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