Ewa Podleś - Una voce poco fa

[infrantasi]

So precious, this singer's art; forget about the details! I want to get up and dance around the room. What a spirit within her, "La musicalité aux vertebres!" Absolutely equal to the great Callas' version, too!

[deannasopran]

She is absolutely fabulous... The head shaking helps her coloratura, and as long as she is on the breath (which... She is) she is harming no one. Her coloratura is magnificent and those high b's sound like a soprano... Praise her and that blessed technique!! First class!!!

[khykhy]

sumptuous tone..her high b's are awesome!!

[UncleLouie867]

This woman is fantastic!! Makes me want to listen to opera again.

[bodiloto]

'docile'?ahahahahahahahahah

tecnica,voce repertorio tutto sbagliato.

viva la lirica 'moderna'...

[Zark87]

amazing contralto!

[bodiloto]

@Zark87 se questa donna è una vera contralto io sono 'superman'...ahahahahahahahah

[Mariazykina]

miracle Velvet!

[laletraalreves]

Extraordinaria voz!!! magnífica interpretación!!! para escucharla mil veces.

[ernest671]

Her voice is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G 100/100

[samuca041]

brava!

[sushiyang]

ewa podles what else ?????

[rossyxan]

This woman is incredible, she can sing up to soprano high D :D

[Aetion]

Genius, simply genius!

Thank you.

[Tenorbravo]

This interpretation of "Una voce poco fa " from Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia is OUT OF THIS WORLD. It is also magnifique, original and unique. Thanks so much for allowing us to enjoy the best music.

[onotuoedaul]

i wish i wsnt soprano so i could sing like her Uu

[Lems0]

Goddess!! :)

[Aalanone]

Dear Markbob, Well you sure know how to make yourself look good. People go to the bother of expressing honest opinions and you take it as an opportunity to piss on them, while consummately failing to demonstrate any knowledge yourself. All it does is show off your talent for masturbating. I mean why dont you go and get yourself an agent? No use sitting in the dark handling yourself, is there?

[markbob120]

@Aalanone Actually I am wonderful at masterbating. It really is an art form. I bring myself right to the brink over and over again until I let myself explode in wave after wave of unabashed pleasure. Perhaps I can coach you?

[markbob120]

She is quite simply one of the 2 or 3 great voices, male or female, of all time.

[sushiyang]

WOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!! beautiful !

[dbrel]

Aside from her amazing voice, I love the expression she puts into her singing , even in a concert setting. She knows how to entertain an audience as well!

[CantoSemper49]

I love the profound depth of her voice and how obscurely dark her tone is. Viva la Podles!

[markbob120]

@CantoSemper49 "obscurely dark"? There is nothing obscure about her tone you idiot! Do not try to comment on opera if you don"t know what ther fuck you are talking about. Just listen and enjoy!

Opera Critic

[CantoSemper49]

@markbob120 People like you should be banned from youtube. I was simply appreciating her voice. Grow up, and shut up.

[markbob120]

@CantoSemper49 Just like I advised you,listen and enjoy! Don't, however, try to act like you know anything about opera. "Obscurely dark", I'm still laughing!

[CantoSemper49]

@markbob120 How old are you? seriously.

[markbob120]

@CantoSemper49 Old enough to know what I know. Unlike you.

[CantoSemper49]

@markbob120 Please just stop being so rude. Nobody appreciates an attitude like yours. To add on to my first comment, I was using the word 'obscure' to describe her voice, as being obscure is dark like smoky air or dark waters.

[markbob120]

@CantoSemper49 You were using obscurely, an adverb, which modifies dark in your sentence, incorrectly. Grammar aside you are still an idiot either way. You need not define words for me. I am much more adept at using them than you.

[CantoSemper49]

@markbob120 Its obvious you don't know my background, my intelligence, or my personality. Seriously, just stop talking to me at this point. Your rudeness is going too far.

[markbob120]

@CantoSemper49 what I do know is that you area an idiot. Would you like to lick my asshole clean for me after I take a big nasty shit? I know what you like! Bet your turned on now, bitch.

[CantoSemper49]

@markbob120 Please stop, I've done absolutely nothing to offend you and you're attacking me with outrageous insults.

[markbob120]

@CantoSemper49 Poor thing! My poor fat little fairy. You're the one who keeps sending me messages. Love you.

[paminaase]

What a unique voice and sincere interpretation ! She doesn't only sing, she's living Rosina !!!!!

[Tenorbravo]

THIS IS A FANTASTIC interpretation of Una Voce Poco fa by Ewa Podles.. Just one word...LOVE IT.

[zimnaya]

Wonderful...rich, convincing, beautiful expression and exquisite taste in the fioriture

[klmnumbers]

Ewa is so fantastic. It's lovely to hear a nice piece of her coloratura on here since it's mostly the big voiced lyric pieces that I hear. The movement is fabulous, and as always, her tone is gorgeous and lush.

[TheNatMary]

this is beauty she is contralto, before i listened it buy by Maria callas, it's so beauty in a contralto's voice

[ronzy]

I am a massive fan of Teresa Berganza, so I thought I would never hear anyone perform Una voce poco fa better than her. But here it is - truly astonishing, this is what i live for in opera.

[missearth2003]

What an exceptional voice. Excellent in the low and high notes but never betraying her beautiful dark timbre.

[luigipavabartolotti]

credo che la sua voce sia un po troppo ovattata e questo non gli permette di scandire bene le ssillabe inoltre la sua voce seguendola in tutta la sua carriera sta tendendo sempre piu sul darck ascoltatela nel barbiere di prima

[yafazudametalero]

A real contralto :P

[7inga7]

What a fantastic voice this is. Thank you!

[asx5252]

i really like this. I prefer it to soprano renditions of this area.

[zralokvemigraci]

she shows a lot of energy, it's so expressive and she looks so full of life, i love it! i disagree with her voice being too dark, it's just a great and full tone that i definitely like.

[gkopij]

Amazing. Love Ewa!!

[Straricc]

I don't understand so well the movementss she does during the long coloraturas! ahahah they're quite funny! ....but she's amazing actually! Bravissimaaaa! :-D

[raigekimaru]

she sings it well, but it doesn't sound quite right. not flirtatious enough and too dark.

[raigekimaru]

in her defense though, her expression and musicality are flawless and energizing.

[g420730a]

I just like this singer. I like singer who sings with passion and engergy and Ewa is certainly one.

[callastoujours]

AMAZING!

[EmilyGreene1984]

There's actually a famous interview with Mrs. Podles and Lilli Chookasian who discuss that it is possible for a contralto to learn the ability to perform coloratura.

[cthramm]

her coloratura just sounds delicious

[zoroas7]

molto espressiva

[EmilyGreene1984]

What I'm confused by is her constantly shaking her head and shoulders, that is not good for proper, healthy voice production - regardless of your voice type.

[schprot]

Супер!!!!тетка-чудо!!!!!

[Monrocsol]

I wish I knew about music so I could understand what you are all debating.

I loved her singing. I thought she was superb.

[dermotafan]

She makes this aria credible.

[Aalanone]

Coloratura Contralto! And she has the look! Where else would she get that air of utter confidence in presentation, diction and musicality? Sings from the toes up. This is my first encounter with this artiste and it saddens me that I did not know of her before....

[markbob120]

@Aalanone where have you been? Under a rock, perhaps? You must know nothing of opera if you are ignorant of he great Polish princess Ewa!

[Sadiesexy]

So this means we could give a damn in the librettos and the kind of voices they demand?

[GretchenAus]

actually rossini wrote in the libretto that rosina is contralto :)

[raigekimaru]

if it sounds good and the vocalist can sing it well, then yes

[skitzo429]

the voice type a role is written for is extremely important, most things are not singable (or, not well) by other voice types than the one the composer intended. when sopranos sing Rosina the score is altered to facilitate them singing it, all of the arias are transposed into high keys

[rlee1976]

This woman sings absolutely in line with the international Italianate technique! How else would she be able to get up to a soaring high B as a contalto! I'm amazed!

[skitzo429]

all professional female singers can sing high B/C regardless of their voice type, high B and C are standard in the bel canto repertoire for mezzos/contraltos

[romarius2005]

yep. She can definately excel to High C and many more notes

[skitzo429]

all professional mezzos/contraltos can sing that high, its standard in the repertoire, like this.

[TheOnlyOriginalKebim]

I'm completely amazed!!

[avellanedam]

Excellent!

[tastibasti]

ich mag ihre stimme total! ich frage mich bis heute jedesmal bei jedem ansehen dieses videos, wie man es schafft, so eine in den tiefen wie auch in den höhen kräftige stimme zu besitzen und sich deren dynamischer balance bewusst zu sein und es einzusetzen! ihre bewegungen muten zwar etwas eigenartig an (sieht aus wie ein hai, der versucht, ein boot aufzureißen) aber letzenendes kommt es, - und wir wissen, dass die koloratur nicht vom hals bei ihr ausgeht - darauf an, was rauskommt - wahnsinn!

[g420730a]

She is great and she sings with passion!

[tastibasti]

a girlfriend of me sung this aria, too. it´s so funny and wuthering...

[tastibasti]

i know this aria singing by callas...podles is not even worse than her...like her voice!!!

[g420730a]

If Callas had her voice and technique, she could probably sing for another 10 years more. God is fair. You have the look but may not have the voice. When you have the voice, you don't have the look!

[Zecalran]

Lie look at Elvis he had it all and still does!!..I'm sorry but i mean no offence!!

[raigekimaru]

lie, Sam Ramey, Franco Corelli, Natalie Dessay, Dmitri Havorsky, Eula Beal, Jennifer Larmore... the list goes on

[senilangakali]

Madonna dio! she is UNBEATABLE!

[Sadiesexy]

I adore this aria with her. Ewa is so wonderful!

[coreTenore]

Gran Diosa...

[senilangakali]

GRANDIOSE!!!!!!

[senilangakali]

GRANDIOSE!!

[senilangakali]

GRANDIOSE!

[vir6ginia]

Formidable ;-))

[mardimitriou]

A TRUE DIVA.

[justinian693]

OK? DIVA!

[cayman228]

Finally a contralto in the contralto role :-)

Brava!

[EmilyGreene1984]

I know! I wish there was a recording of her in "La Cenerentola" (Angelina is another contralto role).

[skitzo429]

agnes baltsa's recording is pretty good, shes a mezzo. "real" contraltos are exceptionally rare, and since recordings dont exist, its not really known whether or not the woman who originated the role would be considered a "real" contralto by contemporary standards, but i do agree that rossinis "contralto" roles are much better suited to mezzos/contraltos.

[EmilyGreene1984]

Well I personally think the masculine trouser roles should go to countertenors, but I agree with you on the feminine roles like Angelina or Rosina or Isabella belonging to contraltos. We need alot more of those roles for that rep. There's a famous saying "The woes of the contraltos is that they have to play witches, bitches, and in britches" which is so true. hehe Its rare that we get to play a feminine role like this. I personally love playing these roles.

[skitzo429]

most trouser roles (especially bel canto trouser roles, like arsace in semiramide) go up to high A or B, which generally speaking is beyond the standard for countertenors. 'soprano countertenors' exist, but are exceptionally rare, so such roles really do need to be sung be mezzos.

[EmilyGreene1984]

Well they don't need to be sung by mezzos, its merely because (as you said) there aren't enough male sopranists (which is the actual techincal term) in the world able to perform the role.

[air712]

very nice

[wotansings]

Wow! a monster voice!

[patukott]

Couldn't help comparing her with Agnes Baltsa, and liking her better. Agnes is technically perfect, but somewhat too dramatic and forceful for my taste. Then again, where is it written that Rosina shouldn't be forceful instead of playful ? And, I guess low voices sound by definition more forceful than the high ones.

One wonders, if Mrs. Rossini may have sounded about like Ewa Podles:)

[skitzo429]

Mrs. Rossini was a Soprano, Isabella Colbran.

[patukott]

Yes, thank you, so I have come to understand now:) I must have mixed something up.

[blkmichaux]

INCREDIBLE!!!!

SIMPLY AMAZING!

[pearlmuth3]

VERY FINE

[belcantismo]

Senza voler fare paragoni assurdi, veramente molto brava!

[Jachonda]

INCREIBLE!!!!!!

[FlamingJune5dwj]

ok... i think i have a new fav. una voce poco fa! i think she was cute - if you get into it with her. maybe a little jerky in the movement department but wow i dont care! amazing! i love her now!

[Voolu]

This is another example of a beautiful sound and a scary stage performance. She sounds lovely, but I really don't want to *watch* the video ever again. The jerking!

[lifesavers234]

I love this woman :)

[mariasarda]

Ah!! enfin autre chose que des rossignols dans cet air!! Sopranos, arrêtez de squatter cet air de mezzo ! On n'a déjà pas beaucoup de rôles, alors... En tout cas bravo à Ewa Podles, qui est MAGISTRALE !!

[osvaldoutube]

Brava!!!

[Elgati07]

Realmente UNIQUE, es una Regia

[gonbq]

verdaderamente Ewa es una grande

[butterflysuki]

Amazing renditions. Definitely one of the best I've heard, adding ornamentations here and there but pretty much sticking to what was originally intended.

However, it was very painful to watch. It's NEVER good to jerk your head around like that, throwing it forward for higher notes or beginning of runs. That I didn't like at all.

But hey, she's famous, so whatever works for her is great. Amazing sound, amazing ornamentation. Great vid.

[IMthinkingGoAway]

Wow... She is absolutely amazing. A contralto with a range like that... So impressive. In addition to her perfectly controlled vocals, she's so charismatic that you want to watch her. All around wonderful.

[Baldinzinha]

Mamma Mia!!!!! Che Magnifica !!!!

[mabemawi]

Superb.

[loiho5]

Lotta ignorance being spread here. She's simply wonderful.

[aldebussy]

Better than Larmore. It's more precise.

[DivaPrincess72]

I agree much better than Larmore. I love her spirited performance too.

[Iareto]

I have to disagree. I think Podles is WONDERFUL, but I definitely prefer Larmore. Then again I also like burnt toast, so who really knows right? Opinions are opinions :)

[SayukiTogashi]

The high notes she sings aren't flat at all... o_O

She's amazing!!! Who said Altos have no high notes? ;) lol

[agnellodei]

for an alto, her high notes are really good.

[orjus]

Bartoli, and the mumbo -jumbo from Callas are not equal to this profoundly great singer -as for the rest -they chirp -with their fake runs

and carefully prepared top notes -which Podles

knocks off with consumate ease.she is the

"singer".

[Orombello]

LA PODLES!!! 5/5

[MarMatMal]

Rubbish.  Listen to Luisa Tetrazzini. She, at least, can do it.

[jalex11]

she's a soprano...you can't even compare the two.

[EmilyGreene1984]

No, she is most definitely a contralto. Its actually a common misconception that all contraltos can't have the ability to sing coloratura and must always have to have that large, plummy sound. Some contraltos sound soprano-ish or mezzo-ish as Marian Anderson proved. :D

[wayne0wayne]

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaa.........

[HappyHounde]

Wondfully done. No, the high notes are not flat. Get the wax out of your ears. Brava Beautiful voice.

[operadoctore]

I'm absolutely agree with 'godivapaw'. It's unique voice! For others types of voices it's much easy to sing this kind of repertuare then for her type of voice and so punctual. Balsamic voce, BRAVISSIMA!!!*****

[urgrad03]

She's quite charming to watch... just enchanting, yet not the least bit pretentious:o).

[soundfond]

Ms. Podles, on the other hand, never really sang or recorded anything out of her range. Rossini's and Handel's male roles were for castrati & Rossini's female ones were written for a contralto able to sing coloratura. The fact that she sings higher notes up to a G3 are embellishments in her interpretation, not part of the original score. Also, every single high passage is well supported and precisely positioned.

[soundfond]

In time, portions of her fioritura actually go up to some ringing high B's, two full tones pass G3...

[tanynzh]

But the high notes sound rather flat. You can listen to the version of Bartoli.

[soundfond]

Indeed a few of the higher B's come out a little calante, but most of them are tuneful. I'd say it's not so easy for a true contralto to be stretching up like she does. Nevertheless, I find it amazing the way she does it. And she keeps solidly supported voce piena all the way through up there.

[jalex11]

She is NOT flat!

[soundfond]

Indeed Callas strained her voice not only due to overexertion: Lucia one night, Norma the next, Butterfly the next back to back. Also the delicate balance of her nerves contributed to the early vocal decline.

[godivapaw]

Whether she smiles or not, how many other CONTRALTOS you know can use their upper registers like she can, or have such control in their coloratura? Hmmm?? She's AWESOME!!!

[jalex11]

the only other I can think of is the Great Marian Anderson...and that's good company!

[cyfair02]

SNAP!! what a voice!!!

[tanynzh]

What a brave delivery of the coloratura passages for a contralto. However, the top notes still lack the timbre and agility.

[soundfond]

Podles is a vocal powerhouse and I don't find her top register lacking timbre: on the contrary! The darkest timbre and peerless agility projecting that mega voice of hers give audiences a haunting chill of ecstasy with such spine-tingling sound.

[tanynzh]

Since Podles is a contralto, she should not strained her voice by singing too many soprano arias.Take Maria Callas, who sang coloratura, dramatic soprano & mezzo at one go and in the end shattered her voice.

[moniminica]

Brava!! magnifica!! quiero esos graveeeess!!

[fernandoclassic]

Amazing singer! Wonder if she has severe neck pain after each performance - all that neck jerking is painful to watch, but a glorious voice nevertheless.

[AnnElliot]

wow! what a voice... amazing singing.

[madmezzo]

I want to, like, have her babies.

[countertenorino]

Best Contralto ever...flawless from top register to bottom.

[aprigirl]

I agree, she is amazing!!

[aprigirl]

I agree!

[bassocantante89]

Yeah, she doesn't really smile before or after she sings...therefore you must completely overlook the vast array of emotions that she displays during her singing. Come on! No emotions? Are you blind? Anyway, this video is frickin awesome...I want to be her!!! lol

[joserico282]

Great voice. I could do without the head-jerking though. It looks young-singerish.

[AIWboojum]

Singers seem to do what they need to to get the sound to do what it should, regardless of what a voice teacher might say... if it works and this is the result, what cause to complain. Besides, it is not as distracting as Cecilia Bartoli's stage habits :-)

[bruceagogox]

omg, cecelia's stage habits bug the hell out of me.

[courthousedoc]

OMG!  This is absolutely amazing. 5 stars aren't enough. Brava!!!! And Thank you for this magnificent post.