Wed, 14 May 2008 VIVA VERDI!!!!! So, what else is new?? We sat at that marvelous Macbeth last night and marveled at the beauty of that glorious work, especially magnificently conducted by Jimmie, with that superb chorus, and we loved the production,with its marvelous special effects and brilliant direction. The modernization did not bother us one bit, and i felt it was one of finest things the Met has done. Before Levine came in, some idiot yelled, "Where are you?" since there was a slight delay in his entrance.I guess some people in the audience think of their own ego than anything else! What more can we ever say about Rene Pape?. That must be one of the most glorious basso (or any voice-type) voices in opera history. The tone is so mellifluous, and the top is huge! I hope there are Wotans in his future. One special note that usually goes by unimportantly is the "L'inferno" in the first scene, and it was like a cannon going off. The gorgeous aria "Come dal ciel precipita" was sung with exquisite legato line and he received a deserve ovation. (Did you ever hear of anyone attending a Tristan just for the King Marke?) After a dullish Aida, I was quite taken by the brilliant voice of Mme.Papian.I know she refuses (or is not able) to use any chest voice, sorely missing in this role, but the middle and upper voice is quite glorious. The C thins out, but she did manage a D flat pianissimo at the end of the Sleepwalking Scene.(What do those chairs mean????).I did miss a Callas or a Galvany in the role, but i still thought she sang a tough role extremely well. Carlos Alvarez, like Mr.Lucic, is a true Verdi baritone. His voice was dark and brilliant,his acting superb, and he essayed my favorite baritone aria, "Pieta,rispetto" with stunning tone, concluding with a beautiful long-held diminuendo on the last note. The biggest ovation of the evening, after his aria, and at the curtain calls, was accorded to tenor Joseph Calleja (our photo below), fast becoming a special favorite. The man has a tremendously large voice,but the lyricism is still there, and if you recall, there was some talk of his "being miked."(He said that someone else asked him that!). He is "miked' like Corelli,DelMonaco,Tebaldi,and Nilsson were "miked." (gggg). I decided to see as much of his performances in the future, as he is a magnificent singer and artist. As wonderful as the evening was, the "best was yet to come." You all knowIi have a podcast site, and my audience is quite knowledgeable. Well, the thing that cracked us up last night is that when I "innocently" told him my throat hurt from braoing, he looked at me and asked, "Are you Charlie Handelman?" Total SHOCK! I then received a big "bear hug"(he is built!) and he said, "We all listen to you and you are more famous than I am!!"(In my dreams!!) Anyway, it was so adorable, and maybe I am more of a legend than in my own mind..What do you think?(Do not answer that). Anyway, he topped a beautiful evening by presenting to all of us a totally delightful personality, and posed for photos with some of us.. You know my buddies and I never apologize for retaining the youthful enthusiasm and some of that "groupie mentality" that we had in our early years on the standee line. It is that we appreciate what these great artists do, and we are rewarded when they are also so very kind to us. Sorry the season is over...but as the Yankees are beginning to exclaim, "Wait till next year!" As ever Charlie (not really more famous than anyone.)
On the podcast you will hear arias from I Lombardi, Macbeth, Romeo, Duca D'Alba, Adriana, and Mme.Butterfly. Be aware that no matter how beautiful he soubnds, you are not fully prepared for that enormous (and gorgeous) voice in person. Ain't opera nice????????????? Comments[1] |
Wed, 14 May 2008  More to come on this adorable guy.... Comments[0] |
Sun, 11 May 2008  An operatic tribute to Mothers' Day with selections from operas Elektra,Trovatore,Carmen,Suor Angelica,Mme.Butterfly, (71 minutes) A HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Comments[1] |
Sat, 10 May 2008  I was really sad today upon hearing of the death (age 79) of Leyla Gencer. I always said that had there never been a Callas, Leyla "would have been Callas" in the sense that her lasting power, her enormous and varied repertory, and the excitement she created (with flaws to be sure),earned her a special place in opera history. I now refer you to the Gencer podcast of February 16, 2007,to be found in the archives, for a reminder of her great artistry and singing. The photo you see is when we had a party for her in 1972 in New York, following an Attila she did in New Jersey. (That was when we sat at her feet "literally' and she autographed my "Leyla Gencer "pirated recording card." Remember, she made no commercial recordings, and was always known in opera circle all over the world as the "Queen of the Pirates." She was honored at a Licia Albanese Gala a few years ago, and she was so happy we remembered her. I am glad i have that memory, and may I again express my sorrow at the passing of this wonderful artist. Sincerely Charlie Category: general -- posted at: 7:03 PM Comments[1] |
Fri, 9 May 2008  I think you might enjoy seeing and hearing (FORGET the Italian..I would fail the dude!!) Izzy, who has been developing a kind of "cult following." He may not be a "typical" opera lover, but who can resist his enthusiasm and I really find this refreshing! Category: general -- posted at: 10:17 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 9 May 2008  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. Go to YOUTUBE and type her name..and you will see ASTOUNDING performances!!!!!!
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Mon, 5 May 2008  I wonder if any of you are also members of my groups on Yahoo, where you can download a HUGE number of sound files. Please feel free to join.The links are: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vissidarte (or vissidamore) The sound file library is different from the podcast library, and therefore there is a wide variety for you to enjoy. My best Charlie WOW!!! I am so happy we have several new members of those groups as a result of this "plug." There are so many wonderful sound files for your entertainment...THANKS!!!!! Category: general -- posted at: 9:54 PM Comments[0] |
Sun, 4 May 2008  Scenes from each Puccini opera,in chronoligical order, Placido Domingo,Aureliano Pertile, Roberto Alagna, (69 minutes) Comments[0] |
Mon, 21 April 2008  Highlights from this magnificent work (Charlie's second favorite opera). We feature Birgit Nilsson, Leonie Rysanek,Regina Resnik, (71 minutes) Comments[4] |
Mon, 14 April 2008  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) Comments[0] |
Tue, 8 April 2008  NOT FOR PURISTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lowlights from the Die Walkure performance at the REMEMBER! I WARNED YOU!!!! (33 glorious minutes) Comments[2] |
Sun, 6 April 2008  Some of you may have heard this clip, but it is so bizarre I
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Thu, 3 April 2008  The first podcast dedicated to the art of the legendary Aida, Tosca, Norma, Nabucco, Aroldo, Armida, (73 min.) Comments[7] |
Sat, 29 March 2008  Highlights from a marvelous 1968 performance of Verdi's (60 minutes) Comments[3] |
Mon, 24 March 2008  A Compilation of famous tenors of the "Golden Eras" in opera: Pertile,Martinelli, Gigli, Bjoerling, Schipa, Thill, Slezak, (67 minutes) Comments[1] |
Sun, 23 March 2008  Scenes from Manon, Il Tabarro, Tales of Hoffman, and (63 min.) Comments[2] |
Fri, 14 March 2008  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 Comments[7] |
Tue, 11 March 2008  My tribute to Aprile Millo, one of the finest (and nicest) artists I have Trovatore, Fanciulla, Rusalka, Andrea Chenier, Luisa Miller, (67 minutes)
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Sun, 9 March 2008  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, (72 min.) Comments[3] |
Fri, 29 February 2008  A comparison of Kunst(art) and Stimme (voice) sopranos. Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Joan Sutherland, Martha Moedl, (74 minutes) Comments[1] |
Thu, 28 February 2008  Scenes from some of the great Rossini works as presented Barbiere di Siviglia, Cenerentola, Viaggio a Rheims, Marilyn Horne, Conchita Supervia, Vesselina Kasarova, (73 minutes)
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Fri, 22 February 2008  Scenes from Verdi's Ernani, featuring some of the greatest Anita Cerquetti, Leontyne Price, Zinka Milanov, Grace Bumbry, (76 minutes)
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Thu, 21 February 2008  Songs and Arias as sung by the great Claudia Muzio. (78 minutes) Comments[1] |
Mon, 18 February 2008  Selections from Aida, Trovatore, Ernani, Nabucco, and (44 minutes) Comments[1] |
Fri, 15 February 2008  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, (66 minutes) Comments[4] |
Mon, 11 February 2008 Highlights from Puccini operas featuring many great artists: Rosa Ponselle, Claudia Muzio, Virginia Zeani, Licia Albanese, (73 minutes) Comments[0] |
Sun, 10 February 2008  Selections from live performances conducted by Leopold Stokowski. (73 minutes) Comments[0] |
Sat, 9 February 2008  I have raved for two years over my dear friend Ta'u Pupu'a and recent important auditions have borne out my initial feelings about his talent. I invite you to hear his recent Maurizio (three clips) on his site and i think you will agree that a bright future exists for him. This young man, and former football pro, has been singing opera for less than two years and his accomplishments in this short period have been quite amazing. I guess my first impressions were correct, as we are hearing great praise from many quarters. Bravo to him!!!!! As ever Charlie, unpaid agent supreme Comments[4] |
Mon, 4 February 2008  A compilation of scenes from the great Puccini opera, Comments[0] |
Sat, 2 February 2008  By popular request (Ruben!!), here are highlights from (66 minutes)
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Wed, 23 January 2008  Famous tenors of past and present whose last names happen Ramon Vinay, Cesar Vezzani, Albert Vaguet, Alessandro Valente, (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!!!!! Comments[6] |
Sat, 19 January 2008  Excerpts from the great career of tenor Nicolai Gedda. These Boheme,Tosca,Tales of Hoffmann,Vespri Siciliani, Comments[3] |
Wed, 16 January 2008  An exciting compilation of scenes from Leoncavallo's Richard Tucker, Mario del Monaco, Franco Corelli, (66 min.) Comments[0] |
Mon, 7 January 2008  Great Singers of the "Germanic" School. Included are: Frieda Leider (in photo), Margarita Perras, Alexander Kipnis, (78 minutes) Comments[1] |
Fri, 28 December 2007  Marisa Galvany, one of the most exciting artists, in a podcast This is a re-doing of a previous Galvany podcast, with Let me know all is now well!!!!!!!!! Comments[2] |
Sun, 9 December 2007  Still another "adventure" into some of the unusual happenings (54 minutes) Comments[2] |
Sun, 9 December 2007  Songs, Arias, and opera scenes, as performed by the great (78 minutes) Comments[1] |
Wed, 5 December 2007  Volume One of a compilation of some of the funniest, 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.) Comments[2] |
Sat, 1 December 2007  The second part of the celebration of the great Verdi, with Macbeth ( 2 versions), Luisa Miller, Rigoletto, Trovatore, (All casts announced) (71 minutes) Comments[0] |
Sat, 1 December 2007  The first of a two-part celebration of the great Giuseppe Included here are the finales of: (Cast details announced) ( 62 minutes) Comments[0] |
Sun, 25 November 2007  The beautiful aria of Prince Yeletsky in act two Dmitri Hvorostovsky(in photo), Hugo Hasslo, Bernd Weikl, (53 minutes) Comments[4] |
Fri, 23 November 2007  Birgit Nilsson as Elektra from her first (67 minutes)
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Wed, 21 November 2007  One of the greatest performances in my memory!!!! (55 minutes) Comments[4] |
Mon, 19 November 2007  Scenes from the great March 17, 1956 Met Forza del Destino, Zinka Milanov, Leonard Warren, Cesare Siepi, and Richard Tucker (74 minutes) Comments[6] |
Sun, 18 November 2007  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, (53 loud minutes) . Comments[3] |
Wed, 14 November 2007  I sincerely hope you will enjoy this podcast,dedicated to (56 minutes) Comments[2] |
Tue, 13 November 2007  Ten versions of the finale of act one of Puccini's "Turandot" ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Charlie (73 minutes) Comments[2] |
Sat, 3 November 2007  Recently, I was impressed so much with the singing and the artistry of tenor Kip Wilborn, whom I heard at New York City Opera as (26 minutes)
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Mon, 29 October 2007  A comparison of various renditions of the Traviata aria (84 minutes) Comments[5] |
Sat, 27 October 2007 Comments[1] |
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