Shirley Verrett as Eboli "O don fatale" from Don Carlo

[ian1856]

Monolithic!! Miss Verrett was to mezzos what Nilsson was to sopranos...ish.

[larukulupin]

I love her so much. Out of all the ones I've seen, she is probably the best in my opinion. Her high note is so...strong and visceral. I love her performance and the control she has over her voice!

[dappling484]

CHILLS!! There are no words to describe the greatness of this! Only actions!

[operalament]

great performance of an aria that is absolutely brutal. God I miss the years when my dad and I would attend permformances together. Thanks, a great post .

[mjmacmtenor]

The BBC did this fantastic portrait of Ms. Verrett in 1971 (other clips are on YouTube) and a similar one on Beverly Sills about the same time (1972?). Both are terrific records of singers at the height of the powers. I wonder if there are any other similar BBC shows from the same era featuring other singers. Based on the quality of the portraits of Sills and Verrett, it would be great to see similar portraits of other greats of that era.

[MsEbono]

Beautiful

[Eiswirth1]

Magnificent!

[OperaDanceHall]

Perfecto.....Whauwww.

Fatale ....drama ...pouwer This is Singing .....

[abracadabranque]

Y'a du bon!

[espTAIRI]

j'adore la Verrett

thks Onegin

[gayopera1]

"Top drawer singing. Wonderful Artist.

[Keksakallu]

12 people haven't a musical bone in their bodies.

[Keksakallu]

12 people haven't a musical bone in their bodies.

[a96577]

brava....ma troppo cantante

[Chimier]

So fan-freaking-tastic! This interpretation is so sublime, so thrilling. Her voice is a work of art, as is her singing.

[patjan92]

@Chimier For sure! And in the cavernous Met I witnessed her bringing the house down twice with this aria. The yelling and the applause went on and on... Unforgettable.

[barneswriter]

The definitive interpretation for me. No one else gets there.

[txnFactor]

my fave version of this aria...

[FergusMcDopey]

Madame Verrett sings the shit out of ODF and knows how to work a camera. Brava indeed.

[Transoxiana94]

Wow, such an exciting voice, let alone interpretation! Her very timbre possessed an unique quality, warmth, power. I`m very moved by this performance.

[mjesusofsuburbia]

She will be missed

[honeyedteardrops]

I really wish I could have studied under her.

[Qbendanny]

She nailed it!

[Ellevius]

So much exuberance, energy, utmost brilliance.

[Ellevius]

So much talent.

Shivers. 

[jaypiko]

Onegin ! You are unstoppable!

[cdivo39]

One of the ALL TIME GREATS OF OPERA!!! NO QUESTION ABOUT IT!!! She will truly be missed. A PHENOMENAL ARTIST! This performance alone is a testament to her greatness.

[cdivo39]

One of the ALL TIME GREATS OF OPERA!!! NO QUESTION ABOUT IT!!! She will truly be missed a PHENOMENAL ARTIST! This performance alone is a testament to her greatness.

[cincytuckyblk]

I did not know Shirley Verrett died. Wow, may she rest in peace. Another great gone to glory. I am so sorry to hear this news.

[TheTenorJoe]

@cincytuckyblk Same here. A true loss. This aria exeplifies her greatness as an operatic mezzo.

[kaifas762]

INCOMPARABLE EBOLI,DESCANSA EN PAZ.

[spind]

She is singing for the Lord now - R.I.P.

[Zyghnwyr]

Phenomenal singer. What a thrilling performance this is altogether - and that top C flat is something special. Only just heard of her death. Sad to hear. But this lady will be remembered forever.

[mradkova]

May her Soul rest in Peace!

Amen...

[dubonetducon]

Riveting perfection! .. Astonishing brilliance! .. I am so sad. .. R.I.P.

[FeeTurbule]

houalalalalala! Quelle force, quelle couleur! Et que tempérament! Superbe! Merci! My Goodness! I heard nothing that strong, that rich! Amazing! RIP!

[SiEtIn1]

I am devastated, Her passing has really affected me RIP Ms Verrett. I would have loved to have laid my eyes on her at least once. She has given me so much, and through her recorded legacy hopefully she will continue to do so. To her: THANK YOU a million times

[muscleslam]

@SiEtIn1 ....is this true....because it is news to me!.....& your comment is of a year ago....as a rule The B.B.C......& the Daily Telegraph news paper are good at reporting such ......

[77Opera]

Merci pour tant de beauté impérissable Madame. Reposez en paix!

[tatters1232006]

@77Opera the world is somehow a lesser place when we loose a great artist such as Ms Verett a wonderful voice that has given much pleasure over decades R.I.P

[msscott73]

WOW HER Voice was amazing.  I wish i know of her sooner.

[FeeTurbule]

@msscott73 same to me...

[kaloseimi]

First Sutherland, now Verrett! It's been a very tragic two months for opera fans everywhere. Why does such talent have to leave us?

[ahava77]

AMAAAAZING!! RIP

[Coloraturissimo]

May this lovely DIVA rest in Peace! Thank You, Shirley 4 everything You have done with Your divine voice and personality! NEVER TO B FORGOTTEN! These r sad days...

[DrFernandoBicudo]

Sweet Shirley Verrett is gone to another dimension . She has left this world so much richer with her artistic contributions with fabulous interpretations such as this sensacional "O Don Fatale", very hard to surpass or even match. May God bless her extraordinary soul in Heaven.

[tenorbear60]

Oh Shirley, we will miss you! I first saw her live in San Francisco in L'Africaine in the early 70s. She was a magnificent person and artist. The definitive Eboli, Delilah and absolute best Lady Macbeth. Wow, so many great singers leaving us.....

[GylchrisSprauve]

I will always cherish this performance. Thank You, God for the talents You gave to this wonderful woman. May she rest in peace.

[bamanda68]

Oh my word, this brought tears to my eyes! Such sweet, warm low notes and powerful, piercing high notes. She has the perfect mix of raw emotion and perfect technique in her voice and manner! Astonishing performance! Bravo!

[FoggyRoad81]

RIP!! I am horribly sad.

[angelamaria1944]

Un immenso dolore la sua perdita! Riposi in pace nel cielo dei Grandi!

[BruSell53]

I just heard of her passing at the age of 79.....her singing of this aria and this role still set the standard for everybody else, as far as I'm concerned. Voices like this don't appear but very rarely and we shan't soon hear her like again. RIP, dear lady.

[rbpenelope2008]

Questa aria mi ha ubriacato, il mio cuore ha fatto tilt! Cantata poi così: dizione impeccabile, splendido colore e fraseggio, grande interpretazione. Un gioiello oooh!!!! Che meraviglia poterlo vedere... grazie Onegin per averlo condiviso!!!

[turandot82]

Love sharing this video when people ask "What is opera all about?" .

[MrSkylark1]

Shirley Verrett of the beautiful voice with Fiorenza Cossotto being another exponent of this aria

[mayebelle81]

What a strong voice she has. AWESOME!

[mozzrt]

1971 her voice was still so incredibly rich, one of the most glorious, warm, amazing, powerful mezzos the world has ever known. Her topnotes could almost be compared to Nilssons, her lower register to Stignani. I don't know of anyone today that could be mentioned on the same day.

[muscleslam]

I really do not know a fat lot about opera...but i sure know Shirley could sing it....full of emotion....power...& expression....it never fails to move me this aria / vid...enjoy your retirement shirley....you have earned it.....Thanks for posting & keeping it on site

[MrTatzelwurm]

Assoluta! What a richful colored big-big-big voice.

[exsultet1274]

The gold standard.

[zgopify]

Verrett in her prime. Unbeatable.

[DottoreJojo]

Oh my she sounds like a tempest!

[AminaBellini]

what a voice!!!!!!!!!!

[jplaura02]

Fantastic performance. She gives me spinal chills and certainly is the greatest Eboli of all time. I wonder how 9 cretins could possibly find fault with this landmark performance?

[paulostroff99]

Superb

[TreblesBasses]

JUST LOVE IT!!!!

[wwwoyzeck]

gooooorgeouuus!!!!

[ILLDEGREE]

Damn!!!! best version of this aria ive ever heard her top is completely on point!!!! NO ONE SINGS THIS BETTER!!!!

[TommyHaegin]

A wonderful animal!! The new generation like for example Nadja Michael should be ashamed and try to learn something from the old ladies.

[yes4albert]

Hands down, and I love quite a few of them.  But Verrett owns it.

[operachad]

God! i love her!

[AuthenticFeirce]

Elena nicolai and Ebe stigani were better.

[jplaura02]

@AuthenticFeirce Get a brain and a new pair of ears!

[AuthenticFeirce]

Ok and get a better taste in music. =)

[MastersoftheOpera]

This is GLORIOUS. It's by far the best Eboli, although I still love Grace Bumbry's performance. Both Verrett and Bumbry, for me, are marvelous mezzos who transitioned to soprano successfully. Verrett's Norma is outstanding as is her Tosca. Bumbry's Salome is said to be great, though I haven't heard it. Both ladies made great Lady Macbeths.

[goldenthroat86]

Ti maledico! Ti maledico! O mia belta...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Ti maledico, o mia belta!!!

[folarino]

WOW. Simply breathtaking.

I love her lower register. She engages the chest voice but still manages to seamlessly transition to the upper registers with ease.

I would have loved to hear this live.

[goldenthroat86]

Wow, just WOW!

[avisdarrel]

Shirley Verrett is amazing i want to be just like her one day :) She is one of the best singers to ever grace the operatic stage!

[jrtrmish]

There is not a single soprano around today who can come within a mile of this vocal goddess in this role (and a few others, like Lady Macbeth). Verrett was truly a wonder.

[LilMack549]

Good Lord...I have never heard the middle section sung with a legato so smooth and elegant.

Brava.

[nunicorng]

Absolutely superb!

[barneswriter]

I concur with royalbattle

the best eboli ever

complete singer and actress and definitive recording of the role with Guillini

[Operadiva2012]

Amazing!

[796824]

As good as this is , EBE STIGNANI was superior as Eboli

[mm9913]

superior? perhaps good but not superior to Verrett.

[796824]

Stignani was noted for her superb vocalism, notably, the ease of singing and unsurpassed artistry

[willthebest1]

she was veryyyyyyyyyyyyy good---absolutely wonderful---beautiful indeed---love the emotional expression.

[TreblesBasses]

ANOTHER STUNNING PERFORMANCE!

[Chasson0318]

It's rumours, the only Soprano Sutherland was concerned about (L'Assedio di Corinth)...watch how she lays into that high note at 1:20!

[royalbattle]

The best Eboli ever!!

[lullybasblancs]

hot

[dolcesuegiu]

Incredibile! Quando la tecnica salda diventa fonte di emozioni...

[zarino78]

Che dire? Grazie per avermi consigliato questo video: sono rimasto davvero impressionato. La Verrett qui è meravigliosa.

[escamillo]

Göttlich!!!

[philipc67]

Terrific from beginning to end, very powerfully sung and acted. She looks gorgeous, doesn't rush the aria (which many others do, ruining the dramatic effect), her Italian pronunciation is very fluent, and the voice is one column of perfectly focused sound from top to bottom. Long breath control, insolent low notes and wow those high notes! I doubt anyoone sings this better.

[GylchrisSprauve]

I've gotta agree with you!

[wotansschwert]

whoah.

[MastersoftheOpera]

Shirley Verrett singing O Don Fatale (especially in this footage) is mind blowing and fantastic! Hands down the best version I've ever heard! So much passion, so much emotion. She is astounding

[francinemary]

Wonderful

[UrsulanChild]

The definitive "Oh, Don Fatale"...I'm sorry...it doesn't get better than this, unless Shirley would've done it better herself. Consistent voice from bottom to top. Amazing long, flowing lines in the middle section. Excellent "push-button" command of her top, and a fierce commitment to the drama. Oh, if every up and coming Eboli could have some quality time observing and learning from this video!

[Madrigalante]

Impressionante....soprattutto l'acuto, neanche un soprano avrebbe fatto meglio!!

[LazarNewDeal]

This woman is marvelous. high notes, digs to the chest, pianissimi, interpretation and control. All at service of the drama and the "MELO"dy.

A goddess

[ZsaZsadoll]

Everything she sings she puts her stamp on it! What an incredibly talented lady

[mtrav95]

Perhaps my favorite Verdi mezzo of all time. Wow, could that women sing!

[muscleslam]

....and mine to,she sure could sing alright & with brilliant passion.

[jplaura02]

Simply the greatest Eboli of all time! Breathtaking and Stupendous!

[lindyms]

You got that right!! Best ever.

[Babs22h]

her karate chop stance at 4:40 is too classic.... LOL brava verrett

[RVP57]

Sweet Jesus Bleedin For My Sins, is this ever fabulous.

[Orfeo68]

DITTO!

[Toscabella]

Ms. Verrett owns this aria. It is just incredible to see this. Thank you!

[Babs22h]

i love how she has that total "black" sound that despite the fact that she is singing opera! Sistah tore the song up! What was the high note in the middle of the piece? a B? fabulous?

[FoggyRoad81]

I love YOU! You are one of the few people on youtube who comments on opera and Streisand recordings (I'm a huge fan of both) and a huge fan of Ms. Verrett in this recording :) You're not a single gay man are you.

[Babs22h]

haha!!!!! i am so happy to have a fan! what recordings of stiesand have you noticed I comments? i was a bit surprised in fact that anyone really notices my little two cents. unfortunately not single... am happily taken! Hugs!

[JuillHope17]

hahaha, awesome. of all the comments to find on this video, i find these, lol.

[Babs22h]

jullihope- i remember us arguing over some opera piece a while back how r u? did you see that I have fan of my comments on the verrett page!:-)

[FoggyRoad81]

Cool and I'm not either I just felt for two seconds like I needed to leave my man for you :) I can't remember which vids, a ton of them. But yay for streisand/opera/good music fans!

[AmericanEvita]

Grace Bumbry was also a fine Eboli and "O Don Fatale" was always a signature aria for her..her "good luck charm" she sang in auditions..but Verrett is absolutely amazing on this particular video, she's unbelievable..she is singing the hell out of this aria...comparisons to Bumbry happened all her life and the two of them didnt get along but both of them were amazing artists in their own right...I do love this O Don Fatale a lot though...a lot...it is the best

[mozzrt]

Cossotto, Simionato, Bumbry, they are so fantastic, Obraztsova take a little time to understand with her almost too rich voice but she is outstanding. Verrett has a voice sometimes like Callas, filled with emotion, but it's richer, creamier.

For sheer beauty of voice, but also her acting, Verrett wins the Eboli contest...She is one of the greatest mezzos that ever sung.

[operaoaf]

Smoldering passion!

[matiasbustafan]

Excelente!!!

[VMagirusL]

The second «O, don fatale» after Obraztsova.

[FoggyRoad81]

Um no. This rendition is second to NONE. Obraztsova is amazing, but no opera performance has ever had this level of involvement, refinement, secure technique and perfect phrasing. It's one of the greatest examples of vocal art EVER produced.

[patjan92]

My Favorite Eboli. Just Wonderful.

[sospello]

Thank you for reminding me of this one--also her Lady Macbeth is spectacular.

[cellomikel29]

*drools* amazing!

[AmericanEvita]

WHAT A GODDESS! THIS IS THE BEST VERSION OF O DON FATALE SHE'S EVER SUNG...SHE'S ON FIRE..WHAT A PLEASURE AND THRILL TO SEE THS..she's young, her voice is amazing and she goes above and beyond in making this the most passionate performance of her career

[bobb60]

If that doesn't send chills up the spine, nothing will. There is no better Eboli. I've seen 4 of them. None could match the internal fire and those magnificent chest notes. The finale is just over the top. Brava Verrett

[babydrane]

Tout simple la meilleure qui existe.

[cleanears]

Brava Shirley!

[antigauche]

Exquisite!

[jamesflat]

This is truly a great performance

[neronnenn]

E' vero che il direttore sembra più dirigere pompe funebri, ma Shirley è fantastica, come SEMPRE

[cenodus]

The ABSOLUTE Verdi Mezzo- The Greatest Eboli of them all, I think - so much passion and nuance, and the power... Unsurpassable!

[magicflute3]

Beautiful voice, no doubt. The conductor ( who is he?) is too slow, quite boring!

[operastar18]

amazing chest voice and unbeatable high notes, love her

[eboli1000]

Great Eboli! But I prefer Cossotto's

[FoggyRoad81]

And we'd prefer if you never spoke again.

[nclysander]

Oh come now, it's not as bad as all that. I find Verrett the ideal Eboli (vocally, she's EVEN BETTER under Giulini's baton in the complete studio recording), but Cosotto is an excellent singer - I very much enjoyed her recordings of Cherubino and Azucena.

[FoggyRoad81]

No she is, I spoke out of turn. I read the comment just after totally swooning over Ms. Verrett's performance and was a little emotional. This is what Verrett's Eboli does to me! :)

[nclysander]

Indeed, it's easy to lose one's mind over Ms. Verrett's performances. ;)

[malteLauritzb]

This very special colour of voice, the easiness and the size of the voice, this purity of line and the inner fire dubded by a great refined musician, no, I have never seen a better Eboli. Some might have bigger this or that, but will not match this combination of gifts and soul.

[PecsMstr]

What an instrument. High notes hardly ever matched.

[NouvelOpera]

FANTASTICA!!!

[rudypea]

brought tears to my eyes!

[FraSarn]

What shall I say...just DIVINA! The greatest Eboli EVER!

[mabemawi]

I SO agree!!

[Babs22h]

hilton said it best... "thats hot!" hehe 10/10

[jplaura02]

Incredible! The greatest Eboli of our time. God bless you!

[cbanni1]

fu&*ing brilliant...beyond words and definitely one of the best versions out there and ever.

[CiociaWicia]

fantasticoooooo!!!

[mariasarda]

Très belle Eboli, avec la voix qui va avec : drame, dignité, majestueuse évocation d'une princesse. Respect!!!!!!!

[ciociosan]

the italians called her La Nera Callas or the Black Callas. Both are very unique and very original! I love their work and appreciate their contribution to the world of opera!

[courtjesting]

Not only a great singer but a fantastic actress as well!

[johngarner3]

simply the best!!!!!!!!!!

[Reinaldo146]

She was such an exciting soprano. Her range is only equaled by that of Callas, with beautiful impressive "mezzo" lows and clean, beautiful soprano highs. Her Lady Macbeth is simply phenomenal.

[kateholli]

Simply the all time gold standard in this role!

Brava Verrett!

Get the Vienna 1970 live recording, conducted by Horst Stein! She rocks the house!

Dolora Zajick is probably the best ACTUALLY around...

[osvaldito55]

Electrifying. She imbues each word with enormous feeling, and no one in my memory has sung this aria with such dramatic impact. Given the fact that this performance is out of the context of the entire opera, one can see why she was a great Eboli on stage.

[canafinwe]

Perfect Eboli!

Carlos is stupid. What can he eat on that boring Elisabetta? :D

There is a beuatiful woman who loves him... (not to mention a really HOT man, too)

[laurentius76]

great great great great great great!!!!!!!!!!!

[raycanto76]

SUPERB!!!!! Brava Verrett!

[whitetrash2911]

Great! Great! Great! The best Eboli ever!

Thanks for posting this pearl of opera.

Francesco

[midas45]

Thank you, thank you, thank you ... Another wonderful example of this superb artist. Where do you find these clips ?

[Dymension]

The greatest Eboli, right here!

[Orfeus80]

A truly great performance even if I prefer the more Italian sound of Cossotto.

[Jokanaan]

If that first high B doesn't make you grin from ear to ear, you're no opera fan!

[benderpm]

Sorry, but Verrett is my favorite; then comes Troyonos.

[lahlahdivina]

Shirley Verrett!!! Brava, Brava, Diva Diva!!! No one does Eboli better than this!

[spizell]

I have listened to Verrett, Bumbry and Zajick and would have given anything to hear it live from the first two or would love to hear Zajick now. I love their voices. All for different reasons. What great gifts.

[fer1179]

Such a great rendition indeed, yet my favourite one for this role is Dolora Zajick.

[majosace]

Zajick is good, but itsn't possible compared with Verrett, him better Eboli of all, by phrase, style and dramatic intensity. I have seen both on stage in this roll

[fer1179]

I would never compare Zajick and Verrett in any way. Both singers are great in the roll. still my favorite one is Zajick.

[wotanman]

I usually never get into pointless Divarguments, but there is NO WAY Zajick can TOUCH this, vocally, dramatically, or sexually. Sorry!

[paragod333]

Thank you. No I don't have to say anything. You put it right all the way.