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.