One of the STARS of the Internet is "Coloratura Fan," who compiles an incredible number of material, and who is a STAR of the opera-loving Internet world. Here is an example. Just go to his page and enjoy!!

Happy Dec.15 birthday to a marvelous soprano who showed so much emotion and who could thrill audiences for so long!!!!!!

I am just thinking about Tebaldi a lot this week...I recall she went to Phila. for a perf...the Met used to go there. We saw her off in the last car...the baggage handler opened the door and she said, "Spoletta, CHIUDI." 
 

At a big affair once she was cutting the cake,held the knife up, and said, "Questo il bacio di Tosca."
   See how much fun we had with her.......
  

Also, at a Bell Tel.Hr.at Carnegie, we sat in the first row..She looked down at us "kids", winked...and then launched into "Inflammatus." She made us feel so important."
 Ten yearsthis week (Dec.19),Renata has been gone........and anyone who knew her from 1955 will treasure her memory..

Wolfgang!!!! I hope you do not have Internet. This is not boring. Some love the "crazy" productions for their "entertainment." value...but others curse like mad!!!

On the old Met standee line, we killed time (freezing)  by making up crazy opera scenes. Little did we know what was to come!!!!!!!

This clip sent to me by baritone (Marcello) David Bizic.

Another great singer the Met never engaged.......My favorite Mimi.....will post her in Boheme.

Dec.11, 1892....I bet his first words were "All'armi."

Here he is at 85...as calm as always!!!!!

88 years old here...Born Dec.11,1892

Slightly egoista....un po pazzo!!!!! But I would love to have heard him live!!!!!

  I was 15.....I saw them together in my first opera ever..Zinka's lows are so gorgeous......Just fabulous.

Nice to find a new singer..great Marcello last week at the Met!!!!

Just experimenting and so here is the late great Magda Olivero in Manon Lescaut.

Trying to use new Libsyn format.

For Maria's Dec.2 birthday, an AMAZING recording.

Ed Rosen and Carlo Handelmania attempt to sing Puritani Duet. (He always holds the last note LONG!!!)

On her Dec.2 (or 3) birthday, we must bless her for what she did for opera!!!!!!!!

Wonderful voice

soprano

Not great sound, but an amazing Callas recording for her upcoming birthday (Dec.2 or 3)

Whether or not you celebrate this holiday in your land, be most thankful for music in your lives, not to forget friends and family, and I thank you all for allowing me to bring opera into your lives, as it was brought to me.

Most sincerely,    Charlie

The kid might be good some day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This may not be opera, but I was just totally captivated by this "kid."  AMAZING!!!!!!!

    Zeani,Cotrubas,and now.........................Something about that land that is so conducive to emotion!!!!!!!

What a thrill to hear my dear Marisa Galvany (one of her fake names),friends for 50 years...one of the most exciting singers in my experience....and when we did Bolena, I did check to see if there was some microphone down her throat.  What a treasure she has been.

Bruce Burroughs never did her book....What tales he could tell!!!!!!

NEW DISCOVERY!!!! Go to Youtube for more of this superb baritone, and/or buy the DVD Attila from Parma.

  Remember how many baritones I have heard!!

Mario walked across the stage..we went NUTS!! Get the stopwatch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How wonderful to discover a new talent!!!!!  Mme. Branchini is the Odabella on the Parmi DVD Attila. She has the excitement, attention to the word and phrase..great attacks..and mixed chest voice........We could use her HERE. I hope she has a huge career.......I was thrilled, especially since I have heard so many superb sopranos in my life.

....and she knew death was near...I weep so much at this.......God Bless Her!!!!!

GOD BLESS the memory of our beloved lady...We miss her so!!!!!! Yes, Moedl,Jones, and Gencer..she had her flaws....But what a great great lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In order to remain a member of this forum,each member (who cares what gender??) must send me his/her/its recording of this aria .I cannot myself do it anymore..Quel dommage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the most sensational singers of all-time..Yes, I know she wrote one of the world's shortest books,"Diction for sopranos."    BUT who is perfect..Live...we went NUTS!!!!!!

Nov.7, 1936..Could be VERY flawed..but fabulous lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (like Moedl)

Mediterranean Opera Studio will hold its New York City Winter Intensive this
year from January 12-24. We were incredibly impressed with the quality of
teaching and the advances made by attendees in Caltagirone, Sicily this
Summer 2014, and so we are bringing instructors Nelly Miricioiu and
Salvatore Fisichella to New York.

These exceptional teachers, together with MOS director Jack Li Vigni, will
help participants advance in their technical abilities and put them much
closer to their artistic goals as operatic performers. Both advanced and
intermediate singers will be accepted. The deadline to apply is December 20,
2014.

I just got really turned on to Nelly.  For NewYawkers.she will give me specifics.....

WHY???? They do not make them anymore like this...The incredible,versatile lady!!!!!

To all my scary opera buddies...May I wish you a wonderful Halloween.I am trick or treating dressed as Zinka Milanov.

  Peter Grimes scene.He is remarkable!!!!!

Oct.29, 1921..The tough guy,Jon Vickers was born. Did you ever drink DRISTAN for a cold???????

  GREAT MAN!!!!!!!!!

I can do it ......in the basso key...................

Galvany at 3:30

Another great compilation by "Coloratura Fan." His contributions are amazing!!!!!

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK guys..Go into the shower.....or do it in your car...or in the grocery store..and do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate those unemotional tenors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The great,darling man, with whom my friend studied was born Oct.22, 1885.Not always a voice for all tastes..BUT a sensational career!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Virginia has been one the phone all day;so many have called her to celebrate her birthday.  We bless this wonderful lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to my beloved friend and great artist,Virginia Zeani,Oct.21. Since the Tebaldi days,no singer has touched my heart as dear Virginia.

In anticipation of my darling Virginia's 89th birthday on Oct.21.

I am finally at the opera..and feel better...so more podcasts to come!!!!!

The wonderful collection by "Coloratura fan" gives us so much pleasure.e

My darling "sorella" Virginia Zeani turns 89 On Oct.21. Listen to the emotion in that voice and the richness of the low tones. Bless this wonderful artist and dear friend.

Oct.12, 1935...the great man was born!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ADORE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Wherever she is,she will teach them about CHEST!!!!

 My dear buddies from Angola to Zanzibar,

   Please bear with me since I have had a rough time sitting and hope you will "back me up"...Love you all............

Charlie (not the guy in the photo,but I feel like him.)

Sorry for not posting much.

Gettng massages  (Polish lady)  maybe O will soon sound like PYOTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nO ONE SINGs LIKE THIS....................

She OWNED the role.....

Beloved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot do this anymore....

Miss her...................

Try this!!!!!!

Born as Maria Maddalena Olivero in Saluzzo, Italy, she made her operatic debut in 1932 on radio in Turin radio singing Nino Cattozzo's (1886–1961) oratorio, I misteri dolorosi.^[1]

She performed widely and increasingly successfully until 1941, when she married and retired from performing. She returned to the stage ten years later, at the request of Francesco Cilea, who asked her to sing again the title role in his opera Adriana Lecouvreur.^[2][3]

From 1951 until her final retirement, Olivero sang in opera houses around the world. Among her most renowned interpretations were the leading parts in Adriana Lecouvreur, Iris, Fedora, La bohème, La fanciulla del West, La traviata, La Wally, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Mefistofele, and Turandot (as Liù).

She sang in Cherubini's Médée at the Dallas Opera in 1967 and in Kansas City in 1968.^[4] In 1975, Olivero made her début at the Metropolitan Opera House in Tosca. Her last performances on stage were in March 1981 in the one-woman opera, La voix humaine by Poulenc.^[5] Her stage career ended at age 71, after spanning nearly 50 years. She continued to sing sacred music locally and, well into her eighties, made a recording of several arias.^{[citation needed]} Recordings exist of many of her great performances of both full operas and arias and scenes.

GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My beloved Magda is gone................................I have no wprds..through my tears

Bear with me...12 hrs.,on a gurney in hospital........Will hope to see you soon,,Back is injured

1.JUSSI in Romeo

2. Carlo Bergonzi (Bless him)

3. Olive Middleton (about156 yrs..old.)

4. Joel Berglund

5. ZINKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Callas Suicidio

2. Barbieri Trovatore act 3 scene

3.Baum  Norma aria (at least had a "c")

4.Schlusnus    Hamlet Drinking song

5. Bumbry   Turandot aria

6. L.Price Cleopatra aria

   I guess no one will go to the Justin Bieber recital where he lip-synchs Bach Cantatas sung by DFD.

Crying too much..more later

PRIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  137 tickets to next Justin Bieber Concert

For my darling friend Marisa Galvany ( one of her 56 names).NO ONE sings like you....and remember, I had the pleasure of looking down your tonsils on the high notes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Bless you!!!!!

This is the farewell of the great Shirley Verrett, born May 31, 1931. Words cannot express how I adored this great lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  This is an interesting change from the usual Cavalleria. I think you will enjoy this Cav from  the Royal Opera in Stockholm in 1963 under Herbert Sandberg. It features a favorite of mine, Barbro Ericson, with Ragnar Ulfung, Erik Sundqvist, Birgit Nordin (Lola), and Margareta Bergstrom (Mmma Lucia.)

  I discovered Olivia as Seymour in Bolena..She later changed to soprano.I adore this lady so much as a friend and what a powerhouse of a singer she was!!!!

 For my dear friend Olivia Stapp on her May 30 birthday. One of the sweetest ladies and a fabulous artist!!!!

On the occasion of his May 30 (1919) birthday, let us remember one of the most phenomenal singing actors in the history of opera. He was a veritable DYNAMO in a variety of roles. Some physical problems cut his career short, but we had many years of this great man!!!

The love of the phrase, the feeling she had!!! Bless Beverly on her birthday!

Born May 25, 1929..who dreamed what she would become????? Bless her!!!!

How can ONE WORD  (PAOLO!!!) or phrase summarize the greatness of an artist...Jan.21, 1939 (I was 3 that day)..the greatest Met broadcast ever in my mind....Lawrence Tibbett and Leonard Warren are so riveting..NO ONE does this today!!!!!!!!

DRIVES ME CRAZY EVERY TIME!!!!!!!!

I DID NOT KNOW THIS EXISTED!!!  I called Elizabeth for Mothers' Day and we were talking about Street Scene...and on YOUTUBE is this glorious example of singing and emotional involvement. Magnificent!!!!!!

Mommy!   It's your day!! Can't you be nice just ONCE?????

     Love and Happy Mothers' Day from Charlie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I ever post this added aria from Cenerentola?? City Opera did this with the great Gianna Rolandi,and it was a SMASH!!! The Met is doing the opera now,but without this...I feel if they added it, Diana Damrau would be the best candidate.Agreed?????

Javier Camarena in the dress rehearsal of Cenerentola last week....It caused people to demand an encore and they went totally INSANE!!! We have not experienced anything like this here since I attended Melba's debut!!

 Do not try this at home....or even in a mental hospital!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is that "new" tenor (new to me) Dmitry Korchak in the Valencia Onegin, a very interesting producion. He sounds absolutely magnificent!!!! (Do NOT tell Piotr!)

Just watched the Valencia Onegin Video and discovered a fabulous tenor, Dmitry Korchak. He is absolutely superb!!!!!

We do not get this kind of singing at the Met...but the other night the Met audience in Cenerentola DEMANDED an encore of Mr.Camarena.,They screamed,banged, and yelled, as if Gigli came back!!!!! People said the last high C was worthy of a "Di quella pira" tenor..and he also added some D's in the aria..not sure where. Not scheduled for next season,but future here is VERY bright!!!!!!!!!!!

Let us celebrate the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare by watching Marisa Galvany as a fabulous Lady Macbeth!!!!!

It was the evening of March 4, 1960. Leonard Warren,born Apr.21, 1911, said his final words in Forza.."E salvo..o gioja.." and died before our eyes on stage. He sounded as great as always and we treasure his memory...but the sadness and shock of that night will never be forgotten.He was a fabulous singer..still my all-time favorite baritone..Rest in Peace!

  I have spoken previously about how I "discovered"  Ta'u when we did Rigoletto and I was so shocked he had NEVER sung a role before. Since that time,he has been doing extremely well,and recently did a Pollione;here is the aria from a concert, and I find it superb. (easy high C included.)

   Divas better treat him with respect, because this ex-football player still knows how to TACKLE!

Piotr Beczala introduced me last year to the son of Jan Kiepura and the great Martha Eggerth, and he proceeded to call "mom." We lost her this year at about 101. What a great lady she was, and here she is about 90,with the charm she exuded all her life. Apr.17, 1912 was her birthday!!!!

I know the wonderful tenor was born on April 17, 1940...but I wanted to give you Leonie again..and the great scream,even in concert! I celebrate his career, but let's face it, there is NO ONE like Leonie these days!!!!!!

 What a tremendous thrill it is when I discover a new voice! I had seen Michael Corvino at City Opera years ago, but now I see this magnificent rendition of the "Mamma,mamma" from "The Most Happy Fella" I am sure you will enjoy his beautiful singing, and his deep emotional involvement.

 For dear Aprile Millo,born Apr.14 (Aprile in Aprile),1958. Aprile has been one of the sweetest,nicest people I ever met..and of course she sings here  in what we call the "old style."   Love always  from Charlie.

 People tell me they adore this "lesser-known" soprano's rendition of Butterfly's entrance. What do you think????

Three hours sleep (got to bed at 5) after the Butterfly at the Met...then to the Met at 9:00 for costumes,staging makeup. No one in Met history ever sang back-to-back NEW roles in the house.  She made history..and we love her so much!!!!

I discovered a fabulous baritone last night in Arabella. Michael Volle is just incredible.I was so thrilled!!!!!

What more can we say about the sensational Corelli, who has NEVER been replaced. This is my all-time Corelli "moment."The high C on "reeeeendero," that the Scala audience adores!

  Good friends of mine who knew him well do not share the oipinion of some that he was a difficult guy and adored him, although Loretta was no bargain. I do know one story (and it is in the Corelli book) that in a hotel in Atlanta,Georgia they had to re-decorate a room because the two of them had a "spaghetti fight."(WITH SAUCE!)

  I saw the man 40 times, from his 1961 debut, and will never forget him!

   Having sung the magnificent Mme.Butterfly on Friday evening, and retiring about 5:00 A.M., Kristine Opolais was awakened at 7:30, as The Met asked her if she could replace Mme.Hartig as Mimi on the Met telecast/broadcast (aria heard here). In the history of the Met (132 years), no other singer had ever sung two role debuts back-to-back.

 Imagine her then getting to the Met at 9:00 A.M. for a staging walk-through, vocalizing while they did her makeup, and when they could not find a properly fitting black wig, they used a blond one, and she had the sense,in act two, to change "bruni" to "biondi." This is what you call a real "trouper."

  The reviews were ecstatic, and she made music history in New York with this double-triumph. I am so thrilled for her, a lovely and brilliantly talented artist, who won the hearts of so many!!!!

My review is published.Here is what I heard last night.( This is from Covent Garden)

  She's a star!!! Last night at the Met was the first Mme.Butterfly of Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais, and to these supposedly jaded ears, I was totally captivated by her vocalism,musicianship, stage deportment, and in total, she proved to be one of the brightest lights in the opera world today.
    The voice is rich and opulent, with an easily produced upper range (D flat in the entrance and piano B natural in "dolore' at the beginning of act three, as two examples.). In this extremely difficult role (Olivia Stapp says she finds  act two Butterfly harder the the whole of Elektra, owing to the sheer emotion involved.),
Mme.Opolais brings a vulnerable and sympathetic portrayal to the stage. She has the sense of line and phrase that is so endearing to those of us who so much appreciate an artist who can bring us to tears in so many of the glorious Puccini moments. I hope the Met will use her in many roles in future years.(Mimi next season.).  I thank her, as did the audience with its ovation, for a beautiful evening.
      Sadly, Mr.Valenti, whom I enjoyed so much at City opera, has great vocal problems;the middle is of decent, although unmemorable, quality, but th moment he reaches for high notes, the sound is totally "strangulato" and in act three, the 2 B flats were totally covered by the orchestra, since he has no trace of squillo. The act one love duet requires TWO sings to make it work, and sad to say, it did not have much effect, despite that positively riveting staging. (I got to love the production so much, even the puppet.)
     I would wonder if Dwayne Croft is not re-studying, because I found a very noticeable improvement in his vocal production,unlike recent years where I found the passaggio rather nasal and the voice not what I first loved so much;he was superb, and he and the fine Maria Zifchak (Suzuki) received well-deserved cheers, unlike the reaction to Mr.Valenti,which was "cool."(I guess the Met audience does have ears on occasion.)
    I was most impressed by Scott Scully as Goro.It is a pleasure to have a voice that is totally well-produced all through the range, and as Ialways say, Richard Bernstein is too fine a singer to be relegated to the Commissioner. Furthermore, the Bonzo of Stefan Szkafarowsky (get rid of Tanovitski) and especially the Yamadori of Jeongcheol Cha, made me hope they will graduate to larger roles some day soon.
     I noted a large group of Rochester.New York high school seniors who dressed so beautifully, that I was happy to see a group of young people not appearing like some of the slobs I have seen at the Met (even guys in shorts!).
      I see two more Butterflies, and perhaps MrValenti was ill and really is much more of what I remember, and then we have one with last year's fine Aida, Hui He, and last season's pretty dull Manrico of Gwyn Hughes-Jones, who would be better suited to Pinkerton. Marcello Giordani,where were you last night?
       If you love opera, combine Puccini's great music and Kristine Opolais' talent, and you have a mostly great evening!!      Charlie

They are all good, but i still prefer Diana Soviero to all of them.

Another remarkable interpretation of the Suor Angelica finale as sung by Catherine Malfitano.

Chiara Taigi is a new discovery for me. The voice is absolutely rich and creamy,with low notes that thrill;the high notes need work,as you will obsewrve.