Kerstin Thorborg - Erda - Weiche, Wotan, weiche

[MrNeilsy]

No hooty singing heard here. Singers of this era sang with true vowels and clarity of tone which requires far less effort in order to project the sound. Thorborg is a wonderful example of a naturally dark voice that still sang with a full sound which rang clear like a bell in all parts of the voice. It's as if people in the opera business today are intimidated by this natural, unprocessed sound.

[MrSkylark1]

Mezzos TODAY are LUDICROUS as compared to the MAGNIFICENT THORBORG

who SANG WITH BRILLIANCE unlike the HOOTY, COVERED, THROATY Mezzos today who BELIEVE that opening the MOUTH to a CAVERNOUS position will INCREASE VOLUME. The frequencies of the vibrations heard represents the Art of Singing during the Golden Era rather than the idiocy of what is heard in all the opera houses today.

[mwk12kev]

@MrSkylark1 I couldn't have said it better myself! Thank you.

[musikenergy]

@MrSkylark1 She was a contralto, that's why. :-)

[MrSkylark1]

@menergy

No, Thorborg KNEW how to sing. The vocal category has nothing to do with how well a

singer projects the voicer

[musikenergy]

@MrSkylark1 I know this, because I do this for a living and teach it professionally. But she is a contralto and you insinuating that she's a mezzo, but she's not. The sound of a contralto is totally different from a Mezzo's. Different timbre. That's why she sounds so magnificent in the role. But don't knock Mezzos. Cecila, Horne, even DiDonato who just won a grammy. They're out there. Just got to search for them.

[MrSkylark1]

@musikenergy

Awards do not impress. The singers of the Golden Era surpass all on the operatic stage. Suggest reading Paul Hume's article 1973 on the decline of singing then. It continues.

[musikenergy]

@MrSkylark1 This back and forth is just silly. I won't respond again, but I choose to enjoy the gifts God gives singers then and now. His ability to bless people with grand gifting has not changed, and I appreciate the likes of them all.

[MrSkylark1]

@musikenergy

Of course the Almighty has given gifts to singers. It is they for whom compassion is given because the impresarios, conductors and vocal instructors are accoustically challenged Please listen to Anita Cerquetti - Conchita Supervia and Nezhdanova for enjoyment of the "Art" of Singing - just for starters

[DeLonAlma]

Finally Erda not a comlete bore!!!!!!!! WHy can they not get the tempis right now-adays???What a great singer!!!

[OlenaGlynka]

Whatever beuatiful a mezzo-soprano is, it will never possess the contralto qualities so much needed to embody the image of Erda and this becomes especially clear when I hear the performance of Kerstin Thorborg. The shape, the line she provided to the "Erda's warning" is so perfect, the inside substance is so rich and majestic like the Earth.

[moghedien13]

@OlenaGlynka Ive gotta agree.  Im a huge fan of Christa Ludwig as Erda and Madeira as well, but it really takes a true contralto to sink in just right.

[operamark1]

Thorborg was the most elegant and regal of Wagnerian mezzos. Her voice and style sound like like those of a goddess.

[JesceJedemRas]

Wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

[Federicopera]

I could listen to Thorborg all day long!!!!