The test of a great technique in this aria is whether the singer can DECRESCENDO after the the high "Signor" on the High Bb to the descending Ab - very few sopranos can do this - they usually belt it out. Although Ms Rosetta decrescendo' beautifully on the Bb, disappointingly she scoops under the Ab before ascending up to it. Nevertheless it is an arresting moment and in my book, she is great!
I'm no expert, but a music lover and I believe that version will grow on me I was unsure at the start but by the end I was enthralled - and that's what a singer is supposed to do isn't it?
Since you asked for comments here goes and I hate to criticize singers publicly- I am a singer as well. There is a lot to admire in Pampanini's singing, but the negatives are too apparent to put her in the realm of the 100 greatest singers. Her high notes are thrilling; there are many lovely parts - as she connects so effectively the final phrases. Many times her "ee" vowel is very forward and shrill. Her "la mia preghiera" is so chesty and out of vocal character with the rest of the aria :(
Her contrasting of registers, her pressing forward of the tone, are very typical of Italian singing of this era, exaggerated by the early microphones. She was also slightly past her best in this 1940 recording. But I love her very theatrical singing, her "burning in" of every emotion. Much better than the bland anonymity of modern singing.
My God, she is GREAT! I must admit I have never heard of her before! She has in her voice something I appreciate in all dramatic singers: the richness, darkness and theatricality! Her style is so noble, ideally suited for this solemn aria!
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A very moving , expressive interpretation, even if, as with many Italian soprano's of this period, the voice does not always take to the microphone. Lovely phrasing.
~thank u so much to let us know all these, i admit such a shame didn't heard her before, a classic. My day just has started amazingly!
joaopedro12 4 months ago
Una vera scoperta: magnifica!!!!
lirica2011 5 months ago
Here she is OK - i've heard an excerpt of Butterfly in which she is full of intolerable mannerisms - but does she belong to the 100 Greatest Singers?
bramoditrionfar 8 months ago
La voix est belle,le goût est moins sûr.
abracadabranque 10 months ago
This breaks my heart.
cellophaneeels 10 months ago
Oh God! this aria is a player to the Virgin and she sings it perfectly.. like a beautiful and sublime lament .
Nacidodelmar 1 year ago
what a rich and gorgeous voice, can't believe I haven't heard her.
danstpete 1 year ago 2
mille grazie!
louvet66 1 year ago
The test of a great technique in this aria is whether the singer can DECRESCENDO after the the high "Signor" on the High Bb to the descending Ab - very few sopranos can do this - they usually belt it out. Although Ms Rosetta decrescendo' beautifully on the Bb, disappointingly she scoops under the Ab before ascending up to it. Nevertheless it is an arresting moment and in my book, she is great!
lornabegbie 1 year ago
her technique is perfect.
raigekimaru 1 year ago
I'm no expert, but a music lover and I believe that version will grow on me I was unsure at the start but by the end I was enthralled - and that's what a singer is supposed to do isn't it?
clevblue 2 years ago
Sublime Pampanini Grazie .
bodiloto 2 years ago
@bodiloto magnifica
luwaig1 5 months ago
@luwaig1 la vera scuola del belcanto ITALIANO! Splendida!
bodiloto 5 months ago
Comment removed
bodiloto 2 years ago
I can't say that this performance especially speaks to me. I've heard it sung much better by others.
quakercub 2 years ago
Since you asked for comments here goes and I hate to criticize singers publicly- I am a singer as well. There is a lot to admire in Pampanini's singing, but the negatives are too apparent to put her in the realm of the 100 greatest singers. Her high notes are thrilling; there are many lovely parts - as she connects so effectively the final phrases. Many times her "ee" vowel is very forward and shrill. Her "la mia preghiera" is so chesty and out of vocal character with the rest of the aria :(
cantorandopera 2 years ago
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Her contrasting of registers, her pressing forward of the tone, are very typical of Italian singing of this era, exaggerated by the early microphones. She was also slightly past her best in this 1940 recording. But I love her very theatrical singing, her "burning in" of every emotion. Much better than the bland anonymity of modern singing.
AulicExclusiva 2 years ago
...she is also on a 1927 excerpt under Toscanini, Butterfly...on the set entitled Maestro Furioso
j72050 2 years ago
My God, she is GREAT! I must admit I have never heard of her before! She has in her voice something I appreciate in all dramatic singers: the richness, darkness and theatricality! Her style is so noble, ideally suited for this solemn aria!
corellithebest 2 years ago 8
very good singer! big control of her vioce great!
petrof4056 3 years ago
I really love her style of phrasing. It is a shame, that she is so underrated...
5 stars
LLehmannfan 3 years ago 7
Good choice. Now how about Mafalda Favero?
mrrk 3 years ago
oooo one of my favorites.ty
listen to her madam butterfly.
hobo1975 3 years ago
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A very moving , expressive interpretation, even if, as with many Italian soprano's of this period, the voice does not always take to the microphone. Lovely phrasing.
AulicExclusiva 3 years ago
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I don't like much this singer. To me she sounds unpleasantly shrill.
Herur22 3 years ago
@Herur22 Parfois quelques stridulences,mais c'est avec certitude une voix fort bien construite,à l'aigu un peu sauvage,certes,mais plein de santé.
abracadabranque 10 months ago
Great singing, thanks again for the clip
what control , impressive.
reeferisme 3 years ago
This is an extraordinary voice to be so little noted on Youtube.
A beautiful balance of the demands of character portrayal, style and technique.
sospello 3 years ago 3