Gioachino Rossini - Semiramide - "Ah! quel giorno ognor rammento" (Ewa Podles)

[Randidan]

She's generally considered to be a true contralto (one of very few - they are super-rare!). the amazing thing to me is that Horne has less trouble with the extreme range than Ewa, even though she's always been called a mezzo. It's no wonder that it's been said that she may be the greatest Rossini singer ever, let alone of our times. She had no problem with this role in LA in'64 at all. My friends and I practically "fell out of our chairs" and screamed ourselves hoarse at her).

[arisargiris]

She is amazing! and it doesn't matter if she is a contralto or a mezzo... she is both. She is simply an "assoluta!

[vonhanisan1]

It fills the empty soul.

[MrAndromaque]

Brillante!

[magicmonkichi]

I say she's a contralto...I think...either way...Brava~! I love Ewa Podles.

[Randidan]

@magicmonkichi Me, too! The Podles voice is just beautiful, and very rich-sounding. Funny, though, to my ears she sounds more feminine than Horne!

[magicmonkichi]

@Randidan

Interesting never thought about that. But I see what you mean. perhaps it's a trait of the "contralto"? There's about 4-5 clips on here with Podles giving a lecture at University of Toronto during which she discusses the differenced between mezzo/alto/contralto with some great detail and descriptions. Definatly worth watching.

[Randidan]

@magicmonkichi Many thanx -- but I don't see the playlist connection for the lecture - how do I get it?

[magicmonkichi]

@Randidan

If you search "Podles University Toronto" it'll come up, 6 parts i believe. I tried to post a link to the first part but it didn't work o.O;

[Randidan]

@magicmonkichi Many, many thanx!!

[ArcanaMundi81]

more Contralto than mezzo!

[Rattywotin]

@ArcanaMundi81

I'm not sure, she does have the depth of quality at times like a contralto but I don't think she's a true contralto, rather a very chesty colatura mezzo soprano, interesting voice though and worth the discussion!!

[ArcanaMundi81]

But who do you think is/are a true contralto(s) today?

[tatuna83]

Great. She's really one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos ever................