Tag Archives: soprano
The 10 Best Sopranos of the 20th Century
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 13th March 2017This was a tough piece to write. With all the great sopranos of different vocal types active in the 20th century, picking just 10 is a daunting task. But I’m giving it a try regardless. I have excluded the high sopranos like Tetrazzini and Galli-Curci, but I still have a surplus of riches that my…
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Claudia Muzio
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 26th January 2017Claudia Muzio (1889-1936) was one of opera’s greatest stars during the first part of the 20th century. Born in Pavia, she was the daughter of an operatic stage manager. He moved the family to London when Claudia was 2 years old to practice his craft at Covent Garden. Accordingly, she became fluent in English as…
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Ebben? Ne andrò lontana
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 23rd September 2016Alfredo Catalani (1854-93) is best known for his opera La Wally. And the opera would barely survive were it not for the soprano aria which is the subject of this piece. It occurs near the end of the 1st act. Wally has been ordered by her father to marry a baritone or leave home. Naturally, she…
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Recording of the Week – Birgit Nilsson 10 CD Set
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 5th September 2016Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005) was one of the vocal marvels of the 20th century. No recording, and she made many, can come close to the impact she made in performance. A voice of limitless power and reserve, she could be heard over the loudest orchestral din. Yet she could modulate her tone to whatever the score…
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Rosa Ponselle
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 14th June 2015Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981) was born Rosa Ponzillo in Meriden Connecticut to immigrant parents from southern Italy. Her vocal gifts were apparent at an early age and she started to sing professionally at 18. Her repertoire was mainly popular ballads. Shortly thereafter she began to sing on the vaudeville circuit with her older sister Carmela, who…
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Rosa Raisa
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 1st January 2015Rosa Raisa (1893-1963) was born in Białystok, Poland as Raitza Burchstein. Because of the pogroms endemic in Russian controlled Poland during her childhood, her family fled to Italy when she was 14. Her vocal talent was soon recognized and she made her professional debut when she was 20. She sang at most of the world’s…
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Zinka Milanov’s Birthday
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 17th May 2013Today is the 107th anniversary of the greatest Verdi soprano I ever heard – Zinka Milanov (1906-1989). Milanov was the Queen of the Met where she sang 449 performances between 1937 and 1966. In the core Verdi roles I have never heard her equal. She was a unique artist. The only words that can do…
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Liudmyla Monastyrska
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 12th December 2012Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska made her Met debut last month in the title role of Verdi’s Aida. She is scheduled to repeat the role in Saturday’s telecast from the Met. Though only 37, she has been singing for 16 years mostly in her native Ukraine. Last minute appearances in Berlin and London brought her to international acclaim…
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D’amor sull’ali rosee
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 2nd January 2012If a knowledgeable opera goer were asked to name the most demanding and beautiful bel canto aria written for the soprano voice “Casta diva” from Bellini’s Norma or “Bel raggio lusinghier” from Rossini’s Semiramide or perhaps “Regnava nel silenzio” from Donizetti’s Lucia Di Lammermoor might head the list. But to my ears nothing is as beautiful and…
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Margaret Price – RIP
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 31st January 2011Welsh soprano Margaret Price (1941-2011) died suddenly on January 28 at her home in the village of Moylegrove. Best known for her interpretation of Mozart and Verdi roles she had a luminous voice tied to a placid persona or perhaps it was shyness. I heard her sing in both New York and Chicago. At the…
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