Birgit Nilsson sings "Dich Teure Halle" from Tannhauser

[OperaMystery80]

Nilsson was and is the Number 1 Wagnerian soprano, equal to Kirsten Flagstad. Although for certain roles (even for Wagner) the voice was too sharp and heroic when it could have been more subdued (roles like Elisabeth in Tannhauser which she sings here, or Senta in Flying Dutchman, Elsa in Lohengrin) . Her intense voice was perfect for Brunnhilde, Kundry and Isolde

[dapheneo]

Brilliant ! But i prefer Crespin !

[brolobear]

Nilsson is brilliant, as always (if occasionally a little sharp, as she tended to be)...however, Voigt in 1996 gave a technically perfect performance...and full of joy.

[franciscobarn]

¡Te saludo de nuevo, querido Salón de Canto! ¡Te saludo con alegría, amado lugar! Aquí nacerán, brotarán sus canciones; que disiparán esos lúgubres sueños... ¡Tan triste me parecías cuando él se decidió a marchar! Me quedé, yo sin paz, y tú sin alegría. (permanece inmóvil, pensativa) ¡Y ahora, mi corazón salta de alegría y me pareces de nuevo, tan señorial... porque aquél que nos da vida ya no está lejos de aquí! ¡Te saludo, querido salón! ¡Querido salón...! ¡Yo te saludo...!

[Alexmeister25]

The orquestra has many problems in time and oder problem too, but Birgitt Nilsson are fantastic.

[Neoboethius]

It's enough to make a grown man (me) cry!

[cu1000]

Middle Ages meet the sixties :)

[TommyHaegin]

Listen to the "Halle" at 2:54 and tell me if this is really a human voice...

[Babs22h]

norman all the wat i like her timbre itsdarker....i like that normans sound

[CanadaPisces]

A beautiful performance of Wagnerian music by a great singer! Such feeling!

[latraviata1853]

The best thing about this performance is how easy this aria was for Nilsson. She looks so relaxed by the end, and it shows in her production of the last two phrases.

[ebony1911]

She was my favorite soprano. Thanks for this. They don't make 'em like this today. To have seen and heard the Nilsson Voice in its prime was a gift from God!! She also recorded well. Thanks for this video

[mpj67]

Wonderful!!

[Leicesterdog]

Very pretty.

[ForAll23]

Good or not good is of course a question about taste with respect to timbre, phrasing, interpretation etc.

However has someone ever sung this aria technically better than Mrs Nilsson (is it possible) ?

[ebony1911]

Possibly Traubel, whose voice was richer, fuller, bigger in the early forties.  Just an opinion.

[brentmphoto]

Jessye Norman's performance of this is equally masterful.

[ForAll23]

In the case of timbre, phrasing etc, the question is subjective, but the technical performance. is not.

Jessye Norman does not have the same technical skill. It is evident in the end of the aria. There is J.Norman a bit tensed and forced. Mrs. Nilsson's voice is open and has full flow. It gives her perfomence an elegance that Mrs. Norman not reach.

[brentmphoto]

As an opera singer myself and a fan of both Nilsson and Norman, I respectfully disagree. Both had/have tremendous technique, and I doubt anyone would ever question Jessye's elegance. They are both wonderful.

[ForAll23]

Birgit Nilsson was widely known as the leading Wagnerian soprano of her time. The successor to the great Norwegian soprano Kirsten Flagstad. A height that Jessye Norman never will achieve.

Furthermore, I wrote that Nilsson has a better technique, which result in a lighter and more elegant performing.

Anyway, it is not so important, everyone thinks what he thinks. However, it is fun and instructive to exchange views.

[robertdonkers]

Jessy Norman, however great she is, has a completely different voice. Nilsson is a dramatic soprano, Norman never performed the dramatic roles such as Brunhilde, Elektra or Turandot, so there is little point in comparing the two voices as they are different voice types

[ForAll23]

@robertdonkers

The main issue, was not a question about Mrs.Nilsson vs. Miss/Mrs.Norman.

Primarily my question was “if someone ever sung this aria technically better than Mrs Nilsson (is it possible) ?”

[Operanut9]

I think Nilsson does wonderfully in these arias, particularly considering her conductor for the YT Turandot and Elizabeth is in La La Land.

[VinnyLog]

@ForAll23 Its individual interpretation that counts, its not a competition.

[ForAll23]

@VinnyLog

With that thought, there is neither a bad or a good opera singer.

I can not see it in that way.

[miguelborrallo]

Beautiful... impressing!! Big voice... less effort... absolute Master...!! BRAVA BIRGIT !!

[No1ZmeskalFan]

I will never forget seeing her in Elektra....she was amazing

[SiEtIn1]

and i thought i was the only YT user who enjoyed opera and gymnastics at the same time!

[No1ZmeskalFan]

haha thats all I watch on here! Thank God for YT :)

[Matthewcoakley08]

God!! She is my favorite soprano!! Astounding!

[Gav640]

Birgit's great! Btw... is that a costume or an outfit?

[babydrane]

She sounds so young and charming here.

[manwithemeraldeyes]

she was 46 at the time! haha :)

[cu1000]

birgit was great, but the conductor...:(

[andersthlm]

That was so good!!