Wed, 14 November 2012
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!!! |
Tue, 13 November 2012
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.)
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:48pm EDT
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Tue, 13 November 2012
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!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:34pm EDT
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Tue, 13 November 2012
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.) |
Mon, 12 November 2012
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.
Category:general
-- posted at: 4:04pm EDT
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Thu, 8 November 2012
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!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 12:03am EDT
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Wed, 7 November 2012
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.) |
Wed, 7 November 2012
Born Nov.8 , 1921...Hines' last appearance..Really amazing!!!!!! A stalwart basso for so many years!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:06pm EDT
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Tue, 6 November 2012
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!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 3:41pm EDT
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Mon, 5 November 2012
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."
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:25pm EDT
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