The 66 year old Edita Gruberova is one if the most exciting, if a big eccentric in vocal production, artists in the universe. I love especially the way she usually "swoooops' up to the top;not here, but she is so involved and people travel all over the globe to see her!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:43am EDT

  As a language teacher,I always had aspirations of learning and performing this. Ruggero Raimondi is absolutely BREATHTAKING in this Viaggio a Rheims aria!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:28am EDT

I present another selection by the "new discovery" (for me),Turkish tenor, Bulent Bezduz. After Leyla, I never thought I would find another wonderful singer from his land.  Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 10:44pm EDT

 "Una furtiva lagrima"' featuring the beautiful Turkish tenor voice of Bulent Bezduz. Like the ending?????????????????

Category:general -- posted at: 10:38pm EDT

 One of my new "Met Opera buddies" is the fine  Czech basso,Stefan Kocan, acclaimed last season for the Sparafucile in the new Rigoletto. I am happy to bring him some cd's of famous bassos,etc. so I can have some room in my house! Here is the great scene from Don Carlo with Rene Pape.

It is gratifying to me when a present-day artist takes interest in the treasures of the past, and I am happy to be of help in this regard. Tomorrow (Dec.2) I see Stefan as Gremin in Eugene Onegin, and I know it will be a fine performance.

Category:general -- posted at: 10:21pm EDT

Supposedly Beverly Sills once said she would rather have five years like Callas instead of 25 years of her...Callas 1949-1955 could never be bettered!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 7:51pm EDT

  Dec.2 (1923) is the birthday of Maria Callas. What more can anyone say???????????

Category:general -- posted at: 7:48pm EDT

The ONLY live video footage of Zinka!!!!!!!!  Can you understand why I went nuts...88 times......

Category:general -- posted at: 11:05am EDT

SO..you vant to know vy Charlie Handelman vent NUTS at every Chenier? Leesen to the reprise of the "Ora soave" ven I do a double attack in ppp and seeng "O-Ora soave." Also leesen to my friend Bergonzi ven he starts his own "Or soave" in pianissimo. Thanks to God it vas not Meester Baum!!!!


Category:general -- posted at: 2:23am EDT

  It may be distant, but Nelly Miricioiu shows us what an exciting Norma is!!!!! I am just discovering her...well,there is so much material. She is wonderful and has an enormous repertory. Check her out!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 9:55pm EDT

  After the fabulous Mexico Aida in 1972, my dear maestro Armen Boyajian accompanies Marisa Galvany in the Vespri aria!!!!  High EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 7:16pm EDT

WHY I think Virginia Zeani is the greatest!!!!! She is also for me the only link to singers of the past, and she still has E flats (on the phone).She is "family."

Category:general -- posted at: 8:03pm EDT

  Too exciting for the Met..CHEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She is wonderful!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:35pm EDT

The guy is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Turkish tenor with a superb voice. Look at Youtube for many selections. Jose Cura, thankfully, only conducts.

Category:general -- posted at: 1:30pm EDT

 I saw Erin Morley the other night as Sophie in Rosenkavalier at the Met. She was radiant, but here she shows off high G!!!!!!!!!  If only one of these girls could sing Gioconda!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:07pm EDT

I have a lot to be thankful for

  Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving, it is still a time for me to give MY personal thanks to all of you for your continued support and interest and patience when there is a glitch. My life has been enriched so much by being able to spread the word to you about what opera means to me and to all of you, and to present great treasures of the past.  I wish you all my best!!  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 11:35am EDT

I am really so tired of being Galvany's unpaid agent...but i guess it is worth it,knowing how people adore her most remarkable singing. I think this is a sensational example of vocal technique.

  I think Zinka said, "The girl vill not last!!!!!!!"

Category:general -- posted at: 2:36pm EDT

NOTE: Use of chest voice (the word"muoja") and some "authoritative"attacks on certain phrases. This is a special artist for me, and I am so happy to have heard heard. We wish her the best!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 2:15pm EDT

After the great Gilda of Mme.Lungu, I went to Youtube and was ASTOUNDED that this "little Gilda' was able to became a totally different soprano,according to this music...great low notes, much dramatic thrust..How many singers can adapt this way to various vocal challenges????

  She was also as lovable backstage as anyone can be!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 2:03pm EDT

 How thrilling to discover a new voice. Irina Lungu's Gilda was so gorgeous, and as a person she is as radiant as her voice...I hope she does more and more here because we NEED her brand of soprano....LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:58pm EDT

From 1969..I never knew about this....I thought i knew of every BREATH she took...Imagine the chest voice and then the e flat.......

Category:general -- posted at: 10:35pm EDT

 Guardian of the fountain in last night's FRAU...He is a Met audition winner..He hit one top note that made me feel he would major talent!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 10:12pm EDT

IL GLITCHO!!!

  Hi all,

     Still have a few glitches, although not quite as bad as our Healthcare computer site, but i will send you some nice videos to keep you busy until I resolve this. I do not want to lose my fan club!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 8:05am EDT

Diana Soviero in Opera News


       It was the greatest delight for me this evening to open up Opera News and read this article about Diana Soviero, who has been a friend since 1977, when I was astounded at her Mimi, and felt she was a rare throwback to the days of Albanese,Tebaldi,De Los Angeles,etc. When I asked her something like, "Who are you?" and mentioned that I had not heard a soprano who combined the finest elements of both Stimme and Kunst divas, and who made me think of Tebaldi, she told me how Tebaldi has kissed her when she was a young lady. THAT FIGURED!!
       All you need to do is go to Youtube and watch her final scene from Suor Angelica and you will best understand, as it mentions in the article, that she falls into the Zeani,Scotto, Olivero, Freni mold. I know people who have told me that a regular sized hanky is not enough for them, and they needed more of a large towel to catch the tears!
           I have always believed that it is a rare trait of Diana to be able to sing so beautifully, with lush tone, great range, and CHEST VOICE (which practically no one uses today) and at the same time emote with the kind of depth that more often a "flawed" diva possesses, but she also sings so flawlessly, and does not have to "compensate' in any way.
          In the article she speaks of singing sick, and that reminds me of the "Bronchial Violetta" at City opera, where I did not know she was ill, and we were literally banging on the proscenium to witness a Violetta for the ages.
            Another very special element in Diana's art is the way she uses even one WORD to express a certain emotion, as for example the "Lui" in act one Tosca in the phrase, "Ed io veniva a LUI tutto dogliosa." It is an example of how she uses a single word to bring out the depth of emotion. (cf.Magda Olivero's career.)
         I am so happy for her, and for all of her many students who will be able to learn so much of what she has to offer, but as you well know, I am still waiting for another such diva, but perhaps she can produce some as a result of her amazing ability to convey emotion,while improving vocal technique.
          So tell us,O Charlie, what you think of her?       Best always, Charlie      
 

Category:general -- posted at: 1:31am EDT

What opera should be (and mostly AIN'T these days), when the PRODUCTION counts more than the artists!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 3:56pm EDT

This Rysanek Met farewell in Pique Dame will illustrate the adoration we all felt for her, born Nov.14, 1926. She knew of her prognosis at the time of her farewell, a courageous woman. Yes, she had vocal flaws, and went through a bad period in the early 1960's, but NO ONE was more committed to the stage in our experience, and she "owned" roles like the Frau Empress and Senta in the Flying Dutchman. She will remain forever in our hearts.

Category:general -- posted at: 3:36pm EDT

 We first heard Latonia in the beautiful aria from Puccini's "Edgar" and she brought the Carnegie Hall house down with that fabulous voice. However, our beloved Met head, Mr.Gelb, gives her nothing.  Note the last notes (Like Tebaldi!!!)

  She is also a "fun" person...see Facebook!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 8:19pm EDT

This weeks marks a year that dear Marisa lost her dear husband, but she is starting to do some small recitals and Master Classes in Raleigh,N.Carolina. I hope she does well...she has so much to give, and we know that when we lose a loved one,we must be strong and go on.

Category:general -- posted at: 7:44pm EDT

Anyone who knows the work of dear Joyce di Donato will tell you that she has been one of the greatest singers and most darling people you might know.

   I still think of the first time I met her and told her my name and she said,"OH..you are famous on the internet" and I said "I think maybe more INFAMOUS!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:21am EDT

 Born Nov.9, 1929.The great man sings high B flats. A legendary singer!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 8:48pm EDT

Born Nov.9, 1885, Pertile was the very first tenor I ever heard, when at age 14, I lugged the 78 r.p.m. set (remember 78's???) of Aida to my home. The man was one of the greats. Zeani told me she worked with him and adored him.....

Category:general -- posted at: 8:45pm EDT

Born Nov. 8, 1921..Here is the great Jerome Hines in his last perf.at 80...He was a STALWART FORCE in opera!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 5:11pm EDT

IL GLITCHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Sorry!!! Some computer problems (again) and will solve them and be back soon..Meanwhile,enjoy the videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:07pm EDT

Her debut season was not very good. I was there...but you do find the greatness in the woman.She returned in 1958 and was much better...but the great years were 1949-1955. Still, this is a great document.

Category:general -- posted at: 7:18pm EDT

Great man..Jon Vickers, born Oct. 29, 1926...You told them that "Tristan" is not "DRISTAN"  (a cough formula.)

Category:general -- posted at: 1:24pm EDT

LOVE the ascending decoration at the end of the duet, but Frizza does not allow Meade and Barton to hold the B flat...but glorious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 10:51pm EDT

MY NEW LOVE !!  As Adalgisa in Norma last night, she showed that she will be a great star in the near future..Magnificent,rich voice with brilliant tops (easy C's) and lush lows. This is someone who will shortly "take over' the mezzo fach in the opera world!!!!  (and a sweet person)

Category:general -- posted at: 4:31pm EDT

I understand you are tired of my Marisa Galvany posts,.....SO WHAT!!!!!!!! Let's face it..This is an example of sensational singing..fearless...and the chest NEVER hurt her voice......but today this would be called "vulgar." She  says she still can get up to a D!!! She is currently giving some master classes in Raleigh,North Carolina. Maybe she can show the kiddies that chest does not hurt the voice if you know how to sing!!

 

Category:general -- posted at: 11:34am EDT

  All of us here in New York, and I am sure throughout the entire operatic world, feel that Joyce di Donato is one of the most extraordinary artists in our memory, an artist who would be considered magnificent in ANY opera era. It is not simply "una voce" (poco fa) but a special talent, a personality, a loving lady who can thrill us by virtue of her sincerity in all she accomplishes. I hope you enjoy this clip.

By the way,slight delay in podcasts, as i found a slight glitch. PIACENZA!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 9:03pm EDT

   We hear so much about Simionato, Cossotto, etc.BUT I place Verrett up there with the all-time greatest..maybe for me THE GREATEST!!!! That B natural at the beginning was as loud as any Nilsson note. It was a gorgeous,lush voice with phenomenal top and remarkable chest voice. Adored her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 7:17pm EDT

Dmitri knew him.What a fabulous voice..Born Oct.24, 1911. Lisitsian did one Met Amonasro...that is all..sad...

Category:general -- posted at: 12:07am EDT

GREAT MAN!!! Oct. 23, 1913. Not known for high notes but one of the most sensational artists EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 10:21pm EDT

VERY FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Bless her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:49am EDT

  One of the great JOYS of my life is to have Virginia Zeani as a friend and honorary "sorella." She turns 88 on October 21, and is still active in her teaching career, and even can still hit E flats on the phone! NO ONE sings like this these days, and I know you will greatly appreciate her career and her contribution to the vocal art.

Category:general -- posted at: 9:35am EDT

  Dear tenor Henry Price celebrated his birthday on October 18. I wrote him that if he could survive that insane woman in the audience in1977 giving out such a scream, he could survive anything!!!

  We never found out what that was all about, but perhaps it was a rival soprano, as Ashley Putnam made her debut that evening.

   

Category:general -- posted at: 2:17am EDT

I loved the late Enrico di Giuseppe,born Oct.14,1938. He was so under-appreciated in my opinion. I once complimented him on his :high E flat" in Coq d'Or and he replied, "E NATURAL!" This finale of act one of the Saint of Bleeker Street with the wonderful Catherine Malfitano is superb!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm EDT

   Who can forget this man??????????????

Category:general -- posted at: 12:04pm EDT

  Born October 12, 1935, the great Pavarotti brought so many people to opera. Yes, he became something of a "caricature' over the years, but who can deny his incredible contribution to opera..and that FABULOUS voice!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:43am EDT

  Would Verdi think Galvany should calm down???????????????

Category:general -- posted at: 3:41pm EDT

 I do not care where you are tomorrow. You VILL sing this, in key, and never mind Muti senza acuti..I do not care if you are in the shower, at work, in the car,In bed alone or with three people...you MUST honor the great Verdi on his 200th birthday. Look, I have heard many tenors who are worse than you!!!

 All'aaaaaaarmiiiiiiiiiiii!     Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 12:17am EDT

Oct.10, 1813 (Giuseppe Verdi) and Oct.10, 1928 (Leyla Gencer).How incredibly fitting for the great Leyla,who sang 12 Verdi roles, to be born on Verdi's birthday!!!!!

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

First time the great Jonas Kaufmann sang this role!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 3:23pm EDT

Chereau, who just passed away, was criticized for his "controversial" Ring. It was great....and I cry my eyes out every time at the way Jones and McIntyre embrace with that divine music!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:01pm EDT

Imagine that you are a member of the Italian audience at the premiere of Verdi's Nabucco, and you are witness to history! The audience made them encore the chorus and it was the beginning of a fabulous career as an incredible genius, whose 200th birthday we celebrate on Oct,10.,

Category:general -- posted at: 11:17pm EDT

  Met opera's newest star..Yuri Cundari Cundari. I have been going to the opera for many years but I NEVER heard anything like this. Check out his Vesti la giubba and Elektra scene. He will sing the role of Il PUZZZZO del giardino this season.

Category:general -- posted at: 2:39am EDT

Happy to Be Back!

Glad we ironed out problems and will be doing more podcasts for you, when I am not at the Met. ( I am amazed I have 35 Met tickets this season...maybe I am not as jaded as i thought, but the repertory is better, and i do have some singers I love so much  (Piotr and Netrebko in Onegin Tuesday,Oct. 2)

Category:general -- posted at: 3:00pm EDT

  The Met never recognizes the great young talent that is available in world-wide bathrooms....I feel they are so ignorant of what is there.....We need to help them to understand that such talent cannot be ignored.

  NON MANGIARE before you watch this..and get rid of little kids and small animals!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:33am EDT

uuu

Direct download: 14_-_soviero14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:03pm EDT

   When I see two Normas this year, with Sondra Radvanovsky and Angela Meade, I will be very let-down, because NO ONE can compare with Mme.Lynn.Oh well, tutto declina!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:56am EDT

  Cornell MacNeil, born Sept.24, 1922, caused a FUROR every time he sang his sensational high notes. It was breathtaking!!! Bless this man, not just for high notes, but for his great singing.

Category:general -- posted at: 8:42pm EDT

  The night after we saw Warren pass away on stage, the great Bastianini, born Sept.22, 1922, sang a magnificent Gerard in Andrea Chenier. It was March 5, 1960 and we were not in a very good mood;however, at least we did hear another great baritone. We lost him too soon of throat cancer, but he will always be remembered as one of the great baritones.

Category:general -- posted at: 8:38pm EDT

I heard this great man shortly before his passing. He sang this aria and "La donna e mobile."He sounded as brilliant always. Born Sept.24, 1927, he was a model of taste,style,technique.One of the greatest tenors ever!

Category:general -- posted at: 8:34pm EDT

  One of the most famous sopranos, Elizabeth Rethberg, born Sept. 22, 1894. I am told that we just do not get the gorgeous "overtones" on recordings, whichhappens very often.

  Repairman due tomorrow so hold your breath and hope to resume regular podcasts soon.

Category:general -- posted at: 11:26pm EDT

  Here is an example of Rise's great versatility. They showed some clips from her films tonight at the tribute.

Category:general -- posted at: 1:51am EDT

I was 16 and sneaked into the backstage area at the old Met. I suddenly found myself in a hallway on the way to the dressing room of the first singer I ever met, Rise Stevens, who had just sung Carmen. To this DAY I can see her smiling face and actually feel the "greasepaint on my hand" I joined her music club and went every year to her home, where we had a beautiful time always.
    I have just returned from a breathtaking memorial tribute to Rise at the Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. I was in the lobby and I perceived someone who might have been Nicky Surovy because I recalled him from a TV show;I had not seen him since he was about 15, and went over to him, my eyes beginning to fill with tears, because of what Rise was and what a life she had enjoyed with her fans, and Nicky was a "connection" to her.
   We spoke briefly and then I entered the sold-out theatre, to witness a truly heartwrenching tribute to Rise, who came close to 100, but passed away a few months ago. The hostess was Federica Von Stade and we had speeches by Rosalind Elias, Harolyn Blackwell,Ann Ziff, and of course Nicholas Surovy.
   The number of film clips, some never before available, was astounding, including a remarkable dance sequence with Ray Bolger, and she KEPT UP with him. There were arias, family photos and just so much that it was something extraordinary to behold. Her whole life passed by us and in many ways she "was there" tonight.
  Elias told a funny tale about how she adored Rise and STOLE Rise's Chesterfield cigarette poster once (They allowed those ads then.). Nicky told many tales of their lives and he was as charming as anyone could be. They showed selections never before seen, like the Jean of Arc aria and other material from various TV shows. This was a "class act" and no one deserved it more than the beloved lady whpo brought opera to so many including yours truly.
    I saw Nicky again at the end of the show, shook his hand, and again felt that same "connection" and left the theatre reflecting on the life of this dear lady, who made my young life so joyous.
     There so many tales and so many clips that I could go on and on but I have given you a fairly good idea of this evening at it will stay with me forever. Bless Rise, the beautiful Rise , who shook this teenager's hand so many years ago.  With all my deepest feelings  Charlie
Category:general -- posted at: 1:40am EDT

  Sept. 16, 1977 was the sad premature passing of someone who contributed more to opera than perhaps any other individual, even for a relatively short time. Callas had her flaws, but here in Norma you hear the Maria who took the opera world by storm!!  Bless her memory!

Category:general -- posted at: 8:13pm EDT

  I just discovered the tenor whom I will see in "La Sonnambula" at the Met, This is Javier Camarena, still another of the huge array of present-day tenors who make life so happy! (However there are no Radameses or Manricos.)

   The guy is GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 7:42pm EDT

  Did you think I would ever let you forget  "the note"? Nothing compared to this moment, at which I used to "collapse' over the railing in the old Met standing room !!!

Category:general -- posted at: 7:32pm EDT

 Hi all,

     When I started this podcast site, there was the ability to add comments by you;sadly, I realized that all kinds of ads...many many of them, intruded, and i had to cut out this feature.   I do like to get your feedback so I can learn if things are to your liking and if you have special requests. If you would be so kind as to send me some feedback (Placido21@aol.com), I would appreciate it. You may write in Spanish,French, or Italian if you wish (I had Latin,but they do not write it any more since they knocked off Caesar.).

    I hope to get the regular podcasts running soon,but for now,I can send the videos.

                                                    Your friend  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 3:11pm EDT

 This unfortunate lady, related to the Del Monaco family, had consumed too many tranquilizers prior to this performance. I know it is funny, but so tragic. They really should have halted the proceedings, because this is so sad, even in the hilarity it produced all over Youtube.

Category:general -- posted at: 12:16am EDT

  Just listen to Schipa saying,"Suzel,buon di" and you know what elegance of style means. The Favero/Schipa Fritz duet is an example of a style long gone from our opera scene;they are too busy giving us a "show," and I am sorry..I say this always, but I would like to know if there is ONE TEACHER who understands this brand of artistry.(Probably Soviero does.)

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

  In the temporary absence of my podcasts, I can analyze some material the way I do on my podcasts. Here is a perfect example of how Maria Callas, despite vocal imperfections (although this is in her prime), could thrill us to no end by her knowldge of Italian style and remarkable phrasing. This is an example of what she was as a great artist. I always marvel at what she does with
"small moments"
in the opera repertory;as much as I love Anna Netrebko, her new Verdi album is lacking in this kind of detailed approach to phrasing.

Category:general -- posted at: 11:59pm EDT

Our Facebook diva-friend, Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs in the Stefan Herheim Salome..Yes, he is "strange" but it seems to work. I am still conflicted about different productions these days because they are,on some level, entertaining, and even clever...but at the same time i often wonder if we are going too far!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:28am EDT

  In case you might not know that now they are putting on a tremendous number of COMPLETE operas on Youtube. Go to Google and click on "Complete Operas." Here is one of them:

Category:general -- posted at: 4:46pm EDT

  Someone as delusional as I am decided to do a "Summertime Mix" and please do not let small children and any animals in the room when you play this, because we do not want to cause emotional disaster!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:31pm EDT

 I have already posted this Puritani duet as sung by Ed Rosen and myself years ago. We should have called it "The Pirates sing Puritani" or the "Pirate cantano" I Puritani."  As usual,Ed hams it up on the final A flat, but on a good day in my shower I can do it. We did have a lot of fun doing this at the Belle Epoque restaurant, and no one lost their meal.

Category:general -- posted at: 4:12pm EDT

"Perle Nere" or "Black pearls' is the term often used for opera disasters. My feeling here is that singers are human (really??) and we expect so much of them.We do not realize that what they do is a "miracle" and with a few exceptions, what you will hear is just an example of how hard it is to get out there on a regular basis and perform. There are a few selections perhaps that are "accidents"(like the Carmen who overdosed on pills).

   Let's give them a break!!  I say this,remembering I once had to laugh at myself for cracking like mad as Monterone, when I just started singing and did not have the proper technique. I remember saying that if I was in the audience I would have laughed at this guy!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:04pm EDT

I discovered this beautiful Tchaikowsky opera when I was Marisa Galvany's doctor in a production we did many years ago. I will see Onegin soon with Mme.Netrebko and Piotr Beczala and a later one with the happy return of Rolando Villazon. Here they are in the beautiful duet and i know you will enjoy it.

I hope you are enjoying these videos while I await the return of my "Computer Doctor."

Category:general -- posted at: 2:56pm EDT

This 1920 Africaine aria drives me NUTS!!!!! Caruso died a year later. What a fabulous sound he makes..Note the combination of lyric and dramatic tone..and those "vowel sounds" in every part of the range, and when he goes above the passaggio, it makes me thrill every time!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 2:45pm EDT

  Thanks for your patience!! Still ome glitches but I will have things done soon..So, just a bit more time and thn will have the podcasts running again...

Category:general -- posted at: 11:58pm EDT

 Yma Sumac, famous for her incredible range (born Sept. 10, 1927) gets mad and hits a high Q# and leaves the stage.

I am sending some videos to you while i wait to do podcasts again.  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT

Magda Olivero (Manon aria) accompanied by Iris Adami-Coradetti.

Category:general -- posted at: 11:00pm EDT

  Hi all,

    I am updating my Windows system, so please bear with me until I am ready for new podcasts.

                                 My best    Charlie

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

 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.

Category:general -- posted at: 11:25pm EDT

  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.

Category:general -- posted at: 10:19pm EDT

 Tucker and Tebaldi make you THRILL like nothing imaginable today!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:19pm EDT

 Aug.28, 1913. One hundred years ago, the great Richard Tucker was born. He remains my all-time favorite tenor of those whom I saw live. He sometimes got a "bad rap" for chopping some phrases. Yes, this did happen at times, BUT listen to this glorious Andrea Chenier act two scene as an example of legato,and the thrilling "hook' into the top notes. In the theatre it was something sublime!

   Bless his memory forever!  There will never be another!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:47pm EDT

Che Gelida Manina vol.4

Another comparison podcast on the wonderful "Che gelida manina" aria as sung by the following tenors (in order):

Eduardo Garbin, Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, Giovanni Martinelli, Luigi Marini, Frederick Jagel, Armand Tokatyan, Giuseppe Giacomini, Peter Dvorsky, Francisco Araiza, Giuseppe Sabbatini, Frank Lopardo, Ramon Vargas, Richard Leech, and Marcello Giordani    (70 min.)

Direct download: Che_Gelida_Vol.3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:49am EDT

    Magda shows us how to breathe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 3:34pm EDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lVY-ZkkRII

Here is your "homework" for today. I want you to pore over ALL your opera experience...and see if you can think of ANY MIRACLE that can compare with what the  "baby' 66 (not 65) year old Magda Olivero Does here....singing,emotion,breath control,phrasing, over-all attention to detail of the line, absolute control.etc...you name it....I would be hard-pressed to find anything like this lady in this rare film...and remember that  if you look on youtube you will find this  is evident in her 80's in live material.....and maybe even now at 104..well,I do not want to push it.   Life would not be the same for me without her!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:51pm EDT

  The great Regina Resnik was laid to rest today. I am so glad I visited with her on her 90th birthday.On August 30, she would have been 91. I lost two of my "icons" this year, Rise and Regina, but I knew Regina for over 50 years. She had a phenomenal intellect, plus a great sense of humor. I will miss her, and at least have all my memories of superb performances, live and on recordings.

 One of my friends once joked about her being so exacting in her portrayals and said, "When she enters heaven, she might complain that the pearly gates open in and not out!!"

   I will always treasure my happy memories of her, on and off stage,.

                                                        Sincerely,  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 10:50pm EDT

 I feel so sorry for the new-born kid's mother as his first cries were heard about 5 blocks away!!!!!  SQUILLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:26am EDT

  Ashley Putnam surely is a fine singer, and her birthday was August 10. However, my remembrance of her for the first time at her City Opera debut in 1977 is clouded by the insane lady who got up and gave a "Geschrei,"To this day,we never found out what really happened.

  I told the tenor Henry Price I was there..and he replied, "SO WAS I!!"  What a trouper!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:10am EDT

   Another example of Regina's marvelous singing!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:04am EDT

  She could do it ALL!!!  Director,producer,filmmaker,teacher,coach, and, oh YES, a huge opera career. I will miss her!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:33am EDT

Regina Resnik, my friend,rest in peace.

  It is with the deepest sympathy that I announce to you the passing of my dear Regina Resnik, an icon in the world of music, and a dear friend for over 50 years. I will have more details as they come in, and will do special tributes. Regina would have turned 91 on August 30, and last August at 90, we had a lovely visit.

       My tears flow but I know she will be in my heart forever.

                                                                            Charlie

    

Category:general -- posted at: 12:21pm EDT

   Has anyone had a problem burning a podcast on to a disc??I received word that the Dorothy Kirsten Tosca was a "restricted' item and could not be burned. Write to me at Placido21@aol.com if any problem exists and i will contact the libsyn helpdesk.   Thanks  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 1:15pm EDT

Mario del Monaco, Born July 27, 1915

The very first singer I ever saw on a stage (Radames 1951). I saw him 40 times.he was NOT a "shouter," but tried his best to shade that enormous "bronze column of sound." We simply adored this man, who gave 1000% every night!!!!! Bless his memory!

Del Monaco was born in Florence to a musical upper-class family.[2] As a young boy he studied the violin but had a passion for singing. He graduated from the Rossini Conservatory at Pesaro, where he first met and sang with Renata Tebaldi, with whom he would form something of an operatic dream team of the 1950s. His early mentors as a singer included Arturo Melocchi, his teacher at Pesaro, and Maestro Raffaelli, who recognized his talent and helped launch his career.

That career began in earnest with Del Monaco's debut on December 31, 1940, as Pinkerton at the Puccini Theater in Milan. (His initial appearance in an opera had occurred the previous year, however, in Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana in Pesaro.) He sang in Italy during the Second World War and married, in 1941, Rina Filipini. In 1946, he appeared at London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for the first time. During the ensuing years he became famous not only in London but also across the operatic world for his powerful, metallic voice. It was almost heldentenor-like in scope but Del Monaco was no Wagnerian, confining his activities overwhelmingly to the Italian repertoire.

Del Monaco sang at the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1951 to 1959, enjoying particular success in dramatic Verdi parts such as Radamès. He soon established himself as one of four Italian tenor superstars who reached the peak of their fame in the 1950s and '60s, the others being Giuseppe Di Stefano, Carlo Bergonzi and Franco Corelli. Del Monaco's trademark roles during this period were Giordano's Andrea Chénier and Verdi's Otello. He first tackled Otello in 1950 and kept refining his interpretation throughout his career. It is said that he sang Otello an astonishing 427 times. However, the book published by Elisabetta Romagnolo, Mario Del Monaco, Monumentum aere perennius, Azzali 2002, lists only 218 appearances by him as Otello, which is a more realistic figure. Aptly, the tenor was buried in his Otello costume. Although Otello was his best role, throughout his career, Del Monaco sang a number of other roles with great acclaim, for example: Canio in Pagliacci (Leoncavallo), Radames in Aida (Verdi), Don Jose in Carmen (Bizet), Chenier in Andrea Chénier (Giordano), Manrico in Il trovatore (Verdi), Samson in Samson and Delilah (Saint-Saëns), and Don Alvaro in La forza del destino (Verdi).

Del Monaco made his first recordings in Milan in 1948 for HMV. Later, he was partnered by Renata Tebaldi in a long series of Verdi and Puccini operas recorded for Decca. On the same label was his 1969 recording of Giordano's Fedora, opposite Magda Olivero and Tito Gobbi.

Category:general -- posted at: 1:17pm EDT

Happy Birthday to Licia Albanese

  Licia was born on July 22, but perhaps earlier than 1913. She remains a legend in opera history. I met her a few times and it was like touching history, considering her career. Here she kisses the stage, with great affection, at the old Met closing.

Category:general -- posted at: 9:49am EDT

Fernando Portari

  ANOTHER superb young tenor...Go to YOUTUBE and see the clips of Fernando Portari.  I discovered him on the Rondine video w.Cedolins.That last scene breaks your heart!!! I highly recommend him, and you know I have seen good tenors....

Category:general -- posted at: 1:14am EDT


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