La Sonnambula

[sorkin777]

This is terrible screaming, what a childish voice Dessay has! Netrebko is sooo much better as Amina!

[edengirl17]

if you don't like it go and Listen to Netrebko and do not insult this precious artist..

This might not suit her voice...but this is a mistake that most sopranos from nowadays do..they are in a hurry to do everything even though it is not for their voice..deh.Errare humanum est..I like ANNA but not in Lucia,.in that I prefer NAtalie;)

[GoldenAgeSunshine]

I agree, I took La Scala as an example. All I want to say is that Dessay, as other singers, make mistakes and tackling Amina is one. But everybody is entitled to some mistakes. And no criticism on her Sonnambula as far as musicality and beauty of tone are concerned. I'm just saying it's the wrong voice for the wrong role (but beautifully sung, though!)

[GoldenAgeSunshine]

Dessay is a superb artist. However, she is definitely no Amina, this role is NOT for her. Color, medium range, ornamentation is all wrong. Bellini has written this role for Giuditta Pasta, the creator of the title-role of Norma!) Callas, Sutherland and to some extent, Devia, are much better Aminas! And her ornamentations (and lack of real trills!) are questionable. She has been booed at La Scala! Otherwise, Dessay is a MOST SPLENDID artist.

[niklausse]

I definitely agree, the sopranos of the early 20th century made us believe that Amina is a high soprano/nightingale role, but the original Amina, Giuditta Pasta, was a "streched" mezzo. Dessay is a inmensely gifted artist, but this role is not for her voice. Unfortunatly our generation is anti-historical.

[babycatcher2004]

Many great artists have been booed at La Scala. Having been booed at La Scala is no yard stick by which to measure a singer.

[FoxyGrandpa]

What was Dessay booed for? This is the first I've heard of this.

[tararep]

I love Dessay too, but you should note that being booed at La Scala does not make her less of a singer. By having been booed at La Scala, Dessay joins a long list of magnificent sopranos...Callas, Tebaldi, Freni, Fleming...I'm just saying it's not really dis-credit to her skills or talent to have been booed by La Scala audiences

[sour7lemon]

Choruses' choreography is really dumb, dessay is brilliant as usual.

[saverioorlando]

Natalie is every BRAVA,but better as Ophelie.

[cmorgan22]

Is that Alfredo Kraus with her? Sure looks like him!

[vilaph]

No it's Raul Gimenez

[cmorgan22]

Yes I realized that later. But having heard Kraus sing an amazing Lucia in NY at age 65 (a production in which you had to be a billy goat to navigate the set)I had to ask!

Heard Dessay at the MET in the 90's sing the doll song in Hoffman. It was the first time I ever heard her and wow! She was even wearing ballet shoes and went "en pointe!" Unforgettable performance. She has several contracts coming up with the MET in the next few years. Hope she doesn't dissapoint.

[sweetsanguine]

I read in an opera news interview that her english is excellent, although I have yet to hear her speak for myself. I really hope that she uses this voice change to her benefit. I would love to see her do some roles she previously considered unsuitable or to heavy. I hope her La Traviata engagement is still on!

[BwayBella19]

yeah but she only sings in english. i was wondering if she could speak in conversation.

[BwayBella19]

can natalie speak english?

[gpeddino]

Yeah. Watch the video of her singing 'Glitter and be gay', and you'll see.

[mrportobello]

Natalie speaks English. I've met her twice. She's so wonderful.

[vilaph]

i"m singing in the sonnambula with her now, and it's really good, better than the video of lausanne

[emily3013]

I used to completely hate her, and she IS declining a lot, and some of her notes are completely uncontrolled, but I really think her improvising is brilliant, and her high notes here are priceless. Now, unfortuanately she has hurt her voice! That's so sad.

[Johnny1206]

A real shame is to say she´s not impeccable and glorius in this performance

[cfilipow86]

I used to be a HUGE fan of Natalie, but then, as I heard more recent recordings and preformances of her, I got a little turned off by her singing. She has had nodes twice. What does that say about her technique? And now they say her voice is broadening and getting richer. No. If you listen to the performance of her singing this same aria not even 10 years later, you will hear what has happened to her. It's a shame.

[Orfeus80]

Weird production but the singing is better. I prefer Devia's more Italian Sonnambula though.

[melonpanda]

those runs are so very impeccable!!!!! and the high notes are so clear!!!!! she and sumi jo are just my all-time favourites!!!!!