciano Pavarotti, born Oct.12, 1935...We lost him all too soon.
When he sang, "Nessun dorma." Bless his memory!
A Queen of Spades performance in Italian from Florence in 1952.The conductor is Arthur Rodzinsky and the cast includes David Poleri, Sena Jurinac, Ettore Bastianini, and Gianna Pederzini. (67 min.)
A special birthday tribute (Oct.10) to the great soprano Leyla Gencer. Included are scenes from Anna Bolena, Saffo (Pacini), and Roberto Devereux. I have always considered her one of the most interesting and versatile artists. (67 min.) (Photo is from 1972 when I was young.)
A brief scene from Act Three of Parsifal (with Placido Domingo), sung by the great basso Rene Pape. I thought you might like to hear a sample of his superb new Wagner CD.
Highlights from a brilliant 1954 Scala Lucia under Herbert Von Karajan. The incredible Maria Callas is in great voice, and Giuseppe Di Stefano, Rolando Panerai, and Giuseppe Modesti complete the cast (72 min.)
Highlights from the exciting Cetra Soria Aida, recorded in the studio in 1951.The conductor is Vittorio Gui, and the cast features Caterina Mancini, Giulietta Simionato, Mario Filippeschi,Rolando Panerai, and Giulio Neri (71 min.)
Highlights from a fine performance of Don Pasquale from 1940 under Gennaro Papi. The cast includes Salvatore Baccaloni,Bidu Sayao, Nino Martini, and Frank Valentino (73 min.)
Highlights from a fine performance of Eugene Onegin under Valery Gergiev from 2007. The cast includes Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Renee Fleming, Ramon Vargas Sergei Aleksashkin, and Elena Zaremba (68 min.)
20 tenors sing the beautiful Tosca aria, "Recondita Armonia." In order,they are:
Giacomo Aragall, Carlo Bergonzi, Jose Carreras, Renato Cioni, Franco Corelli, Jose Cura, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Placido Domingo, Giuseppe Gismondo, Hans Hopf, Luciano Pavarotti, Neil Shicoff, Richard Tucker, Eugenio Fernandi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Mario Filippeschi, Franco Tagliavini, Giuseppe Giacomini, Helge Roswaenge, and David Poleri. (60 min.)
Almost all are from live performances.
PLEASE NOTE: Those of you who have "Apple TV" can hear all these podcasts in excellent sound, and of course Apple TV allows you to watch Youtube on your TV as well. If you are not acquainted with it, you might investigate.
Not to neglect the excellent Virginia Gordoni and Attilio D'Orazi but Franco Corelli, despite his being provincial,self-indulgent,unmusical,hammy, and some other words that I cannot express in mixed company, he is WILD!! The Parma 1967 audience goes ballistic, making him sing "Core'ngrato" as an encore. The conductor is Giuseppe Morelli (Not Muti?????). Get your stopwatches out! (71 minutes)
A collection of songs by Edvard Grieg.(Announced).The soloists include: Kirsten Flagstad, Birgit Nilsson, Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Lucy Isabelle Marsh, Povla Frijsh, Lauritz Melchior,Jussi Bjoerling, Helen Traubel, and Richard Crooks.(67 min.)
A compilation of arias as sung by 14 famous sopranos of the past.Included are:
Frida Leider, Elizabeth Rethberg, Lotte Lehmann, Tina Lemnitz,Maria Cebotari, Maria Reining, Pia Tassinari, Eileen Farrell, Eleanor Steber, Hilde Gueden, Lisa della Casa, Astrid Varnay, Gre Brouwenstijn, and Sena Jurinac. (60 min.)
Scenes from Meyerbeer's "Les Huguenots," featuring Nicolai Ghiaurov, Tancredi Pasero, Nicolai Gedda, Sergei Lemeshev, Herman Jadlowker, Lili Lehmann, Joan Sutherland, Rita Shane, Marcel Wittrisch, Margarete Teschemacher, Marisa Galvany, Enrico di Giuseppe, Maria Llacer, John O'Sullivan, Franco Corelli, and Giulietta Simionato. (71 min.)
Maria Callas left us on Sept.16, 1977 at only 53,but her legacy remains as one of the most stupendous examples of vocal and histrionic artistry in music history. The voice may not have held up for a very long time, but in the great years, she made an indelible impression in the music world. Here we present arias from Norma, Macbeth, Nabucco, Seraglio, Tristan und Isolde, plus the Proch Variations and the legendary finale of Act Two Aida. (55 min.)
May she never be forgotten! R.I.P.
A truly brilliant Gioconda from 1967 under Fausto Cleva, featuring Renata Tebaldi, Richard Tucker, Rosalind Elias, Cornell MacNeil, Bonaldo Giaiotti, and Belen Amparan.
You wanna hear some chest voice?????? (68 min.)
I do not know which "New" the poodle is.She had several, named after "New York." That is fitting, since she was the toast of the town.
Highlights from a Scala 1974 Favorita under Nino Verchi, with Luciano Pavarotti, Fiorenza Cossotto, Piero Cappuccilli, and Ivo Vinco. (65 min.)
Here are highlights from dear Virginia Zeani's Met Traviata debut in 1966, under Georges Pretre,with Bruno Prevedi and Robert Merrill in the cast. I hope you enjoy one of her total of 648 Violettas.
(71 min.)
Highlights from Massenet's rarely heard "Herodiade," featuring Montserrat Caballe, Jose Carreras, Juan Pons, and Dunja Vejzovic. This is from Barcelona in 1984, under the direction of Jacques Delacote. (67 min.)
An exciting live studio performance of the rarely heard Donizetti opera, "Marin Faliero." The cast includes Cesare Siepi, Marisa Galvany, Licinio Montefusco, and Giuliano Cianella, conducted by Elio Boncompagni, with the Orchestra and Chorus of RAI Turino. (72 min.)
Since this opera is so rarely done, here is the plot, and the podcast will follow.
Elena, the wife of Marin Faliero, Doge of Venice, is continually subjected to attacks on her reputation by the patrician Steno whose advances she has rejected. Steno then insults Israele Bertucci, the chief of the Venetian Arsenal in front of his workers. Steno is punished for these offenses, but Faliero is infuriated by the leniency of the punishment. Israele convinces Faliero to join a conspiracy against the Council of Forty, of which Steno is a member.
Meanwhile, Elena is in love with Faliero's friend Fernando, who wants to leave the city to save her from dishonour. During a masked ball, Fernando challenges Steno to a duel for having insulted Elena once again. When Fernando is found dying in the place where the conspirators were to meet, Faliero vows to avenge his death.
The conspiracy collapses following a betrayal by one of its members and the Doge is condemned to death. Before his execution, Elena confesses her love affair with Fernando to him. Faliero begins to curse her, but sensing that his death is imminent, pardons her instead. Faliero is led off. Alone on the stage, Elena hears the sound of the executioner's axe, screams and faints.[2]
This week the Opera World lost,at only 43, a wonderful tenor, Salvatore Licitra, who died as a result of an accident with his motorscooter. I present some arias as a tribute to him and hope you will enjoy them,while thinking of how much he did give of himself to opera. (14 min.)
Another tribute (but longer than the 2007 tribute) to one of my favorite tenors, Daniele Barioni, one of my all-time favorite tenors. (56 min.)
One of the most versatile artists,who was heard far too little in this country, is Julia Varady, Born on Sept.1, 1941. She is heard in material from Macbeth,Nabucco,Forza del Destino,Traviata,La Rondine, Tosca, Manon Lescaut, Mme.Butterfly, Pique Dame, Yolantha, Ariadne, Arabella (with husband Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and Traume from Wagner's Wesendonck Songs. (72 min.)
My sincerest best wishes to my dear friend Regina Resnik,celebrating her birthday on Aug.30. I present scenes from her Bayreuth 1953 Sieglinde with Ramon Vinay and Hans Hotter, under Clemens Kraus and her 1961 Bayreuth Fricka with Jerome Hines under Rudolf Kempe.
Not only did Regina have an illustrious career as both soprano and mezzo, but she has been a veritable ICON in the music world as director,producer,filmmaker,coach and teacher. I know you will join me in wishing her a very happy birthday and i know you will enjoy the selections. (64 min.)
A most riveting performance of Elektra from 1978 under Erich Leinsdorf. Featured are Daniza Mastilovic, Eva Marton, Norman Bailey, Ragnar Ulfung, and my dear late friend Gwynne Cornell as Klytemnestra. Those of us who knew and sang with Gwynne miss her so much.She had succumbed to Leukemia at 50, a tragic loss to the opera world. (72 min.)
(In the photo she is seen in Elektra with Claire Watson)
Pilar Lorengar and Placido Domingo sing Zarzuela Excerpts, from a 1985 Salzburg Concert under Garcia Navarro. (Selections announced.) (48 min.)
A very happy birthday (Aug.25), to my friend and superb artist, Ta'u Pupu'a, who is fast becoming one of our finest tenors,with upcoming engagements in several countries, and a San Francisco Opera debut. When he opened his mouth on "Questa o quella' about 5 years ago, I said, "WOW!" Then he said, "Is the Duke hard??? I never sang an opera before!!!" So,from football to opera...he is making it BIG!!!!
An exciting compilation of arias as sung by many famous Russian artists. Although I have announced them, I wish to list them in order of vocal appearance on this podcast.They are:
Pavel Lisitsian, Ivan Petrov, Galina Vishnevskaya, Zurab Andzhaparidze (say it 5 times), Vladimir Atlantov, Irina Arkhipova, Elena Obratsova, Alexander Pirogov, Georgi Nelepp, Mark Reizen, Sergei Lemeshev, Ivan Koslovsky, Antonina Nezhdanova, Grigori Pirogov, and Leonid Sobinov. (68 min.)
On Aug.6, 2011, there was a concert in Vienna featuring Mr.and Mrs.Schrott (Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott), and Jonas Kaufmann, conducted by Marco Armiliato. Let me tell you it is GORGEOUS, and I know you will appreciate it!!!! (67 min.)
You know that at times I "discover' a new voice. Here is the Youtube link to a marvelous soprano, Alexandra Lo Bianco. She is marvelous and hope she has a great future!! We NEED sopranos like her!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06lsxnLMJVI
Highlights from an exciting performance of Macbeth from Vienna 1970 under Karl Boehm.The cast includes Sherrill Milnes, Christa Ludwig, Karl Ridderbusch, and Carlos Cossutta.
Note that the opera concludes with the death of Macbeth and this version does not conclude with the chorus as usually it does. (73 min.)
In 1966, Placido Domingo sang with the Met, but not yet in the house (that was in Adriana in 1968).He sang in Cav/Pag at the well-known (no longer existing) Lewissohn Stadium in New York,where we opera lovers used to enjoy "Music under the stars." I think you will enjoy this.
(30 min.)
Highlights from a brilliant performance of Boito's "Mefistofele" from Houston, 1992 under John DeMain. Featured are two superb singers whom I have known for so many years, Sam Ramey and Diana Soviero. Also the role of Faust is sung by Franco Farina, and Elena is sung by Elizabeth Holleque. I know you will love this one!! (73 min.)
A superb Fanciulla from 1964 with Dorothy Kirsten, Franco Corelli, and Anselmo Colzani. The late Paul Franke is Nick, and Clifford Harvuot as Sonora sings that gorgeous line at the end (makes me cry every time). The conductor might be Anton Guadagno, but I am not sure (73 min.)
I had not intended to send you so many oddities, but at first I thought part one was defective;then I found it was alright so I gave you another one anyway. I hope it is not too much, but I do think it is lots of fun; it is not all craziness since there are some exciting and interesting "legitimate' selections. Enjoy!! (65 min.)
Another group of unusual and often bizarre scenes from mostly opera and I hope you enjoy them (if you are as nutty as I am.)I announce each one. (69 min.)
Donald Collup's page,where you can purchase some wonderful oddity cd's is at:
http://www.collup.com/dczcdz/party.html
A compilation of various Act 2 finales of "Samson et Dalilah." Featured are:
Ewa Podles and Tomasz Madej, Giulietta Simionato and Jon Vickers, Olga Borodina and Carl Tanner, Rita Gorr and Mario del Monaco, and Rise Stevens and Ramon Vinay (66 min.)
Highlights from Wagner's Siegfried from a live 1955 performance in Bayreuth from 1955 under Joseph Keilberth.The cast includes Wolfgang Windgassen, Astrid Varnay, Hans Hotter, Josef Greindl, and Paul Kuen. (68 min.)
From 1973, most of a recital given in New York by the celebrated tenor legend, Luciano Pavarotti. The selections are announced. May the great man rest in peace. (64 min.)
That devil of a guy, Sam Ramey, in arias from operas that deal with the devil (or with mean dudes): Faust,Damnation of Faust,Robert Le Diable, Rake's Progress, Tales of Hoffmann, Mefistofele, and I threw in Susannah as well. (50 min.)
A legendary cast under Bruno Walter in highlights from a 1941 Fidelio. The cast includes Kirsten Flagstad, Rene Maison, Alexander Kipnis,Julius Huehn, and Herbert Janssen. (71 min.)
One of the great performances (well,almost) of "La Gioconda, under Fausto Cleva in 1953. The cast includes the remarkable Zinka Milanov,Leonard Warren, Kurt Baum, Cesare Siepi, and Jean Madeira. How many times have I heard Zinka's Gioconda,live or on tape, and I still cannot believe some of the phrasing, the beauty and richness of the voice. I hope you enjoy this perf. (72 min.)
I discovered this lovely voice on a Troyens video, as the sailor Hylas.Mr. Lehtipuu was born in Australia of Finnish parents and seems to have now had a wonderful international career. I thought you might enjoy some excerpts from the new Vivaldi album and maybe even want to buy it. Nice to know we have such fine artists with us.
I think you will adore this fabulous Otello under Fausto Cleva from 1958. It has a Golden Age cast with Mario del Monaco, Leonard Warren, and Victoria de los Angeles. Nicola Moscona, Rosalind Elias, and Paul Franke complete the cast. Now you see why I spent those freezing days on the old Met standee line. We were nuts, but it was worth it. (72 min.)
Highlights from two performances of Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos from 1954. First we have Lisa Della Casa, Hilde Gueden,Irmgard Seefried (Komponist) and Rudiolf Schock from Salzburg under Karl Bohm. This is followed by a Salzburg performnce under Joseph Keilberth. It features Hilde Zadek,Rita Streich, Sena Jurinac (Komponist), and Hans Hopf. (72 min.)
I am sure the answer is a resounding "NO!" as i see how many individuals download my podcasts, and as you notice, I have been doing more and more. I am running out of ideas, so send your suggestions to me at Placido21@aol.com. If I do not get any suggestions, I will be forced to do RAP podcasts, and then you will (figuratively)throw rotten vegetables. (Just kidding of course...I have enough material on CD for at least as long as Placido keeps singing.)
We have lost another great singer, baritone Cornell MacNeil.He possessed a voice of phenomenal power and was one of the world's greatest baritones. The operas represented are Pagliacci,Rigoletto, Luisa Miller, Ernani, and Simone Boccanegra. (71 min.)
May the dear man rest in peace.
That great lady, Helen Traubel, in scenes from live performances of Wagner material.Included is a scene from act 3 Walkure with Herbert Janssen from 1944 under George Szell. Then we have some Gotterdamerung scenes under Fritz Stiedry from 1951, with Set Svanholm,Janssen, and Dezso Ernster. This is followed by a Liebestod from San Francisco 1951 under Pierre Monteux. I conclude with the Immolation Scene under Bruno Walter from Hollywood, 1947. (69 min.)
I also must mention her enjoyable TV appearances with the beloved Jimmy Durante, a close friend of my mother for many years. How many artists can go from Brunnhilde to Durante???
Here are some scenes from the (in)famous La Puma Opera Company from the 1960's. You are advised NOT to listen to this if you have any sensitive animals in your house, little children, or nice neighbors who might be frightened to death. The 75+ year old Olive Middleton is the leading soprano, and the chorus is imported from the losers on "American Idol." (26 surreal minutes)
A selection of arias as sung by the young Jose Carreras in the 1970's. They are all from live performances and show what a magnificent voice he had. He is a courageous man and I am paying tribute to all he has accomplished. (67 min.)
Highlights from Wagner's "Parsifal" from 1954 with a magnificent cast that includes Set Svanholm, Astrid Varnay, George London, and Hans Hotter, conducted by Fritz Stiedry. It takes some time for some of us to appreciate this great work, but with a little patience I think you will come to love it as I do. (except for those annoying Flower Maidens.) (71 min.)
A compilation of the early career of dear Diana Soviero. The selections show that even at 17 and 22, the great talent is there, and I know you will enjoy this podcast. All selections are announced.
(67 min.)
Highlights from a 1950 performance (In Italian) of Tannhauser, conducted by Karl Boehm and featuring Renata Tebaldi,Hans Beirer,Carlo Tagliabue, Boris Christoff, and Lyvia Pery. (71 min.)
Highlights from Handel's "Alcina," featuring Joan Sutherland,Fritz Wunderlich, and Jeanette Van Dijck. Ferdinand Leitner is the conductor 1959 from Cologne Radio (70 min.)
A most exciting live performance (abr.) of Verdi's early opera, "Stiffelio," the other version of his "Aroldo."
The performance is conducted by Nicola Luisotti and was seen live in Trieste, 2000. The cast includes: Dimitra Theodossiou (Lina), Mario Malagnini(Siffelio), Marco Vratogna (Stankar),Giorgio Casciarri,(Raffaele), and Enzo Capuano (Jorg.) (71 min.)
I thought you might find a comparison of four Callas Mad Scenes from Lucia an interesting comparison, especially in the days when she was absolutely a phenomenon.
First we have three from Mexico City under Guido Picco: June 6,14, and 26 in 1952, following by a Scala Mad Scene in 1954 under Herbert von Karajan. I hope you enjoy this tribute to one of opera's greatest artists. (70 min.)
From Rio de Janeiro, August 16, 1951, I present highlights from La Forza del Destino featuring the great Beniamino Gigli, age 61, and a cast that includes:
Elizabeth Barbato,Enzo Mascherini,Giulio Neri, and Giuseppe Modesti, under Antonino Votto. (70 min.)
A performance of Bartok's "Duke Bluebeard's Castle," under Istvan Kertesz, and featuring the great pairing of Christa Ludwig and Walter Berry. As an added bonus, the two appear in the duet from act three of "Die Frau Ohne Schatten" of R.Strauss. (70 min.)
I have been looking at the statistics on this podcast site, and I wanted to express my gratitude for all of your interest. In five years, we are approaching one million downloads, and when I look at the various countries all over the globe where people have expressed interest, it is mind-boggling.
Please do not hesitate to send me comments and/or suggestions to my E-mail address at: Placido21@aol.com
Charlie
Here is a cut version of the second act of Tristan und Isolde from San Francisco, 1937 under Fritz Reiner. It features the historical pairing of Kirsten Flagstad and Lauritz Melchior, with Kathleen Meisle, Emmanuel List, and Julius Huehn completing the cast. What more can one say about these phenomenal Wagnerian singers? (61 min.)
An excerpted Cavalleria Rusticana with the great mezzo, Dolora Zajick as Santuzza and the fine tenor Fabio Armiliato as Turiddu. The Alfio is Bruno Pola, the Lola is Wendy White, and the Mamma Lucia is Jane Shaulis. The conductor is Simone Young. (70 min.)
Two magnificent German tenors,Marcel Wittrisch and Franz Voelker, in songs,opera, and operetta. There is a certain similarity in their voices, at least on recordings, but they still retain their individuality, and are truly superb artists. (59 min.)
I present highlights from a 1974 Traviata under Mario Bernardi in honor of dear Marisa Galvany's birthday. It features Pablo Elvira and Raymond Gibbs. (69 min.)
May we wish Mme.Galvany the happiest of birthdays. She has been a dear friend and I recall with affection all of her magnificent performances.
An exciting live performance of Cherubini's Medea,featuring Marisa Galvany, Sam Ramey, Erik Townsend, and Frances Bible. The performance from 1982 is conducted by Giuseppe Morelli. (70 min.)
Link to Video Medea Exc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4accQDsiyQ
Founded in 1969 by the internationally celebrated voice specialist Wilbur James Gould, M.D., The Voice Foundation is the world’s oldest and leading organization dedicated to voice medicine, science and education. Since 1972, The Voice Foundation has sponsored an annual, internationalSymposium: Care of the Professional Voice.These meetings are attended by hundreds of medical and scientific experts, speech-language pathologists, performing artists and teachers from all over the world. As part of the conference at this year’s Voices of Summer Gala Concert and Banquet,Ms. Diana Soviero was named a 2011 Voice Education Research Award Winner. This award is presented annually by the Voice Foundation to honor individuals selected for unusual interest in and contribution to the field of voice communication. Past award recipients include: Dame Julie Andrews, Jack Klugman, Teddy Pendergrass, Anthony Quinn, Dan Rather, James Earl Jones, Pattie Lupone, Anna Moffo Sarnoff, and Dr. Nancy Snyderman, among many others.
No one deserves it more than my darling Diana.
I wish to pay special tribute to dear Rise Stevens on her 98th birthday (June 11,2011). She was the first artist I ever met and we spent lovely times each year at the Rise Stevens Music Club at her apartment in New York. She inspired so many in her long life and I will never forget her.
The selections are all announced (71 minutes)
I got to know Barbieri, born June 4, 1920, after I made her some tapes and she came to New York for a master class. I thought she had one of the all-time greatest voices...an organ-like sound, and she OWNED Azucena.
She used to sing her repertory for me over the phone (an octave down) and was a fun, if nutty, lady. She passed away a short time after I saw her when she was honored at a Licia Albanese Gala. She leaves so many wonderful memories for me, onstage and off.
T
There had been a problem with my original Falstaff podcast and I hope this comes out all right, for it is a superb performance from 1949 with Fritz Reiner conducting.
The cast includes Leonard Warren, Giuseppe Valdengo,Giuseppe di Stefano,Regina Resnik, Cloe Elmo, Licia Albanese, and Martha Lipton. (57 min.)
From my video site...and look at the rest of the videoos.
http://www.youtube.com/mrfriendofopera#p/u/2/6fm0txTURvE
One by one, the greats of our past leave us. We called the late Giorgio Tozzi "Signor Legato" after we heard his Gremin in Onegin, and he was a remarkable artist for so many years. May he rest in peace and may we always remember what he contributed to the vocal art.
A most exciting live performance of Verdi's Attila, (Charlie's favorite early Verdi opera) from Il Teatro Verdi di Trieste, 2000. It is conducted by Donato Renzetti and features the magnificent Ferruccio Furlanetto, Dimitra Theodossiou, Carlo Ventre, and Alberto Gazale (Ezio). (73 min.)
RECITAR!!!!! As I told you, I am not listing the 15 tenors because you would PEEK. See how many you can get. My best Charlie (55 min.)
A fabulous cast in this 1953 Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Forza under Dimitri Mitropolous.The cast includes:
Renata Tebaldi, Mario Del Monaco, Cesare Siepi, Aldo Protti, Fedora Barbieri, and Silvio Maionica. (72 min.)
THIS IS PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N_Yw5_NjRw
We always said that Maria was stubborn and her diction needed work!!!!
If link does not work, go to Youtube and type in "Gobbi My Fair Lady"
A fabulous cast in highlights from a Met 1968 Walkure (just released on Sony) under Berislav Klobucar. The cast is:
Birgit Nilsson,Leonie Rysanek, Jon Vickers,Thomas Stewart, Christa Ludwig, Karl Ridderbusch.
Don't tell me they make them like this anymore!!!!! (72 min.)
Highlights from Puccini's "La Rondine" from a 1982 Philadelphia performance conducted by Angelo Campori. In the cast we have:
Diana Soviero,Giuliano Cianella, Silvia Baleani,James Hoback, Renato Capecchi, and Donald Collup. (60 min.)
I just discovered this fine tenor from Brazil. I am so glad to have still another superb tenor in our midst. I strongly suggest you buy the DVD Rondine (regular or Blue Ray).
He is also on Facebook (Who isn't???)
The link below is to the "Nessun dorma" on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNRY5w_rqgs
Tribute to the late great Giulietta Simionato with scenes from Aida,Adriana,Carmen,Cavalleria,Italiana,Nozze di Figaro,Trovatore,Don Carlo,Cenerentola
(57 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeeiLh8PccI
This is an amazing young man, son of my friend Justin Hayward. The world would be a better place if we had more like him. Not opera...but I wanted to share this.....having taught so many wonderful students, I appreciate this so much.
Scenes from the ENOC Gotterdamerung (In English,if you can understand it) under Reginald Goodall. The cast is as follows:
Rita Hunter, Alberto Remedios, Aage Haugland,Katherine Pring, Norman Welsby
(72 min.)
(Photo of Hunter,Remedios, Goodall)
The wonderful baritone, Michael Bohnen, was born on May 2, 1887. We celebrate his birthday with highlights from:
Barber of Bagdad, Der Freischutz, Rigoletto, Tosca, Parsifal, Walkure, Das Rheingold, Bartered Bride,Meistersinger, and a Kol Nidre. (60 min.)
From the Nimbus "Prima Voce" series: 16 great baritones of the past:
Lucien Fugere, Victor Maurel, Mattia Battistini, Mario Ancona, Riccardo Stracciari, Giuseppe de Luca, Titta Ruffo, Pasquale Amato, Joseph Schwarz, Heinrich Schlusnus, Carlo Galeffi, John Charles Thomas, Lawrence Tibbett, Gerhard Husch, and Igor Gorin. (72 min.)
A truly magnificent performance (highlights) from a Vienna 1960 performance of "La Forza del Destino" under Dimitri Mitropolous, and starring Antonietta Stella, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Ettore Bastianini,Walter Kreppel, and Giulietta Simionato. This surely is luxurious casting and i know you will enjoy it. (71 min.)
So very sorry to report the sudden death of tenor Vincenzo La Scola, age 53. He had a sudden heart attack while in Istanbul,Turkey. They leave us too soon...but they leave a beautiful legacy. Rest in Peace.
How I remember the sad day 45 years ago, when the gold curtain slowly fell as the old Met Opera House rang down the curtain for the last time..We all joined hands and tearfully sang "Auld Lang Syne." Little did i realize that NOTHING would ever be the same for me..even though the place was so antiquated and so many of the seats were cramped and mostly partial view.
It was my "home-away from-home as a teen opera lover and a "way-of-life" for us, as we froze outside on the standee line...but it was worth every moment of it. I often dream I am back there standing inside but sadly when I awake, I realize it is gone forever..except for my affectionate memories and my old tapes.
With affectionate, but sad memories. Charlie
Highlights from a 1942 Bayreuth Flying Dutchman under Richard Kraus. Featured are Joel Berglund, Maria Muller, Franz Voelker, and Ludwig Hofmann. (72 min.)
Lord!!!! What a sensation he was, although sometimes you wanted to beat him up (like his nutty wife Loretta), but the man had one of the greatest voices EVER.Go to Youtube and sample some material:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Franco+Corelli&aq=f
Bless his memory on his birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Highlights from a stunning performance of Elektra from Syracuse,New York in 1977. Christopher Keene is the conductor and the magnificent soprano Olivia Stapp is the Elektra. Natalie Costa is Chrysothemis, Lili Chookasian is Klytaemestra, Richard Cross is Orestes, and Alan Crabbe is Aegisth. I know this performance will thrill you. (65 min.)
In memory of the late Joan Sutherland, here are scenes from a live 1970 Traviata under Richard Bonynge with Mme.Sutherland,Sherrill Milnes, and Giacomo Aragall. The Flora is a newcomer named Frederica Von Stade. (72 min.)
Happy birthday, March 28, to my old buddy Sam Ramey, one of the greatest singers in ANY opera era. Dorothy may have wanted to return to Kansas, but millions of opera lovers for 40 years are glad Sam left there to thrill the opera world with his great voice.
I was privileged to sing with Sam at the start of his professional career, and those of us who knew him were positive he would make a great success!
Sam has been an operatic icon for so long, and I send him all my best for a happy day.(I keep asking him if his son has a high G yet, but I didn't get an answer yet.)
Love always Charlie, a lesser basso.
Act three of the glorious 1956 Tosca. (30 min.)
I hope you have enjoyed one of the greatest performances in my memory.
The first of three podcasts featuring the complete Jan.7, 1956 Tosca under Dimitri Mitropolous and starring Renata Tebaldi, Richard Tucker, Leonard Warren, and Fernando Corena. (48 min.)
As I do each year, I wished the wonderful Magda Olivero a happy birthday today,Mar.25th, and she sends her "abbraccio" to all of you. This podcast contains live material from Amsterdam between 1962 and 1972 and is testament to the miracle of her art. I do hope you enjoy it and will search Youtube for much more material.(68 min.)
Manon Lescaut ,Tosca,Iris,Risurrezione,Adriana, Mefistofele, Iris, Manon Lescaut (1964),Turandot, Gianni Schicchi, Boheme, La Rondine, Fanciulla del West
A most exciting performance (exc.) of Samson et Delilah from 1964 Dallas with Rita Gorr, Mario del Monaco, and Enzo Sordello. The sound is a bit distant, but I feel the level of the performance will compensate. After the exc. you get a bonus, where in a rehearsal, Gorr admonishes poor Mario for not being in costume. (55 min.)
Highlights from a glorious 1975 Tosca in Barcelona with Virginia Zeani,Placido Domingo, and Piero Franci, conducted by Giuseppe Morelli. (72 min.)
Dear Joseph Calleja, who has been brilliant recently in the Met Lucia,in some arias from his albums.Included are: Paris Entrance from Le Belle Helene, Butterfly Addio, Maristella's "Io conosco un giardino," Pourquoi me reveiller, O mio rimorso, and the Finale of Lucia. (21 glorious minutes)
Happy Birthdays on March 19 to the most lovable divas in my life:Diana Soviero and Sylvia Handelman. Well,mom was on the stage in the 1920's and did become an opera lover. They used to talk on their respective birthdays and when I think of mom and Diana, I am happy to have known them both. As to their cooking, it might be a toss-up,but mom had "chest" only on stage in those 1920's costumes.
Bless the memory of my great mom and bless my dear friend Diana on this day!!!!
Charlie
A historical evening as Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli make their Met debuts on Jan.27, 1961. Also featuring Robert Merrill,Irene Dalis and a girl named Teresa Stratas as Inez. (Cleva conducting) (67 min.)
A rather "unsubtle" La Boheme under Franco Mannino from Macerata, 1971. Franco Corelli,Luisa Maragliano, and Giangiacomo Guelfi must have "escaped' from Il Trovatore for this show. Completing the cast are Elvidia Ferracuti and Nicola Zaccaria. If you favorite opera is Pelleas et Melisande, do not listen to this one. (67 min.)
Highlights from a most exciting performance of Tannhauser from 1942 under George Szell.It features the legendary Lauritz Melchior, Helen Traubel, Herbert Janssen, Kerstin Thorborg, and Alexander Kipnis. (67 min.)
As per request, I am offering you another mini-podcast. This is my adopted sister Virginia Zeani singing the great "To this we've come' (Da questo di) from a Spoleto performance of Menotti's "Il Console.". It is an example of the amazing emotion she exhibited. It also demonstrates that you could sing in healthy chest voice and still have a huge career. Nowadays few singers are able to blend the lower voice with the middle, resulting in some very "empty' tones in the lower range.hould we blame the teachers? Do they consider chest voice "vulgar?" I get very angry when sopranos refuse to use the lower part of the voice, even in a mixed chest;so much of the music is lost!
May I remind you that now that I can make "minipodcasts" I can cater to your wishes so if you have a special aria,scene,singer,etc. in mind, e-mail me at Placido21@aol.com and I will do you the favor..I can eventually remove the post after you have downloaded it.
Young singers may wish to take advantage of this feature and request something they are studying.
I just got a webcam/Skype and so if anyone wants a visual singing lesson, let me know but you must warn me so I put my pantalones on.
As ever Charlie
I ain't a Ramey, a Plishka, not even a Pinza...and surely not a real basso, but I think this is not bad. You do not have to be kind.I still love you all. Charlie
In the 1960's, we discovered the great LA PUMA opera co.in New York. We usually had to sit in the back and keep hankies over our faces because we had to try to hold back getting hysterical.They finally threw us out one night. What can I say about this?? I miss it so much...but at least we have our memories. (Did they have DEPENDS at that time??)
Anyone who collects "Opera oddities" will recognize this as the craziest thing EVER! I attended Ashley Putnam's Traviata debut at City Opera in 1977, and suddenly, as Henry Price started his aria, a lady in the orchestra let out a GESCHREI!!! To this day we never exactly found out why she did this..but some of us guess that a rival tenor did it!! When I wrote Henry Price that I was there..he wrote back, "So was I!!!"
Make sure no little kids or furry animals are in the room when you play this!~!!!
I can now make single podcast scenes which I send to various other sites (Facebook,etc.) Here is the great Norman Treigle as Boris. If you have some favorite arias or scenes, let me know (Placido21@aol.) and if I have the material on CD, I can bow to your wishes!!!
This is a most exciting performance of Verdi's "La Battaglia di Legnano" from Dec.7, 1961 at La Scala, conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni and featuring Antonietta Stella, Franco Corelli, and Ettore Bastianini. (68 min.)
Highlights from a live 1961 performance of "La Rondine" with Licia Albanese and Daniele Barioni. The conductor is Giuseppe Bamboschek. The sound is on the distant side, but it is a wonderful performance.(51 min.)
In the photo, Licia kisses the stage of the old Met in 1966, as this was the last performance. I was there, and it was a very sad night.
Six great divas sing the final scene from Salome:
Inge Borgkh, Maria Cebotari, Marisa Galvany, Birgit Nilsson, Leonie Rysanek, Ljuba Welitsch (68 min.)
This is a truly exciting performance of Bellini's "i Puritani." It is from Vienna, 1994 under Placido Domingo and features Edita Gruberova, Marcello Giordani, Roberto Scandiuzzi, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. (70 min.) ENJOY!!!
Highlights from an exciting performance of Roberto Devereux from London, 2002 under Maurizio Benini and featuring Nelly Miricoiou,Jose Bros,Sonia Ganassi, and Roberto Frontali. (68 min.)
A bi-lingual presentation of highlights from Aida and Otello from French Radio 1948, conducted by Jules Gressier. It features Jose Luccioni,Maria Vitale, Charles Gambon. (71 min.)
How could we know, on Feb.1, 1955, meeting Renata for the first time after her Desdemona debut on Jan.31, that it was her BIRTHDAY!!!! No one was as loving and friendly...her performances were "EVENTS......and we kept up a telephone relationship on every birthday for many years. Bless the memory of someone who changed my life!!!!!!
P.S. The evenings ended with her screaming "Ciao" out the limo as we pursued her up the street. One night,I was almost impaled on a fire plug...and luckily I did NOT become a castrato.
With treasured memories Charlie.
She left us too soon...A wonderful voice. I saw her Desdemona and Figaro Countess...Wonderful!!!
P.S. A few new glitches in the podcasts..Please be patient..Love Charlie
The happiest of birthdays (Jan.25) to dear Marcello Giordani, one of our great tenors...He is also as nice and natural a guy one could know....Bravo,maestro..Now try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A6ry1z98qY
As long as this weekend marks the birthdays of 2 1/2 artists, we should celebrate number 33 of the beloved Joseph Calleja (Jan.22), who will be singing in the matinee Met Rigoletto on his special day. If you go to facebook, you will behold a man who has endeared himself to so many of us off as well as on the stage. I have met many artists in my life, and they are as nice as can be, but Joe is something extraordinary!
May I wish this magnificent tenor all my love for a happy birthday and many,many more.
Love Charlie
FELIZ CUMPLEANOS to Maestro Placido Domingo, who turns 70 on Jan.21. How amazing to still sound wonderful, despite some lessening of range (well...whatyawant??) after over 50 years of singing onstage, rehearsing, practicing, not to mention running around the universe..
May he enjoy many more years, just like that other lesser star (also Jan.21) who,compared to him, is on food stamps.(gg)
Un abrazo al Maestro
Carlitos el Viejo
A 1951 Manon w.Licia Albanese, Giuseppe Di Stefano,Martial Singher, Jerome Hines, and Allesio de Paolis under Fausto Cleva (70 min.)
A stunning (stereophonic) performance by Kirsten Flagstad(age 56) with Astrid Varnay,Ferdinand Frantz,Blanche Thebom, and Gunther Treptow, conducted by Fritz Stiedry (70 min.)
Compilation of 15 baritones singing the Tannhauser Evening Star aria. They are,in order:
Ramon Blanchart, Giuseppe de Luca, Mattia Battistini, Joel Berglund, Sigurd Bjoerling, Michael Bohnen, Joseph Schwarz, Eberhard Waechter, Thomas Tipton, Heinrich Schlusnus, Alexander Sved, Herbert Janssen, Gerhard Huesch, Lawrence Tibbett, and George London. (68 min.)
Highlights from a fine performance of Bellini's "I Puritani" from Phil.1972 under Anton Guadagno. It features Luciano Pavarotti, Beverly Sills, Paul Plishka, and Louis Quilico. (70 min.)
The happiest of birthdays (Dec.28) to Piotr Beczala, one of opera's greatest artists.
Here are arias from Aleko,Rusalka,Rigoletto,Hoffmann, and Romeo.
A big "BRAVO" to one of the great singers of today, and ANY opera era
Three songs from dear Marcello Giordani's new Italian song album, "Ti voglio tanto bene." They are:
"Senza Nisciuno," "L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra" and "I'te vurria.vasa."
I sincerely hope you enjoy them. (I do not get a commission)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!
Highlights from a fine performance of Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci" from La Scala, 1987. This was one of the last performances of Jose Carreras prior to his illness. Diana Soviero is the Nedda, John Rawnsley is Tonio, Angelo Romero is Silvio, and William Matteuzzi is Beppe. The conductor is Giuseppe Patane (60 min.)
Just saw Lee in Met Don Carlo...he was SPECIAL!!! Loved him....as did everyone else...
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Yonghoon+Lee&aq=f
Selections from the cd's of 13 of our wonderful present-day tenors. We are so lucky to have them performing in the world of opera. In order, they are:
Ben Heppner, Johan Botha, Roberto Alagna, Marcelo Alvarez, Rolando Villazon, Salvatore Licitra, Ramon Vargas, Vittorio Grigolo, Jonas Kaufmann, Juan Diego Flores, Joseph Calleja, Marcelo Giordani, and Piotr Beczala. (60 min.)
A compilation of 9 tenors singing the finale of act two of Romeo et Juliette, ending with a high C.
The tenors (in correct order) are: Augustinello Afre, Georges Nore, Raoul Jobin, Franco Corelli, Stephen Costello, Alfredo Kraus, Ramon Vargas, Joseph Calleja, and Jussi Bjoerling. (37 min.)
An exciting compilation of material from various Verdi operas, as issued in 1951 on Cetra-Soria, for the Verdi year. Included are scenes (in correct order) from:
Otello, Ballo in Maschera, La Battaglia di Legnano,Ernani, I Due Foscari, Il Trovatore, Luisa Miller, I Lombardi, Nabucco, Don Carlo, and Aida (casts are announced) (66 min.)
Highlights from a live 1975 performance of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's "Die Tote Stadt," featuring Carol Neblett, John Alexander, and Dominic Cossa, conducted by Jules Rudel. (55 min.).
Note:This is a live perf.so there is some distance in the recording.
http://www.handelmania.com/mad.htm
BUT do not eat or drink or fool around while you listen....CH
Here are some scenes (live and recorded) of the great tenor, Giuseppe "Pippo" Di Stefano. They are from Tosca,Turandot, Mme.Butterfly, La Boheme and Il Tabarro. Leonard Warren, Renata Tebaldi and Maria Callas also appear in these excerpts.
I have announced all the selections on the podcast. (56 min.)
A superb performance (exc.) from a City Opera 1971 performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Le Coq D'Or" featuring Beverly Sills, Norman Treigle, Enrico di Giuseppe, and Muriel Greenspon. (50 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEHYNs1orpk&feature=related
Get the DEPENDS ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Nice if the tenor knew the words...Nice if the chorus did not sing LULU.....
A beautiful performance of Don Carlo (exc.) featuring Antonietta Stella,Flaviano Labo, Giulietta Simionato,Eberhard Waechter, and Walter Kreppel, conducted by Fausto Cleva. 73 min.)
Act Three exc.from Werther with Crespin,Corelli,Readon, from a non-broadcast in 1972, followed by exc.from act three with Zeani and Kraus (In Italian). Enjoy!! (70 min.)
On November 13, 1986, Diana Soviero made her Met debut as Juliette, conducted by Placido Domingo, and featuring Alfredo Kraus and Paul Plishka. I know you will love it!!!! (58 min.)
In memory of the late wonderful Shirley Verrett, we present highlights from a live La Scala performance of Samson et Delilah, from 1970 under Georges Pretre. Richard Cassilly, Robert Massard, and Leonardo Monreale complete the cast.
As a bonus, Shirley Verrett sings the Death of Dido from a Troyens perf. in 1969 in Rome. (72 min.)When they leave us, a part of us breaks away,but our memories stay with us forever.
Charlie
http://www.google.com/search?q=Handelmania&hl=en&tbs=vid:1
I wanted to remind you of my Google Videos, in addition to my Mrfriendofopera videos on youtube.
I will take care of the Propaganda interruptions soon.
As ever Charlie (going gaga over this Met Don Carlo on Sirius)
Hiya all,
You know I have become acquainted with this glorious Polish tenor, Piotr Beczala, and I will be seeing him soon at the Met in Boheme and Romeo (I ordered tickets for THREE Romeos...I rarely do anything like that.). From Piotr's new album on the Orfeo label, I present arias from Prince Igor, Janek (Zelenski), and Eugen Onegin. I heartily recommend this album to you and hope these three selections give you a sampling of the album.
Thanks for your patience
P.S. I re-installed Propaganda and will fix those interruptions..They think I am NEW!!!!!! Charlie
Hi everyone. I'm back - hopefully. This is a test to make sure everything is working. Please enjoy Vittorio Grigolo singing from Luisa Miller. More later....Charlie
I adored Verrett and always placed her way up there with the greatest mezzos (sopranos also, since she did both mezzo and soprano roles.) When they leave us, a piece of us gets ripped away, since these "bigger-than-life" personalities have been so endearing to us,
As ever Charlie
My adored "sorella" Virginia Zeani turns 85 today,Oct.21. She has been a dear friend for many years and those of you who do not know her art can go to Youtube for a sample, or come to my house and hear all her material. (Full body search on the way out.)) I am so happy for her and Mr.Smith, a friend, surprised her with a fabulous book dedicated to her, with contributions by many people (me too!). Bless Virginia!!!
P.S.I ran into a few more glitches so PULEEEZE be patient.The new podcast system needs to be worked out. Meanwhile, new and old listeners have plenty to listen to. Love Charlie
- Mirella Freni, one of the great sopranos in the world of opera, is presented in live performances. She sings the Strauss Four Last Songs, and arias from Gianni Schicchi,Adriana Lecouvreur, L'Amico Fritz, La Boheme, Turandot,Carmen, Vespri Siciliani, and the Eugen Onegin Letter Scene. (70 min.)
When the London/Decca Ring recordings were finished, Deryck Cooke recorded a most enlightening analysis of the Ring, using scenes from the recordings. I found this most enlightening, and wish to present about 50 minutes of it to you. I hope you enjoy it.
Remember, I miss your comments, so send them to me at Placido21@aol.com. I had to cancel that comment section owing to those ads. (50 min.)
May I pause and give credit for these podcasts to my buddy,James Jorden, of Parterre Box fame. He taught me how to podcast,videocast, and remain a legend in my own mind.
If you wish to order any of the albums on the podcast page, click the selection(s) and James gets a commission from Amazon.That is at least something we can do to thank him for his special efforts..and great talent!
Il tuo caro amico, Charlie
The great Leonard Warren stars in highlights from a 1950 Mexico City Simon Boccanegra.Also in the cast are Mario Filippeschi,Celia Garcia, Roberto Silva, and Ignacio Ruffino. The conductor is Renato Cellini (62 min.)
The great Renata Tebaldi in scenes from Andrea Chenier,Manon Lescaut, L'Assedio di Corinto, Faust, and the Stabat Mater of Rossini (Inflammatus) (69 min.)
A pot-pourri of some of the oddities I have previously pubished, but now all together to make you laugh,cry, or never talk to me again,etc. I think you will have fun..Great for parties!!!! (74 min.)
My dear friend just came back from Czechoslavakia where he coached and conducted Boheme act 3......but there was a slight mishap in the show... Instead of SNOW falling at the end of the act...BUBBLES came down....and they were still coming down in the fourth act....Poor Bohemians...they could slip all over!!!!!!!!!!!!! They should have used Corn Flakes..They are not slippery. OI VEY...To run an opera house.... Charlie "Bubbles' Handelman
My all-time favorite basso passed away today.Cesare Siepi was the possessor of a luscious,velvety voice and on stage he was sensational.I saw him countless times and am so saddened at his passing. Here is a brief article about his many successes.:
His international reputation was established in 1950, when Sir Rudolf Bing brought him to the Metropolitan Opera in New York to open the 1950 season as King Philip II in Don Carlos. He was to remain principal bass at the Met until 1974, adding roles such as Boris Godunov (in English) and Gurnemanz in Parsifal (in German), and singing all the major roles of the bass repertoire.
His also gave his debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 1950, and appeared there regularly until the mid 1970s.
In 1953 Siepi debuted at the Salzburg Festival with a legendary production of Don Giovanni conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler, staged by Herbert Graf, and designed by Clemens Holzmeister. He made an immediate impact in the title role of Don Giovanni which became perhaps his best known role, as it had been for the most famous Italian bass of the generation before, Ezio Pinza. This performance has been released on CD, and a 1954 mounting of this production was filmed in color and released in 1955.
Siepi was a frequent guest at the Vienna State Opera. In 43 performances he sang Don Giovanni, more often than any other singer in modern times except for Eberhard Waechter. In 1967 Siepi was Don Giovanni in a controversially received production staged by Otto Schenk and designed by Luciano Damiani that showed Mozart's masterpiece in the light of the commedia dell'arte, emphasizing the comic and ironic elements of this opera (conductor Josef Krips strongly opposed this production's concept). In Vienna he also sang Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Colline (La bohème), Fiesco (Simon Boccanegra), Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Padre Guardian (La forza del destino 1974 in a new production conducted by Riccardo Muti), Gurnemanz (Parsifal), Mephisto (Faust), Filippo II (Don Carlos), and Ramphis (Aïda). His final performance at the Vienna State Opera was in Norma (Oroveso) in 1994.
He was a particularly fine recital artist, especially in Community Concerts under Columbia Artist Management, and a sensitive interpreter of German Lieder. He married Met ballerina Luellen Sibley and they have two children.
Siepi enjoyed a long career, and performed regularly until the 1980s, including lead roles in the ill-fated Broadway musicals Bravo Giovanni and Carmelina. In addition to his studio recordings, there are also many live recordings of performances of his major roles.
According to the Italian Wikipedia, Siepi's formal farewell to the operatic stage occurred at the Teatro Carani in Sassuolo on 21 April 1989. Indeed, Capon's List shows live recordings made as late as 1988.
Siepi's last studio recording was as the old King Archibaldo in RCA's 1976 taping of Montemezzi's L'amore dei tre re, with Anna Moffo and Plácido Domingo in the cast.
Rest in Peace, my beloved Cesare.
P.S. For my podcast on Siepi,see archives of May 3, 2006
A Met benefit concert in 1951, featuring some of the artists who were singing at that time.They include:
Lucine Amara,Lily Pons, Dorothy Kirsten, Regina Resnik, Gladys Swarthout, Roberta Peters, Bidu Sayao, Rise Stevens, Giuseppe Valdengo, Brian Sullivan, Salvatore Baccaloni, with guest appearance by Jimmy Durante (tenor??baritone?? basso??)
The beloved Renata Tebaldi makes her final stage appearance at a recital in La Scala on May 23, 1976. No one could be as beloved as this great lady, and my life was made so much richer knowing her on and off stage. Bless her memory forever! (60 min.)
Hi all, I just watched the Weimar Ring, and mezzo Nadine Weissmann, the Erda and the Waltraute, possesses a superb,rich,luscious voice. I urge you to watch her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr8EeExG_fY
I know I can pick them!!!!!!!!!!
Many great singers sang Verdi in German, and we do not wish to neglect them, even if the vocal line is not what we usually expect. Here are some of the great artists singing Verdi in German:
Margarete Klose, Martha Moedl, Carla Martinis, Helge Roswaenge (pictured),Heinrich Schlusnus, Birgit Nilsson, Sebastian Feiersinger, Georg Hann, Gottlob Frick, and Leonie Rysanek (68 min.)
Highlights from an exciting performance of Verdi's "Attila," featuring Sam Ramey, Linda Strummer, William Stone, and VerianoLuchetti from Venice, 1987 under Gabriele Ferro. (72 min.)
On Friday, June 11, Rise Stevens, the first singer I ever met..and the kindest and most lovable human being one could know, turns 97. She brought me and thousands of others to opera.We went to her home every year when the club existed.Bless her forever in my heart!!!
A thrilling Cavalleria (excerpts) with Marisa Galvany, Placido Domingo, and Signore Ciminelli under Anton Guadagno from 1973 in Hartford,Ct.I also added a Galvany bonus (What else is new?) with scenes from Macbeth,Medea,Traviata and Nabucco. (60 min.) After Marisa
did Mayr's "Medea in Corinto" we posed for the photo you see.
Listen to highlights from an exciting live performance of Zandonai's thrilling opera "Francesca da Rimini from 1973 under Eve Queler. It features Placido Domingo, Raina Kabaiwanska, and Matteo Manuguerra. I know you will enjoy it!!!
(65 min.)
The superb basso, Carlo Colombara, a good buddy to many of us on Facebook,sings Italian and American songs. I know you will enjoy them. He reminds me of Cesare Siepi.
Highlights from a Berlin 1980 Macbeth w.Olivia Stapp, Renato Bruson, Veriano Luchetti, and
Victor von Halem ,conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli (71 min.)
This is in celebration of dear Olivia's birthday on May 30.
The superb lyric-coluratura soprano, Diana Damrau, in a recital of songs by Berg, Strauss, Mahler, Zemlinsky, and Wolf,plus a Mozart concert aria w.orch.(59 min.)
Today, May 5,2010 we pay tribute to the great Giulietta Simionato, who passed away at age 99. She was a phenomenal icon in the world of opera and we remember her fondly. I include highlights from Aida, Cavalleria, Barbiere, Mignon, Anna Bolena, Mignon, Carmen, and Werther (72 min.)
Ten wonderful sopranos sing the finale of Act one of Anna Bolena. The singers (in order of selections)are:
Renata Scotto, Beverly Sills, Olivia Stapp, Maria Callas(in photo), Elena Suliotis, Dimitra Theodossiou, Joan Sutherland, Leyla Gencer, Edita Gruberova, and Marisa Galvany. (50 min.)
Send me a VOTE on your top 2 favorites!!!!!!!!!!
The phenomenal voice of Montserrat Caballe is heard in two Donizetti works:
Parisina (exc.) w.Jerome Pruett, Louis Quilico, and James Morris
Roberto Devereux (exc.) with Jose Carreras and Vicente Sardinero
(66 min.)
Hiya all,
Despite allergies, arthritis, beri-beri, and misery not going yet to the MET,
I am back with you to present various singers in live performances on radio from the 1940's.
Included are:
Eileen Farrell, Stella Roman (pictured),Gladys Swarthout,Hilde Reggiani, Astrid Varnay,Licia Albanese, Norina Greco, Jan Peerce, Rene Maison, Robert Weede, Lauritz Melchior,and Richard Bonelli. (61 min.)
As always, thanks so much for your lovely comments.
Carlo Handelmania
The 2/8/77 Amsterdam farewell recital of Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, accompanied by Geoffrey Parsons. (70 min.)
She performs songs of R.Strauss, Wolf, Schubert, MahlerLiszt, Schumann, Wolf-Ferrari.
A tribute to Jerome Hines, a great artist. The selections are anounced and biographical material is included. (73 min.)
The American Jerome A. Hines (November 8, 1921 – February 4, 2003) was a well-known basso opera singer who was associated with the Metropolitan Opera for many years. His height (6ft 6 inches, or 2m), stage presence and stentorian voice made him ideal for such roles as Sarastro in The Magic Flute, Mephistopheles in Faust, Ramfis in Aida, the Grand Inquisitor in Don Carlos, the title role of Boris Godunov and King Mark in Tristan und Isolde.
Hines was born Jerome Albert Link Heinz in Hollywood, California. He studied mathematics and chemistry at the University of California, while also taking vocal lessons. Hines made his operatic debut at the San Francisco Opera in 1941, singing Monterone in Rigoletto. He changed his surname to Hines at the suggestion of his manager Sol Hurok to avoid the anti-German feelings prevalent during World War II.[1]
In 1946, Hines made his debut at the Met as the Sergeant in Boris Godunov. He went on to sing forty-one seasons there, longer than any other Met singer, encompassing forty-five roles in thirty-nine operas. During this time he pursued further voice studies with Samuel Margolis and Vladimir Rosing. In 1953, Hines made his European debut with Glyndebourne as Nick Shadow at the Edinburgh Festival in the first British performances of Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress. In 1958, he made his debut at La Scala in the title role of Handel's Hercules. From 1958 to 1963, he sang at Bayreuth in the roles of Gurnemanz, King Mark and Wotan. In 1961, he first appeared at the San Carlo in the title role of Boito's Mefistofele. In 1962, he sang Boris Godunov at the Bolshoi in Moscow, famously for Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev on the eve of the resolution of the Cuban Missile crisis.
Hines turned to coaching later in his career, founding the Opera-Music Theatre Institute of New Jersey in 1987, but he continued performing virtually until the end of his life; among his last appearances was a concert performance as the Grand Inquisitor with the Boston Bel Canto Opera in 2001 at the age of 79.
A born-again Christian and member of the Salvation Army, Hines composed an opera on the life of Jesus, I Am the Way. He sang the role of Jesus at the Met in 1968 and performed the work many times around the world.
Hines wrote a memoir, This is My Story, This is My Song (1969) ISBN 0-8007-0313-8, and two books on singing, The Four Voices of Man (1997) ISBN 0-87910-099-0 and Great Singers on Great Singing (1982) ISBN 0-87910-025-7.
Hines died of undisclosed causes in 2003, at age 81 at a Manhattan hospital.
Hines was married to the soprano Lucia Evangelista from 1952 until her death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2000. They had four children, David, Andrew, John and Russell. For most of his life, he lived in South Orange, New Jersey.
[edit] External links
Jussi Boerling Returns to the Met on Nov.16,1959,sadly,only one year before the great man's passing.
Giulietta Simionato is a sensational Santuzza, with Rosalind Elias, Walter, Cassell, Thelma Votipka (Cond.Nino Verchi) (50 min.)
GOD BLESS HIM FOREVER!!
A tribute to the lovely French soprano, Eide Norena. She sings arias from Zauberflote, Seraglio,Hamlet, William Tell, Turandot, Traviata,Rigoletto,and Gounod's Serenade. (44 min.)
We mourn the passing of the superb mezzo, Blanche Thebom. Here are scenes from Aida, Norma, Samson et Delilah, Don Carlo, and Tristan und Isolde. She was a wonderful singer and artist, with a beautiful rich voice. Rest in peace.
How can anyone adequately describe the miracle of the today 100 year old Magda Olivero. I spoke to her this morning and she gives you all "un abbraccio!!"
CENT'ANNI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Listen to the selections and thrill to this great great lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (66 min)
Correction:The Fedora I mentioned was in New Jersey, not in New York as I stated.
P.S.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lPuvPOSyWg and when I called her and a friend called her she said the entire (new) apt.is covered w.Flowers...... GOD BLESS HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ballo in Maschera highlights from 1944 under Bruno Walter. The cast includes Zinka Milanov,Leonard Warren, Jan Peerce, Frances Greer, and Kerstin Thorborg (67 min.)
Songs and arias as sung by the legendary tenor, Tito Schipa, a master of exquisite phrasing and the "love of the vocal line." His singing is a true vocal LESSON in how to phrase with beauty and delicacy. (68 min.)
Celebrating the birthdays of the great Beniamino Gigli and the equally great Lauritz Melchior, both born on March 20, 1890. I guess the Gods were smiling on that day! (45 min.)
You want a fabulous cast?????? Listen to this Adriana Lecouvreur from Naples, 1959 under Mario Rossi.
Magda Olivero (100 yrs.old on Mar.25),Franco,Corelli, Giulietta Simionato, Ettore Bastianini (67 min.)
March 19, 2010 marks the birthday of my two favorite divas:
First, my darling friend and great opera star, Diana Soviero, heard here in Puccini roles, and then my adored mother, who couldn't sing, but she did a mean fox-trot and was in the Follies. I would add that while mom never met Richard Tucker, she did know Sophie!
A beautiful happy birthday to dear Diana, someone who captured my heart over 30 years ago. I have heard them all (well, after Melba), and she remains for me one of the greatest sopranos and a beautiful human being!
Enjoy highlights from the 1986 Romeo et Juliette, marking the Met debut of my dear Diana Soviero and the marvelous Alfredo Kraus, with Paul Plishka and Brian Shexnayder under Placido Domingo. (57 min.)
Gee, the photo shows we were young once-upon-a-time.
You like divas???????????????
http://www.irinarindzuner.com/video.aspx
So go here and sample the art of the marvelous Irina Rindzuner, and also I placed clips on my site:
http://www.youtube.com/mrfriendofopera
What a great lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A compilation of baritones (and one lady) singing the Rigolettto "Cortigiani."
Included (in order) are:Riccardo Stracciari, Giuseppe Danise,Michael Bohnen, Heinrich Schlusnus, Paolo Silveri, Piero Cappuccilli, Franz Grundheber, Louis Quilico, Thomas Tipton, Cornell MacNeil, Robert Merrill, Leonard Warren, and in a Julliard coaching session in 1971 with baritone Sung Kil Kim, MARIA CALLAS!
(74 min.)
The opera world mourns the passing of the superb Philip Langridge, pictured here in his last role, the witch in Hansel and Gretel. Here is some biographical material:
Philip Gordon Langridge CBE (16 December 1939 – 5 March 2010)[1] was an English tenor,[2] considered to be among the foremost exponents of English opera and oratorio.[3][4]
Langridge was born in Hawkhurst, Kent, educated at Maidstone Grammar School and studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London.[5] He started his career as an orchestral violinist, which exposed him to a greater variety of music than professional singers ordinarily experience.
Langridge was admired for his fine technique coupled with keen dramatic instincts. His repertoire was broad, ranging from the operas of Claudio Monteverdi and Mozart to more modern works by Ravel, Stravinsky, Janáček and Schoenberg. At the end of his life, he was adding some Wagner roles, including Loge from Das Rheingold. Langridge was also a fine concert singer and regularly performed the sacred music of Bach and Handel. He also won great acclaim for his assumption of the title role in Elgar's oratorio, The Dream of Gerontius.
For all his versatility, he was at his most distinguished performing the works of Benjamin Britten.[6] Much of Britten's vocal music was written specifically for his artistic and life partner, tenor Sir Peter Pears. Many regarded Langridge as Pears' true successor because they shared similar vocal qualities and brought uncommon immediacy to the music they performed. He recorded many of his famous roles, including Peter Grimes and the Prologue / Quint in The Turn of the Screw, as well as all the orchestral song cycles for tenor voice.
Langridge's association with Harrison Birtwistle began in 1986 when he created the role of Orpheus in his opera The Mask of Orpheus. He also sang The Lawyer in the world premiere recording of Punch and Judy (1989) and created the roles of Kong in The Second Mrs Kong (Glyndebourne, 1994) and Hiereus in The Minotaur (Royal Opera House, 2008).[7] Birtwistle composed Vanitas (based on a poem by David Harsent) especially for Langridge's 70th birthday concert at London's Wigmore Hall in November 2009.[6]
Langridge was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music in 1994. He was married to Irish mezzo-soprano Ann Murray until his death from bowel cancer. Langridge is survived by their son Jonathan Philip (born 1986, Greenwich, London),[8] and his three adult children from his previous marriage: Anita, Jennifer,[9] and opera director Stephen. [10]
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A fine Tosca from Vienna ,1976 under Horst Stein,
Featured are Montserrat Caballe, Carlo Bergonzi, and Gianpiero Mastromei (71 min.)
Highlights from a great 1955 Salome under Dimitri Mitropolous. It features:
Christel Goltz, Ramon Vinay,Blanche Thebom, Paul Schoeffler, and Brian Sullivan, (69 min.of excitement)
The famous exponent of Bel Canto, Mattia Battistini (1856-1928), who even sang at 70. He was quite an amazing singer, but sadly ocean voyages scared him, so we never had him in New York.(He said, "The channel was enough!")
He sings material from Don Giovanni, Ernani (w.Emilia Corsi),Damnation of Faust,Hamlet,Ballo,Traviata, Martha, Favorita,Zampa, Don Sebastiano, and Cocchi's "Per la patria."
The baritone Herman Uhde was one of our finest artists.Sadly he passed away at 51 but he does leave us a legacy of his live appearances:
You will hear scenes from Das Rheingold, Julius Caesar, Don Carlo, Fidelio, Parsifal, Arabella (w.Lisa della Casa), Gotterdamerung, Elektra (w.Chrystal Goltz), and Wozzeck (in photo) w.Eleanor Steber) (64 min.)
We remember the great Russian mezzo, Irina Arkhipova, who just passed away at 85. She sings scenes from Boris, Pique Dame, Mazeppa, and a Monologue from Arensky's "The Fountain of Bakhchisarai. (70 min.)
All music inspired by Alexander Pushkin
Medea exc.from 1958 Dallas under Nicola Rescigno.
Maria Callas, Jon Vickers, Teresa Berganza,Elizabeth Carron, Nicola Zaccaria
You want FIRE???????????????? Here it is!!!!!!! (70 min.)
A superb Lucrezia Borgia under Nicola Rescigno from Dallas, 1973.
Featured are: Leyla Gencer, Tatiana Troyanos, Jose Carreras, and Matteo Manuguerra. (68 minutes)
Songs and arias as sung by the magnificent tenor, Charles Kullman (1903-1983). Kullman should be heralded as one of the finest tenors in opera history. (54 min.)
The tragedy of the early death of the marvelous Fritz Wunderlich will always haunt us, but at least he left a legacy of superb recordings. Here is an abridged WDR Radio)performanc e under Franz Marszalek( 71 min.)
Fritz Wunderlich as Sou-Chong
Antonia Fahberg as Lisa
Ernst Stankovski as Graf Gustl
Luise Camer/Gerlinde Locker as Mi
Part Two of that glorious 1955 Aida. (ooops, I put my brief narration at the end in error.)
Stella, Corelli, Barbieri, Colzani, Petri (Gui )
Part one of a fabulous Aida from Naples 1955 under Vittorio Gui.
Featured are Antonietta Stella, Franco Corelli, Fedora Barbieri, Anselmo Colzani, and Mario Petri (48 blazing minutes)
This magnificent 1957 Andrea Chenier will thrill you as much as it did me when I saw it live. Zinka Milanov, Richard Tucker, and Leonard Warren are the leads, with Frank Valentino, Fernando Corena, and Rosalind Elias under Fausto Cleva.
I await your comments on this great performance. (69 min.)
A collection of material as composed by Hector Berlioz. Featured are:
Edmont Clement, Richard Mayr, Jean Planel, Berthe Auguez de Montalant, Pol Plancon, Emilio de Gogorza, Maurice Renaud, Giovanni Zenatello, Giuseppe Malipiero, Georges Thill, and Germaine Martinelli. (60 min.)
Highlights from Aroldo/Stiffelio of Giuseppe Verdi. Here I compare Lina's act two aria in both versions.
In Stiffelio I present Rosalind Plowright, Angeles Gulin, and Dimitra Theodossiou.
In Aroldo we hear Montserrat Caballe, Carol Vaness, Lucia Aliberti, and Maria Callas
(72 min.)
Highlights from several performances of the Verdi Requiem. Featured are:
Zinka Milanov, Leontyne Price, Gundula Janowitz, Richard Tucker,Marcello Giordani, Nan Merriman, Dolora Zajick, Fiorenza Cossotto, Giorgio Tozzi,Rene Pape, and Nicolai Ghiaurov. (74 min.),
A compilation of material involving tenors. Lots of bizarre stuff amidst some truly exciting singing....but get ready...this podcast is defintely not for purists like me. (71 glorious minutes)
A wonderful 1957 Carmen with my all-time favorite Carmen, Rise Stevens, and featuring Mario del Monaco, Lucine Amara, and Frank Guarrera. The conductor is Dimitri Mitropolous. (72 min.)
Here is a link to a Youtube selection.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egEVbRy50JE
I thought it might be fun (and you can use it as a quiz, as long as you turn down the volume when I introduce the selections) to select various files from the zillions I have and make up a pot-pourri for you. If you like the idea, let me know, and in the future I can do others.
Featured are: (in order)
Paul Schoeffler, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Dmitri Smirnov, Jussi Bjoerling, Franz Voelker, Virginia Zeani, Daniele Barioni, Shirley Verrett, Vassilka Petrova (oi vey!), Maria Callas, Leonard Warren, Anita Cerquetti, Mario del Monaco and Victoria de los Angeles, Jussi Bjoerling and Robert Merrill, and Zinka Milanov. (71 min.)
Let me know if you like this idea. as ever Charlie
Even in "the wrong language" this magnificent 1950 Macbeth from Berlin in 1950 under Joseph Keilberth will thrill you, especially owing to the power and intelligence of Martha Moedl, one of the great divas of opera.
Also in the cast is the superb Josef Metternich as Macbeth, Theo Hermann as Banquo, and Alfred Hulgert as Macduff. (67 min.)
The happiest of birthdays (Jan.22) to the superb tenor (and lovable guy) Joseph Calleja. Mr.Calleja, who hails from Malta, is fast becoming one of opera's most renowned artists and here are some examples of his great voice:
The arias are from: Mme.Butterfly, Adriana Lecouvreur, Don Sebastiano, La Belle Helene, Romeo et Juliette, I Lombardi, and La Traviata.
I also must mention that yesterday we celebrated (well, I did, anyway) the birthdays of two other great stars, Placido Domingo and Carlo Handelmaniac(Or is it EGOmaniac?)
Now do not shoot me for the following:
"Were I the impresario of an opera house years ago, and heard boy soprano Calleja, I would cast him in "Die Frau Ohne Schatten" so we could therefore call him the "Maltese Falcon."
With all my best to a great guy! Charlie
Highlights from Mascagni's "Iriis," a much-neglected work.
Featured, from four separate recordings are:
Magda Olivero,Clara Petrella, Ilona Tokody, Giuseppe Di Stefano,Placido Domingo, and Giulio Neri. (72 min.)
These are highlights from the English National Opera 1982 performance (live) of Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda," sung in English under Charles Mackerras. Featured is the phenomenal Dame Janet Baker and as cast that also includes:
Rosalind Plowright Elizabetta
David Rendall Leicester
John Tomlinson Talbot
Alan Opie Cecil
Angela Bostock Hannah Kennedy
(55 min.)
Several great singers sing sings by Francesco Paolo Tosti.In order they are:
Mattia Battistini, Augusto Dianni, Tom Burke, Alfred Piccaver, Charles Dalmores, Fernando de Lucia, Giuseppe Anselmi, John McCormack, Richard Tauber, Enrico Caruso, Dusolina Giannnini, Adelina Patti, Emma Eames, Rosa Ponselle, and Luisa Tetrazzini. (57 min.)
Highlights from two performances of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro."
First we have (in German) the 10/25/38 studio recording under Karl Boehm featuring:
Margarete Teschemacher Countess
Maria Cebotari (in photo) Susanna
Paul Schoeffler Figaro
Mathieu Ahlersmeyer Count
Angela Kolniak Cherubino
This is followed by a live Salzburg 8/11/37 performance under Bruno Walter with:
Aulikki Rautawaara Countess
Esther Rethy Susanna
Ezio Pinza Figaro
Mariano Stabile Count
Jarmila Novotna Cherubino
(73 min.)
Many collectors consider this 1938 Boheme recording as the definitive performance of the work. See what you think as Licia Albanese and Beniamino Gigli thrill us with their magnificent singing. Others in the cast are as follows:
Marcello Afro Poli
Musetta Tatiana Menotti
Schaunard Aristide Baracchi
Colline Duilio Baronti
Conducted by Umberto Berretoni (71 min.)
Next season the Met will feature the 100th anniversary of the great Puccini work, "La fanciulla del West." My opera buddy's dad saw the 1910 premiere with Caruso, Destinn, and Amato. Imagine my friend's frustration when all his dad remembered was that "It was fine!" (He wanted to know exactly what Caruso did with every phrase)
This blazing hot Scala performance with Gigliola Frazzoni,Franco Corelli, Tito Gobbi, and Enzo Sordello under Antonino Votto will thrill you (despite a few distorted moments in loud climaxes). ENJOY!
(73 min.)
Hi all,
Just a reminder that I have been putting up a great number of magnificent videos from my collection and from Youtube links (see under favorites) on my video site. I know you will appreciate them.
http://www.youtube.com/mrfriendofopera
My best Charlie
Highlights from a superb performance of Mme.Butterfly from 1996, featuring my beloved Diana Soviero, Richard Leech, Juan Pons, and Wendy White, conducted by Julius Rudel. (69 min.)
Not too bad a cast for this 1957 Scala Ballo under Gianandrea Gavazzeni,
Maria Callas, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Ettore Bastianini, Giulietta Simionato, Eugenia Ratti. (73 min.)
WHY was I not born in Milano??????????????
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A WONDERFUL TENOR AND THE SWEETEST GUY YOU COULD MEET! (Except for me, of course)
Piotr Beczała (born December 28, 1966 in Czechowice-Dziedzice) is a Polish operatic tenor. Piotr Beczała was born in southern Poland and initially trained in Katowice. His first engagements were with the Landestheatre in Linz, after which he became a regular member of Zurich Opera. Between 2004-2006, Beczala made several major international house debuts. In April 2004, he made his debut at London's Royal Opera House as the Italian Tenor in Der Rosenkavalier, later returning in October of that year in the title role of Faust, then in June 2005 as the Duke in Rigoletto, and in September 2006, again in Faust. In November 2004, he made his San Francisco Opera and US debut as Lensky in Eugene Onegin. Beczała's La Scala debut came in January 2006 as the Duke in Rigoletto, the role in which he also made Metropolitan Opera debut on December 19, 2006.
In 2007 he was awarded the Munich Opera Festival Prize which acknowledges outstanding accomplishments by departments and members of the Bavarian State Opera as well as members of the Festival performance casts for his performances in in Rigoletto, Der Rosenkavalier and Werther.[1]
Beczała appears as Alfredo Germont in the Farao Classics recording of La traviata which has been nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award.[2] The cd is a live recording from the Bavarian State Opera's March 2006 production with Anja Harteros as Violetta, Paolo Gavanelli as Giorgio Germont, and Zubin Mehta conducting.
[edit] References1. Bavarian State Opera 2. 2008 Grammy Awards
- musicOMH.com - Interview with Piotr Beczala by Dominic McHugh, September 2006.
- Joshua Kosman, 'Soaring Opera hits new heights in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin', San Francisco Chronicle, November 26, 2004.
- George Hall, Review: Faust at the Royal Opera House. The Stage, October 14, 2004. in Eugene Onegin. Beczała's La Scala debut came in January 2006 as the Duke in Rigoletto, the role in which he also made Metropolitan Opera debut on December 19, 2006.
P.S.Guess whose birthday is also Dec.28???? Francesco Tamagno!!!!!!!!!! I told Piotr to stay away from Otello for at least one week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The amazing Magda Olivero in an Amsterdam concert, 1962. She sings arias from Manon Lescaut,Mefistofele, Tosca, Iris, Adriana Lecouvreur, and Risurrezione. (32 min.)
Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNniGHmTrNo
This is the New York City Opera performance of Roberto Devereux of October 24,1970. It marked the "second career" of Beverly Sills, as she began to essay the Donizetti Queen roles with tremendous success. The tenor is some young fellow named Domingo, and the baritone is Louis Quilico.
NOTE: The double attack on the high D natural at the end of "Vivi,ingrato." In the theatre we held our collective breaths at this amazing sound! (70 min.)
P.S. Amazon does sell the Devereux video from Wolftrap, but it costs about $90.00.
Highlights from a glorious 1955 Covent Garden Tosca with Renata Tebaldi in fabulous voice (I saw about 5 of them at the Met in that period and I never recuperated). I forgot how gorgeous Ferruccio Tagliavini's voice was and of course the great Scarpia of Tito Gobbi is legendary. The conductor is Francesco Molinari-Pradelli.
This is followed by some act two scenes from Brussels, 1958 w.Ettore Bastianini and Giuseppe Di Stefano.(HEY! The "Vittoria is GREAT!!")
(73 minutes of joy!)
P.S. Why do those Englishmen/ladies not applaud the tenor arias? Corelli would have screamed at them!
This live Adriana Lecouvreur from 1977, San Francisco might be one of the greatest performances of the opera, along with the 1959 Olivero,Corelli,Simionato,Bastianini cast.
Here we have Renata Scotto,Giacomo Aragall,Giuseppe Taddei, and Elena Obratsova conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni. (72 min.)
I bet you do not even miss my voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear friends,
Until the audio portion of my podcasts is fixed and when I am again able to narrate podcasts, I am presenting operas that really need no detailed explanation by me, since they speak for themselves in their power and excitement to thrill you all.
This 1962 La Scala Trovatore under Gianandrea Gavazzeni features a great cast:
Antonietta Stella, Franco Corelli, Fiorenza Cossotto, Ettore Bastianini,
Ivo Vinco.
Again I say to you.."They don't make 'em that way anymore!!!!" Happy Holidays
The silent Charlie
For whatever reason, my narration did not come out here, but what more can be said about this sensational Turandot..just listen!!!!! I was there and it was something that we will never forget. Nilsson, Corelli, Moffo, Giaiotti,Guarrera, conducted by Leopold Stokowski.
We held our breath at the end of the "In questa reggia!!!" NOTHING like that today, and glad to remember the great days of Moffo, who had too short a career. I know you will love this..now, I have to figure out why my voice did not record...After all,I have been a pretty good boy this year! Love Charlie (70 min.)
BTW, there is some silly dude who HATES poor Maria Callas and who writes dumb comments..naturally deleted by me..I think Santa will be putting some Callas recordings in his stocking (GGGG).
This 1951 Boheme is one of the finest performances of the great work you will ever hear. It features the following cast:
Mimi Bidu Sayao
Rodolfo Giuseppe Di Stefano
Marcello Giusppe Valdendo
Colline Cesare Siepi
Schaunard George Cehanovsky
Musetta Lois Hunt
Fausto Cleva Conductor (73 min.)
The third edition of opera oddities. Included are clips that are exciting, silly, unusual, even hilarious! (68 min.)
I wish to send you to the site where my friend Donald Collup, who is up to volume 8 of his fabulous collection (How does he get all this stuff??),provides the complete volumes.
http://www.collup.com/dczcdz/party.html
Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Charlie
A magnificent Tosca from 1957 Covent Garden with Zinka Milanov,Franco Corelli, and Giangiacomo Guelfi conducted by Alexander Gibson. You will love this one!!! (55 min.)
Dutch soprano Cristina Deutekom in a superb performance of Norma from San Francisco, 1975, conducted by Carlo Felice Cillario.
Tatiana Troyanos Adalgisa
Robleto Merolla Pollione
Clifford Grant Oroveso
(69 min.)
Maria Callas in the years 1958-1959. First we present a Los Angeles recital under Nicola Rescigno, with arias from La Vestale, La Boheme, Macbeth, Hamlet, Barbiere, and Mefistofele.
This is followed by some 1958-1959 material, with arias from La Boheme, Tosca, Ernani, Norma, and Mme.Butterfly.
Have any of you die-hard opera lovers ever experienced the vicarious thrill of being able to identify with someone who at an early age, much like yourselves, loves music so much? Recently, a young boy of 13, Olivier Bergeron, who resides in Montreal, has been reminding me (poor parents) of myself at that tender age. He is a Callas authority, and so I specifically dedicate this podcast to him.
Let us hope that his life will be as treasurable as ours, loving opera as we do. My problem with him is that his voice has not yet changed, and he must remember he ain't no Manrico (YET!). (73 min.)
An array of divas who sang the music of Richard Strauss in Vienna. Except for the Rosenkavalier Presentation scene, the selections are from live performances.
The operas are: Die Frau Ohne Schatten, Capriccio, Daphne, Arabella, Ariadne auf Naxos, and Der Rosenkavalier.
The artists are:
Sena Jurinac, Irmgard Seefried, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Christa Ludwig, Lisa della Casa, Anneliese Rothenberger, Christel Goltz, Gundula Janowitz, Elizabeth Schumann, Maria Olszewska, and Leonie Rysanek. (72 min.)
JUST APPEARED!!!!!!!!!!!
A live 1978 "Sola,Perduta" from Manon Lescaut, featuring my beloved Virginia Zeani!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnkC6L52PIE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNniGHmTrNo&feature=rec-fav-watch-cur_emp-farside_rn
Darling Magda, a miracle, turns 100 on March 25. Recently a friend of mine spent a few hours with her in Milano..She said, "If you can breathe, you can sing!!" She sure BREATHED!!!!!
With love Charlie
Highlights from Mascagni's much-neglected "L'Amico Fritz" featuring:
Beniamino Gigli, Gianni Raimondi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Cesare Valletti, Roberto Alagna, Carlo Tagliabue, Rosanna Carteri, Mafalda Favero, Angela Gheorghiu, Rina Gigli, and Mirella Freni (72 min.)
What more can one say about the legendary soprano Kirsten Flagstad, possessor of one of the greatest natural voices in opera history?
This podcast features songs and arias from her career, from the early days to her farewell, plus some commercial recordings made later on. I know you will enjoy this marvelous soprano.
Featured are scenes from Tannhauser, Gotterdamerung, Walkure,
Parsifal, the World Premiere of the Strauss' Four Last Songs in 1950, and some miscellaneous material as narrated. (74 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKChjB7-aAc&NR=1
.....because they want only "pretty singing' and Muti hates high notes.....Charlie
A selection of great artists in Verdi material.In order, they include:
Alessandro Bonzi, Aureliano Pertile, Jussi Bjoerling, Giovanni Zenatello,
Tito Schipa, Enrico Caruso, Irene Minghini-Cattaneo, Ebe Stignani,
Elizabeth Retherbeg, Hina Spani, Esther, Mazzoleni, Giannina Arangi-Lombardi, Ezio Pinza, Nazareno De Angelis, Tancredi Pasero,
Alexander Kipnis, Ricardo Stracciari, Beniamino Gigli (w.Pinza and Rethberg.) (72 min.)
A new release on the BonGiovanni label of a live performance of Manon Lescaut, from Piacenza, 1974.( highlights ). The sound is pretty good, with some flaws, but I think you will enjoy the wonderful Virginia Zeani and Flaviano Labo in the leading roles. Alberto Rinaldi is the Lescaut and Leonida Bergamonti sings Geronte, conducted by Umberto Cattini.(66 min.)
Hi all,
Just a reminder that I am uploading and also taking clips from Youtube .so many wonderful video clips.If you click on "Favorites" you will be presented with a wide variety of material, in addition to what is there that I personally uploaded. Have fun!!!
http://www.youtube.com/mrfriendofopera#p/f
Rosanna Carteri, one of the most emotional divas in my experience, is heard in material from Adriana, Lodoletta,Turandot, Mme.Butterfly (w.Carlo Bergonzi), Suor Angelica, La Traviata, La Boheme (w.Giuseppe Taddei). Bio to follow (69 min.)
Rosanna Carteri (born December 14, 1930) was an Italian soprano primarily active in the 1950s through the mid-1960s.
Rosanna Carteri was born in Verona and studied with Cusinati and started singing in concert at the age of twelve. She won a RAI singing contest in 1948 which led to her operatic debut at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome as Elsa in Lohengrin in 1949, aged only 19. She made her La Scala debut in 1951. Other debuts were at the Salzburg Festival as Desdemona in Otello in 1952 under the direction of Wilhelm Furtwängler, San Francisco as Mimi in La Bohème in 1954, the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Marguerite in Faust in 1955, the Arena di Verona as Mimi in 1958, Covent Garden as Tosca in 1960, Opéra de Paris in 1961 as Violetta in La Traviata.
Carteri made a few recordings for Cetra early in her career, such as Matilde in Guglielmo Tell, opposite Giuseppe Taddei, La Bohème with Ferruccio Tagliavini and Suor Angelica. She also recorded La Traviata for RCA Victor with Cesare Valletti and Leonard Warren under the direction of Pierre Monteux. She participated in several television productions for RAI such as Le nozze di Figaro, La Traviata, Otello and Falstaff.
Carteri also participated in the creation of some contemporary works such as Ifegenia by Ildebrando Pizzetti in 1950, Proserpine e le straniero by Juan Jose Castro in 1952, Calzare d'argento again by Pizzetti in 1961 and Il mercante di Venizia by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco also in 1961.
Rosanna Carteri decided to retire from singing in the mid-1960s while still only in her thirties to devote herself to her family.
I have selected commercial recordings of Verdi material as sung by my all-time favorite diva, Zinka Milanov. Since Nimbus has just put out two Milanov albums (one pictured), I thought I would celebrate the recordings made on RCA by Mme.Milanov. Featured are highlights from Aida, Trovatore, Forza, Ballo, and Otello. I have chosen scenes from the Nimbus album and from other commercial recordings...but again I tell you, you HAD TO BE THERE! (69 min.)
You will LOVE this one! Sixteen divas singing cabalettas..Lots of trills,thrills, high notes,etc...Have fun!!!!!!
Lili Pons, Mado Robin, Beverly Sills, Katya Ricciarelli, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Federica von Stade, Shirley Verrett, Antonietta Stella, Maria Chiara, Magda Olivero, Zinka Milanov, Leontyne Price, Joan Sutherland, Monserrat Caballe, Christina Deutekom, and Virginia Zeani.
( 68 min.of carrying-on)
Volume 2 of exciting divas, including:
Maria Spacagna, Maria Dragoni, Linda Vajna, Anna de Cavalieri, Margherita Roberti, Maria Chiara, Emma Renzi, Gigliola Frazzoni,Nora de Rosa, Tiziana Fabbricini, Elena Suliotis (in photo), Clara Petrella,
Anita Cerquetti, Rosanna Carteri, and Caterina Mancini. (68 min.)
The first of two podcasts that celebrate the careers of some of the divas who perhaps did not receive as much recognition as I believe they deserved. Remember, if you are not an avid collector, you do not necessarily have access to the (mostly live) performances they gave.
Therefore, enjoy listening to them:
Angeles Gulin, Lucia Aliberti, Luisa Maragliano, Josella Ligi, Mariana Niculescu, Rita Orlandi, Cesy Broggini, Ilva Ligabue, Gina Cigna (in photo), Maria Vitale, Margherita Grandi, Virginia Gordoni, Milena Dal Piva, and Maddalena Bonifaccio. (71 min.)
Vol.2 of the "Pace,pace" sopranos. Here we listen to the voices of:
Maria Caniglia, Maria Nistor Slatinaru, Carla Martinis, Aprile Millo, Antonietta Stella, Leyla Gencer, AND two of the greatest "party tape divas" (Proceed at your own risk), Olive Middleton and Vassilka Petrova.
The podcast concludes with three versions a sung by my all-time favorite singer, Zinka Milanov (1952, 1953, 1956). (70 min.)
NO PEEKING!!!!! (If you wish to use this podcast as a quiz for yourself and/or others. This is volume one of the "Pace,pace" podcast with 11 sopranos and I hope you enjoy it.Here they are:
Eileen Farrell, Elizabeth Barbato, Stella Roman, Raina Kabaiwanska, Gre Browenstijn, Monserrat Caballe, Elinor Ross, Maria Callas, Leontyne Price, Adriana Guerrini, and Renata Tebaldi. (71 min.)
More to come!!!!!!!!!!!
A thrilling compilation of tenors who had the reputation of being able to knock your socks off with brilliant top notes. I know you will enjoy them, as long as you do not expect The Dichterliebe.
Mario Gilion, Eduardo Garbin, Antonio Paoli, Giovanni Zenatello, John O'Sullivan (pictured), Leon Escalais, Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, Bernardo De Muro, Galliano Masini, Mario Filippeschi, Gino Penno, Mario del Monaco, and Franco Corelli (73 min.)
You will be thrilled by this superb HOTTT Mexico City 1952 Rigoletto under Umberto Mugnai, and featuring Maria Callas in one of her rare appearances as Gilda. Also starring are Giuseppe Di Stefano and Piero Campolonghi. (70 min.)
By popular request (ME), here are some more wonderful excerpts featuring the beloved Virginia Zeani.I hope you enjoy the scenes from:
Piccolo Marat (w.Giuseppe Gismondo), Elisir d'amore (with Nicola Rossi-Lemeni),Mefistofele, La Boheme, La Rondine, Forza del Destino, Il Console, Tosca, and La Sonnambula, plus a brief interview. (72 min.)
Highlights from Charpentier's "Louise." Featured are the following artists:
Georges Thill and Ninon Vallin (commercial recording) of act one opening.
Grace Moore and Raoul Jobin and Beverly Sills and John Alexander in act three scenes.
Grace Moore, Ezio Pinza, and Doris Doe In act four material.
Renee Fleming and Sam Ramey in the final scene. (69 min.)
OH!!! Did you think I meant Beverly SILLS???? Although the great Beverly Sills is represented on this podcast, I did this one for a fine young lyric soprano by the name of Beverly Thompson, one of the talented Dolora Zajick students.
This is the third podcast for one of these young artists, where I ask them about their repertory and their favorite artists and, adding some of my choices, I offer them an opportunity to sample some of the beautiful performances that are out there.
Included here are selections by:
Beverly Sills, Leontyne Price, Renata Scotto,Kiri Te Kanawa, Elizabeth Grummer, Irmgard Seefried, Virginia Zeani, Diana Soviero, Renee Fleming, Renata Tebaldi, Mirella Freni, Eleanor Steber, and Bidu Sayao.
I sincerely hope Beverly and all of you enjoy them.(65 min.)
A compilation of mostly Russian bassos (or bassos who sing in the Russian mode):
Maxim Mikhailov (Sadko)
Len Sibirjakov (Prince Igor)
Fyodor Chaliapin (Don Quixote)
Yvgenyi Nesterenko (Life for the Czar)
Nicolai Ghiaurov (None but the lonely heart)
Paul Plishka (Eugene Onegin)
Boris Gmyria (Yolantha)
Mark Reizen (in photo) Walkure
Alexander Kipnis (Tannhauser)
Alexander Pirogov (Tsar's Bride)
Sergei Aleksashkin (Mazeppa)
(74 min.)
Opera scenes featuring the exciting Italian soprano, Adriana Guerrini (1907-1970). Mme.Guerrini. Featured are arias and scenes from:
Il Trovatore, Mme.Butterfly, Manon Lescaut (with Beniamino Gigli at 60), La Forza del Destino, and many scenes from her recording of La Traviata with Paolo Silveri and Luigi Infantino. (72 min.)
Dear friends, Since lately I have added to my various sites, I thought I would summarize the links: http://www.youtube.com/mrfriendofopera (the newest site for great videos I upload from my own collection and also favorites from Youtube) http://handelmania.libsyn.com My podcast site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vissidarte My site for discussion but mostly for a huge number of audiofiles from my collection. Handelmania on Google. Google no longer allows uploading, but if you type in "Handelmania" on Google, there are the remaining 80 plus videos for you to watch. What was life like before computers?????? Charlie
Each August 30th, I present my special tribute to Regina Resnik, one of the greatest artists in the world of music. As I have previously stated, not only had Mme.Resnik sung as both soprano and mezzo with remarkable success.(This year is the 65th anniversary of her Met debut), but as teacher,coach,filmmaker,producer, director, she has distinguished herself in the opera world in a totally unique way.
In this podcast I present to you some extended scenes from some of her greatest roles:
Klytaemnestra in Elektra with Inge Borgkh
Sieglinde in Walkure with Ramon Vinay and Astrid Varnay
Fricka in Die Walkure with Jerome Hines
Ulrica in Un Ballo in Maschera
I am happy to present this podcast in honor of dear Regina Resnik"s birthday, and I know you will enjoy it as you have enjoyed my previous celebrations of her art. (70 min.)
http://handelmania.libsyn.com
Some opera lovers feel that just because you know artists personally, they can do no wrong;this is totally untrue,especially since one tends to be MORE critical of artists one knows for fear that you will be accused of "personal prejudice.". Also, you "discovered" them on stage or on records and the personal relationship followed as a result of your enjoyment of their art, and their honest appreciation of your feelings.
Virginia Zeani sang 648 Violettas, but the unusual element in this 1960 Covent Garden performance is that she substituted for Joan Sutherland with less than a day's notice, flew to London, met her tenor on stage for the first time, and what emerges is in my view one of the greatest performances of the role of Violetta (and I have heard great ones).
Her tenor is William McAlpine and the Germont is Jess Walters, conducted by Nello Santi (who almost kills her in the "Sempre Libera," but she does beautifully, not to the mention the high E flat.)
I sincerely hope you will enjoy the performance. (66 min.)
Joseph Calleja, one of the finest tenors in the world of opera, and a great dude!!!!!
PICTURES ARE NOT PODCASTS UNLESS YOU SEE THE USUAL BUTTON AT LEFT!!!!!
(I thought it would be nice to add some photos to the site.Little by little I will delete some and add new ones.)
Piotr Beczala, My dear friend Maria, the greatest Placido fan in the world (except for Marta), and yours truly.
We are all hoping that dear Rolando Villazon returns to us soon. He is one of the most affectionate dudes I have ever met, and he is slightly more hyper than even me.
Irina Rindzuner and Elinor Ross with Charlie after a Puccini concert in 2008.
(Unfortunately the role is no longer in my extensive repertory.)
A podcast dedicated to the beloved Bidu Sayao:
I failed to identify the first selections which are:
"Batti,batti' from Don Giovanni, "Deh vieni,non tardar" from Le Nozze di Figaro, and an aria from Gomes' "Il Guarany."
These selections are followed by five Brazilian folk songs, and then the Rigoletto finale w.Leonard Warren, "Mi chiamano Mimi," and the third act Mimi/Marcello Scene from la Boheme w.Giuseppe De Luca.
Following are Juliette's Waltz song from "Romeo et Juliette," the Manon "Adieu,notre petite table" and the St.Sulpice duet with Charles Kullman.
Concluding the podcast is the famous 1945 premiere recording (done in one take) of the Cantilena from Heitor Villa-Lobos" Bachianas brasileira," op.45. (74 min.)
Welcome to TENOR HEAVEN!!!!!
There are so many superb tenors in the opera world today,I thought you would like a sample of their art.They include:
Lawrence Brownlee, Eric Cutler, Jan Botha, Salvatore Licitra, Ben Heppner, Marcelo Alvarez, Ramon Vargas, Roberto Alagna, Juan Diego Flores, Jonas Kaufmann, Rolando Villazon, David Daniels (countertenor), Marcelo Giordani, Joseph Calleja, Piotr Beczala (in photo). (70 min.)
A podcast tribute to a lady who possessed one of the most phenomenal voices in opera history,Dame Eva Turner. I was first introduced to her by someone playing her ?"In questa reggia," and ever since I have marvelled at the beauty and power of a voice that thrilled thousands for almost 30 years. The material I have included is as follows:
Arias from Tosca. Aida, Gioconda, Mme.Butterfly, Cavalleria Rusticana, Il Trovatore.
"Homing" by Del Riego
"God save the King" with chorus from the live 1937 Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
"In questa reggia" and the Riddle Scene from a live 1937 Covent Garden performance of Turandot, with Giovanni Martinelli, conducted by John Barbirolli>
I sincerely hope you enjoy this miraculous voice.
The famous Zerbinetta aria from Strauss' "Ariadne Auf Naxos" as sung by six marvelous coluratura sopranos. They are:
Rita Streich, Hilde Gueden (in photo), Edita Gruberova, Ruth Welting, Natalie Dessay, and Beverly Sills (1912 version.) (71 min.)
A mini podcast that features five tenors singing the famous "Fille du Reggiment" aria with the nine high C's. You therefore get to hear a total of 45 of them!!!!!!
Included are Grayson Hirst, Enrico De Giuseppe, Alfredo Kraus, Luciano Pavarotti, and Juan Diego Flores. (41 min.)
P.S. After you hear this, try it yourself...So what if your family disowns you!!!!!!
This is the second podcast in which I feature singers and repertory at the request of one of Dolora Zajick's group of truly amazing young artists. If you click the following link, it will take you to the "Seguidilla" from Carmen, as sung by the bright young mezzo, Allegra de Vita (in photo.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6BLYCj3i28
I have therefore presented a pot-pourri of mostly lyric mezzos singing some of the works tht Mme.De Vita is studying, plus some additional material I feel appropriate. The artists are:
Janet Baker, Magdalena Kozena, Joyce di Donato, Sonia Ganassi, Susan Graham, Sarah Connolly, Josephine Veasy, Elina Garanca, Viveca Genaux, Vesselina Kasarova, and (the only more dramatic mezzo), Shirley Verrett.
I sincerely hope this podcast will be a useful aid to Mme.De Vita's studies and we wish her our best for future success. (70 min.)
Highlights from three recordings of Verdi's early opera, "La Battaglia di Legnano." I wish they would perform this fine work more often. The three casts are as follows:
Caterina Mancini, Amadeo Berdini, Rolando Panerai
Antonietta Stella, Franco Corelli, Ettore Bastianini
Leyla Gencer, Giovanni Gibin, Ugo Savarese
(56 min.)
The third volume of "Che gelida manina" as sung by 15 tenors.
Included (in order) are:
Enrico Caruso, Dino Borgioli (abridged), Jan Peerce, Jerry Hadley, Neil Shicoff, Rolando Villazon, Jose Carreras, Giacinto Prandelli, Giacomo Aragall, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Sandor Konya, Hipolito Lazaro, Giuseppe Lugo (In French), Gianni Raimondi, and Roberto Alagna.
(74 min.)
I take great pleasure in presenting a podcast, the first of several, in which I specifically choose material to assist the young students in Dolora Zajick's program with their repertory, allowing them to sample some of the great artists of the past and present, and offering examples chosen from their requests.
At the same time, all of you have the opportunity to continue to enjoy the artistry of many of our superb singers, in various vocal categories. We start with the tenors:
Mario del Monaco, Franco Corelli, Carlo Bergonzi, Jon Vickers, James King, Rene Kollo, Jonas Kaufmann, Wolfgang Windgassen, Peter Schreier, Lauritz Melchior, Set Svanholm, Stephen Gould, and Jose Carreras. (66 min.)
Let us wish these young artists our best, and let us praise Mme.Zajick, one of opera's greatest treasures, for her efforts.
As a special tribute to the great Mario Del Monaco, born on July 27, 1915, I present highlights from a La Scala 1954 Otello, conducted by Antonino Votto, and featuring the great Renata Tebaldi and Leonard Warren.
I saw this exact same cast a year later, on the occasion of Mme.Tebaldi's Met debut, and it remains one of the great events of my operatic experience.
Let us remember one of the greatest tenors in the opera world on the occasion of his birthday. (66 min.)
Highights from the 10 Wagner operas featured in a new Decca 33 cd set (only 65.00 on Amazon). These are live performances from Bayreuth, and feature some of the greatest Wagnerian artists.The highlights are as follows:
Die Meistersinger Hannelore Bode, Karl Ridderbusch
Fliegende Hollander Anja Silja, Franz Crass, Josef Greindl
Tristan und Isolde Birgit Nilsson,Wolfgang Windgassen
Parsifal Peter Hoffman, Waltraud Meier
Lohengrin Anja Silja, Astrid Varnay, Ramon Vinay
Tannhauser Wolfgang Windgassen, Grace Bumbry
Das Rheingold Theo Adam, Erwin Wohlfart
Die Walkure Leonie Rysanek
Siegfried Birgit Nilson, Wolfgang Windgassen
Die Gotterdamerung Birgit Nilsson, Thomas Stewart, Josef Greindl
(71 min.)
Best way to get this is to use this link!!!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00159679S?ie=UTF8&coliid=&ref%5F=olp%5Ftab%5Fnew&me=&qid=1248454681&qid=1248454681&sr=1-1&sr=1-1&seller=&colid=&condition=new
Several years I was delighted to hear Argentinian soprano Fabiana Bravo as Giorgetta in "Il Tabarro" and at a concert as well.I found her voice what we call "old style," with mixed chest voice and quite a depth of emotion. I present three excerpts from her new CD and hope you enjoy her.
The selections are from Verdi's "Il Corsaro," Giordano's "Andrea Chenier," and Puccini's "Edgar."
The album is on the KLEOS Classics label,Number KL5149 and you might search on Helicon Records Site.
(I get NO commission!!!!)
We honor the 96th birthday of the legendary Licia Albanese (born on July 22, 1913) by featuring highlights from two of her greatest performances:
Mme.Butterfly 1941 w. Armen Tokatyan, John Brownlee, and Lucille Browning.
Manon 1951 with Giuseppe Di Stefano
All our best to this great lady!!!!!!!!!
(66 min.)
I know that Signore Riccardo Muti (senza acuti**) would be scandalized at the kind of singing this Trovatore features. However, this is the kind of exciting singing that makes one's hair (if he has any) stand on end.
This 1957 Naples Trovatore, conducted by Franco Capuana and featuring Antonietta Stella, Mario Filippeschi (who encores the "Di quella pira"), Fedora Barbieri, and Aldo Protti is an example of "white-hot" Verdi singing, and I wish there were more such performances today.
(70 min.)
(** without high notes)
As a special birthday tribute to the great Nicolai Gedda, who turned 84 on July 11, 2009, we present him and Joan Sutherland in highlights from 1963 live performances of La Sonnambula and I Puritani. The singing is truly amazing, and I know you will be thrilled! (65 min.)
On July 13, 2009, we celebrate the 85th birthday of Carlo Bergonzi, one of the greatest singers in opera history. His singing serves as a true "vocal lesson" for singers, and we have been blessed by his presence on opera and concert stages for over 50 years.
This podcast, the second in his honor, features songs by Verdi, Caccini, De Curtis, Schubert, and Donizetti plus arias from Martha, La Boheme, Il Trovatore, Tosca, La Forza del Destino, L'Arlesiana, Mefistofele, and I Lombardi.
Bergonzi always ended his recitals with "Non ti scordar di me," and we will surely never forget him!
(71 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjvjU4QmVK0
Go to the above link to watch and listen to Stephen Costello, one of opera's finest young artists, as Romeo. Stephen will be the recipient of this year's Richard Tucker award, and will be singing in the Tucker Gala in November. Those of us who have followed his career,including his Met Edgardo, will attest to the fact that he is one of the brightest lights on the opera scene. ENJOY!!!!! Charlie
These photos are too big to place here...Go to this site and you will get a feeling for what I saw in the old Met...especially those gorgeous Zinka photos from her last performances......Nothing will replace these treasured memories...
http://images.google.com/images?sa=4&imgc=&imgsz=&q=color+opera+source%3Alife
From a poster on RMO:
Sorry to report that Ms DiDonato slipped over on the raked stage last
night during Act 1 of Barbiere di Siviglia at Covent Garden and broke
the tibia bone in her leg. It was opening night and the
accident happened during a recitative with Figaro (after "Una voce poco
fa"). She was rushing over to the corner of the stage and just seemed to
fall without any obvious reason, landing in a heap. She
continued to sing the recit, although noticeably much more quietly than
usual and then got up afterwards, carrying on as normal but obviously
with something not right about the way she was walking
Before Act 2 started an announcement was made that she had sprained her
ankle, was in a great deal of pain but would bravely struggle on
nonetheless. She re-appeared on crutches, hobbling around the
stage with the help of her colleagues JDF and Ferruccio Furlanetto.
Ironically, the first line she had to sing in Act 2 was the recit
claiming that she had cramp in her foot - and the entire audience
exploded into laughter, clapping and cheering for almost a minute. Her
singing was flawlessly brilliant throughout and she kept on smiling - a
real trooper. She even negotiated a very difficult scene where
Rosina goes on a furniture-trashing rampage during the temporale
- knocking over a chair, a harpsichord, a music stand and a huge
cupboard. She used her crutch to violently smash one of the
stage lights - it was very funny.
Elsewhere in the cast, JDF turned in another stunning display of
technical virtuosity and his "Cessa di piu resistere" brought the house
down - the applause went on for nearly 5 minutes and everyone was
screaming for an encore that never happened. Alessandro
Corbelli and Furlanetto were also brilliantly funny as Dr Bartolo and
Don Basilio respectively and Pietro Spagnoli was a very respectable
replacement for an indisposed Simon Keenlyside as Figaro
It was a fantastic evening - really funny and the musical standards were
truly extraordinary. When I got home I read on Joyce's blog
that her leg was actually broken and is now in a plaster cast - but she
valiantly intends to go on with the rest of the performances regardless.
Brava!
THEY ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So many singers are up there sick or injured, and we never know...That is the miracle of these great artists and what they do for us!!!!
GO HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://parterre.com/2009/07/07/but-cha-are-joyce/
One of the most sumptuous voices in my opera experience has been that of mezzo Olga Borodina. Here is a podcast that features some of her magnificent recordings:
Songs by Borodin and Tchaikowsky
Falla's Siete Canciones Populares
Arias from:
Semiramide, Favorita, Gioconda, Maid of Orleans,Les Huguenots, Samson et Delilah, The Damnation of Faust.
(71 min.)
I present highlights from the English National Opera Ring of the Nibelung under Reginald Goodall. The singing is superb, but I really cannot understand the English translation. Perhaps you are better than I at deciphering what they are saying, especially with the ladies' voices.
The cast includes:
Rita Hunter - Brunnhilde
Norman Bailey -Wotan
Margaret Curphey- Sieglinde
Alberto Remedios - Siegfried
Anne Collins - Erda
Derek Hammond-Stroud -Alberich
Aage Haugland - Hagen
(75 min.)
This podcast features scenes from Wagner's "Lohengrin" in languages other than German. The selections are as follows:
Arias by Nelly Melba, Fernando de Lucia, Tancredi Pasero, Francisco Vinas (in photo.) (In Italian)
The Bridal Duet with Renata Tebaldi and Gino Penno (Italian)
Emili Vendrell singing the farewell. (Catalan).
Marjorie Lawrence and Yvonne Brothier in act 2 scene (French)
Scenes with Ivan Koslovsky, Elisaweta Schumskaya, and a great mezzo, Eugenia Smolenskaya. (75 min.)
From volume 4 of the wonderful series, "The record of Singing," I present some marvelous singers from what is known as the "German School." They include:
Ludwig Weber, Gottlob Frick, Erich Kunz, Paul Schoeffler, Hans Hotter, Julius Patzak, Anton Dermota, Rudolf Schock,Irmgard Sefried,Elizabeth Schumann, Maria Stader, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Erika Koth, Elizabeth Grummer, Maria reinging (in photo), Inge Borgkh, Sena Jurinac, Gre Brouwenstijn, and Leonie Rysanek. (75 min.)
The legendary couple in material from film, live and commercial recordings.
Kiepura sings arias from Boheme, Tosca, Martha, Pearl Fishers (unpub.), and a Di quella pira (TWICE!) from the film, "So Ends Our Night," with the CHORUS as the accompaniment.
He also sings "Ob Blond"(Stolz), "Prayer for Poland,"(an arrangement of a Chopin song), and "Processional"with Gladys Swarthout.
Mme.Eggerth is heard in "Mi chiamano Mimi," songs from Lehar's "Zarewitsch," "Die ganze Welt" (Lehar), and from a 1992 Vienna concert in 1992, at age 80, "Das Lied ist aus."(Stolz.).
She is then heard in a Merry Widow Medley and "Wien,Wien" from a 2002 gala.(Amazing!!!).
The podcast concludes with Eggerth and Kiepura singing the "Neapolitan Duet" from Lehar's "Der Zarewitsch," ending on a fabulous piano high C by the great tenor. (68 min.)
MAMMA MIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Virginia just told me this was released!!! I am so thrilled they added the great Zeani to their fabulous library of great artists. Go to Amazon.com..Only 14.99....TRUST ME! You will love it!! Charlie
Composer Italo Montemezzi himself conducts this brilliant performance of his rarely-heard "L'Amore dei Tre Re." The legendary Ezio Pinza sings Archibaldo, and we hear Grace Moore as Fiora, Richard Bonelli as Manfredo, and Charles Kullman as Avito.
Why this opera is not performed more is sad, because it is so exciting and I think you will agree that it deserves more recognition.
(72 min.)
Highlights from a riveting performance of Wagner's Der Fliegende Hollander" from a Bayreuth 1959 performance under Wolfgang Sawallisch.
Featured is the amazing Leonie Rysanek as Senta, and the equally remarkable George London as the Dutchman. Also in the cast are Fritz Uhl as Erik and Josef Greindl as Daland.
(52 min.)
The podcast features songs and arias as sung by Dominic Cossa, one of the finest baritones the opera world has known. His career spanned over 30 years and he appeared in many opera theatres, including the Met,San Francisco Opera, City Opera,etc. The selections are:
Bella siccome un angelo (Don Pasquale)
Cruda funesta smania and cabaletta (Lucia)
Albert's aria from Werther
Avant de quitter (Faust)
Scintille,diamant (Contes d'Hoffmann)
O Holy Night (Adam)
Mamma, mamma (Most Happy Fella)
Pierrot's Lied (Tote Stadt)
(36 min.)
An exciting compilation of various interpretations of the finale of the Traviata Gambling Scene (Act 3 or Act 2 scene 2 in various productions.) The casts are as follows:
Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi,Mario Zanasi (1970)
Renata Tebaldi, Giacinto Prandelli, Gino Orlandini (1952)
Maria Callas, Alfredo Kraus, Mario Sereni (1958)
Licia Albanese, Richard Tucker, Leonard Warren (1954)
Joan Sutherland, Giacomo Aragall, Sherill Milnes (1970)
Diana Soviero, Carlo Bergonzi, Garbis Boyagian (1983)
Virginia Zeani, Aldo Bottion, Franco Bordini (1967)
(75 min.)
Two great Borises: Ezio Pinza (In Italian) (1939), and Alexander Kipnis (In Russian), (1943). The Pinza scenes also feature Alessio de Paolis,Kerstin Thorborg, and Leonard Warren. (67 min.)
In keeping with my promise to select certain live opera performances and present highlights, I chose a marvelous Bayreuth 1954 Lohengrin. It is conducted by Eugen Jochum and features the following cast:
Lohengrin Wolfgang Windgassen
Elsa Birgit Nilsson (age 36)
Ortrud Astrid Varnay
Telramund Herman Uhde
King Henry Theo Adam
I trust you will enjoy this podcast, and I will always select certain works to highlight for you. (72 min.)
Those of you who have tuned in to my podcasts already know what love and admiration I have for Diana Soviero, whom I consider one of the greatest exponents of the "Verismo" style of singing, a style that reminds us of the era of Claudia Muzio, Mafalda Favero, Virginia Zeani.
I am presenting highlights from the very first Tosca of Mme.Soviero, Montreal 1991, featuring Tony De Paolo as Cavaradossi and Harry Dworchak as Scarpia, conducted by Joseph Rescigno.
I believe you will concur that Mme.Soviero has been one of our greatest artists, and presently is hailed as one of our finest teachers and coaches. I consider myself most fortunate to have followed Mme.Soviero's career for the past 30 years, and hope you enjoy this superb performance.
( 70 min.)
Highlights from an extraordinary performance of Rossini's "Semiramide." Featured are two of the greatest exponents of Bel Canto singing, Marilyn Horne and Montserrat Caballe. Featured also are Samuel Ramey and Francisco Araiza, conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos (Aix-en-Provence, 1980) (72 min.)
The first real live opera star I met, at age 16, was dear Rise Stevens, who celebrated her 96th birthday on June 11. We had so many lovely afternoons at her home since we had a club for her, and she was always a dear gracious person.
One of her greatest roles was Octavian in Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier, and we present highlights from a superb 1949 performance that also features Erna Berger, Eleanor Steber, and Emmanuel List. I know this special tribute to this great artist will be appreciated by all.
(70 min.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qQqsyPPRhM
Can you imagine that at 99 Magda Olivero can still sing??
This is a brief scene from Francesca da Rimini.
I am so touched..... Cent'anni,Magda!!!!
Here is a compilation of arias and duets from Donizetti operas as sung by many great artists of the early 20th century. The selections are:
Maria di Rudenz:
Mattia Battistini "Ah! Non avea piu lagrime."
Linda di Chamounix:
Rosina Storchio "Oh luce di quest'anima"
Lucrezia Borgia:
Carlo Albani "Di pescatore ignobile"
Don Sebastiano:
Alfred Piccaver "Deserto in terra."
La Favorita:
Aureliano Pertile "Una vergine"
Giacomo Lauri-Volpi "Spirto gentil"
Riccardo Stracciari "Vien,Leonora"
Sigrid Onegin "O mio Fernando"
Ezio Pinza "Splendon piu bel in ciel."
Marcel Journet " Balthazar Aria"(In French)
L'Elisir d'amore:
Fernando de Lucia and Ernesto Badini Duet,act one.
Tito Schipa "Una furtiva lagrima"
Don Pasquale:
Giuseppe Anselmi "Sogno soave e casto"
Olympia Boronat "So anch'io la virtu magica"
Lucrezia Bori and Giuseppe de Luca Duet
Lucia di Lammermoor:
Luisa Tetrazzini Act One arias
(74 min.)
One of the most hilarious singers ever to record (some nerve!!). Sylvia Sawyer recorded mezzo roles in Ballo, Aida, and Trovatore on Capitol records in the 1950's. The rest of the cast of the Aida and Trovatore was respectable, and included Stella Roman, Gino Sarri, and Antonio Mancaserra.
However, Mme.Sawyer sounds like a little kid (even with chest tones), and her Italian diction has caused many opera lovers to become hysterical over the years. I hope you will not mind a little more levity in this sea of great music. (71 min.)
Highlights from one of the greatest performances of opera. This is the Maria Callas debut at Covent Garden as Norma in 1952. The great Ebe Stignani is the Adalgisa, Mirto Picchi is Pollione, Giacomo Vaghi is Oroveso, and a newcomer by the name of Joan Sutherland is the Clotilde. Vittorio Gui is the conductor.
(70 min.)
Highlights from a magnificent performance of Tristan und Isolde from Florence, May 21,1957.It is conducted by the very famous Arthur Rodzinski and features:
Birgit Nilsson Isolde
Wolfgang Windgassen Tristan
Grace Hoffman Brangaene
Gustav Neidlinger Kurvenal
Otto von Rohr King Marke
(71 min.)
One can hardly find adequate words to describe the intensity and the committment that the great Leonie Rysanek offered to her audiences. Here are some scenes from Richard Strauss operas that show her to her very best:
Salome, Ariadne, Elektra, Aegyptische Helena, Die Frau Ohne Schatten
I know these excerpts will thrill you as much as they thrilled countless audiences for so many years.
(71 min.)
A most exciting compilation that features some thrilling baritone top notes. Included are:
Piero Cappuccilli,Gino Bechi, Giangiacomo Guelfi, Cornell MacNeil (in photo), Sherrill Milnes, and Leonard Warren.
(75 min.)
On November 16, 1959, the legendary Jussi Bjoerling made his return to the Met after a few years absence. The opera was Cavalleria Rusticana, and it starred Giulietta Simionato as a great Santuzza.
Walter Cassell was Alfio, Thelma Votipka was Mamma Lucia, and Rosalind Elias was Lola. It was conducted by Nino Verchi.
(50 min.)
To quote Dante (with one alteration):
"Lasciate ogni speranza voi che ascoltate!"
This is the party recording of all time, the second and third acts of Tosca, as recorded on Remington records in 1950. It was the dawn of the LP era, although this recording made things sem more like "Gotterdamerung."
The Tosca is Vassilka Petrova, who paid for this recording, and the unsuspecting Eddy Ruhl and Piero Campolonghi complete the cast.
If you are a purist and/or have any sensitive little animals in the room, I advise you not to listen;otherwise, please "enjoy" the great Petrova, whose high C's are almost as good as mine were.
(69 stunning mintues)
Highlights from a glorious performance of Verdi's "Don Carlo" from Salzburg, 1960. The excellent cast features:
Sena Jurinac, Regina Resnik, Eugenio Fernandi, Ettore Bastianini, and Boris Christoff, and is conducted by Nello Santi.
(72 min.)
Volume Two of the Siegfried Finale Compilation.Included are:
Gwyneth Jones and Manfred Jung (Boulez)
Florence Easton and Lauritz Melchior (Various)
Astrid Varnay and Wolfgang Windgassen (Keilberth)
Rita Hunter and Alberto Remedios (Goodall)
Gertrude Grob-Prandl and Gunther Treptow (Moralt)
Kirsten Flagstad and Set Svanholm (Furtwangler)
(74 min.)
Part One of two podcasts devoted to the great finale of Wagner's "Siegfried." Featured here are:
Anne Evans and Siegfried Jerusalem (in photo) (Barenboim)
Hildegard Behrens and Reiner Goldberg (Levine)
Martha Moedl and Ludwig Suthaus (Furtwaengler)
Nadezda Kniplova and Gerald McKee (Swarowsky)
Helen Traubel and Set Svanholm (Stiedry)
Birgit Nilsson and Hans Hopf (Kempe)
(73 min.)
The third volume of selections as sung by the wonderful Marisa Galvany. I sincerely hope you will enjoy them as much as you have on previous podcasts. The selections are from:
Turandot, Medea in Corinto (photo with Charlie), Cavalleria Rusticana, Marin Faliero, Il Trovatore.
The tenors are: Harry Theyard (Turandot)
Jerry Lo Monaco (Trovatore)
Placido Domingo (Cavalleria)
(70 min.)
By extremely popular request:
More highlights from the career of dear Marisa Galvany, one of the most exciting and versatile sopranos. I hope you enjoy this podcast, and more to come soon. On this podcast we have scenes from:
Nabucco, Salome, Ballo in Maschera, Medea
(72 min.)
Reminder: Volume One is in the archives on 12/28/07
A tribute podcast to the very first singers I heard in my youth. The great tenor,Aureliano Pertile, was featured on the 1929-1930 Aida and Trovatore sets (on 78 r.p.m. discs).
In addition, one of the most exciting mezzos, Irene Minghini-Cattaneo, sang the Amneris and the Azucena. Sadly she died in a bombing of her villa in 1942.
These recordings have special meaning to me, since they were the very first recordings of opera that I ever heard.
( 67 min.)
An exciting comparison of versions of the last scene of Bizet's "Carmen."
Included are the following artists:
Grace Bumbry/Jon Vickers
Regina Resnik/Placido Domingo
Rise Stevens/Mario DelMonaco
Rise Stevens/Giuseppe DiStefano
Giulietta Simionato/Franco Corelli (In Italian)
Ebe Stignani/Beniamino Gigli (In Italian)
Irina Arkhipova/Mario DelMonaco (In Italian and Russian)
(70 min.)
Live selections from the amazing career of Lucine Amara, whose voice to this day, remains as youthful and bright as when her professional career began, over 60 years ago. Selections are from:
Tosca,Tote Stadt, Oberon, Suor Angelica, Tales of Hoffman, Eugene Onegin, Aida,Turandot, Pagliacci, and Cavalleria Rusticana.
(71 min.)
A tribute to Marilyn Horne, one of the greatest artists of our time (and any time!). The selections are from:
Pagliacci,Wozzeck, The Damnation of Faust, Die Walkure, Semiramide, Capuletti ed I Montecchi, Rinaldo, Partenope, Semele, Rosenkavalier, and other selections.
(72 min.)
I HAD TO UPGRADE!!!!! Your responses have been so tremendous, I needed more space, so I will send you a bill in the morning!!!!! It is my great pleasure to serve you...Love Charlie (poorer)
I cannot apologize for feeling extremely "jaded" when I listen to this remarkable performance of my favorite opera. I saw this cast and the memories are still vivid. The cast includes:
Zinka Milanov
Mario del Monaco
George London
Blanche Thebom
Jerome Hines
Conducted by Fausto Cleva (68 min.)
Highlights from a truly magnificent performance of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" from a 1952 Bayreuth performance under Herbert Von Karajan.
Martha Moedl- Isolde
Ramon Vinay-Tristan
Ira Milaniuk-Brangaene
Hans Hotter-Kurvenal
Ludwig Weber- King Marke
Herman Uhde- Melot
(72 minutes)
A tribute to four German tenors, famous for their work in operetta. Sadly, three of them met an early tragic death. They are:
Peter Anders (1908-1954)
Josef Schmidt (1904-1942) (In photo)
Fritz Wunderlich (1930-1966)
Also, the great Richard Tauber (1891-1948)
(68 minutes)
Two wonderful mezzos with names that often get confused:
Elena Nicolai (Bulgarian mezzo with a HUGE voice!)
Elena Nikolaidi (Greek mezzo with a luscious voice.)
I hope you enjoy this podcast, especially if you are as big a mezzo fan as am I. (71 min.)
My best Charlie
(Note:In my narration, the Macbeth aria comes AFTER the Don Fatale.)
Highlights from one of the greatest (in my humble opinion) Met broadcasts. This Simon Boccanegra features a stellar cast of:
Lawrence Tibbett,Elizabeth Rethberg, Giovanni Martinelli, Ezio Pinza, and, in his debut season, Leonard Warren, conducted by Ettore Panizza.
(70 min.)
As I indicated, please feel free to request any specific performances and I will surely comply with your wishes.
My best always,
Charlie
Highlights from a Met Carmen of March 28,1936 featuring Rosa Ponselle, Rene Maison, Ezio Pinza and Hilda Burke
(The conductor is Louis Hasselmans)
(70 min.)
In loving memory of divas who passed away too early. They are as follows:
Meta Seinemeyer (1895-1929)
Conchita Supervia (1895-1936)
Claudia Muzio (1889-1936)
Maria Cebotari (1910-1949)
Kathleen Ferrier (1912-1953)
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (1954-1996)
Mado Robin (1918-1960)
Arlene Auger (1940-1993)
Lucia Popp (1939-1993)
Tatiana Troyanos (In photo) (1938-1993)
Maria Callas (1924-1977)
( 71min.)
Zinka Milanov as Santuzza:
Cavalleria exc. 1957 w.Tucker,Valentino,Elias,Votipka (Cleva)
Voi lo sapete from 1951
Voi lo sapete, duets w.Giuseppe Gismondo and Benjamin Rayson from 1963 (Her last Santuzza) (71 min.)
**Cari amici,
About 40 long years ago, I attended the first rehearsal of Donizetti's "Anna Bolena," at the home of our illustrious maestro and one of my mentors in life, Armen Boyajian. Marisa Galvany (one of her many phony names) was the Bolena (and I loved looking down her throat to see where those phenomenal E flats came from). Then there was this young dude named Sam Ramey, who opened his mouth and out came some of the greatest sounds we ever heard.
Gee... maybe he will make it some day, we all exclaimed! Now, as we celebrate Sam's 25th anniversary at the Met, and a 40 year professional career, singing an incredible range of roles and becoming one of the opera icons of our time, we feel so fortunate that he left Kansas to find an "Oz" of magic all over the opera world.
I therefore wish to celebrate with you Sam's Met anniversary, and a fabulous career. I still relish those old tapes of our Bartolo/Basilio and am so fortunate I was able to be in on a tiny part of an illustrious career.
I recall Sam once telling us about that skinny chain-smoking guy with the enormous voice by the name of Norman Treigle, and how he admired him. Well, they did so many of the same roles (Mefistofele, Boris,Blitch,Escamillo,
The Hoffmann villains,Don Giovanni, Figaro,etc.). Happily, Sam Ramey has been able to follow along in this tradition, with so many great performances of a huge number of roles,a remarkable number of recordings, and engagements in every important opera theatre in the opera world.
So..a happy 25th Met anniversary to a dear sweet and brilliantly talented guy and all my best to him and to his lovely wife and son (who also has a high F#...and more!)
With my sincerest best wishes Charlie
Excerpts are from Italiana,Lombardi,Rinaldo,Attila, Mefistofele, Comte D'Ory, Semiramide,Susannah, South Pacific.
(65 min.)**
16 tenors sing the great "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's "L'Elisir D'Amore." They are as follows (in exact order on podcast)
Giuseppe Anselmi, Enrico Caruso, John McCormack, Hipolito Lazaro,
Alessandro Bonci, Beniamino Gigli, Tito Schipa, Aureliano Pertile,
Andre D'Arkor, Dino Borgioli, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Josef Schmidt,
Giuseppe Di Stefano, Jussi Bjoerling, Carlo Bergonzi, Piotr Beczala.
(71 min.)
The third podcast dedicated to the great Enrico Caruso, a true vocal "God." No words are ever adequate to describe the emotional charge yours truly derives from this man and what he has meant to the world of opera. I hope you enjoy the podcast.
Featured are songs, and arias from Otello,Germania,Samson et Delilah, Mme.Butterfly, Andrea Chenier, Pagliacci, and Martha.
(73 min.)
A comparison of 21 tenors singing the great Werther aria. The order is as follows:
Emile Marcellin, Giuseppe Lugo, Andre D'Arkor, Gaston Micheletti, Jose Luccioni, Fernand Ansseau, Alfred Piccaver, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Carlo Bergonzi, Alain Vanzo, Fernando de la Mora, Alfredo Kraus, Nicolai Gedda, Tito Schipa, Franco Corelli, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Joseph Calleja, Ramon Vargas, Roberto Alagna, Rolando Villazon, Piotr Beczala. (57 min.)
The two beautiful duets from Richard Strauss' "Arabella." In most cases I have included both act one and act two duets;in a few cases, I have only the act one duet. These are the artists, in order of appearance:
Viorica Ursuleac/Margarit Bokor/ Alfred Jerger (the 1933 creators of their roles.)
Lotte Lehmann Kate Heidersbach (Act One duet only.)
Karita Mattila/Barbara Bonney ( Act One duet only.)
Kiri Te Kanawa/Gabrielle Fontana/Franz Grundheber
Lisa Della Casa/Elfride Trotschel/Herman Uhde
Lisa della Casa/ Hilde Gueden/George London
Montserrat Caballe/Oliviera Miljakovic/Siegmund Nimsgern
Eleanor Steber/Hilde Gueden/George London In English)
(63 min.)
The great aria from Giordano's "Andrea Chenier."
Riccardo Stracciari, Giuseppe Danise, Paolo Silveri, Heinrich Schlusnus,
Mario Sereni, Aldo Protti, Richard Paul Fink, Renato Bruson,
Giuseppe Taddei, Cornell MacNeil, Piero Cappuccilli,
Ettore Bastianini, and Leonard Warren In photo).
(70 min.)
Many selections sung by Clara Butt, a very great artist:
1.Softly and gently (Elgar:The Dream of Gerontius)
2. Where corals lie (Elgar:Sea Pictures)
3.The Enchantress (Hatton)
4.The Leaves and the Wind (Cooper)
5.The Sweetest flower that blows (Hawley)
6. Barbara Allen (Traditional)
7. Kathleen Mavourneen (Crouch)
8. Ye Banks and braes (Scottish air)
9.The Promise of life (Cowen)
10.En priere (Faure)
11.The Birth of the flowers(Lehmann)
12. Lusinghe piu care (Handel:Alessandro)
13. Rend'il sereno (Handel:Sosarme)
14. Ombra mai fu (Handel:Serse)
15, In questa tomba oscura (Bethoven)
16.Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix (Samson et Delilah)
17. Che faro senza Euridice (Orfeo)
18. Brindisi from Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti)
( 66 min.)
Clara Butt was born in Southwick, Sussex. Her father was Henry Albert Butt who was a sea captain and who was born in 1848 in Saint Martin, Jersey, Channel Islands. He married Clara Hook in 1869, who was born in Shoreham, the daughter of Joseph Hook, mariner (1861 and 1871 census, in 1881 in New Shoreham workhouse). In 1880 the family moved to Bristol and Clara was educated at South Bristol High School, where her singing talent was recognised and encouraged. At the request of her headmistress, she was trained by the bass Daniel Rootham and joined the Bristol Festival Chorus, of which he was musical director. In January 1890 she won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music. In her fourth year she spent three months studying in Paris at the expense of Queen Victoria. She also studied in Berlin and Italy.
She made her professional début at the Royal Albert Hall in London in Sir Arthur Sullivan’s The Golden Legend on 7 December 1892. Three days later she appeared as Orfeo in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice at the Lyceum Theatre. Bernard Shaw wrote in The World that she ‘far surpassed the utmost expectations that could reasonably be entertained’ (14 December 1892).
She returned to Paris and made further studies with Jacques Bouhy (the teacher of Louise Homer and Louise Kirkby Lunn) and later with the soprano Etelka Gerster in Berlin.
Camille Saint-Saëns wanted her to study Dalila, but due to laws then extant forbidding the representation of biblical subjects on the British stage, nothing came of it.
Soon she had acquired an excellent reputation, aided by her physical presence - she was 6 feet 2 inches tall. She made many gramophone recordings, often accompanied by the (uncredited) pianist Miss Lillian Bryant. She was primarily a concert singer and only ever appeared in two opera productions, both of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, in 1892 and 1920.
Edward Elgar composed his Sea Pictures for contralto and orchestra with Clara Butt in mind as the soloist, and she sang at the first performance at the Norwich Festival on 5 October 1899, with the composer conducting.
In 1900 she married the baritone Kennerly Rumford, and thenceforth often appeared with him in concerts. The couple eventually had three children two sons and a daughter. Besides singing in many important festivals and concerts, she was honoured with royal commands from Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and King George V. She made tours to Australia, Japan, Canada, the United States and to many European cities.
During the First World War she organised and sang in many concerts for service charities, and for this she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours. That year she sang four performances of Gluck's Orphee at Covent Garden under the baton of Sir Thomas Beecham. According to The Times she 'played fast and loose with the time and spoilt the phrasing' and it appears not to have been a success.
Butt's three sisters were also singers. One of them, Ethel Hook, became a famous artist in her own right and made some superb solo recordings.
In later life Clara Butt was dogged by tragedies. Her elder son died of meningitis while still at school, and the younger committed suicide. During the 1920s she became seriously ill of cancer of the spine, but her faith gave her the strength to continue working. She made many of her later records seated in a wheelchair. She died in 1936 at the age of 63 at her home in North Stoke, Oxfordshire, as a result of an accident she suffered in 1931.
Sir Thomas Beecham once said, jokingly, that "on a clear day, you could have heard her across the English Channel".
Not all serious musicians admired her booming contralto, which can be mistaken for a man's voice on some recordings, or her rather 'populist' approach to her art.
The third volume of great artists in the act two scene from Puccini's Tosca. The artists are:
Zinka Milanov(in photo),Giangiacomo Guelfi,Franco Corelli
Renata Tebaldi, Tito Gobbi, Ferruccio Tagliavini
Renata Tebaldi, Ettore Bastianini, Giuseppe Di Stefano
Renata Tebaldi, Leonard Warren, Richard Tucker
Diana Soviero, Tony De Paolo, Harry Dworchak
Olive Middleton, Ed Watts, Chi Sa??
(73 minutes)
Part Two of the great Scarpia/Tosca scene compilation. The artists are:
Birgit Nilsson, Ramon Vinay, Franco Tagliavini
Virginia Zeani, Piero Francia, Placido Domingo
Maria Callas, Robert Weede, Mario Filippeschi
Maria Callas (Return to Met),Tito Gobbi, Franco Corelli
Magda Olivero(Met debut),Ingvar Wixell, James King
Dorothy Kirsten, Tito Gobbi, Franco Corelli
(74 min.)
The first of three exciting podcasts that feature the dramatic scene between Tosca and Scarpia in Act two, followed by the "Vittoria."
The order is as follows:
Pilar Lorengar,Ingvar Wixell, Franco Tagliavini
Johanna Meier, Richard Fredricks, Herman Malamood
Eleanor Steber, George London, Carlo Bergonzi
Raina Kabaiwanska (in photo), Mario Zanasi, Placido Domingo
Leontyne Price, Josh Wheeler, David Poleri (In English)
Leonie Rysanek, Cornell MacNeil, Richard Tucker
Gallina Vishnevskaya,Vladimir Valaitis, Virgilius Noreika (In Russian)
(74 min.)
Volume Two of the Manon Lescaut Act Two duet compilation:
Maria Zamboni/Francesco Merli
Licia Albanese(Met farewell)/Richard Tucker
Berthe Montmart/Alain Vanzo
Adriana Guerrini/Beniamino Gigli (at 60)
Raina Kabaiwanska/Giuseppe Giacomini
Renata Tebaldi/Placido Domingo
Magda Olivero/Richard Tucker
(Photo: Daniela Dessi and Fabio Armiliato)
(63 min.)
Part one of a compilation of the duet from Manon Lescaut Act Two. The pairs are as follows:
Renata Tebaldi.Mario Del Monaco
Virginia Zeani/Richard Tucker
Pilar Lorengar/James King
Raina Kabaiwanska/Placido Domingo
Dorothy Kirsten/Carlo Bergonzi
Hoerdis Schymberg/Jussi Bjoerling
Renata Tebaldi/Richard Tucker
(The photo is from the Met,featuring Marcello Giordani and Karita Mattila.) (69 min.)
A series of recordings that were discovered at the St.Petersburg State Museum in Russia. The Russian artists,in order of presentation on the podcast are:
Tenors: Boris Slovstov, Yvgenyi Vitting, Lev Klement'yev,
Vasily Damayev, David Yuzhin(and wife), Dmitri Smirnov (in photo), Leonid Sobinoff.
Baritones:Nikolai Shevelyov, Oscar Kamionsky, Maximian Maksakov
The International artists are:
Emile Scaramberg, Giuseppe de Luca, Antonio Magini-Coletti
(with Giannina Russ), Adamo Didur, Francesco Vignas, and
Leon Escalais. ( 66 min.)
The second volume of "Casta Diva," featuring:
Beverly Sills, Gina Cigna, Montserrat Caballe, Joan Sutherland,
Zinka Milanov, and Maria Callas.
(74 min.)
A collection of ensembles from 14 Verdi operas. Some of the world's most famous artists are included.The operas,in this order are:
Nabucco, Giovanna D'Arco, Attila, Ernani, Ballo in Maschera,
Macbeth, Simon Boccanegra, La Traviata, Il Trovatore,
Don Carlo, Luisa Miller, Vespri Siciliani, Aida, and Falstaff.
(74 min.)
A tribute to one of the greatest all-time tenors, Alfredo Kraus (1927-1999).The live selections are from the following operas:
Lucia,Traviata,Barbiere,Werther, Manon, Rigoletto, La Favorita,
Romeo et Juliette, Don Giovanni, and Faust.
(73 min.)
I have waited far too long to present a podcast that features one of the great artists of all time, Carlo Bergonzi. There is so much material, but at least this is a good start. Included are arias and songs from his earlier days, up to his singing at age 67, and when I saw a New York recital at around age 77, there was still plenty of voice!
The selections are from:
Werther, Luisa Miller, Le Roi D'Ys, Forza Del Destino (original version), Elisir D'amore, L'Arlesiana, Martha, Mefistofele, the Verdi Requiem, and several songs.
Bergonzi always ended his recitals with "Non ti scordar di me," and that is appropriate because he will NEVER be forgotten!
(73 min.)
A compilation of scenes from Giuseppe Verdi's "I Lombardi"(1843)
and the revised Paris version (1847) which was called "Jerusalem," and in Italian productions it is known as "Gerusalemme." Featured are:
Aprile Millo, Maria Vitale, Katya Ricciarelli, Leyla Gencer,
Renata Scotto, Frances Alda, Maria Callas, Paul Plishka,
Samuel Ramey, Marcel Journet, Luciano Pavarotti,
Piotr Beczala, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Jose Carreras, Marcello Giordani, and Enrico Caruso. (70 min.)
Ten versions of the great "Liebestod" from Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde."
The order is as follows:
Astrid Varnay,Helen Traubel, Lotte Lehmann, Nanny Larsen-Todsen,
Rita Hunter, Johanna Meier, Margaret Harshaw, Martha Moedl,
Birgit Nilsson, and Kirsten Flagstad.
(73 min.)
In the 1960's, New York opera lovers who attended the La Puma Opera Company "adopted" the diva Olive Middleton whose prime years (including singing at Covent Garden) were in the 1920's. Olive was around 80, and of course the notes were rather "approximate," but she had great feeling for the music, and the spoken material really sounds like a legitimate singer, even at her advanced age.
Unless you are a total "purist" you might have some fun with this podcast. We met her once at the Met and treated her like a real diva;she ate it up. She passed away in 1974 at age 93,so do the math!
At present she is coaching with Zinka Milanov, Adelina Patti, and Ethel Merman. Enjoy(maybe) !!! Charlie
A comparison of famous divas performing the Phedre Recitative and the "Poveri Fiori" from Cilea's "Adriana Lecouvreur." Who is your favorite?
Magda Olivero,Renata Tebaldi, Aprile Millo, Diana Soviero, Montserrat Caballe,Mafalda Favero,Renata Scotto,Leyla Gencer(Phedre only), and
Nelly Miricioiu (Phedre only.).
70 min.)
A compilation of various Mimi/Marcello scenes from act three of La Boheme. In the following order, the singers are:
Renata Scotto/Frank Guarrera
Luisa Maragliano/Giangiacomo Guelfi
Mirella Freni/Calvin Marsh
Victoria de los Angeles/Robert Merrill
Victoria de los Angeles/Renato Capecchi
Trude Eipperle/Karl Kronenberg(In German)
Raina Kabaiwanska/Matteo Manuguerra
Bidu Sayao/Giuseppe Valdengo
Renata Tebaldi/Frank Guarrera
Diana Soviero/Allan Monk
Rosetta Pampanini/Gino Vanelli
Licia Albanese/Afro Poli
Rosanna Carteri/Giuseppe Taddei
(70 min.)
The opera world has been enriched by the presence of so many artists of Spanish/Hispanic origin. I hope you enjoy this compilation of material featuring many of the wonderful performers from various Spanish-speaking lands:
Victoria de los Angeles, Montserrat Caballe, Conchita Supervia, Maria Barrientos, Hina Spani, Maria Galvany, Mercedes Capsir, Pilar Lorengar, Oralia Dominguez, Ramon Vinay, Miguel Fleta, Placido Domingo, Jose Palet, Hipolito Lazaro, Emile Vendrell, Antonio Cortis, Francisco Vinas, and Jose Mardones.
(73 minutos)
Some opera stars really can "crossover" into superb renditions of "Pop" music.(Well,most of them,anyway). Here are some examples featuring:
Thomas Hampson,Bryn Terfel, Kip Wilborn, Dorothy Kirsten, Rise Stevens, Sumi Jo, Maureen Forrester, Dorothy Bishop, Thomas Quasthoff, Rene Fleming, Federica Von Stade, Placido Domingo,
Diana Soviero (at 17), Regina Resnik, Renata Tebaldi,Cesare Siepi, and the famous Burnette/Horne/Farrell trio.
(72 min.)
A podcast dedicated to the "lost art" of verismo soprano style. Included are arias by:
Magda Olivero,Virginia Zeani, Maria Farnetti, Rosetta Pampanini,
Pia Tassinari, Claudia Muzio, Maria Zamboni,
Bianca Sciacciati, Hina Spani, Mafalda Favero, Rosanna Carteri,
Licia Albanese, Angela Gheorghiu, Renata Scotto, and Diana
Soviero. (64 min.)
I have selected some artists I feel belong in my "controversial" category. I love most of them,but some I never could grasp...that is the way of things in life. One person exits a film and raves;the other one is totally negative. Same with opera, so PLEASE do not send me too much hate mail, because after all, I am a fairly nice guy.
The artists are:
Martha Moedl, Leonie Rysanek, Theresa Stitch-Randall, Boris Christoff, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Conchita Supervia, Lily Pons, Christina Deutekom, Ivan Koslovsky, Giovanni Martinelli, Maria Callas, Renata Scotto, Magda Olivero, and Leyla Gencer.
(71 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xczMXSw2Lqc
Do you like the idea of my sending you to some sites to sample some of the great clips tht exist? Let me know,because it is a nice feature, and you get to become jealous of what I saw live!!!!
Mario del Monaco had a "bronze column of sound" that in my view was unmatched by any tenor I ever heard. Bottom to middle to top...the man was a phenomenon;he never faked it, gave 1000%, and remains one of the great tenors of my generation.
Charlie
P.S. He once almost deafened me for life when he came out the stage door and said, "Hello,boys!" Imagine what it was like to rehearse with him (without earplugs.)
Commercial Recordings from the 1920's of some of the marvelous artists who sang in the Wagner Ring. Included are:
Frieda Leider, Lauritz Melchior, Friedrich Schorr, Emil Schipper, Margarete Klose, Florence Austral, Florence Easton, Walter Widdop, Germaine Lubin, Charles Rousseliere, Andre Verdiere, Ludwig Hoffmann, Ludwig Weber, Maria Olzsewska .
(69 min.)
The redone Fanciulla Poker Scene with the following selections:
- Arlene Saunders/Gianpiero Mastromei
- Olivia Stapp/Mastromei
3.Johanna Meier/Cornelius Opthof
4 .Eleanor Steber/Giangiacomo Guelfi - Marilyn Zschau/John Shaw
- Magda Olivero/Guelfi
- Aprile Millo/Marco Chingari
- Gigliola Frazzoni/Tito Gobbi
- Renata Tebaldi/Guelfi (RAI)
10.Renata Tebaldi/Anselmo Colzani
Link to the Youtube video featuring Irina Rindzuner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvx5irtKov8
(59 min.)
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Handelmania&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#
A reminder of my video site for those who have not visited it.
As ever Charlie
A comparison of three tenors who thrilled us in our opera-going days from 1951-1975.
DelMonaco 1951-1960
Corelli 1961-1976
Tucker 1951-1975
They sing in Tosca,Fanciulla,Trovatore,Turandot,and Pagliacci
I saw them a total of about 150 times, and my memories are vivid and clear. I will tell you that audiences were astounded by their brilliant voices, and as much as I like many tenors of today, no one has come along with this "brand" of squillo!!!!! (70 min.)
A comparison of arias as sung by our renowned three tenors, Carreras,Domingo, and Pavarotti. We were lucky to have had these fellows among us.
The operas represented are:
Werther,Luisa Miller, Rigoletto, La Boheme, Tosca.
(71 min.)
The wonderful Margarete Klose is presented in arias and scenes from:
Orfeo,Tristan und Isolde, Alceste, Samson et Delilah, Don Carlo, Gotterdamerung, Il Trovatore, Un Ballo in Maschera, Lohengrin, Elektra, Die Walkure (64 min.)
An exciting comparison of various singers in the Macbeth Letter Aria from Act One. Included are:
Leonie Rysanek, Birgit Nilsson, Regina Resnik, Christa Ludwig,
Leyla Gencer, Shirley Verrett, Maria Callas, Rita Hunter, and
if you go to the following link, you can see the CBC video of this scene with Marisa Galvany. (71 min.)
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Maria+Galvany&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=Marisa%20Galvany&hl=en&emb=0
P.S. On the Marisa Galvany page,you will hear some excerpts from the soprano Maria Galvany, whose rapid-fire staccati are legendary, if also rather strange.
A comparison of various versions (French and English) of the "O Mio Fernando" aria from Donizetti's "La Favorita." Included are:
Giulietta Simionato, Ebe Stignani, Fedora Barbieri, Regina Resnik,
Shirley Verrett, Ketty Lapeyerette, Fiorenza Cossotto, Gloria Scalchi, Vesselina Kasarova, and Rise Stevens.
So, who is your "favorita?" (68 min.)
An exciting podcast that features some of the most exciting live scenes and arias in my collection. You may have heard some of them on previous podcasts, but to have them all together might be a special treat, excellent for parties,etc.
I do contend that this fearless brand of vocalism is mostly absent these days from the opera scene.This does not mean I do not treasure many of our present-day artists, but I still say that most of you would require a supply of oxygen upon hearing this kind of singing.
Want a part two??? Let me know!!!!
My best Charlie
(73 min.)
A podcast that features 15 famous artists of the past singing music appropriate for the holidays. Included are:
Rosa Ponselle,Giovanni Martinelli, Enrico Caruso, Sigrid Onegin, Ernstine Schumann-Heink, Beniamino Gigli, Lotte Lehmann, Emmy Destinn, Lawrence Tibbett, John Charles Thomas, John McCormack, Alma Gluck, Elizabeth Schumann, Richard Crooks, and Claudia Muzio
(59 min.)
The remarkable Giacomo Puccini was born on Dec.22, 1858. At
this time we celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth. Can we think of any other composer who has consistenly "tugged at our heartstrings" with the glorious music he composed?
Featured are excerpts, live and commercial, from each of his operas,plus some symphonic material. I know you wil join me in celebrating the birth of this true genius!
(68 min.)
My most affectionate tribute to Rene Pape, my favorite singer of today.
He has brought so much joy to the opera world by virtue of his magnificent voice and his brilliant musicianship. The selections are from:
Romeo et Juliette, Fidelio, Zauberflote, Die Meistersinger,
Lohengrin, The Demon (Rubenstein), Das Rheingold, and
Tristan und Isolde. (Who goes to a Tristan for a King Marke???)
(50 min.)
A comparison of several versions of the Walkure Act 3 scene between Brunnhilde and Sieglinde. Included are many famous voices, and of special interest, one can sample Nilsson,Moedl,Flagstad, and Varnay in both roles. Other artists included are:
Leonie Rysanek,Hilde Konetzni, Rita Hunter, Lotte Lehmann,
Regina Resnik, Marjorie Lawrence, Helen Traubel, Regine Crespin,
Margaret Curphey.
(72 min.)
A podcast that features the soprano/mezzo career of the great Regina Resnik, one of the music world's legendary personalities, not only owing to her successes in two vocal fachs (soprano and mezzo), but who has achieved international recognition as producer, director, filmmaker, teacher and coach. In addition, her brilliant master classes have inspired so many young artists in the opera world in their careers.
The selections are from:
Ernani, Queen of Sheba, Cavalleria, Fidelio (soprano repertory) Carmen, Walkure, Falstaff, Le Cid, Pique Dame, Boris Godunov,
The Medium, Ballo in Maschera, and a hilarious "Chacun a Bing's Gout"
at the Farewell Gala for Rudolf Bing.
(72 min.)
I have more recently come to love the opera Parsifal, especially the roles of Amfortas and Gurnemanz. The depth of emotion and the spirituality of their music are so touching and I am presenting both the Amfortas act one monologue and part of the act three Good Friday scene:
Amfortas: Paul Schoeffler, George London,Thomas Stewart, Thomas Quasthoff.
Gurnemanz and Parsifal: Hans Hotter/Jon Vickers,
Franz-Josef Selig/Placido Domingo, Franz Crass/Sandor Konya
Ludwig Weber/Wolfgang Windgassen, Alexander Kipnis/Rene Maison.
(74 min.)
You will hear some tremendously exciting singing in this comparison podcast of various Church Scenes from Gounod's Faust. Included are the following singers:
Erie Mills/Kristin Sigmundsson
Licia Albanese/Ezio Pinza
George Hann/Margarete Teschemacher
Italo Tajo/Dorothy Kirsten
Bryn Terfel/Angela Gheorghiu
Samuel Ramey/Diana Soviero
Cesare Siepi/Victoria de los Angeles
Jerome Hines/Hilde Gueden
Nicolai Ghiaurov/Mirella Freni
Have fun!!!!! (71 min.)
Hi all,
I may have mentioned my huge opera cassette/cd/dvd/vhs catalogues previously, but just a reminder that if you wish to peruse my material, over 10,000 items, please feel free to E-mail me at Placido21@aol.com. Please provide full name and mailing address.
I do not send the cassette catalogue unless you specifically request it, because it is enormous, and the postage costs are quite high;however, if you want it ALL, do not hesitate to request the whole collection.
In this way, you will better understand why there is no room in my house for even ME!
My best Charlie
Soprano Lucia Aliberti in scenes from Beatrice di Tenda, La Traviata,
Aroldo, and Il Pirata.
I hope they are to your liking. My best Charlie
(63 min.)
With new material, here is the promised podcast of the marvelous
Meta Seinemeyer, who left us tragically at only age 33. I am sure you
will enjoy it. The four cd album on the Preiser label is still available from Amazon,at a greatly reduced price of $40.00,if you wish to sample even more of her art.
My best Charlie
(73 min.)
The second podcast that features some superb tenors of the French school. They are as follows, in order of the podcast:
Emile Marcellin, David Devries, Agustarello Affre, Jose De Trevi,
Jean Anzani, Paul Goffin, Guy Cazavena, Cesar Vezzani,
Jose Luccioni, Raoul Girard, Gaston Micheletti, Rene Verdierre,
Louis Delaguerriere,Eugene De Creuse, Maurice Capitaine,
Edmond Rambaud, Josef Rogatchewsky, Miguel Villabella (in photo),
and Georges Thill.
I sincerely hope you enjoy these wonderful artists!
(73 min.)
A tribute to the remarkable Placido Domingo on the occasion of his 40th anniversary at the Met, as well as recognition for a career that has emerged as one of the greatest in music history.
Selections are from: Cavalleria Rusticana, Rienzi, Lohengrin,
Elijah, Samson et Delilah,Adriana Lecouvreur, Andrea Chenier,
Manon, Carmen (w.Resnik), Iris, Otello, Luisa Fernanda, El Trust , and a beautiful rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Our most sincere congratulations to Mr.Domingo for all he has
achieved in the music world.
(73.min.)
I sincerely hope you enjoy the voice and artistry of the superb Piotr Beczala, one of our very great singers. Here are some excerpts from his new album "Salut" plus the Land of Smiles aria from the complete recording.
Inspired by the great Fritz Wunderlich, Mr.Beczala surely is a
"logical successor" to the man, and there are some similarities. The tone is so lush and his musicianship is impeccable. I also realize that there have been other"smart tenors" like Gedda,Bergonzi,Kraus, Tucker, and Gigli who had long illustrious careers because they had the good sense to
carefully choose proper repertory, and therefore I am not worried that Mr.Beczala will be essaying Otello or Tristan!!!!!
I know you will enjoy this album as much as I did. If you have any comments, please forward them to me and I will forward them to Mr.Beczala. My best Charlie
P.S. GO HERE:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Handelmania&emb=0&aq=f#q=Handelmania%20Beczala&emb=0
Highlights from various performances of Verdi's "I Due Foscari"(1844).
Featured are some of the fine singers who appeared in this work:
Renato Bruson, Gian-Giacomo Guelfi, Carlo Bergonzi, Mirto Picchi, Leyla Gencer, Margarita Castro-Alberty, and Linda Vajna. (71 min.)
)
Twenty Tenors who may not be as well-known as others, but who nevertheless sang beautifully and had major careers, mostly in the earlier part of the 20th century: Contents as follows:
1.Silvano Isalberti "Stelle d'oro" (Denza)
2.Carlo Dani "Le Reve" (Manon)
3.Giulio Crimi "O mio picciolo tavolo" (Zaza)
4.Carlos Mejia "Ecco ridente" (Barbiere)
5.Wilhelm Herold Fra Diavolo Aria (Auber)
6.Bjorn Talen Barber of Bagdad aria (Cornelius)
7.Carl Martin Oehmann "Prize Song" (Meistersinger)
8.Karl Jorn "Ah quel plaisir" (La Dame Blanche)
9.Karel Burlan (in photo) "My colleague Caruso" (Burlan)
10.Stanislaw Gruszczynski "Eternamente" (Mascheroni)
11.Petra Raitscheff "E canto il grillo"
12.Ignacy Dygas Aria from "Haunting Manor"
13 Giuseppe Krismer Damnation of Faust Aria (Berlioz)
14.Tadeusz Liliwa Aria from "Halka" (Moniusko)
15.Andrei Markovitch Labinski Dubrovsky Song
16.David Juzhin Le Prophete aria (Meyerbeer)
17.Alexander Bogdanovich "Love is a delightful dream (Bleichman)
18.Alexander Davydov "Leave me" (Davydov)
19.Modest Menzinsky "Barcarolle"
20.Ivan Erschov Tannhauser Act One Aria (Wagner)
(If you can spell every name without looking, I will give you a gift of
all my Sarah Brightman CD's.)
. (74 min.)
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Handelmania+Videos&ie=utf8&oe=utf8#=10&hl=en≷=us#q=Handelmania%20Videos&ie=utf8&oe=utf8#=10&hl=en≷=us&start=0
Just to remind some new members of my videos on Google (Handelmania)
My best Charlie
FINALMENTE!!!!
I am happy to be back with you after some problems with the new computer,and I promise to make it up to you. I think you will enjoy these 17 versions of the Otello act two final scene featuring some of the great artists who sang Otello and Iago.
I sincerely thank you for your patience.
( 62 min.)
A compilation of 12 sopranos singing the famous Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's "Die Zauberflote." In order, they are as follows:
Lea Piltti, Gitta Alpar, Lucia Popp, Rita Shane, Cynthia Sieden, Aline Kutan, Roberta Peters, Sumi Jo, Erika Koeth, Wilma Lipp, Natalie Dessay, and (an oddity), Maria Galvany.
(45 min.)
Compilation of choruses from 16 operas as follows:
Nabucco(in photo), I Lombardi, Macbeth (2 versions),
Iris, Mefistofele, War and Peace, Boris Godunov, Prince Igor,
Parsifal, Gotterdamerung, Meistersinger, Fidelio, Les Troyens,
Romeo et Juliette, and Peter Grimes.
(74 min.)
Nostalgia Supreme! Highlights from the 1974 Callas/Di Stefano tour. The wear and tear on the voices is quite evident, but it is a final memory of the collaboration of two of the world's greatest singers.
(66 minutes)
Highlights from a blazing hot performance of Puccini"s "La Fanciulla del West," from Florence, 1954, conducted by Dimitri Mitropolous and starring Eleanor Steber, Mario del Monaco, and Giangiacomo Guelfi.
(67 min.)
Some of the greatest artists in opera sang Italian opera in German. Although the vocal line does change somewhat, one must make the "sacrifice," since these are marvelous artists, and deserve to be heard.
The artists heard are as follows:
Maria Cebotari(in photo), Gertrude Runger, Viorica Ursuleac, Gertrude Bindernagel, Maria Reining, Martha Moedl, Emmy Leisner, Karen Branzell, Elizabeth Schumann-Heink, Herman Uhde, Alexander Kipnis, Julius Patzak, Lauritz Melchior, Michael Bohnen, Joseph Schwartz,
and Willy Domgraf-Fassbaender. (72 min.)
20 selections that feature some of the wonderful tenors of German extraction. Included are:
Marcel Wittrisch,(in photo), Richard Tauber,Herbert Ernst Groh,Franz Voelker.
(These tenors are featured in several selections each.)
In addition, I added one selection as sung by Peter Anders, Rudolf Lustig, and Rudolf Schock.
(73 min.)
A tribute to the phenomenal Rosa Ponselle, one of the greatest singers in opera history. Included are some commercial selections, but mostly live selections from 1951-1954. Enjoy!!!!
(73 min.)
Scenes from one of the greatest performances of La Forza del Destino (1952) with a stellar cast including Zinka Milanov,Richard Tucker, Leonard Warren, and Jerome Hines. I know you will be thrilled by these great artists, as I was so many times in my misspent youth
(73 minutes)
One of the most exciting scenes in opera is the opening of act
three of Otello, featuring the confrontation between Otello and
Desdemona. This podcast presents nine performances of the
scene, all from live performances. The couples are:
M.Price/Domingo DeLos Angeles/Del Monaco
Albanese/Vinay Milanov/McCracken
Rethberg/Martinelli Millo/Atlantov
Tebaldi/Vickers Crespin/Del Monaco
Steber/Vinay
(74 minutes)
Commercial and live recordings featuring the very great soprano,Lotte Lehmann (1885-1976). I have always felt that if I had to choose one soprano of the past to have heard (in my time machine), it would be this amazing lady.
I hope you enjoy the selections.
(72 minutes)
Many selections from opera and operetta featuring the great Danish tenor, Helge Roswaenge (1897-1972). I know you will enjoy this podcast and will realize what a fabulous career this man had.
(72 minutes)
I have come to the conclusion that Roumanian-born Virginia Zeani has emerged, in my opinion, as one of the greatest divas in opera history. I hope you enjoy the selections on this podcast. The works represented are:
Forza del Destino,Maria di Rohan, I Puritani, Tosca,
La Boheme, Turandot, La Traviata, La Rondine,
The Consul, Elisir D'Amore, Vespri Siciliani,Mefistofele,
and The Merry Widow.
I sincerely hope you will enjoy listening to one of the
great artists in opera history, and a very dear friend as well.
(72 minutes)
Highlights from two analyses of the great Wagner Ring of the Nibelung.The first is by Speight Jenkins, using scenes from the 1953 Bayreuth Ring, and the second is by Deryck Cook, with material taken from the London Ring Set under Solti.
Finally, the legendary Ring Analysis as performed by the hilarious Anna Russell. ("She's not making this up, you know!"
(68 min.)
A compilation of 13 baritones who sang Wagner, among other material.
The baritones represented sing arias from Tannhauser,Lohengrin,
Meistersinger,Walkure, Siegfried, Gotterdamerung, Flying Dutchman,
and Parsifal. Artists included are:
George London, Bryn Terfel, Friedrich Schorr,Ferdinand Frantz,
Herman Uhde, Hans Herman Nissen, Jose Van Dam, Michael Bohnen,
Rudolf Bockelmann, Heinrich Schlusnus, Paul Schoeffler, Joel
Berglund, and Emil Schipper.
(70 minutes)
A tribute to the great Jussi Bjoerling (1911-1960) with arias and
songs from his extensive repertory. (Announced.)
(73 minutes)
This is the first of the Jussi Bjoerling tribute podcasts. We present highlights from the remarkable 1947 Romeo et Juliette with Bidu Sayao as the Juliette.
I have always considered this one of the all-time greatest examples of Bjoerling's art. (Get your stop-watch ready for the high C at the end of the ensemble.)
(28 min.)
**ONE ZINKA MOMENT?????? You KEEEEDING???? We usually would make the famous "Enzo adorato" B flat in Gioconda our favorite..In fact, do we know of ANY ONE SINGER who was "known for a single note?" As the supreme authority(???) on this forum on the Milanov career, a career I can readily "hear in my head," I will give you the gospel according to me. (This is a follow-up to a thread on Opera-l on "Milanov Moments.")
BURROUGHS...Where's the book already????????????????????????
So,my friends, let me give you my impressions of a lady whose career "shaped my opera life." First of all, I agree nthat her recordings usually do not do her total justice, unless you have every Met broadcast. She screams the C's in the Aida and Tosca on RCA, and in the 40's I found too much vibrato in the tone. She had a more secure top then, but despite the problematic C's in the 50's and 60's (they did improve to some extent after she worked with her brother, Bozidar Kunc), the pure voice was something I will treasure forever.
As a sixteen year old, I wore out the end of side three of the RCA LP set of the Trovatore because of the phenomenal "D'amor sull'ali rosee";however, the RCA "Orthophonic Sound' technique gave a kind of echo effect that even as a youngster I felt was not giving me a true picture of the voice. My question to the first Milanov nutcases I met on the standee line waiting for a Forza in 1953 was, "How does she sound live as compared to the records?"
Within a few minutes of the curtain rise at the Forza, I found the answer! That voice was absolutely glorious, as she started the "Me pellegrina," and by the incredible "Pace," I was in Milanov heaven...and so it goes from there, 85 performances later, I never changed my mind (even despite some screamy Ballos).
So now here are 5 of my 1000 Milanov "moments"' in addition to THE moment..the Gioconda B flat ppp:
-
Ernani:Final trio w.Del Monaco and Siepi,where she starts with that "Ferma" as she comes onstage and then sings in the most noble and powerful manner, with rich mixed low notes that are as thrilling as the high notes.
-
The double attack on the pianissimo on "Ora soave' during the Act 2 Chenier duet.
-
Chenier again:The high A flat (or A if the duet is in key) on "abbracciami, aMANTE" as the final duet was sung with fairly good tenors like Tucker,Bergonzi,Tucker, and DelMonaco.
-
The way she always swelled on the B flat "Maledizione' at the end of the "Pace."It was her "trick" of not hitting the note dead on forte, but giving it a swell that knocked you off your seats..I mean stands.
-
The section at the end of act three scene one Gioconda beginning, "O made mia..nel isola fatale,." with that glorious high b flat and then the lush low on "per lui che l'aaaaaama."
So you see, I think I have a fairly good idea of why no other singer in my life ever could thrill me like Zinka, and remember, she would agree with me in her utter modesty (!!!)
Thanks, Zinka, and i hope they let you kick your train wherever you are......
(See,I once had hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)**
In tribute to the late marvelous Leyla Gencer, I present
highlights from the three Donizetti "Queen" operas, Anna
Bolena, Maria Stuarda, and Roberto Devereux.
The great diva has left us in body, but her spirit and
her legacy will remain forever for those of us who have
treasured her remarkable contribution to the vocal art. May
she rest in peace.
(72 minutes)
A birthday tribute to two of the greatest sopranos who ever
graced opera stages:
Birgit Nilsson, born May 27, 1918
Zinka Milanov, born May 17, 1906
The Nilsson photo is separate,as you see, and the Milanov
photo is very early, from Croatia.
Our lives would be far less enriched without these two great ladies.
(78 minutes)
I was so entranced by the recent singing in the Seraglio of soprano Diana Damrau that I thought I would present a few samples of her wonderful "Arie di Bravura," available on the Virgin Classics label.
Included are arias by Righini,Salieri, and Mozart (Announced). I hope you enjoy these samples, and if you like the idea of my presenting samples of various albums (if I have them),let me know..That includes complete operas, recitals,etc.
Go to YOUTUBE and type her name..and you will see ASTOUNDING performances!!!!!!
Scenes from each Puccini opera,in chronoligical order,
plus some orchestral material and some songs. Featured are:
Placido Domingo,Aureliano Pertile, Roberto Alagna,
Thomas Hampson, Tommi Hakala, Giuseppe Taddei,
Anselmo Colzani, Renata Tebaldi, Angela Gheorghiu,
Virginia Zeani, Margarita Sheridan, Licia Albanese,
Joan Sutherland, Anita Cerquetti, Angela Maria Blasi,
Diana Soviero.
(69 minutes)
Highlights from this magnificent work (Charlie's second favorite opera).
We feature Birgit Nilsson, Leonie Rysanek,Regina Resnik,
Olivia Stapp,Martha Moedl, Inge Borkh, Gwyneth Jones,
Margarete Klose, Johanna Meier, Ute Vinzing, Herman Uhde.
(71 minutes)
A selection of unusual material for you to GUESS! I hope you have fun with this venture into some of the oddities in the opera world.
(65 minutes)
NOT FOR PURISTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lowlights from the Die Walkure performance at the
legendary La Puma Opera Company, circa 1965. The
great Olive Middleton stars as Sieglinde and the inevitable
bass-baritone Mario Leone is the Wotan.
REMEMBER! I WARNED YOU!!!!
(33 glorious minutes)
Some of you may have heard this clip, but it is so bizarre I
felt COMPELLED to upload it as a single podcast clip. I was
seated in the New York State Theatre at the debut of soprano
Ashley Putnam as Violetta, when, as you will hear, just before
tenor Henry Price was about to sing his act two aria, some insane
lady (as we later learned) let out a bloodcurdling Elektra geschrei
and ran out of the theatre.
The man next to me exclaimed, "Oh my Goddd!" as you
will hear. To this day, we never learned what motivated this
nutcase...but at least we have a "treasured memory" that will
endure forever.
I used to play this clip for my schoolkids and they demanded
I play it over and over..some of them would even run up to
the CD player to hear the scream loud in their little ears.
So..you thought opera people (beside me,of course)
were NORMAL?????
The first podcast dedicated to the art of the legendary
Maria Callas. Selections include scenes from:
Aida, Tosca, Norma, Nabucco, Aroldo, Armida,
Gianni Schicchi, Abduction from the Seraglio,
Andrea Chenier, Lucia, Tristan und Isolde, Gioconda,
Vespri Siciliani, plus the Proch Variations and Callas"
Farewell to her Julliard Students
(73 min.)
Highlights from a marvelous 1968 performance of Verdi's
"Luisa Miller," featuring Richard Tucker, Montserrat Caballe,
Sherrill Milnes, Giorgio Tozzi, and Ezio Flagello, conducted by
Thomas Schippers.
(60 minutes)
A Compilation of famous tenors of the "Golden Eras" in opera:
Pertile,Martinelli, Gigli, Bjoerling, Schipa, Thill, Slezak,
Devries, Bonci, Tauber, Zanelli, Patzak, Sobinov,
Smirnov, Tamagno, Clement.
(67 minutes)
Scenes from Manon, Il Tabarro, Tales of Hoffman, and
Roberto Devereux featuring Beverly Sills and Placido Domingo.
(63 min.)
**I am too ancient to remember exactly what most singers sounded like to my virgin ears when I first heard them live. Remember, we had very few recordings..no "pirates" and were extremely limited, so when a fabulous voice was heard for the very first time, in some cases there was an indelible impression. For me, the totally "unknown' voices were those of Antonietta Stella (Aida), Daniele Barioni (Tosca), Diana Soviero (Boheme). Also, although we had heard only a few early Tebaldi recordings, and NO ONE was prepared for what that voice sounded like live.
More recently, I was captivated by soprano Irina Rindzuner (in photo) as Santuzza in the City Opera Cavalleria. As she began the "Innegiamo" my ears perked up and i said to myself.."Mamma mia!!!" (Go to her Fanciullas at Da Capo in April.).
Can you recall your first impression of some of the great voices and give us some details? Also, can you recall the exact opposite (i.e. a voice you adored on recordings and in person with which you were much less impressed (Jan Peerce for me.)
Best Charlie**
My tribute to Aprile Millo, one of the finest (and nicest) artists I have
had the pleasure of hearing. I present her in scenes from:
Trovatore, Fanciulla, Rusalka, Andrea Chenier, Luisa Miller,
La Gioconda, Adriana Lecouvreur,Tosca, and I Lombardi.
Also joining Mme.Millo in these scenes are Dolora Zajick,
Marcello Giordani, Vladimir Atlantov, Taro Ichihara,and
Vladimir Chernov.
(67 minutes)
A memorial tribute to the late Giuseppe Di Stefano ("Pippo") .
The opera world mourns his passing and we present him in scenes from live performances of:
La Favorita, Faust, Andrea Chenier, Turandot, Iris, Pearl Fishers,
Ballo in Maschera (w.Maria Callas), La Boheme,
Tosca, Werther, Manon, Mignon, and two Italian songs.
(72 min.)
A comparison of Kunst(art) and Stimme (voice) sopranos.
Included are the following divas:
Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Joan Sutherland, Martha Moedl,
Kirsten Flagstad, Leonie Rysanek, Nina Stemme, Marilyn Horne,
Conchita Supervia, Elena Suliotis, Maria Caniglia, Zinka Milanov,
Edita Gruberova.
(74 minutes)
Scenes from some of the great Rossini works as presented
on his birthday (Feb.29, born in 1792). Operas include:
Barbiere di Siviglia, Cenerentola, Viaggio a Rheims,
William Tell, L'Italiana in Algeri, Semiramide
L'Assedio di Corinto, and Armida. Featured artists are:
Marilyn Horne, Conchita Supervia, Vesselina Kasarova,
Ewa Podles, Montserrat Caballe, Beverly Sills,
Nicolai Gedda, Marcello Giordani, Fernando di Lucia,
Norman Mittleman, Juan Diego Florez, Maria Callas,
and Ruggero Raimondi.
(73 minutes)
Scenes from Verdi's Ernani, featuring some of the greatest
singers of the past:
Anita Cerquetti, Leontyne Price, Zinka Milanov, Grace Bumbry,
Leyla Gencer,Caterina Mancini, Gino Penno, Mario del Monaco,
Placido Domingo (past and also present), Flaviano Labo,
Leonard Warren, Mario Sereni, Ettore Bastianini, Leonard Warren,
Cornel MacNeil, Piero Cappuccilli, Lando Bartolini, Cesare Siepi,
Nicolai Ghiaurov.
(76 minutes)
Songs and Arias as sung by the great Claudia Muzio.
She passed away at only 47 years of age, but left a
legacy of true greatness in the opera world.
(78 minutes)
Selections from Aida, Trovatore, Ernani, Nabucco, and
La Battaglia di Legnano featuring the wonderful soprano
Caterina Mancini, whose Cetra recordings introduced me to
the brand of exciting singing usually absent these days. She
is joined in duets by Paolo Silveri, Rolando Panerai,
Giuseppe Taddei, and Carlo Tagliabue
(44 minutes)
So, when does the next swan leave????? (You all know the story!)
Here are scenes from this great opera featuring some great artists:
Leonie Rysanek, Birgit Nilsson, Elizabeth Rethberg, Astrid Varnay,
Lauritz Melchior, Helen Traubel, Marjorie Lawrence,Ninon Vallin,
Wolfgang Windgassen, Rita Gorr, Emmanuel List, Leonard Warren,
Elizabeth Grummer, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Barbro Ericson,
Lotte Lehmann.
(66 minutes)
Highlights from Puccini operas featuring many great artists:
Rosa Ponselle, Claudia Muzio, Virginia Zeani, Licia Albanese,
Margherita Sheridan, Edith Mason, Nelly Melba, Lucrecia Bori,
Magda Olivero, Montserrat Caballe, Mattia Battistini,Titta Ruffo,
Beniamino Gigli, Enrico Caruso, Aureliano Pertile,Tito Schipa,
John McCormack.
(73 minutes)
Selections from live performances conducted by Leopold Stokowski.
Featured are Birgit Nilsson, Franco Corelli, and George London.
In addition to the concert material, we present scenes from the
legendary 1961 Turandot, featuring Nilsson and Corelli in shining form!
(73 minutes)
A compilation of scenes from the great Puccini opera,
featuring many fine artists. I will not write the names here
since some of you might wish to use this podcast as a quiz.
( 73 minutes)
By popular request (Ruben!!), here are highlights from
Cecilia, a truly beautiful, and seldom-heard work. It
features Renata Scotto as both the Angel and Cecilia, Harry
Theyard as Valerian, and George Fourie as Almachis. It
is conducted by Angelo Campori.
(66 minutes)
Famous tenors of past and present whose last names happen
to begin with the letter "V." Included are:
Ramon Vinay, Cesar Vezzani, Albert Vaguet, Alessandro Valente,
Franz Voelker, Rene Verdiere, Francisco Vignas, Miguel Villabella,
Ramon Vargas, and (in photo), Rolando Villazon.
(66 minutes)
IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS THAT I LEFT OUT THE WONDERFUL VALLETTI,VICKERS,AND OTHERS, WHAT I HAD DONE WAS JUST GO TO A SHELF THAT HAD THOSE RECITALS. NO CRUELTY INTENDED!!!!!
Excerpts from the great career of tenor Nicolai Gedda. These
are all live and the operas represented are:
Boheme,Tosca,Tales of Hoffmann,Vespri Siciliani,
I Puritani,The Pearl Fishers, Faust, La Sonnambula
Don Giovanni, Le Roi d'ys,La Traviata,Mignon,
Yolanta. (72 minutes)
An exciting compilation of scenes from Leoncavallo's
"I Pagliacci," featuring:
Richard Tucker, Mario del Monaco, Franco Corelli,
Helge Roswaenge, Jussi Bjoerling, Carlo Bergonzi,
Licia Albanese, Diana Soviero, Marilyn Horne,
Hilde Scheppan, Victoria de los Angeles, Robert Merrill,
Leonard Warren, Ettore Bastianini, Frank Guarrera,
Giovanni Martinelli(in photo) Manuel Lanza, and
Teresa Stratas
(66 min.)
Great Singers of the "Germanic" School. Included are:
Frieda Leider (in photo), Margarita Perras, Alexander Kipnis,
Lotte Lehmann, Tiana Lemnitz, Friedrich Schorr, Maria Ivogun,
Johanna Gadski, Franz Voelker, Marcel Wittrisch,Wilhelm Hesch,
Maria Olzewska, Lauritz Melchior, Maria Cebotari,Richard Tauber,
Gerhard Huesch, Elizabeth Schumann
(78 minutes)
Marisa Galvany, one of the most exciting artists, in a podcast
featuring material from Aida,Norma,Tosca,Traviata, and
Anna Bolena.
This is a re-doing of a previous Galvany podcast, with
the deletion of three items, but the narration remains the
same, so references to Macbeth, Ernani, and the Aida
"Ritorna Vincitor" are to be ignored.
Let me know all is now well!!!!!!!!!
Still another "adventure" into some of the unusual happenings
in the opera world. Fun for opera gatherings!!!!! ENJOY!!!
(54 minutes)
Songs, Arias, and opera scenes, as performed by the great
Pavel Lisitsian, possessive of one of the most beautiful
baritone voices in opera history. (All material announced)
(78 minutes)
Volume One of a compilation of some of the funniest,
most bizarre, most unusual happenings in opera. I do hope
you enjoy this podcast, and will request another.
I strongly recommend you go to: http://www.collup.com
Donald Collup has prepared four fabulous volumes of these "oddities" and I think you might want to purchase one or more of them.
(70 min.)
The second part of the celebration of the great Verdi, with
the finales of:
Macbeth ( 2 versions), Luisa Miller, Rigoletto, Trovatore,
Traviata, Vespri Siciliani, Simon Boccanegra, Ballo in Maschera,
Forza del Destino, Don Carlo, Aida, Otello, and Falstaff
(All casts announced) (71 minutes)
The first of a two-part celebration of the great Giuseppe
Verdi's genius, featuring the finale of almost all his works.
Included here are the finales of:
Nabucco, I Lombardi, Gerusalemme, Ernani, I Due Foscari,
Giovanna D'Arco, Alzira, Attila, I Masnadieri, Il Corsaro,
La Battaglia di Legnano, Stiffelio, and Aroldo.
(Cast details announced) ( 62 minutes)
The beautiful aria of Prince Yeletsky in act two
of Tchaikowsky's "Pique Dame" as sung by:
Dmitri Hvorostovsky(in photo), Hugo Hasslo, Bernd Weikl,
William Walker, Pavel Lisitsian, Ettore Bastianini,
Heinrich Schlusnus, Vladimir Chernov, Nikola Mitic,
Andrei Fedosoyev, and Hans Herman Nissen.
(53 minutes)
Birgit Nilsson as Elektra from her first
performance in role (1965) to her last
in 1982. A great lady!!
(67 minutes)
Scenes from the great March 17, 1956 Met Forza del Destino,
featuring my four favorite singers in their respective voice
categories (of singers I have seen live):
Zinka Milanov, Leonard Warren, Cesare Siepi, and Richard Tucker
(74 minutes)
A comparison of several mezzos/sopranos singing the Ortrud Curse from act two of Wagner's "Lohengrin." Included are:
Astrid Varnay(in photo),Margarete Klose, Janis Martin,
Mignon Dunn, Eva Randova, Nadine Denize, Gwyneth Jones,
Janina Baechle, Linda Watson, Margaret Harshaw,
Kerstin Thorborg, Marjorie Lawrence, Edith Walker
(53 loud minutes)
.
I sincerely hope you will enjoy this podcast,dedicated to
a fine tenor, Gianni Raimondi. Raimondi is one of those
artists who deserves more recognition, and it is my pleasure
to present ten arias from his repertory.
(56 minutes)
Ten versions of the finale of act one of Puccini's "Turandot"
featuring some of the great tenors and sopranos who essayed
their roles.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Charlie
(73 minutes)
A comparison of various renditions of the Traviata aria
"Addio del passato" as sung by 15 great sopranos...and a
slightly less-famous one.
(84 minutes)
Twenty songs as sung by the great Enrico Caruso. I think
you will agree with me that this man has been what many
have termed a "Vocal God." No words can adequately
describe the heart and soul that pours from this great tenor.
I sincerely hope you enjoy this podcast and will comment as you wish.
(72 minutes)
A selection of trios from various operas:
William Tell, Norma, Trovatore,Faust,Ernani,
Don Carlo, Gotterdamerung, Beatrice di Tenda,
Cosi Fan Tutte, Tales of Hoffmann, Vespri Siciliani,
Forza del Destino, I Lombardi ,Rosenkavalier.
(73 minutes)
Quite a superb new tenor from Turkey. How many tenors
do we know who can take the high E flat in the Lucia duet????
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bulent+Bezduz&search=Search
Who is that lady with Charlie???????????????
It is like this: At a party in 1955, she grabbed my hand and said, "Dammi il braccio mio piccino"(Boheme quote with a gender change). I then said,
" Obbedisco,signoraaaa." (Even then I knew the words.).Someone happened to snap our picture. This experience will live in my heart forever as a happy memory of one of the sweetest people I ever knew.
Six performances of Romeo et Juliette. Featured in the finale of act two and the act three duet are:
Jussi Bjoerling/Bidu Sayao, Roberto Alagna/Angela Gheorghiu,
Marcello Giordani/ Nora Ansellem, Raoul Jobin/Patrice Munsel,
Ramon Vargas/Anna Maria Martinez, Rolando Villazon/Anna Netrebko
(79 minutes)
Eleven versions of the beautiful "Marietta Lied" from Korngold's
"Die Tote Stadt." Included are:
Beverly Sills, Maria Jeritza, Stephanie Sundine, Emily Magee,
Marilyn Zschau, Ilona Steingruber, Ellen Faull.Stella Roman,
Angela Denoke, Carol Neblett, and Eileen Farrell.
(63 minutes)
A tribute to the great mezzo Rita Gorr. Selections from:
Orfeo(in photo), Aida, Troyens, Walkure, Tristan und Isolde,
Samson et Delilah, Mahler's Kindertotenlieder.
(77 minutes)
This is the second podcast devoted to great duets.You will hear 12 duets as sung by some of the most famous artists.There are
both live and commercial recordings in this podcast. Included are:
Beverly Sills/Placido Domingo, Frieda Hempel/Herman Jadlowker,
Jussi Bjoerling/Robert Merrill/, Benita Valente/Tatiana Troyanos,
Giovanni Martinelli/Lawrence Tibbett, Thomas Stewart/Evelyn Lear,
Joyce Di Donato/Patricia Ciofi, Thomas Hampson/Jerry Hadley,
Leontyne Price/Mario Sereni, Renata Scotto/Jose Carreras,
Camilla Williams/Lawrence Winters, Ivan Koslovsky/Pavel Lisitsian
(74 minutes)
A selection of arias as sung by the very artists who created
their roles. Featured are:
Mary Garden (pictured), Rosina Storchio, Cesira Ferrani,
Gemma Bellincioni, Richard Temple,
Enrico Caruso, Giuseppe Anselmi, Medea Mei-Figner,
Giuseppe de Luca, Angelica Pandolfini, Eduardo Garbin,
Victor Maurel, Francesco Tamagno, Fernando de Lucia,
Celestina Boninsegna, and Mario Sammarco
( 60 minutes)
A tribute to the memory of the late Luciano Pavarotti
who passed away on Sept.5, 2007. Live selections are from:
Traviata,Lombardi,Fedora,Lucia,Rigoletto, Elisir d'Amore,
Fille du Reggiment, Manon, La Favorita, Luisa Miller, and
The Verdi Requiem.Also included is the Tosti "Ideale."
Rest in Peace, Luciano, one who brought so much to so many!
(71 minutes)
My birthday tribute to a wonderful tenor, Daniele Barioni,
born on September 6, 1930. The podcasts includes arias from:
Fedora, L'Arlesiana, Turandot, La Rondine, Macbeth,
Mme.Butterfly, Boheme (Leoncavallo).
(31 minutes)
Great singers, mostly from the 40's and 50's,many of whom
were as "Golden" as those of past generations. Included are:
Pavel Lisitsian (in photo), Joel Berglund, Paul Schoeffler,
Gino Bechi, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Ferruccio Tagliavini,
Raoul Jobin, Cloe Elmo, Ebe Stignani, Blanche Thebom,
Erna Berger, Rosetta Pampanini, Dorothy Kirsten,
Joan Hammond, Sena Jurinac, Sarah Scuderi, Dorothy Maynor,
and the late Rose Bampton.
(77 min.)
Here is the second volume of what I term "Golden Age Stars."
There is surely enough wonderful material for literally hundreds
of programs, since the number of recordings is incredible. I present:
Eva Turner (pictured), Hina Spani, Marcella Sembrich, Maria Gay,
Elvira de Hidalgo, Maria Ivogun, Olympia Boronat, Lotte Schoene,
Elizabeth Rethberg, Kathleen Ferrier, Lucrezia Bori, Clara Butt,
Francisco Vinas, Francesco Tamagno, Sergei Lemeshev,
Dmitri Smirnov, Ezio Pinza, Alesander Kipnis, Riccardo Stracciari,
and Enrico Caruso. ENJOY!!!!!
(84 minutes)
A comparison of various performances of the finale of Act One
of Wagner's "Die Walkure." The pairs of lovers are:
Lauritz Melchior and the late Rose Bampton
Ramon Vinay and Regina Resnik
Max Lorenz and Martha Moedl
Rene Maison and Marjorie Lawrence
Placido Domingo and Deborah Polaski
Paul Althouse and the Met debut of Kirsten Flagstad
Set Svanholm and Birgit Nilsson
Rene Verdiere and Germaine Lubin
Lauritz Melchior and Lotte Lehmann
Max Lorenz and Margarete Teschemacher
John Vickers and Leonie Rysanek
(82 minutes)
NOTE:Libsyn was down for 2 days but is working now.
I had a problem with my 80 Videos on HANDELMANIA (Google) but they are
up there now...... so go to:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=handelmania#=50&so=0&start=50
and all is well...ENJOY!!! Charlie
Selections from the "Opera Rara" catalogue. Featured are rarities
of Donizetti including scenes from:
Emilia di Liverpool, Som Sebastien de Portugal, L'Assedio di Calais,
Gabriella di Vergy, Chiara e Serafina, Maria di Rudenz,
Maria Padilla, Rosmonda D'Inghilterra, Ugo,Conte di Parigi,
Alfredo Il Grande, and Zoraida di Granata.
(79 min.)
Here are 21 great artists of the past,all on commercial recordings. I
sincerely hope you enjoy them and will "turn on" to some of the
less familiar voices:
Emma Calve(pictured), Rosa Ponselle, Mafalda Favero, Tito Schipa,
Beniamino Gigli, Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Alfred Piccaver,
Erna Berger, Tiana Lemnitz, Selma Kurz, Gilda Dalla Rizza,
Lauritz Melchior, Bernardo de Muro, Adamo Didur, Lawrence Tibbett,
Titta Ruffo, Heinrich Schlusnus, John McCormack,Emmy Destinn,
Luisa Tetrazzini,Frances Alda.
(79 minutes)
...and a special note of thanks for your wonderful responses to these,my
"labors of love." Our average audience is now over 900!!!!
A podcast of 16 Aida act two finales,, featuring some of the greatest
artists who participated. I hope you enjoy this!!!!
(83 minutes)
If you can guess the 20 sopranos singing my favorite
opera aria (No cheating!!), you will be permitted to
run madly through my apartment with a giant shopping
cart and grab whatever you wish in one minute!
I rarely get to play anything anyway so I will
not mind!
(78 minutes)
SO! HOW DID YOU? I HOPE YOU WILL ADD
YOUR COMMENTS AND TELL US HOW MANY
YOU GUESSED AND/OR WHICH ONES YOU LIKED MOST. I ASSUME MY COLLECTION
IS SAFE AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE NO ONE
HAS WRITTEN ME THAT YOU WILL BE
VISITING ME. (CHEATERS NOT WELCOME)
BY THE WAY...DO YOU WISH A VOLUME TWO??????
Comparison of various versions of the Jewel Song and the
final trio from Gounod's "Faust
Photo: Renata Tebaldi as Marguerite
(75 minutes)
Live highlights from great performances in Vienna in the 1930's and 1940's. Artists include:
Bjoerling, Roswaenge,Mazaroff, Gigli, Jeritza, Lehmann, Nemeth,Schumann, Kipnis, Nikolaidi, Kiepura, Piccaver,
Sved, Runger, Nikolaidi, Voelker
(58 minutes)
There was a glitch in the site and I could not corect my spelling of the word "sorry." I also forgot that Cheryl Studer, not Renee Fleming, is in the Susannah recording.
Sincerely Charlie
The memorial tribute to the late Regine Crespin.Selections from:
Parsifal, Aida, Walkure, Troyens, Cavalleria, Dutchman, and
Les Nuits d'ete.
(64 minutes)
In loving memory of the late Beverly Sills, I present a tribute to her magnificent career. Selections are from:
Norma,Aida,Semele,Roberto Devereux,Coq D'Or, Maria Stuarda,
Lucia,Assedio di Corinto,Ballad of Baby Doe, Fille du Reggiment,
and Louise.
(84 minutes)
ACHTUNG!!!!!!
If you are faint of heart and/or have digestive problems, I recommend you do NOT listen to these lowlites from a performance of Wagner's Die Walkure from the La Puma Company in the 1960's.
Cast: Olive Middleton (Sieglinde), Mario Leone (Wotan),
Walter Ulrich (Siegmund), Marjorie Brown (Brunh.)
Conducted(?) by Ralph Zeitlin
(56 glorious minutes)
Eight tenors and 72 high C's in Fille du Reggiment aria:
William Matteuzzi, Jose Sempere, Grayson Hirst,
Marcelo Alvarez, Roberto Alagna, Alfredo Kraus
Juan Diego Flores (pictured), Luciano Pavarotti
(50 minutes)
I came across this lovely tenor on the internet. I am sure you
will absolutely THRILL to the sound of his voice, especially
the totally unique way in which he produces his top notes.
I do recognize the aria as "Dein ist mein Ganzes Herz" from
Lehar's lovely operetta, "The Land of Smiles," but I am
having a slight problem figuring out in what LANGUAGE
this most amazing dude is singing.
........and you thought YOU couldn't sing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lend me a WHAT.......????????
A Compilation of interpreters of the role of Azucena in Verdi's "Il Trovatore." The podcast features:
Bruna Castagna, Ebe Stignani, Irene Minghini-Cattaneo,
Elena Nikolaidi, Regina Resnik, Cloe Elmo, Grace Bumbry,
Irene Kramarich, Dolora Zajick, Elena Obratsova,
Fiorenza Cossotto, Fedora Barbieri, (pictured) Shirley Verrett,
Giulietta Simionato, and finally, the great Sylvia Sawyer.
Assisting artists include Leonard Warren, Franco Corelli,
Carlo Bergonzi, Luigi Ottolini, Roberto Alagna,Gino Sarri,
and Matteo Manuguerra.
(88 minutes)
The second podcast dedicated to "chest voice." In order of
broadcast sequence, the artists are:
Olga Borodina, Elena Suliotis, Adriana Guerrini, Renata Tebaldi,
Magda Olivero, Ebe Stignani, Theresa Stich-Randall,Gina Cigna,
Marisa Galvany, Zinka Milanov, Shirley Verrett. Claudia Muzio,
Virginia Zeani, and Olive Middleton.
(78 minutes)
This is volume one of the "chest voice" podcasts. Here I include
such exciting artists (in proper order) as:
Luisa Tetrazzini,Emma Calve, Clara Butt, Conchita Supervia,
Eugenia Burzio, Mafalda Favero, Maria Callas and Fedora Barbieri,
Martha Moedl, Leyla Gencer, Beverly Sills, Regina Resnik,
Oralia Dominguez, Birgite Fassbaender, Rosa Ponselle,
Rita Hunter, and Lina Bruna Rasa.
(74 minutes)
More cabalettas for you, and here, in correct order, are
the artists involved:
Merritt, Gedda, Bonisolli, Araiza, Hadley, G.Raimondi,
Carreras, Martinucci, Bergonzi, Cerquetti, Chiara, L.Price,
Ricciarelli, Cruz-Romo, Deutekom, Galvany, MacNeil,
Ramey, Verrett.
(72 minutes)
My affectionate tribute to the many fine artists from the
Cetra-Soria label. Included are such artists as:
Caterina Mancini, Rosanna Carteri (in photo), Cesy Broggini,
Giuseppe Taddei, Carlo Tagliabue, Maria Caniglia,
Galliano Masini, Tancredi Pasero, Adriana Guerrini,
Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, Carlos Guichandut, Jose Soler,
Renata Tebaldi, Giulietta Simionato, Mario Filippeschi.
Amedeo Berdini, Gianni Poggi, Giacinto Prandelli
(57 minutes)
Seven versions of the exciting scene in Don Carlo between
Filippo II and the Grand Inquisitor:
Ghiaurov/Nesterenko
Ghiaurov/Talvela
Hann/Grosmann
Hines/Wilderman
Plishka/Hines
Siepi/Hines
Rossi-Lemeni/Neri
(73 minutes)
Seventeen baritones sing the Tosca Te Deum:
Merrill, Warren, L.Quilico, Vinay, Gobbi, Bastianini,
Schoeffler, Hann,Tibbett,Stracciari,Granforte,London
Weede, G.Guelfi, MacNeil, Silveri, Taddei
(75 minutes)
A compilation of arias and scenes as sung by famous mezzos
in roles that might be considered "mean." The "meanness"
does vary somewhat from totally horrid (Klytaemnestra) to
more "severity" (Augusta Tabor). Here they are:
Regina Resnik, Hanna Schwarz, Margarete Klose, Ebe Stignani,
Elena Obratsova, Rise Stevens, Fiorenza Cossotto, Frances Bible,
Astrid Varnay.
NOW, BE NICE!!
(61 mintues)
PLEASE NOTE:
If you see a sick comment from a sick person named Adolf, do not worry.I delete these comments immediately. I must be doing something right!
The second volume of some of my favorite commercial
recordings,featuring:
Eileen Farrell (pictured), Jussi Bjoerling, Robert Merrill,
Lotte Lehmann, Claudia Muzio, Gottlob Frick, Ruby Helder,
Riccardo Stracciari, Christa Ludwig, Walter Berry,
Clara Butt, Enrico Caruso, Janet Baker, Herman Prey
(72 minutes)
A Collection of commercial recordings that are among my
personal favorites. Artists included are:
Sumi Jo (pictured), Zinka Milanov, John McCormack,
Beniamino Gigli, Claudia Novikova, Enrico Caruso,
Janet Baker, Dorothy Kirsten, Robert Merrill, Virginia Zeani,
Luisa Tetrazzini, Giusepe Anselmi, Ebe Stignani,
Cesare Siepi, Eleanor Steber, Pavel Lisitsian,
Mafalda Favero, Vassilka Petrova (I think)
(84 minutes)
A Compilation of 16 Violettas all singing the scene that ends
the Gambling Scene of "La Traviata." Included are:
Callas,Tebaldi, Fleming, Stoyanova, Schymberg, Cotrubas,
Radvanovsky,De Los Angeles, Soviero, Galvany, Scotto,
Carteri, Zeani, Sayao, Guerrini, Albanese
(77 minutes)
The excellent Ponto company has released their 4 CD set of many
interesting excerpts. (Number 50 in their catalogue.).These are live
scenes featuring many fine artists as follows:
Trovatore: Renata Scotto,Louis Quilico
The Medium: Regine Crespin
Semele: Beverly Sills
Jenufa: Gre Brouwenstijn and Frans Vroons
Salome: Lili Djanel and Tito Gobbi
Otello: Joan Sutherland and Angelo Marenzi
Manon Lescaut: Leontyne Price
Eugen Onegin: Margaret Price
Forza: Julia Varady
Don Giovanni: Frank Sinatra and Kathryn Grayson (Don't ask! (74 minutes)
A compilation of 15 tenors singing the famous Boheme aria.
Included are the following artists:
Giuseppe Anselmi,Georges Thill, Josef Schmidt, Giovanni Malipiero,
Galliano Masini, Jan Kiepura, Richard Tauber, Helge Roswaenge,
Mario Del Monaco, Mario Lanza, Franco Corelli, Alfredo Kraus,
Marcello Giordani, Richard Tucker, and Nicolai Gedda.
(72 minutes)
A selection of Italian songs as sung by five wonderful
tenors: Gigli,Corelli,Tucker, Bergonzi,Caruso.
I found the error,but rather than redo the narration, here are the selections,not in the correct order, as I could not recover the order,but you can get more information at least:
Gigli:Marechiare, Core'n grato,Sorrento
Corelli: Addio a Napoli, O paese da sole,I'te vurria vasa
Tucker: Fenesta che lucive,L'alba separa,Senza nisciuno
Bergonzi: I te vurria vasa,Sorrento, Dicitincello vuie
Caruso: Pecche, O sole mio, Vieni sul mar, Tu che non chiagne,
Santa Lucia, L'alba separa
(65 minutes)
For some unknown reason, my narration portion of this
podcast could not be published, leaving you without the
answers to the "Esultate Quiz" I had prepared. I suggest
you might want to play the selections (listed below) for
a friend, and let him/her guess who is who. I do not know
why this glitch occured.
(Maybe you can NOT LOOK BELOW!)
Tamagno, Vickers, McCracken, Ralf, Giacomini,Corelli
Di Stefano (his first and last Otello), Martinelli in 1938,
Martinelli's last Otello in 1948. three by Mario DelMonaco:
Buenos Aires 1950 (his first ever), then 1958 and 1971.
Atlantov, Domingo, Frank Porretta III, Vinay, and finally
John Frederick West.
(35 minutes)
The remarkable mezzo Ewa Podles in a program of arias and
songs. Included are five Rachmaninoff songs and arias from
Rossini's Cenerentola, Tancredi, Maometto II, La Donna del
Lago, Handel's Orlando and Rinaldo, Tchaikowsly's Maid of
Orleans, and Gluck's Orfeo et Euridice.
(83 minutes)
An exciting compilation of 12 sopranos singing the Odabella
aria and cabaletta from my personal favorite early Verdi opera,
"Attila." Included are the following sopranos:
Marisa Galvany, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Julia Varady,
Mara Zampieri, Maria Krikorian, Caterina Mancini,
Tiziana Fabbricini, Rita Orlandi, Linda Strummer,
Antonietta Stella, Marilyn Zschau, and (in photo)
Dimitra Theodossiou.
(83 minutes)
A comparison of some of the great Aida/Amonasro scenes
in live performances.Included are:
Milanov/Warren Welitsch/Merrill
Callas/Taddei Zeani/Guelfi
Scheppan/Hotter Stella/Guelfi
Rysanek/London Cerquetti/Guelfi
L.Price/MacNeil Galvany/Quilico
Plus,as a bonus, if you can handle it, the same scene
featuring Vassilka Petrova and Olive Middleton,but
be sure not to eat before or during this section,
although you may need a stiff drink.
(96 Minutes)
A Comparison of 16 pretty good tenors singing the Flower Song
from Bizet's Carmen. Included are:
Georges Thill, Charles Dalmores, Fernand Ansseau,Raoul Jobin,
Richard Tucker, Nicolai Gedda, Mario Chamlee, Beniamino Gigli,
Jon Vickers, Placido Domingo, Rolando Villazon,Enrico Caruso,
Franco Corelli, Giuseppe di Stefano, Jussi Bjoerling, and
Mario del Monaco (pictured).
(70 minutes)
An exciting comparison of 10 different tenors in the last scene
of "I Pagliacci." Included are:
Richard Tucker, Giovanni Martinelli, Franco Corelli,
Jose Carreras, Helge Roswaenge, Mario del Monaco,
Raoul Jobin, Galliano Masini, Jussi Bjoerling, and
Carlo Bergonzi.
(66 minutes)
Opera Scenes and Lieder as sung by the late Hans Hotter,
one of the most famous artists of all time.The opera excerpts are from:
Elektra, Salome,Siegfried, Parsifal, The Flying Dutchman,
Pagliacci, and Don Carlo.
The songs are by Schubert, Brahms, and Pfitzner
(67 minutes)
From a superb 4 CD set on the Preiser Label, 20 famous Wagnerian singers:
Lotte Lehmann, Gertrude Bindernagel, Nanny Larsen-Todsen,
Maria Muller, Maria Reining, Lilly Hafgren, Karin Branzell,
Maria Olszewska,Margarete Arndt-Ober, Hans Hermann Nissen,
Alexander Kipnis, Joel Berglund, Michael Bohnen, Emil Schipper,
Heinrich Schlusnus, Set Savanholm, Gotthelf Pistor, Curt Taucher,
Erik Enderlein, Franz Voelker.
(83 minutes)
I think you will enjoy these 17 tenors singing the famous aria
from Gounod's "Faust" and will be able to understand how
various tenors approach the top note, because that alone is quite interesting;of course, you might be hearing some of these artists
for the very first time, and I think you will be pleased.
Richard Tucker, Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli,
Neil Shicoff, Georges Thill,Giuseppe Di Stefano
Rolando Villazon, Nicolai Gedda, Jussi Bjoerling,
David Devries,Miguel Villabella, Lucien Muratore,
Cesar Vezzani, Alfredo Kraus, Gaston Michelettti,
Albert Lance, and Charles Rousseliere
(93 minutes)
This podcast features three of the finest mezzos in opera history:
Kathleen Ferrier Janet Baker Stephanie Blythe
(88 minutes)
I had a problem with the narration for this podcast, so you will
have to live without the benefit of my voice for this one. I was
so thrilled at Joyce Di Donatos' fabulous rendition of the final
aria of Cenerentola at her recent recital, that I decided to do
a comparison of several other mezzos in this same scene. They
are as follows in order:
Ceclia Bartoli, Olga Borodina, Ewa Podles, Maria Callas,
Veselina Kasarova, Agnes Baltsa, Marilyn Horne, Conchita
Supervia, and Joyce di Donato.
I sincerely hope you enjoy the podcast!
(68 minutes)
Scenes from operas in the "Verismo Style" sung by some of
the great Italian interpreters,including:
Tito Schipa, Aureliano Pertile, Bernardo de Muro,
Beniamino Gigli, Alessandro Valente, Giuseppe Taccani,
Ferrucio Tagliavini, Riccardo Stracciari, Titta Ruffo,
Mafalda Favero, Maria Farneti, Licia Albanese,
Pia Tassinari, Gianna Pederzini, Cloe Elmo
(73 minutes)
An exciting and emotional scene from Act Three of "Siegfried"
as interpreted by 11 different baritones: (Conductor listed also)
Friedrich Schorr (Heger) Mikhail Kit (Gergiev)
Albert Dohmen (Thielemann) Allan Titus (Fischer)
George London (Leinsdorf) Robert Hale (Sawallisch)
Hans Hotter (Keilberth) Ferdinand Frantz (Furtwaengler)
James Morris (Levine) Donald McIntyre (Boulez)
Sigurd Bjoerling (Von Karajan)
(56 minutes)
An affectionate tribute to the very great Magda Olivero,who
will celebrate her 97th birthday on March 25. The selections
included in this podcast range from 1940 to 1993!!
Traviata, Tosca, Risurrezione, Adriana Lecouvreur,Fedora
Fanciulla, Gianni Schicchi, Lodoletta, Jenufa, Mme.Butterfly,
La Rondine, Manon, Mefistofele,plus "O del mio amato ben."
(81 minutes)
A comparison of ten fine sopranos singing the Sieglinde
"Hallucination Scene' from Act two of Wagner's "Die Walkure."
Featured are:
Regine Crespin, Kirsten Flagstad, Julia Varady,
Leonie Rysanek, Astrid Varnay, Birgit Nilsson,
Lotte Lehmann, Regina Resnik, Martha Moedl,
Natalie Secunde.
(75 minutes)
A compilation of material as sung by Leyla Gencer, one of
the most interesting and versatile artists who never recorded
commercially, but since collectors know she is the veritable
"Queen of the Pirates," there is a wealth of material available:
Trovatore, Due Foscari, Assassino nell Catedrale, Saffo,
Gerusalemme, Roberto Devereux, Rigoletto, Belisario,
Battaglia di Legnano, Simon Boccanegra, Rigoletto,
Werther, Macbeth, Idomeneo, Dialogues of the Carmelites,
Abduction from the Seraglio, Lucrezia Borgia
(88 minutes)
Selections that feature eight of the most exciting divas of
the past. Many of them are not as well-known as I believe
they ought to be;nevertheless,their delivery is so emotional,
and their exciting voices will thrill you:
Rosa Raisa (in photo), Iris Adami-Corradetti, Hina Spani,
Eugenia Burzio, Giannina Arangi-Lombardi, Bianca Scacciati,
Rosetta Pampanini, and Celestina Boninsegna
(66 minutes)
A comparison of famous divas singing the aria "La mamma morta"
from Giordano's "Andrea Chenier."
Antonietta Stella, Renata Tebaldi, Maria Callas, Claudia Muzio,
Meta Seinemeier, Bianca Scacciati, Lina Bruna Rasa, Rose Raisa,
Regina Resnik, Raina Kabaiwanska, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Aprile Millo,
Diana Soviero, and Zinka Milanov
(87 minutes)
Nine versions of the Manon St.Sulpice Duet:
Feraldy/Rogatchewsky Sills/Gedda
Gallardo-Domas/Sabbatini Fleming/Giordani
Zeani/Oncina Freni/Pavarotti
De Los Angeles/Valletti Albanese/Di Stefano
Sayao/Rayner
(87 minutes)
I am happy to present highlights from the career of one
of my all-time favorite artists, Antonietta Stella, who made
such a great impression on me in her Met seasons. The operas
represented are:
Aida, Simon Boccanegra,Attila, Aroldo, Tosca, Don Carlo,
Il Trovatore, Vespri Sicilani, Andrea Chenier,Luisa Miller
Gianni Schicchi, Fanciulla del West, Mme.Butterfly
(85 minutes)
Some of the most amazing singing in this pot-pourri of scenes
from Bellini's "I Puritani." Artists include:
Leyla Gencer, Joan Sutherland, Mariella Devia, Beverly Sills,
Edita Gruberova, Maria Callas, Mirella Freni, Anna Moffo,
Gianna D'Angelo, Virginia Zeani, Nicolai Gedda, Paul Plishka,
Louis Quilico, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Luciano Pavarotti,
Alfredo Kraus, and William Matteuzzi (and his high "F.")
(83 minutes)
An interesting selection of scenes from Wagner operas sung
by Non-German artists in various languages.Included are:
Mario DelMonaco, Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Nelly Melba,
Josep Palet, Francisco Vignas, Cesar Vezzani, Paul Franz,
Fernando de Lucia, Giuseppe de Luca, Mattia Battistini,
Germaine Lubin, CloeElmo, Aureliano Pertile, Edward Johnson,
Victoria de Los Angeles, Riccardo Stracciari, Emili Vendrell,
and Ivan Koslowsky.
(85 minutes)
Part two of a tribute to the fine sopranos of today. Included are:
Karita Mattila(in photo), Edita Gruberova, Hei-Kyung Hong,
Krassimira Stoyanova, Olga Guryakova, Anna Netrebko,
Sumi Jo, Deborah Voigt, Rene Fleming, Natalie Dessay,
Angela Gheorghiu, and Rebecca Evans.
(60 minutes)
Part One of two in which we honor the wonderful divas of
the present generation. Included here are selections by:
Vivica Genaux, Stephanie Blythe, Elina Garanca, Dolora Zajick,
Maddalena Kozena, Susan Graham, Joyce di Donato, Judith Forst,
Olga Borodina, Vesselina Kasarova, Ewa Podlés (in photo),
Lisa Gasteen, Ruth Ann Swenson, Christina Gallardo-Domas,
and Barbara Bonney
(62 minutes)
For some reason, my first Rigoletto "Si,vendetta" podcast
was flawed, so I am repeating it. We have 11 versions:
Cappuccilli/Bonifaccio Quilico/Wise MacNeil/Gencer
Tipton/Koeth Schlusnus/Berger MacNeil/Scotto
Campolonghi/Callas MacNeil/Peters Warren/Peters
Vargicova/Grundheber Milnes/Sutherland
(45 minutes)
Selections from the Saint-Saens opera "Samson et Delilah
featuring many fine singers,including:
Ezio Pinza, Robert Merrill, Rise Stevens, Dolora Zajick,
Shirley Verrett, Oralia Dominguez, Rita Gorr, Christa Ludwig,
Ebe Stignani, Giulietta Simionato, Fiorenza Cossotto,
Jose Luccioni, Ramon Vinay, Jon Vickers, Robert Massard,
Rene Maison, and Richard Tucker
(70 minutes)
In the Holiday Spirit, a selection of songs featuring some
of the greatest artists in the world of music:
De Los Angeles, Schumann, Muzio, Schumann-Heink,
Onegin,Thill, Schiotz, Tucker, Kussevitsky, Robeson,
Maynor, Weede, D'Arkor, Tauber, Destinn,Gedda, Erb
(68 minutes)
An exciting pot-pourri of sopranos of the past. Featured are:
Tetrazzini (in photo), Muzio, Ponselle, Cobelli, Bruna Rasa,
Nordica, Patti, Neshdanova, Kurz, Hempel, Galvany, Jokl,
Poli-Randaccio, Spani, Leider, Ljungberg, Austral, Scuderi,
Arangi-Lombardi, De Hidalgo
(84 minutes)
Many selections in honor of Richard Tucker, for me, the
greatest tenor I ever heard in live performance.
Andrea Chenier, Fanciulla Del West, Forza del Destino
Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, Ballo in Maschera,
Floridante, La Juive, Turandot, Tosca, Luisa Miller,
Manon Lescaut, Trovatore, and songs.
(75 minutes)
Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi, two of the greatest divas
who ever graced an opera stage, singing the same material
as a point of friendly comparison. Selections are from:
La Gioconda, Aida, Louise, Tosca, Mme.Butterfly,
Tristan und Isolde, and Andrea Chenier.
(102 minutes)
There have been many great artists who appeared at the
Salzburg Festival in the 30's and 40's, and in other theatres.
Here is a pot-piurri that will present some of them to you.
Tiana Lemnitz,Lotte Lehmann, Maria Reining, Charles Kullmann, Koloman Von Pataky, Sigrid Onegin,Marcel Wittrisch,
Alexander Kipnis, Michael Bohnen, Ludwig Weber,
Selma Kurz, Julius Patzak, Hans Hotter, Dino Borgioli,
Maria Cebotari, Ljuba Welitsch, Set Svanholm, and
Alfred Piccaver.
(80 minutes)
Let us give the men a chance! I am so "diva-oriented" I tend
to forget that there is an incredible array of male artists who thrill us. Here are some scenes from Verdi operas featuring:
Richard Tucker, Leonard Warren, Robert Merrill, Jussi Bjoerling,
Samuel Ramey, Thomas Hampson, Cornell MacNeil, Piero Cappuccilli, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Giorgio Tozzi, Ezio Flagello,
Sherrill Milnes, Karl Ridderbusch, Carlo Tagliabue, Galliano Masini,
Mario del Monaco, Helge Roswaenge, Heinrich Schlusnus,
Ettore Bastianini,Jerome Hines
(55 minutes)
On occasion, even a jaded opera lover like me finds joy
in discovering a great voice. I find that Signor Giordani
is one of the great singers in my opera-going experience
and I am pleased to present live scenes from various operas
that feature him:
Favorita, Manon, Romeo ,Huguenots, Gioconda, Ballo,
William Tell(with a BIS!!), Adriana Lecouvreur.
(85 minutes)
A comparison (quiz) of 13 sopranos singing the heartbeaking
second act scene "Che tua madre" from Puccini's Mme.Butterfly.
(54 minutes)
A comparison of 14 renditions of the trio from act one of
Bellini's Norma, featuring :
Callas, Sills, Cigna, Milanov, Hunter, Cerquetti, Deutekom,
Galvany,Goerke, Flanigan, Scotto, and Suliotis
(60 minutes)
Selections from Charlie's favorite early Verdi opera.
In the Attila compilation, the following artists are featured:
Gilda Cruz-Romo, Mara Zampieri, Caterina Mancini, Rita Orlandi, Lauren Flanigan, Elizabeth Rethberg,Marisa Galvany,Julia Varady,
Antonietta Stella, Igor Gorin, Piero Cappuccilli,Vladimir Chernov,
Nicolai Ghiaurov, Ezio Pinza, Gianfranco Cecchele,Beniamino Gigli,
Enrico di Giuseppe, Francisco Casanova,Sam Ramey (in photo)
(77 minutes)
A pot-pourri of 12 different renditions of the famous
final trio from Strauss' sublime "Der Rosenkavalier."
Selections are announced on the podcast for your edification.
Artists include: Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Viorica Ursuleac,
Regine Crespin, Lotte Lehmann, Eleanor Steber, Helge Dernesch, Renee Fleming, Elizabeth Grummer, Lisa della Casa (in all three roles),
Gundula Janowitz, Elizabeth Soederstrom, Rise Stevens,
Sena Jurinac, Tiana Lemnitz, Susan Graham, Frances Bible,
Jarmila Novotna, Birgitte Fassbaender, Erna Berger, Lucia Popp,
Hilde Gueden, Marita Farell, Judith Raskin, Anne Elgar,
Ileana Cotrubas, Anneliese Rothenberger, and Barbara Bonney
(74 minutes)
WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This podcast features scenes from Mussorgsky's great work,
"Boris Godunov." The artists include:
Cesare Siepi, George London, Norman Treigle, Sam Ramey,
Alexander Kipnis, Ludwig Weber, Mark Reizen, Ezio Pinza,
Martha Moedl, Eugenia Zareska, Kerstin Thorborg,
Nicolai Gedda, Leonard Warren, and Benno Kusche
THEY FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me know if the "Una Furtiva" quiz sounds all right. I published it in a different speed,and want to make sure it is still fine as to sound.
I missed you...but those things occur!!!!!!!!
My best Charlie
A comparison of 12 sopranos singing the great aria,
"D'amor sull'ali rosee" from Il Trovatore
(75 minutes)
Another comparison of the aria "Di quella pira," as a quiz for you to guess at least some of them. The photo is of the great Kurt Baum as Enzo. Dig those legs!
(58 minutes)
Scenes from the magnificent Richard Strauss opera,featuring
Leonie Rysanek, Birgit Nilsson, Ingrid Bjoener, Sabine Hass,
James King, Irene Dalis, Regina Resnik, Christa Ludwig,
Placido Domingo, Inge Borkh, Hildegard Hillebrecht,
Franz Grundheber, Walter Berry, Hanna Schwarz,
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and Eleanor Steber
(68 minutes)
A Comparison of 11 sopranos singing "COME SCOGLIO"
from Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte."
I am not listing the names below,since some listeners wish to try to guess them from the podcast.
(68 minutes)
An affectionate birthday tribute to Jose Van Dam,
one of the world's most versatile and truly superb
artists. Selections include music by:
Verdi, Wagner, Mozart, Mahler, Schumann,
Bizet, Ibert, R.Strauss
(74 minutes)
Janet Baker,one of the world's greatest artists, was
born on August 21, 1933. I present a tribute to her
featuring songs and arias by Handel, Mozart, Pergolesi,
Schubert, Donizetti, Wagner, and Elgar.
(43 minutes)
BY THE WAY; PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT ON YOUTUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61qq0V73ehQ
A Collection of famous German (and Viennese) artists:
Julius Patzak, Leo Slezak, Franz Voelker,Margarete Klose,
Maria Olszewska, Karen Branzell, Wilhelm Rode,
Emil Scipper, Hans Hotter, Heinrich Schlusnus,
Michael Bohnen, Georg Hann, Hilde Gueden,
Frida Leider, Erna Berger, Tiana Lemnitz,
Maria Cebotari.
(78 minutes)
A comparison, in the form of a quiz, of 15 tenors singing
the aria "Amor ti vieta" from Umberto Giordano's "Fedora."
You might enjoy using this podcast for an opera party in
order to test your fellow opera buddies!
(44 minutes)
A Birthday Tribute to Six Famous Tenors
Leon Escalais 8/8/1859
Cesare Vezzani 8/8/1886
Ferruccio Tagliavini 8/14/13
Leo Slezak 8/18/1873
Helge Roswaenge 8/29/1897
Ramon Vinay 8/31/1911
(57 Minutes)
Selections from operas where a doctor (or a so-called doctor)
is involved in the action. Operas include:
Elisir d"amore, Macbeth, Forza del Destino, Traviata
Don Pasquale, Barbiere di Siviglia, Gianni Schicchi,
Cosi Fan Tutte, Wozzeck Nozze di Figaro, Vanessa
Tales of Hoffmann.
(64 minutes)
Giacomo Puccini was a composer whose operas tugged at our heartstrings. There are so many emotional moments in his works,and here I include one scene from each of his operas,featuring:
Renata Scotto(in photo), Diana Soviero, Renata Tebaldi,
Virginia Zeani, Julia Varady, Krassimira Stoyanova,
Beverly Sills, Christina Gallardo-Domas, Magda Olivero,
Leontyne Price, Dorothy Kirsten, Richard Tucker,
Placido Domingo, Jerry Hadley, and Giovanni Inghilleri
(72 minutes)
A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO THREE MARVELOUS ARTISTS:
Maria Reining Born 8/7/03
Gundula Janowitz Born 8/2/37
Margarete Klose (photo) Born 8/7/1899
(43 minutes)
Some of the most affecting scenes from various operas:
Walkure, Siegfried, Peter Grimes, Nozze di Figaro,
Saint of Bleecker Street, Elektra, Rosenkavalier,
Die Frau Ohne Schatten, Ariadne, Arabella,
Parsifal, and Porgy and Bess
(69 minutes)
Birthday tributes to four wonderful artists:
Apollo Granforte 7/29/1886
Ludwig Weber (in photo) 7/29/1899
Gottlob Frick 7/28/06
Olga Borodina 7/29/63
(68 minutes)
A birthday tribute to the very great tenor, Mario del Monaco.
Included are selections from:
Aida, Carmen, Ernani, Andrea Chenier, Otello, Pagliacci,
Fanciulla, Turandot, Il Tabarro, Macbeth.
(62 minutes)
A tribute to the magnificent Regine Crespin, one of the
finest divas in opera history. Selections from:
Walkure, Aida, Hoffmann, Dutchman, Troyens,
Carmen, Tosca, and several songs
(75 minutes)
FIFTEEN DIVAS:
Eugenia Burzio, Olympia Boronat, Maria Nemeth,
Dusolina Giannini, Germaine Martinelli, Rosetta Pampanini
Margarete Teschemacher, Gertrude Grob-Prandl,
Claudia Novikova, Rosanna Carteri, Ellen Faull,
Luisa Maragliano, Lois Marshall, Irene Jordan,
and Rebecca Evans
(57 minutes)
A podcast dedicated to some of the somewhat lesser-known Puccini
material. It includes some songs, a cantata for tenor, orchestral music,
and arias from Rondine,Edgar, Le Villi, and La Rondine, plus the
Berio ending from Turandot.
(Photo: Puccini statue at Lucca) (64 min.)
A series of scenes and arias from Donizetti's "Lucrezia Borgia,"
featuring some very fine artists such as:
Leyla Gencer, Joan Sutherland, Beverly Sills, Mariella Devia,
Clara Butt, Tatiana Troyanos, Montserrat Caballe, Alain Vanzo,
Giuseppe Filianoti, Gaetano Scano, Jose Carreras, and
Bonaldo Giaiotti.
(52 minutes)
A Happy Birthday tribute to Three Great Artists:
Herman Uhde (July 20, 1914)
Licia Albanese (July 2, 1913)
Susan Graham (July 23, 1960)
Giuseppe Di Stefano (July 24, 1921)
(77 minutes)
Scenes from mostly lesser-known operas in the "Verismo" style:
Iris, Risurrezione, L'Amico Fritz, Piccolo Marat, Gloria,
Loreley, Francesca da Rimini, L'Amore de Tre Re,
and the Leoncavallo Boheme.
( 72 minutes)
A collection of material that illustrates how opera singers can sometimes
become so in love with their own voices, that they forget that the
composers would sock them in the mouth if they were alive.
Also included are some rather delusional people who have cracked up
even the most serious opera enthusiast.
Whether you like it or not, you cannot say this boring!!!!!!
PHOTO: Tim Rogerson's painting, "Over the Top."
(71 minutes)
Arias as sung by the very great Eleanor Steber on the occasion
of her birthday. Selections from:
Frau, Ernani, Cosi Fan Tutte, Don Giovanni, Tosca,
Seraglio, Arabella, The Telephone, Mignon, Idomeneo,
and the "Alleluja" from the Esultate Jubilate
(55 minutes)
An exciting comparison podcast of various artists in
the love duet from Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera."
Callas/Di Stefano Welitsch/Picchi
Castellani/Del Monaco Milanov/Bjoerling
Nilsson/Tucker Crespin/Bergonzi
***Galvany/Molese
(76 minutes)
*** You have expressed interest in Galvany..so go to my Youtube site and see more Nabucco!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAniKAKLw4c
Our second podcast dedicated to artists who celebrate birthdays
in the month of July:
July 11:
Mattiwilda Dobbs (1925)
Nicolai Gedda (1925) (in photo)
Ludmilla Dvorakova (1923)
Herman Prey (1929)
Ebe Stignani (1903)
July 12:
Kirsten Flagstad (1895)
Gloria Lane (1925)
(71 minutes)
Ten versions of the finale of the exciting Aida "Judgement Scene."
The artists featured include:
Giulietta Simionato (in photo), Fedora Barbieri, Rita Gorr,
Elena Obratsova, Marisa Galvany, Fiorenza Cossotto,
Barbro Ericson, Oralia Dominguez, Bruna Castagna,
Shirley Verrett.
(83 chesty minutes)
A podcast dedicated to the great trios written by the Master,
Giuseppe Verdi. I include trios from:
Aida, Trovatore, I Lombardi and Jerusaleme, Attila, Nabucco,
Don Carlo, Luisa Miller, Simon Boccanegra, Ernani, and
La Forza del Destino.
(Not a bad "trio" in the photo.)
60 minutes
I just spoke to Zinka, who vishes you a happy Fourth of July, and she vants to tell you that since she is coaching Vassilka Petrova (I think she is dead)...Vell, she vants to see if it helped...So here are two arias she just recorded.
Let me know your comments so I can tell her if she is a good teacher up there (or down there...)
(8 delusional minutes of pleasure)
P.S. Birgit got very angry at me when I told her I spliced in the great Petrova high unnatural B that ends "La Mamma Morta' into her "In questa reggia." (I will someday podcast it)
The Carnegie Hall audience goes totally ballistic at this
1988 OONY performance of Jenufa, starring the amazing
Leonie Rysanek, Gabriella Benackova, and Wieslaw Ochman
(44 minutes)
Celebration of the birthdays of some important artists:
Peter Anders 7/1/08 Bianca Scaciatti 7/3/1894
Birgitte Fassbaender 7/3/39 Herman Jadlowker 7/5/1877
Willy Treffner 7/5/03 Matti Salminen 7/7/45
Eberhard Waechter 7/9/29 Sergei Lemeshev 7/10/02
Josephine Veasey 7/10/30 Ljuba Welitsch(photo) 7/10/13
(53 minutes)
What true opera lover can resist our darling Olive Middleton,
a cult figure at New York's (in)famous La Puma Opera in the 60's.( the 1960's). So what if she sang about three tones flat and had no teeth? She was adored,as you will hear on this brief (Thank GOD) podcast
(15 glorious minutes)
When Dorothy Kirsten passed away in 1992, we learned
she was actually about 9 years older than originally believed.
This is even more amazing,considering how fresh and clear
she sounded in 1974 and beyond.
The selections are from: Thais, Fanciulla, Rondine, Butterfly,
Louise, Tosca,La Rondine and she also sings Gershwin's
"Someone To Watch Over Me." Kirsten had an uncanny
ability NOT to sound 'operatic' in pop music!
(38 minutes)
Selections by 12 famous baritones:
Robert Merrill, Hugo Hasslo, Gabriel Bacquier,
Theodore Uppman, Heinrich Schlusnus,
Giuseppe Danise, Ettore Bastianini,Igor Gorin,
Mattia Battistini, John Charles Thomas,
Riccardo Stracciari, Pavel Lisitsian (in photo)
(50 minutes)
Arias sung by 15 famous divas of the recent past:
Montserrat Caballe, Arlene Auger, Maria Callas,
Kiri Te Kanawa, Virginia Zeani, Eda Moser,
Maria Chiara, Regine Crespin, Renata Scotto,
Catherine Malfitano, Margaret Price,Rene Fleming,
Anita Cerquetti, Pilar Lorengar,Ileana Cotrubas
(73 minutes)
Arias as sung by one of the greatest divas in opera history.
Included are arias from Traviata, Ballo, Sonnambula,
Les Huguenots, La Perle du Bresil, Semiramide, Vespri,
Rosalinda (Veracini), and the Proch Variations.
(37 minutes)
Opera Scenes featuring the great Martha Moedl,a lady
who could "read the Dresden Telephone Directory" and
still captivate audiences!!!!
Scenes from : Macbeth, Parsifal, Walkure, Gotterdamerung,
Pirates of Penzance, Elektra, Tristan und Isolde, and songs.
Also see Youtube Pique dame Clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcZsI6pBpQg
(53 minutes)
Scenes from George Gershwin's "Porgy & Bess,"
featuring many wonderful artists such as:
Todd Duncan, Anne Brown, Camilla Williams, Avon Long,
Helen Jepson, Lawrence Tibbett, Robert Merrill, Inez Matthews,
Cynthia Clarey, Willard White, Leontyne Price, Renee Fleming,
Kiri Te Kanawa, and Paul Robeson
(52 minutes)
Songs, scenes, and arias as sung by Lotte Lehmann, one of
the greatest artists in opera history. A tribute to a great lady!
(55 minutes)
A magnificent array of fifteen tenors of the French school.
Included in this collection are:
Georges Thill, Paul Franz, Giuseppe Lugo, Jose Luccioni,
Leon Escalais, Cesar Vezzani, Leon Campagnola,,
Marius Corpait, Jose de Trevi, Charles Friant,
Gaston Micheletti, Rene LaPelletrie, Rene Verdiere,
Josef Rogatchewsky, and Emile Marcellin
(62 minutes)
A collection of arias sung by 20 of the greatest tenors
in opera history. Included are:
Caruso, Gigli, Martinelli, Slezak, McCormack, Pertile,
Tamagno, Escalais, Jadlowker, Roswaenge, Ershov,
Lemeshev, Sobinov, Widdop, Tauber, Schmidt,
Bonci, De Muro, Cortis, Piccaver.
(60 Minutes)
Several scenes from this lesser-known,but nevertheless
beautiful work. Featured in the scenes are:
Yolanta: Galina Vishneskaya, Michaela Gurevich,
and Galina Gorchakova
King Rene: Nicolai Ghiaurov, Sergei Alexashkin,
and Gheorghi Seleznev
Vaudemont: Nicolai Gedda and Gegam Grigorian
Robert Dmitri Hvorostovsky
(50 minutes)
Many selections from this exciting Donizetti work,
featuring scenes and arias with the following artists:
Alfredo Kraus, Beniamino Gigli, Robert Lasalle,
Giuseppe Anselmi, Luciano Pavarotti, Giulio Neri
Mattia Battistini, Piero Cappuccilli, Marcello Giordani,
Giuseppe Di Stefano, Franco Corelli, Regina Resnik,
Fiorenza Cossotto, Giulietta Simionato, Ebe Stignani
(64 Minutes)
Several operatic scenes involving fathers.Music from:
La Traviata, Aida, Walkure, Norma, Luisa Miller,
Louise, Nozze di Figaro, Turandot, Manon,Rigoletto
A birthday tribute to the marvelous Marisa Galvany, one of
the most exciting divas in opera history. Selections from:
Norma, Aida, Nabucco, Medea, Traviata, Attila, Ballo,
Trovatore, Anna Bolena, Turandot
We thank Mme.Galvany for so many years of very great singing!!!!
Still more insane happenings on opera stages and in the
studio. Perfect for opera parties or if you feel like taking
time off from Pelleas et Melisande.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scenes and arias from Verdi's "Luisa Miller" featuring
many fine artists such as:
Sondra Radvanovsky, Montserrat Caballe, Aprile Millo,
Antonietta Stella, Nelly Miricioiu, Richard Tucker,
Jose Carreras, Giuseppe Anselmi, Alessandro Bonci,
Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, Vladimir Chernov,
Vladimir Galouzine, Piero Cappuccilli,& Giorgio Tozzi
Ten selections from the enormous output of this legendary artist.
Words have always failed me when I attempt to describe the
depth of my admiration...idolization...for this remarkable tenor
who left us all too soon, but whose legacy will remain with us
all our lives.
Part two of the comparison of sopranos singing the famous
"Pace,pace' from Verdi's "La Forza del Destino."
You have to guess who is singing, so I will not post the names.
Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Photo:Ponselle,Caruso,Mardones)
A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO THE BELOVED
RISE STEVENS,ONE OF THE GREAT ARTISTS IN
MY MEMORY
(Photo: Rise posed with every single member of her music club at our last gathering out on the island at Westhampton Beach, New York..This was followed by everyone being thrown into the swimming pool.(Except me..I never learned to swim!)
Our Happy Birthday tribute to the opera stars born in June.
Fedora Barbieri-6/4/20
Joel Berglund-6/4/03
Roberto Alagna- 6/7/63
Jose Palet- 6/7/1877
Mario Filippeschi- 6/7/07
John McCormack-6/14/1884
Helen Traubel-6/16/1898
Eugenia Burzio-6/20/1882
Giuseppe Taddei- 6/26/16
Riccardo Stracciari-6/27/1875
Anna Moffo-6/27/32
Elena Nikolaidi-6/29/09
Luisa Tetrazzini 6/29/1871
"SHAKESPEARE IN MUSIC"
A podcast in which we hear examples of Shakespeare's influence
on (mostly) opera. We feature selections from:
Hamlet,Falstaff, Merry Wives of Windsor, Macbeth,
Antony & Cleopatra, I Capuletti ed I Montecchi,
The Otellos of Verdi & Rossini, The Romeo of Gounod,
The Romeo of Berlioz, West Side Story & Kiss Me Kate.
The great Bellini opera "Norma" surely lends itself to
performances by some of our most memorable artists.
Here are some scenes which feature a number of them:
Maria Callas, Montserrat Caballe, Shirley Verrett,
Lauren Flanigan, Marisa Galvany, Zinka Milanov,
Gina Cigna, Rita Hunter, Beverly Sills, Renata Scotto,
Joan Sutherland, Leyla Gencer, Lili Lehmann,
Marilyn Horne, Ebe Stignani, Gino Penno,Kurt Baum,
Carlos Cossutta, Lamberto Furlan, Carlo Bergonzii, Franco Corelli, Elena Nicolai, Roberto Francesconi,
AND Olive Middleton (well, nobody's POIFEKT!)
Truly wonderful singing by La Scala artists who
visited Russia in 1964. Included are:
Mirella Freni, Bruno Prevedi, Renata Scotto,
Birgit Nilsson, Carlo Bergonzi,
Fiorenza Cossotto, and Gianni Raimondi
Brunnhilde's Battle Cry as sung by a series of sopranos:
Kirsten Flagstad
Frida Leider
Margaret Harshaw
Erna Schleuter
Nadezna Kniplova
Johanna Gadski
Helene Wildbrunn
Gertrude Grob-Prandl
Gertrude Kappel
Pelage Greef-Andriessen
Bonus: the great La Puma Opera Company's version. (Please proceed at your own risk on this last one!)
AS LONG AS WE ARE IN A "RING MODE,"
ON "UNNATURAL ACTS OF OPERA,
LA CIECA IS CURRENTLY PRESENTINGA COMPLETE RING PODCAST
Kirsten Flagstad sings "Hojotoho!" in The Big Broadcast of 1937.
A collection of artists of Dutch ancestry.Included are:
Jacques Urlus, Nan Merriman, Elizabeth Ohms,
Elly Ameling, Maartje Offers, Jard Van Nes,
Cora Canne Meijer, Gre Brouwenstijn (in photo),
Christina Deutekom, and Jo Vincent
In the early part of the 20th century, many artists
recorded mostly Wagnerian material, as performed at the
Sopot (Poland) Forest Theatre Festival, known as the
"Bayreuth of the North."
Tenors: Jacques Urlus, Richard Schubert,
Albert Reiss, Fritz Soot
Bassos/Baritones: Georges Baklanoff,
Desider Zandor, Robert Vom Scheidt,
Heinrich Knote, Adolf Schoepplin
Sopranos: Frida Leider, Helene Wildbrunn, and
Meta Seinemeyer.
Part one of an interesting and exciting podcast in which we can
compare various sopranos singing the great "Pace" from Verdi's
"La Forza del Destino."
As usual,with this kind of program, I will not list the sopranos
here, because I have designed the podcast so that you do not know
the names until each group of three has been played.
Peace be with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Photo:Renata Tebaldi as Leonora)
An exciting comparison of various sopranos singing the
great aria from Turandot, "In questa reggia." I am not
going to list the sopranos here because some of you like
to play guessing games. Each soprano will be named after
each group of selections.
Remember: "Gli enigmi sono tre...Charlie è una!!"
A compilation of exciting cabalettas from various
operas as sung by some of the great artists of the past:
Shirley Verrett, Montserrat Caballe, Virginia Zeani,
Virginia Zeani, Elena Suliotis, Beverly Sills,Mado Robin
Giulietta Simionato, Marilyn Horne, Christa Ludwig,
Antonietta Stella, Joan Sutherland, Nicolai Gedda,
Luciano Pavarotti, Alfredo Kraus, Franco Corelli,
Piero Cappuccilli, Nicolai Ghiaurov,Sherrill Milnes,
Carlo Bergonzi, and Richard Tucker
In tribute to this great artist, I present scenes from:
Mefistofele, Boris, Coq D'or, Susannah, Faust,
and Markheim.
If you are interested in Brian Morgan's fine new book,
which is entitled, "Norman Treigle, Strange Child of Chaos, "
it may be obtained from www.iuniverse.com or call the store at:
1-800-288-4677
Many selections from the Giordano opera,featuring:
Beniamino Gigli, Jussi Bjoerling, Daniele Barioni,
Giacinto Prandelli, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Piero Pauli
Giuseppe Di Stefano, Galliano Masini, Saturno Meletti,
Giuseppe Giacomini, Diana Soviero, Renata Tebaldi,
Mirella Freni, Magda Olivero, and Elena Nicolai
Exciting music from some of Verdi's early operas such as:
Attila, Aroldo, Stiffelio, Alzira, Il Corsaro,Oberto,
I Lombardi,Gerusalemme,Un Giorno di Regno,
I Masnadieri, I Due Foscari,Giovanna D'Arco,
and La Battaglia Di Legnano.
Among the artists featured are:
Renata Tebaldi, Marisa Galvany, Leyla Gencer,
Luisa Maragliano, Montserrat Caballe, Justino Diaz,
Piero Cappuccili, Renato Bruson, Renato Cioni,
Aprile Millo, Antonietta Stella, and Angeles Gulin
Songs and arias as performed live by the brilliantly
talented young tenor, Rolando Villazon, who has
endeared himself to so many operalovers,
by nature of his brilliant voice, ans his
totally captivating personality.
A historical look at some of the great stars of British Opera:
Eva Turner, Janet Baker, Josephine Veasey, Heddle Nash,
Isobel Baillie, Kathleen Ferrier, Tano Ferendinos,
Florence Austral, Miriam Licette, Gerald Davies,
Muriel Brunskill, Gerald Davies, Peter Dawson
Alexander Young, Lisa Perli (aka Dora Labette),
Elsie Suddaby, and Redvers Llewellyn
Giuseppe Verdi wrote some of his most remarkable music
for baritone and soprano. This podcast features duets from
eleven of his works, and features baritones such as:
Cornell MacNeil, Piero Cappuccili, Leonard Warren,
Roberto Frontali, Gino Bechi, Sherrill Milnes,
Antonio Boyer, Ettore Bastianini, and
Gian-Giacomo Guelfi.
The sopranos include: Montserrat Caballe, Virginia Zeani,
Zinka Milanov, Leyla Gencer, Renata Tebaldi,
Renata Scotto, Maria Callas, Shirley Verrett, &
Sondra Radnovsky
(Photo: Maria Guleghina and Renato Bruson in Nabucco)
Part Two of the 100th anniverary tribute to the
great Zinka Milanov,born on May 17,1906
Part one of a tribute to the very great Zinka Milanov,
born on May 17th, 1906. She meant more to me than
any other singer I ever heard live, and I continue to
cherish her memory.
(Photo: Zinka and guess who? circa 1960)
Highlights from one of the most exciting recordings
of Verdi's opea. The cast includes Caterina Mancini,
Gino Penno, Giuseppe Taddei, and Giacomo Vaghi,
conducted by Fernando Previtali (1951)
Finale of Act One of the Menotti opera, featuring Catherine Malfitano, Sandra Walker, and the late Enrico di Giuseppe.
A comparison of various renditions of Strauss' Four Last Songs,
including the world premiere (1950) as sung by Kirsten Flagstad.
Since many people like to test themselves on a podcast
like this, I am deliberately not listing the
artists here. The artists' names will be
provided after each group of three selections.
ENJOY!!!!!
I
Many scenes and arias from Verdi's sometimes neglected masterpiece
featuring the following artists:
Zinka Milanov, Antonietta Stella, Leyla Gencer, Josela Ligi,
Christina Gallardo-Domas, Elizabeth Rethberg, Carlo Bergonzi,
Richard Tucker, Giovanni Martinelli, Lawrence Tibbett,
Leonard Warren, Giuseppe Valdengo, Jose Van Dam,
Cesare Siepi, Leo Nucci, Frank Guarrera, Tito Gobbi,
Nicolai Ghiaurov, Sesto Bruscantini, Franz Grundheber,
Giuseppe Taddei,Andre Turp, and Gwynne Howell
You now have access to ARCHIVES as noted to the right of the page,by month. Therefore you can begin to download anything from the past that you might have missed.
OWING TO THE ORIGINAL GLITCH,MY NARRATION DID NOT COME THROUGH. YOU MIGHT PLAY A GUESSING GME OR SCROLL DOWN AND SEE THE SELECTIONS.
These are Italian operas sung in German and German operas sung in Italian:
(1-9 in German.Rest in Italian)
Cavalleria Duet:Astrid Varnay,James Pease
Figaro Finale: Erich Kunz, Hilde Gueden,
Elizabeth Grummer, Paul Schoeffler3/4. Tosca act two scene: Hildegard Ranczak and Georg Hann and then Leonie Rysanek and Josef Metternich
Forza Duet:Gottlob Frick and Carla Martinis
Rigoletto Duet:Rita Streich and Josef Metternich
Turandot: Gertrude Grob-Prandl
Macbeth aria: Martha Moedl
9.Aida Nile Duet:Leonie Rysanak and George London
Rienzi aria:Francesco Vignas
Brangaene's Warning: Cloe Elmo
Parsifal Act Two Scene Maria Callas and Africo Baldelli
13/14. Renata Tebaldi in Tannhauser and in Lohengrin(w.Gino Penno)
- Edward Johnson(Former Met General Manager) in Parsifal Finale.
Sorry for the problem.All will be resolved soon.
NOTE: On earlier podcasts,you will see a note at the end of the podcast that you click on so you can download it.
This is a podcast in which famous opera stars sing
popular music. Since I have not revealed the names
of the artists until AFTER the selections, as a kind of
guessing game, I am not listing them here.
Have fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Photo: The Very Great Karita Mattila)
A pot-pourri of selections that have in common the letter "Z."
Included are scenes from Zaira, Zaza, and an opera by
Zandonai, plus scenes and arias as sung by:
Zeani, Zamboni, Zajick, Zednik, Zschau, Zanasi,
Zinetti, Ziliani, Zenatello, Zylis-Gara, Zakharova,
plus Zinka Milanov, Zarah Leander, and even
Zubin Mehta conducting.
I zinzerely hope you will not fall azleep while
lizening to these zelections.
Zounds like fun!!!!!
One of the all-time greatest bassos, Cesare Siepi,
is heard in arias and scenes from Salvator Rosa,
Nozze di Figaro, Forza del Destino, Ernani, Vespri,
Don Carlo,La Favorita, Italiana in Algeri, in a selection
of Italian songs, and in his renditions of some of the
songs of Cole Porter.
A series of excerpts from Puccini's superb opera.
Included in these scenes are the following artists:
Franco Corelli, Richard Tucker, Anselmo Colzani,
Giuseppe Taddei, Nino Puglisi, Mario Chingari,
Daniele Barioni, Gian-Giacomo Guelfi, Clifford Harvuot,
Renata Tebaldi,Aprile Millo, Magda Olivero,
Dorothy Kirsten,Gigliola Frazzoni, Antonietta Stella,
and Johanna Meier.
Selections from the opera and song repertory of this
very great artist;included are scenes from:
Frau Ohne Schatten,Tristan und Isolde,Walkure,
Macbeth, Lohengrin, Nozze di Figaro, and songs
by Wagner and Mahler.
ARIAS AND SCENES AS SUNG BY MY THREE FAVORITE
TENORS IN THE ERA IN WHICH I CAME TO LOVE OPERA
MARIO DEL MONACO
FRANCO CORELLI
RICHARD TUCKER
(Photo: Mario del Monaco as Otello)
A selection of arias from various Handel operas:
Rinaldo, Rodelinda, Alcina, Serse, Giulio Cesare,
Judas Maccabeus, Joshua, Floriodante, Semele
Acis and Galatea. Artists featured are:
Bryn Terfel, Richard Tucker, Ewa Podles, Marilyn Horne,
David Daniels, Janet Baker, Samuel Ramey, Beverly Sills,
Norman Treigle, Kathleen Ferrier, Kathleen Battle,
Joan Sutherland, Fritz Wunderlich, and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson
Well,let us see how this works, and if it does, in the words of my friend Arnie, "I'll be bach."
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
Fifteen exciting interpretations of the great mezzo aria
"O Don Fatale." I am not announcing the names
of the artists until each group of three is played
because I want you to play a guessing game;also
you might want to use this post as a quiz at an opera party.
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
Exciting Scenes from the four Wagner Ring operas,
featuring such artists as:
Birgit Nilsson, Wolfgng Windgassen, Herman Uhde,
Martha Moedl,Gertrude Grob-Prandl, George London
Gottlob Frick, Astrid Varnay, Gustav Neidlinger,
Ludwig Weber, Regina Resnik,
Lauritz Melchior, Rita Hunter, Marjorie Lawrence,
Set Svanholm, Leonie Rysanek, Hans Hotter,
Jon Vickers, Ramon Vinay, and Hans Beirer
Photo: Finale of Die Gotterdamerung
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
Diana Soviero, considered one of the greatest "Verismo Divas" in recent years, following in the tradition of Claudia Muzio, Mafalda Favero,
Virginia Zeani, and Magda Olivero, is heard in selections from:
Tosca,Adriana,Butterfly,Risurrezione,Fedora, Andrea Chenier,
Pearl Fishers, Mefistofele, Gloria, The Leoncavallo Boheme,
Romeo et Juliette, and La Traviata.
I had to crack up tonight because I had Diana listen to some of this podcast while we were on the phone...What was funny is that she kept saying, "Did I do that??" She is just such fun and hope to get your comments on the singing.
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
Exploring the art of some of the famous Russian artists
of past and present;included are such names as:
Petrov, Koslovsky, Nelepp, Sobinov, Smirnov,
Dolukhanova, Nezhdanova, Lisitsian, Lemeshev
Sibiriakov, Guryakova, Aleksashkin, Gedda,
Borodina, and Hvorostovsky (photo).
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
A series of scenes from Cilea's opera,including a little
guessing game.Artists featured are:
Magda Olivero, Diana Soviero, Leyla Gencer,
Placido Domingo, Mafalda Favero, Beniamino Gigli,
Dolora Zajick, Renata Tebaldi, Marcello Giordani,
Aprile Millo, Giacomo Aragall,
Franco Corelli, Giuseppe Taddei, Regina Resnik,
and some "surprise guests!!"
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
A collection of various artists who have expressed great
emotion in their vocalism. They include:
Mafalda Favero, Claudia Muzio, Lotte Lehmann
Martha Moedl, Maria Callas, Bidu Sayao,
Licia Albanese, Magda Olivero, Tito Gobbi,
Enrico Caruso, Virginia Zeani (photo as Aida), and Richard Tauber
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
Selections by some of the famous bassos of past and present:
Nazareno de Angelis, Mark Reizen, Ivar Andresen,
Gottlob Frick, Ludwig Weber,
Tancredi Pasero, Alexander Kipnis, Adamo Didur,
Ezio Pinza, Herbet Alsen,Cesare Siepi, Norman Treigle,
Rene Pape, Samuel Ramey, and an oddity as sung by
Capiton Zaporojetz
Photo:Ezio Pinza as Don Giovanni
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
In memory of the remarkable American baritone,Leonard Warren,
born this day in 1911, I present a selection of arias and scenes
from Aida, Forza, Ernani, Macbeth, Pagliacci, Andrea Chenier,
Barbiere,Tales of Hoffmann,Tannhauser,Faust,Rigoletto,
and Simon Boccanegra.
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
I just wanted to stop a moment and think of someone who was the darling of all of us in the olden days at the Met. We were teens just turning on to opera, and Renata Tebaldi made our lives so very joyous; those of us who remember her on and off stage will never forget her. Her performances were truly "events." She remained every night and signed every single program,even in freezing weather.
She "adopted" us so to speak and as the years passed,I never failed to wish her a happy birthday,until the very last year of her life. You know, I just cannot bring myself to remove her telephone number from my address/phone directory. I think it will stay there as long as I live!
I hope this little tribute is not too saccharine and/or pretentious, and if you feel it is,just let me know..it is just that I wanted to remember her with all my love and affection.
P.S. This 1955 photo was taken at one of our huge affairs for her. She said to me, "Dammi il braccio,mio piccinO," and I responded, "Obbedisco,signorA," and happily someone snapped the photo.
I am repeating my Cavalleria podcast,since there had been
a glitch in the original. Many exciting selections from Mascagni's
great work featuring such artists as:
Regina Resnik, Zinka Milanov,Giannina Arangi-Lombardi,
Astrid Varnay, Leonie Rysanek, Marisa Galvany,
Lina Bruna-Rasa, Aase Nordmo-Loevberg, Eileen Farrell,
Giulietta Simionato, Franco Corelli, Jussi Bjoerling,
Alain Vanzo,Richard Tucker,Hans Hopf,Placido Domingo,
Afro Poli, and Heddle Nash.
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
:
A marvelous pot-pourri (if a bit lengthy) of material
from Verdi's great opera,mostly live,but a few are
from commercial recordings.Artists include:
Shirley Verrett, Elena Suliotis, Lauren Flanigan, Leyla Gencer ,
Julia Varady, Birgit Nilsson, Christa Ludwig,
Rita Hunter, Maria Callas, Leonard Warren, Enrico Caruso,
Enzo Mascherini, Piero Cappuccilli, Giorgio Tozzi, and Nicolai Ghiaurov
PHOTO: The late Elena Suliotis as Lady Macbeth
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
An exciting compilation of arias by
tenors from an era in which the "squillo" (ring)
in the voice was so common. The tenors included are:
Giovanni Zenatello, Jose Palet, Mario Gilion, Francisco Vinas,
Isidoro Fagoaga, Antonio Cortis, Piero Pauli, Antonio Paoli,
Mario Filippeschi, John O'Sullivan, Miguel Villabella, and
Leonce Escalais (in photo)
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
An analysis of the aria "Celeste Aida" as sung by various tenors,
including :
Tucker, Di Stefano, Martinelli, Baum,Caruso,
Del Monaco,and Bjoerling
The comparison is designed to understand
the concept of "covering" the tone
and the term "passaggio"
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
An exciting selection of scenes and arias from many Mozart operas
featuring many great artists:
Eleanor Steber, Ljuba Welitsch, June Bronhill,
Herman Jadlowker, John McCormack, Beverly Sills,
Leontyne Price, Mado Robin, Maria Galvany,
Susan Graham, and Janet Baker
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
Live excerpts from the Ring as performed in Vienna between
1933 and 1941. Artists featured are:
Set Svanholm, Franz Voelker, Maria Jeritza, Friedrich Schorr,
Gertrude Kappel, and Hilde Konetzni
PHOTO: Maria Jeritza
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
April 13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost forgot...40 years ago today,the greatest singer I ever heard live, Zinka Milanov, retired with an Andrea Chenier. She did sing the final Chenier duet with Richard Tucker at the Met Gala closing of the old house on April 16, but Apr.13 was her official retirement date.
On that occasion,the 87th time I saw her live,the voice was as clear and fresh as it was when I first saw her. Yes,the tears came,not only among us, but she could barely speak,and when I listen to her emotional (and very short) farewell speech,those memories return.
On May 17th,we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of her birth,and the book should be out that month also. As much as I thrilled to her singing so often,she really contributed to my not having a great average in college,but
I would do it the same way if I had the time machine running.
When you are a teenage opera lover and someone "bigger-than-life' comes along..you never forget...and she was the one who helped to
bring me so much joy for so long. God Bless You, my Zeeeenka...I bet
today you are singing your "Pace" just as well as ever (with Rosa looking on with envy!!!!!!)
With greatest affection,
Charlie
Meta Seinemeyer,who passed away at only age 33, was one of the truly magnificent sopranos of her era. What a pity she never lived to thrill even more audiences throughout the opera world.
The arias are from La Boheme, Andrea Chenier, Tosca, Der Freischutz, Manon Lescaut, and Tristan und Isolde.
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
A comparison of twelve famous tenors singing this exciting aria:
Roswaenge,Zenatello,Cortis,
Filippeschi,O'Sullivan,Escalais,
Pertile,Schmidt,Lazaro
Gigli, De Muro
Lauri-Volpi
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
A pot-pourri of 15 artists who recorded for EMI:
Gedda,Alagna,Vanzo,Pavarotti,Kraus,Crespin,Cotrubas,
Sills,Dimitrova,Caballe ,Moser,Scotto,Bacquier,Van Dam,Baltsa
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
A selection of 18 truly marvelous artists who performed at La Scala between 1880 and 1940:
De Lucia,Sobinov,Bonci,Vinas,
De Angelis,Pasero,Spani, Masini,
Anselmi,Boninsegna,
Escalais,Zamboni,De Muro,
Dalla Rizza,De Hidalgo,
Pampanini,Cobelli,
Sammarco
Download this episode from the April Podcast Archive.
A pot-pourri of fifteen famous sopranos. They include:
Magda Olivero, Gianna Arangi-Lombardi, Mafalda Favero, Ninon Vallin, Bidu Sayao, Eva Turner, Ljuba Welitsch, Rosetta Pampanini, Germaine Lubin, Claudia Muzio, Elizabeth Grummer, Martha Moedl, Rosa Ponselle, Licia Albanese, and Gina Cigna (w.Cloe Elmo).
I think you will really have a great time with these 16 famous Violettas,especially the last one in the bunch. Remember, I am not posting the names here in case you wish to test yourself or some others.(Photo: Diana Soviero)
Bonus: a video of Anna Moffo singing the first act aria from "La traviata."
Many exciting renditions of material from the great work. I hope you enjoy the selections I have included.
Melchior
Voelker
Flagstad
Tebaldi
Listen to this glorious aria as sung by ten famous tenors:
(I am not naming them here so that you might use the podcast as a quiz for yourself or others)
This is a collection of totally delusional divas and divos and a series of live outbursts by both artists and audience members! Perfect for opera gatherings, but be warned that you might need a generous supply of tranquilizers and anti-acids.
Ten famous tenors sing this great aria from La Boheme. They include:
Giuseppe Anselmi
Carlo Bergonzi
Antonio Cortis
Giuseppe Di Stefano
John McCormack
Miguel Fleta
Alfred Piccaver
Aureliano Pertile
Jussi Bjoerling
Beniamino Gigli
BONUS: "Music Minus One" accompaniment to the aria -- so you can sing it ... (I hope!!!!)
These selections should afford you some idea of the incredible thrills that Franco Corelli produced for audiences wherever he performed. In memory of this great tenor,I offer this birthday tribute. (Photo:Calaf)
An exciting series of duets,mostly soprano/tenor,taken from live and commercial recordings. I think you will enjoy the selections,featuring some of the great artists of the past. (Photo:Beverly Sills and Placido Domingo in Roberto Devereux,1970)
Since Marian Anderson made her Met debut as Ulrica in 1955, several Afro-American artists have followed; in addition,several black artists of the past must be recognized for their fine singing:
Marian Anderson (photo),Leontyne Price,Paul Robeson, Dorothy Maynor,Grace Bumbry,Shirley Verrett,Florence Quivar,Angela Brown, Lawrence Brownlee
I present to you nine artists whom I have come to know personally.I first "met" them as I attended performances they gave and felt that they were among the finest singers I had ever heard,and over the years a certain friendship has grown between us.The artists are:
Aprile Millo,Elizabeth Carron,Frank Guarrera,Olivia Stapp, Diana Soviero (See Video of Juliette Scene),Lucine Amara,Samuel Ramey,Marisa Galvany, and Virginia Zeani (in photo)
The first in a series of selections by famous mezzos/contraltos:
Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Conchita Supervia(in photo), Sigrid Onegin,
Clara Butt, Zara Dolukhanova, Claudia Novikova, Kathleen Ferrier.
New! To subscribe to this podcast using iTunes, just click on the button below:
Selections by Giulio Crimi, Bernardo De Muro, Aureliano Pertile (in photo as Cavaradossi) Giovanni Zenatello, Aroldo Lindi,Giuseppe Taccani,Roberto D'Allesio
Extremely LOW-lights from Aida featuring sopranos Olive Middleton and Vassilka Petrova, as well as mezzo(?) Sylvia Sawyer.
I think the guy in the photo would sound better!!!!!!!!!!!
The amazing Magda Olivero,( born March 25,1910), a true "miracle" of singing, in selections from concerts in Amsterdam from 1962,1968,and 1972.
Recordings by seven baritones who excelled especially in the German Fach:
Georg Hann,Michael Bohnen,Joel Berglund,Rudolf Bockelmann,
Paul Schoeffler,Herman Prey, George London
One of the most beautiful natural tenor voices that I and my fellow standees (1957) ever heard. I want more of you out there to come to appreciate this ravishing voice.
In loving memory of some of the great artists who have passed away recently. Let us all celebrate their careers.
Theodore Uppmann,Enrico Di Giuseppe,Piero Cappuccilli,
James King, Robert Merrill, Alfredo Silipigni/Jerome Lo Monaco
and Birgit Nilsson
I present this tribute to Zinka Milanov,my all-time favorite artist. She sings excerpts from La Gioconda,Ernani,Andrea Chenier,La Forza del Destino, and Norma. Enjoy!
I have always felt that Mme.Regina Resnik has been one of our greatest artists,not only in her varied opera career as soprano and mezzo-soprano,but also as teacher,producer,director,filmmaker,etc.
I think this special tribute will thrill you and help you to understand the genius of this great artist in a program of many of her roles as mezzo and soprano.
If you had atttended the Met performances of this opera with the same cast (Nilsson, Resnik, Rysanek), you would have needed oxygen!
One of the most exciting performances of this opera (from 1974)
(Photo: Sam Ramey,Wife, and new basso)