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......

 

 

 

Category:general -- posted at: 8:07am EDT

  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!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 9:34pm EDT

"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!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 9:51am EDT

No WONDER she killed him....Just you wait!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:20am EDT

Perhaps the most mesmerizing singing we ever heard.

Note the B flat to B of Leonie at 3:30...We got SCARED!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 3:16pm EDT

  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!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 8:17pm EDT



                                                   

  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

Category:general -- posted at: 7:22pm EDT




After the show, we went back to Ramey's to count how long Galvany held the E flat  (My tape.)They were sensational!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 2:26pm EDT

Here are Zinka and Tucker in clip I promised.

Category:general -- posted at: 10:31am EDT




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!!!!!!

Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:22am EDT

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!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:12am EDT

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!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:22pm EDT

 

 

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….

Category:general -- posted at: 2:29pm EDT

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:14pm EDT


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!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:06pm EDT

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!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:15am EDT

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??"

Category:general -- posted at: 7:50pm EDT

  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!!!!!!

 

Category:general -- posted at: 10:33am EDT

  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.

Category:general -- posted at: 1:40pm EDT

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