If you heard her live...you would need oxygen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have fun with the great Sue Hassell!! Fourth riddle...  Why am I here??????????????????

Ed Rosen,Vinnie Titone, Marty Broms, and Carlo Handelmaniac

I never forgave Ed for those HUGE high notes.  Farewell, mio amico......My tears flow.   It came out twice...once in honor of Pinza/Ruffo

We just lost Ed Rosen, one of the great collectors and live tape distributors.Rest in Peace.

Never came here....Carteri is the greatest..and he makes you cry  12/14/60

pupil of the Neapolitan tenor Fernando De Lucia (1860–1925), Thill made his opera debut at the Paris Opéra in 1924, and he continued to appear there and at the Opéra-Comique for several decades, undertaking a busy schedule of performances.

In addition, he sang throughout Europe and in South America, receiving the acclaim of audiences and critics at La Scala, Milan, the Rome Opera, the Verona Arena, the Vienna State Opera, the Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. He also gave 14 performances, of seven roles, across two seasons (1931–1932), at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City; but he had difficulty fitting in with the unfamiliar American cultural environment, experiencing health difficulties, and he was less well received by the Met's patrons as a consequence.

His voice began to show signs of decline during the 1940s and he retired from the stage in 1953. He died in 1984 in Draguignan.

Chronologically, Thill's operatic repertoire ranged from Gluck to Puccini and embraced works by Gounod, Massenet, Berlioz, Meyerbeer, Wagner, Verdi and Leoncavallo, among others. He also gave song recitals and was a frequent visitor to the recording studio. He cut many 78-rpm discs of French, Italian and German operatic arias and duets, and participated in the recording of an entire performance of Massenet's Werther by French Columbia Records. The finest of his 78s, dating from 1927 to circa 1940, display the gleaming tone of his voice at its superlative best, as well as demonstrating his spotless taste, stylish phrasing and pellucid diction.

Thill also appeared in several film clips and French-language motion pictures, including Louise (1939), based on Gustave Charpentier's opera. It was directed by Abel Gance and featured Grace Moore as Thill's co-star. Privately, Thill, while a dedicated musician, enjoyed a convivial off-stage lifestyle, and he later blamed his propensity to burn the candle at both ends for shortening the span of his vocal prime.

Video came out twice................................so it is worth listening again.

Crying for her all night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Loved her so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Piangero per sempre

One day in my Spanish class, a brilliant,lovable student named Rosario (Rusty) Salemi,knowing I loved opera, said "My aunt sings opera." To myself, I thought, "big deal...probably someone named Elsie Schlachermeyer." No..It was Elizabeth Carron, who just passed away,and with my tears now flowing, I remember her Butterfly, and her Regina of Blitztein (created Miss Birdie.),and how we met and always had so much fun on the phone over the years.
She was Italian,by the way, and I did meet her hubby, who played tennis at age 98!!!!! She sang some Mimi with Ed Rosen at a party..voice still there..HATED Zerbinetta.......but did a lot...except that her family choices did not let her sing more....even in Scala......her choice....... She is on the Callas Medea,by the way.
  I can't stop crying...just so sad...but at 94.. good life...fun lady...........They are leaving us.....but never forgotten.   Clips on Youtube

 With my heart so full for her..........Charlie

To cry forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After last season....she could wipe them out if she was 90......   1982 Frankfurt.

MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ran into him before Boheme Sat. No one as sweet and lovable....plus that great voice..His idols are Gedda and Wunderlich..FIGURES!!!!!

One night at the old Met,the rope that held us,that really contained 50 people instead of maybe 10...we let our friends in at 7....BROKE...and we all fell on the pavement..

I am still laughing....we were absolutely hysterical!

I thought she was smarter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Paul was 19.We sang a lot together.......We never dreamed he would become an ICON!!!!! He did a few Bohemes last yr..Alc/Benoit.  A sweet guy with several serious tragedies in his life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leech was so good.Came over once to get a tape of Don Sebastien. Lorengar had wide vibrato..but a treasure!!!!

I saw him in his farewell tour..a GOD!!!!!

Sounded MIKED live...amazing resonance!!!

My beloved Virginia just turned 91. I told her that her knees would not be so bad after 645 Violettas if she wore knee pads.       OR....ask to die on a mattress (or on a bad tenor)

If you have your towels ready, here is Renata's return to New YOrk.

Hard for me to take...since she was the kindest person imaginable!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael knows I think he is Franco 2...Different of course, but GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great guy!!

Hans Hotter.....Forgot who Erda is..Oh well..She is no help anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Repeats of some old stuff for new people and oldies who forgot!!!!!!

Tebaldi,Tucker..(Scarpia is dead)

Placido21@aol.com    Can I do this?

She would not DARE scream at me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was my second mommy!!!!

Love you Anna...but Tucker Gala..You have NO CLUE!!!!!

   If you laugh...it means you have no taste...Note tenor PASSAGGIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     NEXT:     ELEKTRA???????????????????????

Her attacks were FRIGHTENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

\\

11/14/ 1926..She knew she had little time left....The most BELOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GLITCHES//will fix soon...non mi abbandonare..

For new members, or for older ones who want more torture, here is a reminder of the first nutty clips I made, before I became normal..no CRACKS!!!

 http://handelmania.com/mad.htm

In the nine years I have had the pleasure of sending you material, it has been a great success..over one million and a half "hits."

You see the archives on the podcast page, but often it is difficult to remember where things are, although I keep my own records.

However,some of the compilations are hard to locate, so if I do some repeats, I am sure you will understand, and even enjoy things all over again.

I wish I could allow comments, but as I have explained, if you allow for them, I get ads for all kinds of commercial products. You are always invited to send comments and/or suggestions to my e-mail address at Placido21@aol.com.

 Thanks for your great support and have a look at teenage me with my adopted mommy.

"Vat?" You like my pianissimi?"

On Jan.21, 1956, my 20th birthday, this Carmen w.Rise Stevens,Giuseppe Di Stefano,Robert Merrill,Lucine Amara cond.by Max Rudolf was to precede a surprise birthday party for me on the next day. However (listen to end of act 3),you hear Rise say "put my arm down,"(1:46:24) which dear Pippo broke, and the Rise Stevens music club meeting,scheduled for the next day...to get me out of the house while my friends assembled,was cancelled! PANIC!!!!

  My ma convinced me to go see Rise when she came from the hospital, and happily I was able to arrive home and shockingly had the biggest surprise imaginable!

  I was so surprised, but there was one person who was too busy to show up..her name was Renata Tebaldi! I would have fainted!

  Well,despite Pippo, it turned out well, but it was a close call.

We lost this wonderful artist at age 51.He died of cancer this week. I saw his superb Tannhauser last season.  So sad!!!!!

  We spoke every birthday! NO ONE made me happier on that birthday day.....The "Verismo voice" and the love of life. Heaven must have become a more beautiful place on Sept.8, 2014, when she entered.

Happy birthday to dear Irina Rindzuner,

a good friend & fine voice.

China looks rather strange!

  I try to spread the word about new talent.Here is tenor Jamison Walker, one of my zillions of Facebook buddies.

Nice to find superb young singers, and here is one of them!!!!!!!

I play Michael's high C on "rendero" as much as I play Corelli's. Mike is a great guy.

One of our great young tenors!!!!!!

...and remember whom I have seen in my operatic life!!!!!!!

Please but the new Poliuto DVD, as I get 5% of the sales. 

Seriously, it is a great Fabianolous DVD!!

Live Radio broadcasts sponsored by Martini & Rossi.

Di Stefano  Iris  "Apri la tua finestra"

Carosio       Sonnambula    "Ah non credea"

Callas          Seraglio aria (In Ital.)

Gigli             Werther aria  (In Ital.)

Simionato     Tancredi   "Di tanti palpiti"

G.Raimondi   Luisa Miller    "Quando le sere al placido"

Callas            La Vestale     "Tu che invoco"

Olivero           La Wally       "Ebben,ne andro"  

DelMonaco       Walkure Act one scene

Cossotto       Samson et Delilah  act 1 aria

Bergonzi/Carteri    Butterfly Duet

https://www.youtube.com/user/MrFriendofopera. Good stuff!

Click PLAYLISTS.

When scrolling ends,

Click last item for more.

A

Happy Birthday to a marvelous soprano.Her Met Amelia was a joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Hope she returns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK..So his German was not like Svanholm's.

On the great Mario Del Monaco's birthday on 7/27 (1915), here, in outline form, are some recollections:

1.November 1951.My first opera.EXPENSIVE orchestra seat at 7.50. I remember very little, except the curtain opened, and a guy with WHITE TEETH came forward..First singer in my LIFE!

2. Oct.31, 1956  Callas debut.(bad!).  Act two (in those days in was act 4) he sings one low-lying line in the duet: "No,si vil non sono!"  I swear to this day it seemed he was singing that "innocent" line in my poor EAR, but one night he did say "Hello,boys" when he came out the stage door in my poor EAR again!

3. A friend supered in Otello.In act three he scared everyone with "Anima mia, ti malediiiico!" My friend's poor EAR!!!!!!!

4.Samson et Delilah 1958 matinee.(Rise and Mario looked even better than Vic and Hedy).End act 2...."No,I sing "TRAHISON" not off stage." (In his mind!)  It is a matinee....He ran out of the tent.....remember it was a BROADCAST!!! and sang it in front of the stage!  You big HAM!!!!  (Grazie a Dio!!)

5. Hard for him to sing over the passaggio with that voice..(Celeste AidOOOO) on F....but tried to sing piano and with Zinka did sing high B flat pp with her at end of Aida. He apologized once to Magda in Francesca rehearsal when he entered too LOUD...but at least he was aware of his shortcomings.

6. As years passed, the middle became "white," especially after his motorcycle accident, but last video is 1976 and the top remained great..but his "Riders to the sky" is disaster...and his live Fedora entrance,before the aria,  has someone saying something like "OI VEY," or something..I think it might be "Ma no!!!!! (It was with Magda.)

7. He got very sick, and was on Dialysis for a few years,until a rather early death..in his 60's.

8. He gave 1000% every night..Never faked it.....we adored him so much! When he came down those stairs in act one Chenier (our first Chenier..we sneaked in to dress rehearsal) and full voice started the Improvisso..we went nuts!

9. Gala once around 1960...Act One Butterfly..Why the white hair? Pinkerton didn't retire!

10. Called Franco a "goat" but they later made up. (It's in the Corelli book.)

11. He hardly did Manrico..but at my first Trovatore, he sang it. I saw him 40 times..Never will forget him.God Bless!!!!

Some of the lines are cut off..I just could not fit it all, but you get the idea....

Here is the great man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A friend was listening to the live Bayreuth Walkure, featuring the debut of Swedish baritone, John Lundgren. He was CRAZY..likening him to Hotter and London. I tuned in and I was just AMAZED!!

Of course it is unique, but he must be ranked as one of the great singers of today. He is the Rance on the DVD Fanciulla w.Stemme, and I hope he records more.

Not often do we hear this level of singing, especially in such difficult music.  Bless him!!!!!

https://vimeo.com/174245102

On or off stage, I love this guy...Who doesn't????

Carlo Bergonzi emerged as one of the greatest artists in opera history. Here,in 1986, he returns to the Met. He was born on 7/13/24.

The "slancio" is incomparable...a GOD in music!!!

Born in Jessup, Pennsylvania, Cossa studied with Anthony Marlowe in Detroit, Michigan, Robert Weede in Concord, California, and Armen Boyajian in New York City. He made his debut at the New York City Opera as Morales in 1961, and a week later sang Sharpless with the company. He won the American Opera Auditions in 1964 and was sent to Italy for debuts at the Teatro Nuovo in Milan and Teatro della Pergola in Florence.^[2]

He made his debut at the San Francisco Opera in 1967 as Zurga in Les pêcheurs de perles. His Metropolitan Opera debut took place on January 30, 1970 as Silvio in Pagliacci. Other roles there were Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Lescaut in Manon Lescaut, Marcello in La bohème, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliette, Masetto in Don Giovanni, Valentin in Faust, Yeletsky in Pique Dame, Germont in La traviata, and Albert in Werther. In 1976 he created the role of David Murphy in the world premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti's The Hero with the Opera Company of Philadelphia.^[3]

Cossa's left a few notable recordings of his best roles such as Belcore in L'elisir d'amore opposite Dame Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti, Achillas in Handel's Giulio Cesare opposite Norman Treigle and Beverly Sills, Nevers in Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots, again opposite Sutherland, Martina Arroyo and Huguette Tourangeau, and the baritone solo part in Roger Sessions' When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd. He can also be heard on the Classical Record Library's A Celebration of Schumann and Schubert with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

He has sung as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, the Israel Philharmonic, and the National Symphony.

He was chosen by Licia Albanese to be the recipient of the Puccini Foundation's Bacccarat Award in 2004, and in 1993 was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great American Singers at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.

Cossa taught at the Manhattan School of Music and in 1988 he accepted a position as Professor of Music at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he became chair of Voice/Opera.

Also, a SWEET GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His North American debut was as Alvise in Ponchielli's La Gioconda at the second season opening of Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera House. It was the night of "Golden Age" stars, also featuring American debuts of Giovanni Zenatello as Enzo and Jeanne Gerville-Réache as La Cieca, while Lillian Nordica sang the tile role, Mario Ancona was Barnaba and Eleanora de Cisnero was Laura. A year later, Metropolitan Opera engaged Didur as Méphistophélès in Gounod's Faust at the inauguration of the new Brooklyn Academy of Music to be followed two days later by his Ramfis in Giuseppe Verdi's Aida. On this all-star opening night of the 1908 season, Arturo Toscanini was in the pit and the rest of the cast included Emmy Destinn in her Met debut as Aida, Enrico Caruso (Radames), Louise Homer (Amneris) and Antonio Scotti (Amonasro). He remained with the company for a quarter of a century and became one of its principal bass singers, counting 933 performances in 55 roles.^[9]

It was at the Met in 1913 that he appeared in the title role of Boris Godunov in the American premiere of Mussorgsky's opera.^[10][11][12] Didur created the roles in three operas by Giacomo Puccini at the Met, La fanciulla del West and the Il tabarro and Gianni Schicchi of the Il Trittico trilogy. He also appeared at the world premiere of Humperdinck's Die Königskinder. His other important "firsts" at the Met include the US premieres of Mozart's Così fan tutte, Smetana's The Bartered Bride, Borodin's Prince Igor (singing both Prince Galitzky and Khan Konchak), and Montemezzi's L'amore dei tre re. He also sang under the baton of Gustav Mahler in Mozart's Le nozze de Figaro, Smetana's The Bartered Bride and the Met premiere of Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades. Didur's last appearance at the Met was in the role of Coppélius in Les Contes d'Hoffmann on 11 February 1932.^[9] His voice had been on the wane for some time and he returned to live in Europe.^[13

Rare stage appearances by Virginia Zeani. She just told me they did a festival in her honor in Romania.

Who deserves it more?  Remember she is my "sister."

When I find a new voice,I want others to sample it.Note remarkable pianissimo tones, AND mixed chest voice on "Crudel," which pleases me so much.

Eleonora Buratto was born in Mantua, Italy. After graduating at the "Lucio Campiani" Conservatory, she continued her studies for three years under the guidance of Luciano Pavarotti and then with Paola Leolini. 
She made her debut in the role of Musetta in La Bohème in 2007, winning the competition " Adriano Belli " in Spoleto.
In 2009, conducted by Riccardo Muti, she debuted in the role of Creusa in Demofoonte by Jommelli at Salzburg Festival, Opèra Garnier and Ravenna Festival. In 2011, again under the baton of Riccardo Muti, she was Susanna in I due Figaro by Mercadante at Teatro Real Madrid, then at Salzburg Festival, Ravenna Festival and at the Colòn of Buenos Aires. In 2012, conducted by Riccardo Muti, she was Amelia in Simon Boccanegra at the Opera Theatre in Rome and in 2013 Norina in Don Pasquale at Teatro Real Madrid and in Rome and she sang in Chicago in the Mass in C minor with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Riccardo Muti. In 2014 she was again Amelia on tour in Japan with the Rome Opera Company.

You cannot judge by this clip, but the second this delightful lady sang the first Norina line, it was as if she was "miked." What a fabulous,most unusual resonance. I was thrilled!!!!!

  May she go far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  I was 18.(She was 48). My first introduction to the artist who would become my all-time favorite singer was during the 1953-54 season. I knew enough to realize she did have problems with high C, so I did not include all of the performance.

With Blanche Thebom,Cesare Siepi, and  the LOUDEST tenor on record, Gino Penno,who did not last too long, Zinka emitted some of the greatest sounds I have ever heard.

  Note the opening of "In mia man," where you hear the rich mixed low tones, brilliant top,total involvement with the music, great nobility, and to my ears, a legendary performance.

  I saw her 88 times, and can "play her repertory in my ears."

    She was not a cuddly Tebaldi, but I accepted it. She was a tough lady, until her butcher threw her out for smelling the chickens!

  (VAT??? Don't you know who I am???)

 I TOLD you more great stuff is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was born into an Armenian family living in the Russian city of Vladikavkaz, where his father was a mineworker. Pavel first worked in diamond drilling, then as a welder apprentice hoping to follow his father's steps. He first began to sing in a church choir before moving to Leningrad to study cello (1930).

As a strong-voiced soloist of a local amateur group he was commissioned to the Leningrad Conservatory.

He started his vocal career in the Maly Leningrad State Opera Theatre and then in the Yerevan Opera House, where he performed the leads for three years.

From 1940 to 1966, Pavel Lisitsian was the soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre and performed parts of Yeletsky, Onegin, Mazepa, and Robert (in Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, Evgenie Onegin, Mazepa, and Iolanta respectively), Germont and Amonasro (in Verdi's Traviata and Aida), Escamilo (in Bizet’s Carmen), Tatul (Spendiarov’s Almast), Arsaces II (Arshak II) (Chuhadzhyan’s Arshak II), Napoleon (in Prokofiev's War and Peace), and others.

During a concert tour of the USA in 1960, he appeared at the Metropolitan Opera as Amonasro. He died in Moscow.

Tchaikowsky and Rachmaninoff Songs.

  Since he lived from 1911-2004, Dmitri Hvorostovsky told me he knew him;there are similarities, since these two have gorgeous voices.

Here is the "Miracle of the Opera World," Magda Olivero, at Padua on 4/7/71 (only 61 yrs.old),accompanied by the famous soprano Irma Adami Corradetti.

 Manon,Turandot,Francesca,Adriana(Poveri Fiori),Pelagio (Mercadente),Manon Lescaut,Adriana (Io son l'umile ancella), and Manon Lescaut (Sola,perduta).

Go to youtube, where she sings at 83, and I know from her caretaker that she had to get rid of her piano,since people asked her to sing, into her 90's.

I called her every birthday until about age 102, but then things got more difficult until she passed away at 104.

GOD BLESS HER!!!

Callas, Monti, Cossotto,Zaccaria

Cond.Antonino Votto 8/21/57 

Edinburg  Scala Visit

1.Hoffmann w.Stich-Randall (1954-56)

2. Onegin w.Valerie Bak (1954)

3. Prince Igor aria (1953)

4. Aida duet w.Varnay (1953)

5. Walkure scenes w.Varnay (1953)

A great man!!!! One of the most dynamic singing/actors in opera. Sadly, the career was cut short by physical problems, but he still managed a fine career.

Charlie's all-time favorite aria:

Behrens,Caballe, Callas, Galvany, Malfitano, Marton, Milanov, Millo, Olivero, Price, Rysanek, Scotto, Tebaldi

Please note: These are all LIVE, so sound may vary.

Just a note to thank all of you, from Angola to Zanzibar, for your interest.

Total stats from the start of my podcasts are: 1,692,009 hits.

I am sorry I am unable to allow comments, since I get a horrendous number of ads. However, any comments or suggestions you may have can be sent to Placido21@aol.com.

   My best  Charlie

P.S. I am grateful for a fan who wants more of the audio podcasts.I am aware..I had so many computer glitches..but now can do more...I appreciate your input..Keep it up!!!!!

Discovered another great Polish artist. This man has such passion and I loved him so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My beloved friend,Diana Soviero, in Fedora from Montreal,1995. Loris is Ermanno Mauro.

For me, Diana has been one of the very last of the "verismo divas."

Just the first phrase is so emotional!!

Zinka and Franco rarely sang together, but when they did.....wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IN THE HIGH KEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sent this teenager to my teacher,Armen Boyajian. He was a teen in the school where I taught..Armen made another basso..along with Plishka and Ramey...BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I dream that KID I knew in high school,where I taught, would arrive at this point..What a star!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I sent this to Fabiano and Beczala. I think they had to run to the....you know!!!!!

I have not been so thrilled with an artist since the olden days! Well,Piotr has good taste,as his idols are Gedda and Wunderlich!!!!!

(Prince Igor aria)

After a Macbeth, this big guy said to me, "Are you Charlie Handelman?..You are more famous than I am!!"

   Not true...but we had so much fun!!!!!!! Since then, I always sign my e-mails to him "More famous than you!!!"

A superb voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was a teenager, and POOR..but those Cetra recordings with Mario Filippeschi were so exciting. He was born on June 7, 1907. I know he was not "subtle" but a wild voice!!!!!!!

Marisa celebrates on June 20 and two daddies join her for Fathers' Day..Sam and Harry were little kids here!!!!!!

My loving buddy,Piotr Beczala, who makes my life so joyous..as he does for so many. He said this might come out on DVD...I hope so!!!!!

Anyone who has not been on this planet recently might not know of the great Mari Lynn.She can be found on Youtube and I must warn you..If you have a weak stomach, do NOT watch this.

 She is currently coaching with Amelita Galli-Curci!!!!

I keep finding them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Brava!!!!

She gained international attention for the first time in 1994 after stepping in at the last minute to perform Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi with Geneva Opera. This role was also the vehicle of her debut at the Paris Bastille, with the Munich Radio Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera and Pittsburgh Opera.

Another of her roles is Gilda in Rigoletto, which she has performed at Canadian Opera Company, Lausanne Opera, Opéra Bastille, Pittsburgh Opera, New Israeli Opera, Teatro Municipal de Santiago de Chile, Canadian Opera Company, Teatro Municipale Giuseppe Verdi Salerno, Houston Grand Opera, and The Dallas Opera.

Her Lucia di Lammermoor at Houston Grand Opera "literally catapulted the opening night audience to its feet with her creativity and versatility." (Don Moser, Houston Voice).

Other notable roles have been her Linda di Chamounix; Marie in La fille du régiment; La Comtesse Adèle in Le Comte Ory, Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare; Morgana in Alcina; Olympia in Les contes d'Hoffmann, and Ophélie in Hamlet.

She got her start at San Francisco Opera where she held an Adler fellowship, singing roles such as Xenia in Boris Godunov, Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Duchesse Medina-Sidonia in Milhaud's Christoph Colombe, Marie in La fille du régiment and Fiakermilli in Arabella. Her role-debut of Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos was the vehicle of her return to San Francisco Opera in 2002. She reprised the role at the Richard-Strauss-Festspiele in Garmisch with Ulf Schirmer, Los Angeles Opera and at Houston Grand Opera.

I keep finding them!!!! Watching the Pogner in Meistersinger and discovering a voice reminiscent of the great bassos like Ludwig Weber and Kurt Moll.  Just gorgeous tone!!!!

Fedora Barbieri  6/4/1920
When I first went to the Met, one of the most amazing organ-like voices was Fedora Barbieri. The voice was rich and full, and she was one of our favorites ,The incredible lows shortened the very top, so B flat was virtually her easiest top note. (She does not take B natural in the Eboli.)
She was able to bring the chest voice up in an incredible way, so if you picture the last utterance in the Judgement Scene, the word "Anatema" before "su voi" was in CHEST!!!! When she broke away from De Luna, the "Deh rallentati,o barbari" shook the house. (Warren got mad and did not want her to take a solo.)
In 1976, when she returned for Trittico, I had made her some tapes, and met her backstage,mentioning the Trovatore scene. She then launched into it (lower key), and I then realized that she was not too shy. When she and Leyla came to be honored several years ago, at a Licvia Gala, she proceeded to sing some lines of a song, also in a rather low key.
She did a Master Class at Manhatten School of Music which was rather uninteresting. They can sing..but not always teach! We did spend some time backstage and she made me feel "calm" but she was still as much fun as ever. (Euphemism for "nuts!")
  I hope she and Giulietta made up, because I was always told they would not sing on the same planet!!!
   One of the greatest voices I ever heard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Happy Birthday to Cecilia Bartoli, June 4, 1966.  I think someone told me she loved this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

               Long Live La Puma
I finally decided to spread the insane La Puma opera stories to the world that listens to my podcasts. I know I have written them previously, but as long as I want to share with people from Angola to Zanzibar,I will repeat some of them, so do not accuse me of repetition. I NEVER repeat anything. Remember, these tales are true! I was there, or in a few cases others told me of their experiences. Picture yourself there with your opera buddies.(They eventually threw us out!!!!)
1. Chorus lady in Aida wearing a watch.(Memphis Standard time?)
2. Nedda who did not know the music after the ballatella, so Tonio had to leave.
3. Iago falling off the cheap junior high school table during the Brindisi.
4. Prompter in Faust SCREAMING the words from offstage.
5. Silva in Ernani bidding "Entrate ola miei fidi cavalieri."  One old guy enters.
6. Olive Middleton, the cult soprano (had a career 50 years ago), with a flashlight in act one Walkure. (This is BEFORE Herheim was born.).Well, it's dark in there.
7.Mme.La Puma (mother of the famous Met coach Alberta Masiello) announcing, "Barnaba ees seeck. We no do Gioconda.Instead we do Tristan und Isolde.
8. The last time we went, because they threw us out when a peasant girl with a big white bow, age about 65, let out an Elektra geschrei, when Leporello got fresh in the Zerlina/Masetto scene. We ran out in hysterics, and I wasn't even wearing my diapers.
    In your city, do they have anything l;ike this?  We have the MET!
  (BTW..Met singers used to attend.I hope they were courteous)
GO to Youtube "La Puma" for more punishment.

    Another great emotional star from Bulgaria,like Raina Kabaiwanska.

After graduating from the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski " and the Herzen University in Saint Petersburg She worked briefly at the Bulgarian Scientific Research Institute of Education in Sofia.^[1]

She wrote a dissertation on "Inclusion of children from preschool to universal moral values." Co-author of "Concept for the development of public preschool education in Bulgaria", "Concept for the socialization of socially disadvantaged Romani children” (under the auspices of UNICEF), "White Paper on Pravets" (2010) and the book "Pravets. Chronicles of the private city "(2011).

Author also of dozens of articles on topical issues of public life in the years of Bulgaria's transition to democracy and market economy, published in Bulgarian and foreign Internet and print media (including publications of the European Union) as well as her personal blog.^[2]

Information from her essay “The private cities of Bulgaria” (2008) has become part of the book "The New Bulgarian Demons" by the German investigative journalist Juergen Roth.^[3][4]

As a guest of the famous morning show "Hello, Bulgaria" to NOVA television on November 14, 2008 She determines Pravets as "the first private city", owned by the representative of the oil giant Lukoil in Bulgaria - Valentin Zlatev, prompting a flagrant dismissal of high-ranking journalist Georgi Koritarov.

Svetla Vassileva is co-founder of several non-profit associations.

Svetla Vassileva was awarded the "Golden Key" for 2014 in the category "journalism" of the Access to Information Programme.

I DO FIND GREAT ONES!!!!

I now add Evan Bowers to my list of fine tenors. This is a tenor world these days. We have Beczala,Giordani,Giordano,Fabiano,Calleja,Camarena,Flores, Breslik, Kaufman, Polenzani,Hymel,etc.

I bring some of those I know cd's, because my collection is gathering dust.

Evan is superb!!!!!

Still discovering new talent. Evan Bowers, superb tenor, plus the 76 year old Bruson, a legend. Svetla Vassileva also wonderful. Also never heard this opera!!!

1. Marton vs. Cigna in Turandot ("Straniero, ascolta!")
2. Calleja vs. Filippeschi vs. Pertile in Aida ("Celeste Aida")
3. Stemme & Dessì vs Gencer vs. Pedrini in Aida ("O patria mia")
4. Licitra vs. Salvarezza in Turandot ("Nessun dorma")
5. Alagna vs. Zanelli in Otello (Tu, indietro!... Ora e per sempre")
6. Guleghina vs. Nilsson in Turandot ("In questa reggia")
7. Vogt vs. Völker in Lohengrin ("In fernem Land")
8. Kaufmann vs. Di Stefano vs. Björling in Faust ("Salut demeure")
9. Kaufmann vs. Filippeschi vs. Salvarezza in Il Trovatore ("Di quella pira")
10. Hampson vs. Granforte in Il Barbiere di Siviglia ("Largo al factotum")***
11. Florez vs. Filippeschi vs. O'Sullivan in Guillaume Tell ("Asil héréditaire"/"O muto asil del pianto")
12. Gavanelli vs. Stracciari in Andrea Chenier ("Nemico della patria")
13. Hunter Morris vs. Svanholm vs. Melchior in Siegfried ("Nothung, Nothung, neidliches Schwert")
14. Pape vs. Reinmar in Die Walküre ("Leb wohl, du kühnes")

Wonderful stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beverly and Carol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hilarious!!

Happy Birthday to a great lady. Note the final double attack on the D..It was something awesome.

  MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Age 90

Vat???I never keeecked my train in Tosca!!!!

Who said that?????   (EVERYONE)

May 17, 1906. I only saw her 88 times.I did have to graduate college. NO ONE has ever affected me like Zinka. God bless her.

May 17, 1918

You had to be there!!!!! God bless the incredible Birgit Nilsson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just the most amazing thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Superb Mandryka and Coming up Dutchman at the Met.

Michael Volle has established himself as one of the leading baritones, receiving the important German Theatre Award “Faust” and awarded “Singer of the Year” by the opera magazine “Opernwelt”. He studied with Josef Metternich and Rudolf Piernay.

His first permanent engagements were at Mannheim, Bonn, Düsseldorf and Cologne. From 1999 until 2007 Michael Volle was a member of the ensemble of the Zurich Opera House where he sang various roles in new productions, including Beckmesser Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Eugene Onegin, Golaud Pelléas et Mélisande, Marcello La Bohème, Count Le Nozze di Figaro, Barak Die Frau ohne Schatten (2009) and Wolfram Tannhäuser (2011).

Since the 2007/2008 season Michael Volle has been a member of the Munich State Opera singing the title roles in the new productions of Eugene Onegin and Wozzeck and further roles like Count Le Nozze di Figaro, Kurwenal, Amfortas, Wolfram and Amonasro.

Messiah, An Sylvia,Tannhauser,Parsifal,Meistersinger,Don Carlo, Falstaff, Merry Widow

Mess

Combining an attractive voice with sparkling coloratura agility and good looks, Peters became a favorite of American audiences and a great proponent of opera for the masses. She quickly established herself in the standard soubrette and coloratura repertoire. Her roles at the Met included Susanna in Nozze di Figaro; Despina in Così fan tutte; The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute; Amore in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice; Marzeline in Beethoven's Fidelio; Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia; Adina in L'elisir d'amore; Norina in Don Pasquale; Oscar in Un ballo in maschera; Nanetta in Falstaff; Olympia in Les contes d'Hoffmann; Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier; Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos; and Adele in Die Fledermaus. She later added lyric-coloratura roles such as Amina in La sonnambula, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor and Gilda in Rigoletto, the last being her farewell role at the Met in 1985.

Fra Davolo,Sonnambula,Etoile Du Nord(Meyerbeer), Hamlet, Perle du Bresil(David)

Luisa Tetrazzini. One of the greats! Today they would "laugh" at the deliberate register breaks. That was the style. I love it!!!

THAT TRILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda di Chamounix, Sonnambula, Crispino e la Comare (Ricci), Vespri Siciliani,

I have archived all podcasts, but in the case of individual singers, it is often hard to check exactly what selections I presented. However, there is so much, I am sure you will like it all,even if you heard it previously.