Diana Soviero - Sempre Libera - La Traviata

[JasminaH79]

It's quite remarkable that she can move the voice of this size, color and thrust so efficiently. She deserves a huge applause! I am quite certain this sounded so exciting in the house. This kind of voice should NOT be judged on youtube. I am also pretty sure that this is the kind of voice Verdi envisioned for Violetta, not a chirper.

[judycadana]

I don't approve when the tenor interpolates the high note as Araiza does. It's ungracious to his colleague even if she approves. I don't think Soviero is in danger of being upstaged, but it's one of the great soprano star moments ever written, to stick in a high note and hold so long is obnoxious. Save it for Act 2, buddy.

[judycadana]

@MartinHouser He showed his ass even without pulling his pants down. It was an unprofessional douche move, worthy of an NPR fundraiser concert.

[judycadana]

@MartinHouser No, you are wrong, if you had ever had to share a stage with some jackass who is trying to upstage you, you would want to kick his ass. Have you ever met, read about, read interviews with, or biographies of opera singers? Sweet, forgiving, generous with the spotlight? Hell, no.

Verdi himself said "Stick to the score" for a reason, he had dealt with hot dog behavior like this for decades. Tenors singing Cs just because they can is for 3 Tenors concerts.

[judycadana]

@judycadana Whether Soviero gave her consent before the fact or not is totally beside the point. There is a reason that a high C isn't interpolated there, and it's not because the guys who have sung Alfredo can't sing a high C. It's because it's vulgar America's Got Talent kind of behavior. What would you say if a chorus member decided to interpolate some high Cs just because he can sing them?

[judycadana]

@MartinHouser Civil but also patronizing. Sorry to challenge a professional, but it's stuff like the high note above that composers/conductors have had to put a foot down, Gluck, Verdi, Muti, Abbado etc... As a paying audience member, I don't appreciate singers who are most interested in entertaining themselves. Some interpolations are appropriate, desirable even, but you know there is limit. I don't think this is the end of the world, just poor taste.

[judycadana]

@MartinHouser I find a display of bad taste to be unprofessional and inconsiderate by definition. We will have to agree to disagree then.

[judycadana]

@MartinHouser No, I do mean both bad musical taste and bad taste in interactions with your colleagues. Performance practice is one thing, putting in a high note where is doesn't belong is another. Violetta's interpolated high E flat? Yes. Even Verdi sanctioned that. Interpolated high note at the very end for Rigoletto, yes. But Alfredo's line here is not the same, and wouldn't someone who has been around as much as Araiza know the difference?

[judycadana]

@MartinHouser The fact that interpolations have been done before doesn't justify them, Verdi was against it for a reason. I could also send this link to people who would agree that it's in bad taste- one even said Araiza should be blasted into outer space for than Verdi. If it's so great, why isn't it standard the way Violetta's high E flat is? Because tenors don't like to show off? The aria and Soviero's performance of it don't need any help from a 'stronger musical statement'.

[judycadana]

@MartinHouser Forget it. Best of luck in the show you are doing.

[judycadana]

@MartinHouser Think of the audience, many of whom are very familiar with the score. What about us? Completely involved in Violetta's plight, and then that high note that pulls focus from Violetta. You caught the excellent vocal display, but what about the dramatic thread Soviero was working so hard to communicate? Most of the audience was unaware, fine. Soviero got us back, but Araiza spoiled part of a truly great moment, and I think that shows lack of respect for the audience and the composer.

[judycadana]

@MartinHouser Civil? You first used the words You're wrong as though my opinion is invalid.You'd be ok with someone singing a high c in pertichini in your big solo? Throw in showy high notes in your own Rossini arias, but Traviata is a work that deserves respect, and it's getting disrespect from the tenor, not me.If Soviero sanctioned it, then I won't be affronted in her behalf, but what about the audience and taking us out of the moment? Is Alfredo's interjection meant to be a display vehicle?

[vitellia]

A GREAT voice, but her repeated hard attacks, literally every 5 seconds, get really tiresome after a while. She sings this like versimo, and I guess that's her style. Her coloratura isn't the best I've heard in this. She's probably her best in Puccini.

[MrSkylark1]

Amazing, despite multiple glotted notes, compromised pitch, she is still a good singing actress

[osaggie]

One of the best sopranos who has ever "trod the boards" of the opera stages. I have been a fan since 1970, and adore everythihg about her life's work, her artistry.

[emiliobayon]

Terrific person, great voice teacher and wonderful interpreter.I'm happy so say I've met her in person and I see her everytime I'm in NYC. Love you Sov.

[XPRT10R]

Excellent Araiza in the off-stage, taking the high C. It's a hard one!

[Dymension]

One does not judge Traviata only by Sempre Libera...

[meganailsa]

That songsofscarlet person or thing has posted the same comment on all of Diana Sovieros videos - obviously they have some personal grudge or maybe just jealous.Everyone with an interest in opera knows what a wonderful artist she was

[lungdoc]

Soviero was very good and any attempt to put her down is mean and nasty.

[NewJersey5858]

go to hell, you idiot. Diana Soviero was one of very few sopranos in the major leagues from the 80's on. Not an imitation. A unique, fantastic voice was what Ms. Soviero had and has

[PecsMstr]

You seem intent to post your comment about her on every video posted with her - IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE THE "SHANK HO"! Post some of your own videos so we can critique (or more likely BASH) YOU!

[rufforocks1766]

HAHA! Yeah she was pretty terrible...

[tenore23]

Soviero was my first Violetta. There have been any after her, but you never forget your first time. Does this whole thing exists? I would love to see more

[izrah82]

what great singing!

[Erloser22]

Hey man, thanks for posting. I love all your videos. I'd love to see more Soviero clips, they're so scarce. I was pretty excited this week when they were playing the broadcast from her Faust at the MET on MetOpera Radio on Sirius.

[songbirdwatcher]

Soviero was one of the prima Violetta's of the 1980s. Here you can get a glimpse of what all the fuss was about. Vocal abandon with total security. Oh, if she only had the e-flat!