I agree that much on this album does not come easily to Dame Joan and frequently, with the exception of sustained high notes, she simply grazes the top notes and doesn't really place them properly. She did this on stage toward the end of her career as well. Some of this album is laboured as in her una voce poco fa which I find just hearing exhausting. Having said that, this piece shows how well a great voice had been preserved for a long time, rather than the frailties of a failing voice.
Although I'm not generally overwhelmed by Joan's singing on this Bel Canto album, the present excerpt seems to me to be one of the more successful tracks. Joan appears to relish the cabaletta in particular, and finishes it off in grand style.
@vocalissimo1 Yes, this is one of the best tracks in that album - and strangely one of the less known of them. However, I must say the arias from Il Castello di Kenilworth an Betly also are sung with tremendous ease and grace and are favorites of mine among Sutherland's late recording legacy. I was particulary impressed at how Sutherland managed to make this "O mon Fernand" work effectively for a soprano, and she sounds very good in the lower register.
I agree that much on this album does not come easily to Dame Joan and frequently, with the exception of sustained high notes, she simply grazes the top notes and doesn't really place them properly. She did this on stage toward the end of her career as well. Some of this album is laboured as in her una voce poco fa which I find just hearing exhausting. Having said that, this piece shows how well a great voice had been preserved for a long time, rather than the frailties of a failing voice.
dendodd2 8 months ago
She is a remarkable singer one of the greatest to have left recordings IMO.
The voice was warm felxivle and large - much larger on stage than recordings
can indicate. This is a stunning performance. The final Top D is amazing for
any age. Joan is @ 60 here.
65attila 9 months ago
She is a remarkable singer one of the greatest to have left recordings IMO.
The voice was warm felxivle and large - much larger on stage than recordings
can indicate. This is a stunning performance,
65attila 9 months ago
Although I'm not generally overwhelmed by Joan's singing on this Bel Canto album, the present excerpt seems to me to be one of the more successful tracks. Joan appears to relish the cabaletta in particular, and finishes it off in grand style.
vocalissimo1 9 months ago
@vocalissimo1 Yes, this is one of the best tracks in that album - and strangely one of the less known of them. However, I must say the arias from Il Castello di Kenilworth an Betly also are sung with tremendous ease and grace and are favorites of mine among Sutherland's late recording legacy. I was particulary impressed at how Sutherland managed to make this "O mon Fernand" work effectively for a soprano, and she sounds very good in the lower register.
Homoclassicus 9 months ago
Grandissima!
leprincebeaumont 9 months ago
That's one fat high note at the end.
joserico282 9 months ago