Are you sure that Eaglen "burned out"? She started singing in the early/mid-1980s at ENO (I've seen a photo of her from about 1984) and she was singing the big Wagner roles and other repertory until 2005 at least. Her last Met performances were in 2004; she sang in the new opera "Amelia" two or three years ago in Seattle. Twenty years makes a decent career for lots of singers.
Really, for a short while she was THE most exciting Wagnerian soprano since Birgit Nilsson. I got to see her twice in Chicago, and she blew me totally away. But like a meteor, she burned out--and nobody but she knows exactly why. And, let's be honest--in today's visual operatic world, she's too darned fat to be convincing as a warrior maiden. The voice simply isn't enough.
I had the pleasure of watching Jane as Bruunhilde in the original Seattle Ring of the current set, and she was astounding. The clarity of her sound was just breathtaking.
Thanks very much for posting this. Have been looking for it for a while. Interestingly, this was omitted from the official 1996 video/dvd of this gala concert. Eaglen's voice is rounder/richer than the normal Wagner voice. (That said, it lacked the silvery razer-sharp lazer qualities of voices like Nilssen).
She sings this well and has tremendous stamina. Not sure how the voices is today after 20 or so years singing this repertoire. Still, great for her to up there on stage.
@jamesbond100001 It is still very much in tact; had the pleasure of hearing her step in at the last minute for an ailing soprano. She sang the title role of Fidelio standing at the edge of the stage as the billed singer acted out the role. The voice is as responsive, blooming, secure and expressive as it is here. She also showed tremendous poise and ability having flown in from Seattle at several hours notice and not having sung the role in several years.
Are you sure that Eaglen "burned out"? She started singing in the early/mid-1980s at ENO (I've seen a photo of her from about 1984) and she was singing the big Wagner roles and other repertory until 2005 at least. Her last Met performances were in 2004; she sang in the new opera "Amelia" two or three years ago in Seattle. Twenty years makes a decent career for lots of singers.
Lisa Hirsch 1 day ago
Really, for a short while she was THE most exciting Wagnerian soprano since Birgit Nilsson. I got to see her twice in Chicago, and she blew me totally away. But like a meteor, she burned out--and nobody but she knows exactly why. And, let's be honest--in today's visual operatic world, she's too darned fat to be convincing as a warrior maiden. The voice simply isn't enough.
Neoboethius 3 weeks ago
Thrilling big voice.
angryjalapeno 1 month ago
I had the pleasure of watching Jane as Bruunhilde in the original Seattle Ring of the current set, and she was astounding. The clarity of her sound was just breathtaking.
bukuboy1 2 months ago
good god...she's so clear! this is fabulous!
jpryan31 3 months ago
Eaglen divines all of the action, emotion, loss and redemption of this scene without making a single footstep.
coryisawake 3 months ago
SO SUPERB!!!! What I would give to see her in RING CYCLE! I totally *LOVE* her and always did. BRING HER BACK! Barb Todres/NYC
lovingee1 5 months ago
Brava!
coryisawake 6 months ago
My voice teacher is a friend of Jane's and we had the pleasure of a concert and a masterclass by Jane Eaglen last year. It was wonderful!
mysterycheez 6 months ago
Thanks very much for posting this. Have been looking for it for a while. Interestingly, this was omitted from the official 1996 video/dvd of this gala concert. Eaglen's voice is rounder/richer than the normal Wagner voice. (That said, it lacked the silvery razer-sharp lazer qualities of voices like Nilssen).
She sings this well and has tremendous stamina. Not sure how the voices is today after 20 or so years singing this repertoire. Still, great for her to up there on stage.
jamesbond100001 6 months ago
@jamesbond100001 It was released on the DVD though... I own the Double DVD re release... Heard her last year, she still has it!
jmahlon 5 months ago
@jamesbond100001 It is still very much in tact; had the pleasure of hearing her step in at the last minute for an ailing soprano. She sang the title role of Fidelio standing at the edge of the stage as the billed singer acted out the role. The voice is as responsive, blooming, secure and expressive as it is here. She also showed tremendous poise and ability having flown in from Seattle at several hours notice and not having sung the role in several years.
coryisawake 3 months ago