The very first Met telecast. Renata was a bit "chubby" here......butso what....Listen to that EMOTION!!! LOVE HER!!!!!

        As we celebrate the 79th birthday of Renata Scotto on Feb.24, I think back to the period when so many people (including yours truly) spent so much energy trashing her, largely owing to her essays into heavier repertory, and the extremely flawed top voice. Yes,indeed, like my beloved Martha Moedl, she was a "flawed Kunst diva," but when we stop and take note of the body of work that Scotto produced, and realize that,along with Diana Soviero, she has been the very last of the kind of "verismo sopranos" whose emotional intensity recalls the now-forgotten era of Muzio,Favero,Zeani,etc.
              There is so much more in singing than just "voice," and we can point out many artists who might be deemed "unlistenable" to those who do not delve more deeply into their over-all contribution to music. Callas would be a prime example, as would be Leyla Gencer, Gwyneth Jones,Conchita Supervia,  Magda Olivero,Raina Kabaiwanska,and others who were not simply "producers of gorgeous vocal tones," but who bring so much deep emotion to singing...the phrasing, the importance of even a single syllable, the love of the vocal line, the unforgettable "golden moments" that we may remember so well, even despite some rather "strange" sounds,like Leyla's scoops, Jones' taking three hours to get on the correct pitch of a note, Moedl's not knowing what will come out, Supervia's "goat-like' vibrato,etc.
           So we wish Mme.Scotto a very happy birthday and those of us who can shed some of the "baggage of the 1980's" must revere what she has meant to opera;sadly, there do not seem to be any singers today who can bring us the kind of depth of feeling that,for example, Muzio singing "O del mio amato ben" or just Moedl standing there as Brunnhilde without even uttering a single note, can offer.
                  Thanks to you,Mme.Scotto, and I humbly apologize for some of my rants!!!                                                    Sincerely,  Charlie
              

  Why did that Parma audience go NUTS????  Here is an example!!!!!

 After that Parma Tosca, the audience demands an encore at end of opera...I love it!!!!!

Feb.22, 1927 was the birthday of one of the greatest sopranos ever,Regine Crespin. It was an amazing voice, and here she sings the aria from The Damnation of Faust.She will never be forgotten!!!

The finale of an unusual production of one of the greatest operas,Die Frau Ohne Schatten. It is available on DVD complete (Salzburg 2011).Look it up on Amazon..It is totally UNCUT and takes place in a studio...this is the staging..but the singing is truly remarkable.

Yes,she had her flaws...but LORD,Leonie Rysanek remains in our hearts one of the most exciting singers EVER!!! Here is the duet from "Aegyptische Helena" with Bernd Aldenhoff.

She just continues to thrill me NO END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you all seen this wonderful scene from the Video "The Golden Ring?" Birgit enjoyed the joke!!!!!!!!

Marian Anderson (February 27, 1897 – April 8, 1993)^[1] was an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. Music critic Alan Blyth said "Her voice was a rich, vibrant contralto of intrinsic beauty."^[2] Most of her singing career was spent performing in concert and recital in major music venues and with famous orchestras throughout the United States and Europe between 1925 and 1965. Although offered roles with many important European opera companies, Anderson declined, as she had no training in acting. She preferred to perform in concert and recital only. She did, however, perform opera arias within her concerts and recitals. She made many recordings that reflected her broad performance repertoire of everything from concert literature to lieder to opera to traditional American songs and spirituals.^[2]

Anderson became an important figure in the struggle for black artists to overcome racial prejudice in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. In 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused permission for Anderson to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall. The incident placed Anderson into the spotlight of the international community on a level unusual for a classical musician. With the aid of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anderson performed a critically acclaimed open-air concert on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. She sang before a crowd of more than 75,000 people and a radio audience in the millions. Anderson continued to break barriers for black artists in the United States, becoming the first black person, American or otherwise, to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on January 7, 1955. Her performance as Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi's Un ballo in maschera at the Met was the only time she sang an opera role on stage.

Anderson worked for several years as a delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Committee and as a "goodwill ambassadress" for the United States Department of State, giving concerts all over the world. She participated in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, singing at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Anderson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978, the National Medal of Arts in 1986, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991.

I was there and saw her debut.A historic occasion,paving the way for so many wonderful Afro-American artists.Sad so many suffered under the prejudice of others, but at least she made it.I was there!

 Rigoletto on radio today from the Met. They no longer allow the Rigoletto to sing "AVRAIIIIIII".Instead,he says "avrai" and then the duet..and is thre anything like this????Leyla's glottal attacks and a fabulous ending.......

  I love compilations like this. If you like high notes...have fun!!!!!  I hope the podcast glitches are fixed soon. Thanks for your patience.

   I have been informed that since Placido has nothing much else to do these days, he will probably be taking over the Pope's job, and besides, he LOVES the costume. Unfortunately, he will have to sell Madrid (es propietario de la ciudad) and as far as Marta goes...well,look, you can't have everything!!!   Buena Suerte, Placido!!!!!!

  May I wish you all a most happy Valentine's Day. Ella Fitzgerald has the kind of style in pop that many of our great opera stars possess in their fach. (Skip the AD!!)

                                          My best wishes to all of you....Charlie

ANOTHER great voice for Wagner, although it was Farrell's decision not to sing a complete Wagner opera..Preferred JAZZ...well, in opera,one of the great voices of all time, and a very funny lady!!!

 I just LOVED this lady....Magnificent voice..Born Feb.13, 1938. She should be more noticed. I saw her in Tosca, Ariadne,etc. She would be the GREAT Wagnerian of today!!

Born Feb.12, 1940, Gilda Cruz-Romo today would be QUEEN of the dramatic sopranos!!!!!!What a marvelous,exciting artist!!!!!

  In 1967,Beverly Sills was "discovered" in this role..but she was always wonderful. We came close to falling out of the balcony at the way she sang this music!!!!!

Magda Olivero and Richard Tucker in Manon Lescaut,Act 4. Just phenomenal!!!!!!

 This is not my week..Another Libsyn glitch..so meanwhile,I will give you some videos..PACENZA!!!!!

 One of the joys of my life is when a marvelous artist shows such a lovely personality, and also is interested in singers of the past, and even visits this site. Stefan Kocan, a Slovak bass,currently at the Met as a sleazy Sparafucile in the Las Vegas Rigoletto. Stefan is not just a fine artist, but a "regular guy" and i am so happy to have met him and enjoy his amiable personality.

In 1965, we did Tchaikowsky's beautiful and less-known "Iolantha." This was when I met Marisa Galvany, since I was her doctor (we did it in English.) The Met will do it in a few years, with these two great singers, Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala, LOVE THEM!!!!!!

 In my effort to please you all, I was told I could make my podcasts longer;however, if you only want the podcasts shorter than 74 min.because you want to burn them to a CD, I will keep the format the same. Please write me at Placido21@aol.com if you feel I should NOT lengthen the podcasts. I will then keep everything the same.

                                         As ever    Charlie

 Do we know of any Violettas who can conclude "Sempre Libera' like this??All she had to do was take a high E flat..Well,what more can we ask of this great lady???

  Several years ago,I sang the Sacristan in a Tosca with a superb artist, Dorothy Bishop. Since then, Dorothy, one of the sweetest and most talented individuals I have ever met, has been a HUGE hit all over the globe.This is from Helsinki,Finland. How many Toscas do you know who can belt out pop songs, hilariously imitate some of our personalities (She did Sarah Palin BETTER than Sarah Palin), and hit high D's????

  Have you ever wanted to yell at some idiot(s) at the opera who talk,eat,text, and annoy you? I am happy Patti blasted this guy for taking a FLASH photo!

Leonie Rysanek tears up the stage in a scene from act two Jenufa...There cannot today EXIST anything of this nature!!!!! LORD! How we miss her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 This is why Dolora Zajick is so UNIQUE these days.Even at 60, and with Asthma, she drives us NUTS with that fabulous voice, a throwback to the "biggies" I used to hear. She has FUN!!!!

Here is the Comte D'Ory aria sung by our newest discovery, Pretty Yende. She has thrilled NY audiences these weeks.!!!

Our new sensation from S.Afrika..Pretty Yende, who replaced Nino Machaidze on short notice in the Met "Comte D'Ory." What a wonderful lady!!!!! a true STAR!!!!

Could we cast my favorite film as an OPERA?? Every time Madeline LeBeau utters the words, "Mugir ces feroces soldats," with the tears streaming down her face, it gets to me...every time...

  Still some glitches on the podcast site....I will "entertain" you meanwhile with some more videos..Thanks for your patience.

                                                      Charlie

Now LOOK, it is nice to have some smaller opera groups perform for an audience. I think Mr.Gelb should give serious consideration to changing the new Ballo to this cast and production. Note how the Riccardo cannot get the papers out of his pocket..that is even funnier than his singing..I think!)

I know..I am mean!  However, this just made my day!!!!!

                             Sweet memories of Funny Renata "Tosca Quotes"

       Renata was so funny and I recall some of her humorous quotes, both from Tosca:

1. At a big hotel party, she grabbed the knife to cut the cake and exclaimed,    

"Questo il bacio di Tosca!!"

2. When we saw her off on the train to Philly.(The Met went there on Tuesdays), the baggage handler opened the door of the open last car where she stood, and she said, "Spoleta,CHIUDI!"

      I will add that when us kiddies sat in the first row at Carnegie for a Bell Tel.Hr. appearance, she looked down at us, winked, and then DESTROYED the place by starting the "Inflammatus!" We felt the show was just for us.

  This act two Fanciulla scene in 1970 caused us to tear programs and throw them down!!!!!

     So how can anyone not think of her the way we all did..and still do????

                           
                            Do we need more words to describe the great Renata Tebaldi, on her birthday,Feb.1? Little did us "kids" know, when we first met her,on the occasion of her Met debut,Jan.31, 1955 as Desdemona, that she was celebrating her 33rd birthday. Her performances were "events" and the love she brought across the footlights and after the show was something that has remained with me all these years.
                             On this day,let us all remember one of the most treasured singers in opera history. Your friend "Carlos" remembers you. (When I met her, her English was bad, as was my Italian, so I spoke in Spanish and thus,she called me "CarloS."
                                                               With all my love,

                                                                           "Carlos"

More of our Feb. 1 birthday girl, the sensational Renata Tebaldi. I guess singers today would be scared of using chest voice...That is why so many are boring!!!!

We miss the late Cornell MacNeil.He had the HUGEST baritone voice I ever heard,even bigger than Warren. This is an Example of how he ROCKED the Met!!!!

For Renata's birthday on Feb.1, I present an example of the most phenomenal voice imaginable..A Wagner-like sound,with the greatest beauty you can imagine...and as lovable offstage as anyone could be. More coming!!

 Even if you are not Italian, you will enjoy (?) Mari Lyn's wonderful Trovatore aria. (with interesting titles.)  Be warned!  I do not advise eating or drinking before watching this.

   I have just been in contact with Met head Peter Gelb, who watched the travesty of Beyonce lipsynching the National Anthem. He agreed with me that some singers,who were contracted several years ago, and who cannot sing, should be allowed to do a "Beyonce" in a few cases.

    I am not going to mention any names,because you know how tasteful I am, but the thought of a Milanov/Tucker Chenier next season might be a revelation. Also, I would like to have Justin Bieber appear as Norma, with Maria doing the voice.

    By the way, the Rondine this week, except for the glorious Kristine Opolais, should have had the rest of the cast miked. Do NOT believe the coming broadcast. It LIES!!!

Virginia Zeani may not hit the E flat here, but she did on the phone on my birthday!!!!!

  How come all the great stars celebrate birthdays this week? Marcello celebrates on Jan.25 (b.1963), and we had Joe Calleja on the 22nd and what's his name and me on the 21st.

   We love Marcello, possessor of a brilliant voice, fine technique, and one of opera's favorites. I hope he has a great day and many,many more!!!!

                                                                           Carlo

  You all know when I get started on a great new voice, I inundate you with clips...Why not? This is a truly gorgeous voice and I hope you love it as much as i do.

   I am always so happy to "discover" new divas.You all know I have seen the greats, and so when someone like Mme.Opolais comes along, I am so thrilled. She not only has the voice, but she has the kind of depth of emotion that is so important in opera.

   I have just returned from La Rondine at the Met with the Latvian soprano, Kristine Opolais, as Magda. What a wonderful treat to add another superb diva to our array of wonderful sopranos.

   What a gorgeous rendition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talk about "nice guys!!" Joseph Calleja,born Jan.22, 1978, is one of our finest tenors. His voice in some ways harkens back to the style of De Lucia,Bonci,Anselmi. He is a great artist, and one of the most "regular dudes" one could know. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

  I know I kid the Placido fans a lot, but who can ever deny his remarkable accomplishments in the world of music. I wish him all my best, but hope he remembers that he did promise me ESPANA for my birthday tomorrow. Amazing man at 72!!!!!

 Un poco temprano (a little early)for Jan.21 birthday,but Placido has had an amazing career and he will always remain an icon in the field of music. I hope he remembers his pledge to me and gives me Madrid on Monday,since we share the same birthday.  Feliz Cumpleanos,Placido!!!!!

  On Monday,January 21,the opera world will celebrate (see photo) the birthdays of two individuals: One is one of the LEGENDS in the opera world, a great artist, a revered musical aficionado, and person of worldwide fame. The other person has a nice beard.

SUPERB Manrico tonight, and had seen him also in Turandot..Voice even from bottom to top, and plenty of SQUILLO!!!!! Best dramatic tenor around today......I hope you like the clip!!!!!

Need we say more about one of the greatest singers in opera history, especially in the bel canto repertory. She turns 84 on Jan.16 and has won the battle against cancer. BLESS HER!!!!!

  You know how much of a pain I am about singers, so when a special one comes along, I am so thrilled, and i am not alone about what Michael Fabiano has already accomplished. Next season at the Met he will do Alfred in Fledermaus, and as in the Jan Kiepura film, "So ends our night," I hope he will sing the PIRA in act three in jail, plus a lot of other arias!

    Signor Fabiano is a welcome addition to a fine array of tenors that regale us with their superb talents these days. In "my day' we had a few great ones, but also..well,you know who.....

...and why not???It makes my life so full, and this one from Valencia is stunning!!!!!! Now you see why I am poor!!!

Well,now you are united with dear Franco, but PLEASE, be nice to him...

   Although it was not "official," Sam Ramey did tell me that the Timur in Turandot last night would be his last Met appearance. Sam and I go back 42  years, we sang in Anna Bolena and other operas. We always knew Sam had the goods, and the great career he had is surely appreciated by countless opera lovers all over the globe. Now Sam has even more time to annoy people on Facebook!! Love to my old buddy , who did last night tell us that his days of taking off his shirt as he does in this Attila clip are a thing of the past!!!

That SNEAKY James Jorden gave you a new photo on the top of the podcast site. Well, I must say it brings back memories of the old Met, where we LIVED in the standing room.

We are BLESSED these days with a wonderful group of tenors, and here is still another,Matthew Polenzani!!!!!  I have been pleased to have heard him now in Seraglio,Don Pasquale, Elisir, and last night's Maria Stuarda!!! Great guy!!!

Here is a glorious sample of what I saw last night at the Met. It was a great evening, and I wish there would be more like this. In your city, you may be seeing this in the theatres on Jan.19. It was superb!!!!

   BUT the best thing is that since Mme.Van der Heever shaved her head for real, I told her I was happy at least I have more hair than SOMEBODY!!!!

    Joyce di Donato continues to give a "Master Class" in singing every time she appears!!!!

 In recent weeks New York opera audiences have thrilled to the magnificent (SQUILLANTE) voice of tenor Bryan Hymel, heard in the Troyens, and also seen in theatres around the globe. You know how many fine tenors I have heard, and he surely belongs with them, and he is destined for a brilliant career.(He surely picks easy arias!!).  All our best to him!!!

  I have spoken often about the great "Verismo" sopranos, and when I think of Favero on her Jan.6 birthday (born in1903), I am filled with great emotion, but at the same time I am so sorry that this style of singing is just not in vogue today....So when I make podcasts involving Muzio,Zeani,Soviero,etc..you know I am trying to spread the word as to the kind of emotional singing of a Favero,etc.

One of my all-time thrills was to be onstage when Marisa Galvany sang the Bolena, and especially this great scene. I hope you enjoy the various divas!

For Grace Bumbry, born Jan.4, 1937, I present this example of her great singing. She now resides in Salzburg and we often communicate. I bet she can still sound gorgeous!!!

Jaded Charlie sees the Met new Maria Stuarda next week.I hope it is wonderful, BUT listen to a scene with Galvany and Sills that caused INSANITY in the audience!!!!!!

In honor of the first time the Met opera is presenting Maria Stuarda....here are some
"Vil bastarda" scenes..but for me the best was Sills/Galvany...LOVE THIS!!!!!

She is 66. One of the most amazing singers..OK,the last note is a bit "under' but who cares. This is the brand of singing VE RBOTEN at the Met...TRUST ME!!!!!

You have heard this before,but I must tell you that it is an example of some of the most exciting singing you'll ever hear!!!!

This is a staging of the Maria Stuarda Confrontation Scene as per the Bette Davis/Joan Crawford film, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane." I wrote Joyce di Donato to tell her that in the coming Met Stuardas I do not think she should follow this staging.

   If my beloved Renata had ever had a fight with me, and used the kind of chest voice she uses on "Tre assi e un paio," I would have run screaming out the door. She scared us to death...one of the many great "Tebaldi moments."

To all of you great opera lovers all over the globe, I wish you a most HAPPY NEW YEAR and many thanks for your undying support. You make my life so happy all year long!

From Charlie

Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin which means HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our beloved Piotr for Dec.28. How fortunate the opera world is to be able to enjoy his great singing!!!

I think if we counted up all the tears that Puccini,born Dec.23, 1858, has provided to the opera world, we might have another "Pacific Ocean." Bless forever what he has given us!!!!

At 66, still able to thrill us! Gruberova born Dec.22, 1946. A bit eccentric vocal production,but the way she gets to the top...is wild..That kind of "scoop." One of the most adored singers!!!!!

 One of my saddest days, and a sad day for opera lovers, was Dec.19, 2004, when we lost our beloved Renata Tebaldi. My memories are still so vivid of her incredible singing, and the relationship we had over the years, with those "birthday phone calls' I made to her in the later years. The love she spread on stage and off stage was something none of us "kids" could ever forget, and we will think of her fondly for the rest of our lives.

  Born on Dec.19, 1863, Milka Ternina was the teacher of my beloved Zinka Milanov, who just texted me and said, "I VAS BETTER!!!"

Let us pause for a moment or two and think of the horrendous tragedy that occured this week in the school in Connecticut. Even if I was not a teacher and loved kids the way I do, it is just mind-boggling to think of what occurred, and we should spend a moment of reflection to remember the poor little kids and the teachers who are no long with us physically, but will always be in spirit.

Not as appreciated as i feel she should be, Raina Kabaiwanska was born on Dec.15, 1934. The feeling, the style, the love of the vocal line are special,if not a great tone. I really recommend you watch some more Youtube videos.

Dec.15, 1910..(Some say May 15),is the birthday of the SENSATIONAl Giulietta Simionato, who,in this clip, shows why she is revered as one of the greatest singers of all time. Sorry she did not make it to 100.

Angelo Lo Forese at 90!!!!  IN KEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crabby jaded Charlie found a marvelous new soprano at Aida last night.She is Liudmyla Monastryska, possessor of a gorgeous and rich voice, with a brilliant top range and lovely pianissimi. I bravoed all night, and I think she was truly superb. Here is a sample.

Not a good day for divas. Gallina was a very famous artist and we hear her last scene of Onegin with Benjamin Luxon. Some straight tones,but a very great star!!!!!!   Never to be forgotten!!!!

  When she entered in Rosenkavalier act Three, the stage GLITTERED. It was a gorgeous ethereal voice and we remember her for what she did for all of us as a great artist.  Rest in Peace!

 Born Dec.11, 1892, Giacomo Lauri-Volpi sings a "Nessun Dorma' that is as thrilling as one could expect!!!!! I wish we had one tenor like this today.

Remember that lovable film about Verdi's "Casa di riposo" for old singers, some of whom can still sing? Sarah Scuderi was the STAR of the film, and she was born on Dec.11, 1906. What a loving tribute to singers of the past who might not have the finances to live a luxurious retiremen t. This is so gorgeous!!!!

The marvelous Sondra Radvanovsky is singing the Met Ballo today; she possess one of the most brilliant voices I ever heard, but you MUST hear her live, because she has a kind of resonance in the house that sounds like a "mike is in her throat." I once told her some tones were "Isolde tones." Here is a clip rom her Chicago Ballo.

  DIOS MIO!!!!!!  My friends (including Virginia Zeani) heard Boheme in Florida last night and went NUTS over this guy!!!  This is a fabulous voice and i hope we hear much more of him.. BRAVISSIMO!!!!

    My favorite part of my favorite opera!! I had mentioned that a few years ago Dolora Zajick asked me to give a "Handelmanian" class for her young students; she has a project with young singers, trying to bring back the kind of singing so missing today. Note how she sings the end of this scene with incredible abandon. I will see her as Amneris in two weeks. Note she takes the high B that usually only Aida takes toward the end. She has FUN!!!!

  Not just Cavalleria Rusticana!! Mascagni wrote such gorgeous music...This scene from his Piccolo Marat is just amazing. Virginia Zeani, Umberto Borso, and a loud prompter perform. The audience actually made them repeat this whole duet!!!!!

 Carreras was born on Dec.5, 1946. In his prime it was a glorious voice, one of the greatest in opera;yes,he did push the voice into heavier roles and even before the illness he was having problems, but for a time he was a true sensation, and he came thrugh a serious illness with great dignity and amazing courage.

  I always like to "spread the word' about exciting young artists. Here is info.on Othalie Graham....A great singer..and GORGEOUS!!!!

Canadian-American Soprano Othalie Graham is critically acclaimed throughout North America. As Turandot, the Boston Globe says her “timbre and power were thrilling - steely ring from top to bottom - and her path from imperiousness to passion was convincing.” Of a recent performance as Tosca, the San Francisco Chronicle praised her “high-powered blend of musical assurance and theatrical temperament. Singing the role for the first time, Graham displayed a potent and secure soprano that soared effortlessly through the role. Most impressive was her blend of delicacy and sheer muscle, which often combined forces within the space of a single phrase...her rendition of ‘Vissi d’arte’ was a heartbreaker.”

Emerging into the Wagnerian repertoire, Ms. Graham’s notable roles include Senta in Der Fliegender Holländer, Isolde in Tristan und Isolde, Brünnhilde and Sieglinde in Die Walküre, and Elisabeth in Tannhäuser. Other prominent roles include the title role in Elektra, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Leonora in Fidelio, Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera, Leonora in La Forza del Destino, Ariane in Ariane et Barbe-Bleue, Serena in Porgy and Bess, and Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana.

Recent engagements include the title role in Turandot with Arizona Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Columbus, Opera Delaware, Utah Festival Opera, Connecticut Grand Opera, and Sacramento Opera; Odabella in Attila with Sarasota Opera; the title role of Aida for the inaugural performance of the Istanbul International Opera Festival; Leonora in Il Trovatore with Utah Festival Opera; the title role in Tosca with Festival Opera; and the title role in Elektra at Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts. In the current 2010-2011 season and beyond, engagements include the title role of Turandot with the Vancouver Opera and Pensacola Opera, Minnie in La Fanciulla del West at the Nashville Opera, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 and Turandot excerpts in concert with the Washington Chorus at the Kennedy Center, and Isolde in Tristan und Isolde with the Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra in California.

Concert highlights include a New York recital debut with the Liederkranz Society after winning its annual competition; a Wagner concert co-sponsored by the Wagner Society of Washington D.C. featuring Brünnhilde’s Immolation Scene from Götterdämmerung and Isolde’s Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde; Brünnhilde excerpts from Die Walküre for the L’Opera de Montreal gala; the title role in Turandot with Boston’s Chorus Pro Musica, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra, and the Harrisburg Symphony; Elijah with Bryn Terfel and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; a featured appearance with Eve Queler at the Dahesh Museum of Art; as well as opera galas for Pacific Opera Victoria, Vancouver Opera, and Canada’s Oakville Symphony.

Ms. Graham was the first-place winner of the 2010 Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition in the Wagner Division; the first-place winner of the 2005 Joyce Dutka Competition; a recipient of the prestigious Sullivan Foundation Grant for 2005; and the first-place winner in the Wagner Division of the 2009 Liederkranz Competition. In Canada, her many awards and honors include the coveted Jean Chalmers prize in the Canadian Music Competition, winner of the Edward Johnson Competition, and first place in the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques Competition.

She is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts.

Awards

 Have you ever seen this adorable 1932 clip of the great Tetrazzini singing with Caruso??I think it is PRECIOUS!!!!!!

Just listen to the section beginning "Coraggio" in the Vespri aria..That tells it ALL! The exciting attacks, the intensity, the verve....something unheard today!!!!

Some artists can "read the telephone directory" and make a fabulous impression. The late Maria Callas, born Dec.2 (or 3?), 1923, was such an artist. We all know of her flaws and her stormy life, but her legacy will live forever in the hearts of true music-lovers.

OK friends....tell us what is "different" about this rendition....(Hint: Get a pitchpipe.)

Another Callas' clip for her birthday.This was from one of the last recitals (with Di Stefano).Note she has to sing more chest voice...It is so sad...One of the greats at the end, but the feeling will never fade!!!!!.

  What is left to say about this legend? Yes, we know all about her flaws, personal difficulties, but what remains forever is a legacy of a phenomenal contribution that will never be forgotten. Here is the first of a series of clips for your personal remembrances and in tribute to her.

Gedda is now 87...This is rather recent......Not sure when..but the man is a VOCAL GOD!!!!!

Dedicated to another ageless singer, Martha Eggerth (now 100).

   Darling miraculous Magda Olivero turns 103 on March 25. She will speak in that gorgeous "verismo Italian" when I call her...Hard to imagine a world without this beautiful spirit!!!!

Renata Tebaldi and Franco Corelli on television in Chenier finale.(In key).