One aria, several singers: "Bel raggio lusinghier"

[adballet]

You didn't put the best one, Mariella Devia.

[Homoclassicus]

I didn't intend to choose the best Semiramides, but to select some excellent recordings by singers who are very different from each other (that's why I chose Ponselle, who wasn't exactly the Semiramide) and lived in different ages. So the comparison isn't about who's the best, but just about how style, age and voice type make for very distinct results. As for Devia, she's not my favourite, but she does rock especially in the high cadenzas of "Dolce pensiero". :-)

[adballet]

Hummmm, I think Devia rocks everywhere, and it makes me sad that you didn't find room for her here.

[Homoclassicus]

Don't worry much about this. Actually, Ponselle and Galli-Curci also didn't sing my favourite "Bel raggio lusinghier" (though they as singers are among my favourites), and nevertheless I put them here. As I said, this isn't a video about who I think sang better, but a video about comparing different voices from different ages and different styles singing the same aria.

[Zva26]

There are MANY different ways great sopranos and lyric mezzos have decorated the cabaletta. I've never heard two singers do it the same way. Sutherland goes way into the stratosphere, Bartoli, Studer, and Caballe' do amazing things but do not include any note above a high C. Marilyn Horne does an elaborate spinning cadenza that spans over two octaves, and interpolates a very low note in between the verses. Bel canto composers encouraged singers to do their own embellishments --- so they do.

[meltzerboy]

Very enjoyable, and it makes one want to hear the complete performances of each of these singers. Of course, there are other great ones, besides Horne's. Three that come to mind are Anna Moffo's and the classic performances of Celestina Boninsegna and Irene Abendroth.

[meltzerboy]

I would also add June Anderson's wonderful live performance in Paris.

[hillevifan]

Alexandrina Pendatchanska is my favorite for sureee!

[primu2002]

can u post the intere aria from Pendatchanska?

please please please please

[boekelman]

ahhh great video...there are so many great singers, very nice to hear them in this potpourri!

My favorite is Teresa Berganza.

Pleace make more "singing potpourri's"!!

[LyricoSpinto]

Marilyn Horne?

[MrQwerty88]

I think Marilyn Horne sings this the best.

[sasylatin]

Lovely :D