Kiri te Kanawa sings "Sola perduta abbandonata"

[RodrigoBeauvoir]

The important here is not who is the best. Te Kanawa was perfect here. Great, memorable performance.

[amadeuswebern]

I don't understand what's all the fuss about Kiri being unwell that night and the "breaks" in her voice. This is a great performance of the aria. One of the best, if not the best.

[Cloudofthorns]

@amadeuswebern

The best performance of this aria?

Give me a break! Listen to Zeani Tebaldi ecc

[amadeuswebern]

@Cloudofthorns Zeani is great. But I love this performance. I don't know how Kiri Te Kanawa performed in the rest of the opera, but here she gives her all.

[ascooby]

Sola perduta abbandonata in INDEED!

BRAVA!!

[suzanneetmoi]

Great suggestion about whipping the conductor! Anyone who has met this great singer knows that she is truly one of the great LADIES of opera and always gives 110%. While canceling would have been the safe route, she knew people were paying to see HER and she didn't want to disappoint. A conductor is supposed to support the singers, not torture them and the podium should NEVER be used to punish.She gives a touching performance & at this point, Manon is dying anyway, her acting carries the moment

[isabelbleuet]

immense artiste!

[amadeuswebern]

@cybermarek I think so too. :)

[musicyh]

That was really...dramatic. The conductor ought to be strangled for taking such a slow tempo when the singer is sick. You can hear that it was too slow for her.

[LizN90]

In her book Opera For Lovers, she mentions this particular situation. She talks about how the conductor (the late Giuseppi Sinopoli) did not like her and actually tried to get her fired. She also mentions that she was sick during the run of performances, and was unfairly judged as unfit for this role because of it. You can hear the breaks in her voice.

[swanningaround]

This is where her great Maori heritage comes into play. So much genuine emotion and sheer singing ability.

[JuillHope17]

it's a good rendition, but you can hear: this was not a role for hear, cause she was vocally blown by this part of the opera. it's kind of sad actually.

[0valfreya0]

mi verdadera favorita para esta aria.

[charlie8943]

psht what is wrong with her

[Enochulation]

Such a vocally demanding aria! Te Kanawa's performance here is absolutely heart-breaking. SHe might not have the volume, but she makes up on everything else: technique, acting, engaging the audience into the drama. Simply outstanding!!

[LizN90]

I just read in her unautorized bio that she was feeling overwhelmed with all the demands on her since the royal wedding, plus she was ill during the performances. Her singing teacher told her to cancel, but she felt that it was not the thing to do (damned if you do, damned if you don't kind of thing). You can hear the breaks in her voice.

[0valfreya0]

gracias.

[Valyria]

psht whatever, she IS good for me.

since when though is new orleans desert O.o

[CzarDodon]

Just read that she was sick on this evening. All the more reason to whip that dog with his own baton, an opera conductor has a duty to help singers, especially when they are ill.

[CzarDodon]

The conductor should be whipped for taking this slow tempo, I can't imagine that she wanted to break half the phrases in two to catch her breath. She is not a natural in this role in any case and what's more she's not in very good voice. Sorry Kiri fans, but she not good here

[OperaGhost1990]

Great singing+great acting= best rendition of this aria

[kazimierzmichalkiwic]

The greatest version of "sola perduta" - amazing effects