coloratura contralto - SCHUMANN-HEINK -- Arditi ditty - 1907

[SlayeCohen]

Schuman-Heink visited the director of the Vienna Court Opera, to have him test her voice. But, he did not test it. After taking one look at the awkward and poorly dressed

girl, he exclaimed, none too gently, “With such a face, and with no personality at all, how can you ever expect to succeed in opera? My good child, give up the idea. Buy a sewing machine, and go to work. YOU CAN NEVER BE A SINGER.”...

[gmmix]

@SlayeCohen So much for the director's "gift of prophecy." Thanks for your comment!

[DCFunBud]

It has been said she had the greatest vocal range of any female opera singer.

[smilejw]

0.0 beauuuuuuuuutifullll!!!!

[OLIVCHEN77]

Heink you are a wonder!!!

I like her I und mei Buo (me and my little boy) on the same disc

[aircat29]

que poderosas esa notas graves!! que voz limpia y bella

[calsie0]

wow, this voice is really rare!

[onixnenaambar]

@calsie0 RARO POR QUE? PARA NADA.

[65attila]

Amazing - it sound so easy.

Thanks for posting-John

[Yoavmw]

She was the first Klytemnestra!

:)

[bobzeschin]

A minor correction: All the books in my opera library say Schumann-Heink's father was not a humble shoemaker, but an Austrian cavalry officer. In "Last of the Titans," she herself recalled being asked by some crowned head where she learned to make such beautiful low bows and replying proudly, "I am the daughter of an Austrian army officer. We were taught to bow properly before royalty."

[Madabela]

É um contralto sim, apto à coloratura.

[fedtrooper]

There is a youtube video of Ernie S-H singing a sentimentel WW1 song called The Road Home. It will break your heart.

[loetje]

Dear Gmmix,

Thank you so much for posting this! I'm going to see if i can buy this cd somewhere... what a beautiful and surprising discovery, please post more Schuman -Heink! She really lifts ones spirit!

[berlinman46]

Fantastic I have allways loved Scuhmann-Heink

[Birgitt20]

Fantastic performance! I also love the one by Sigrid Onegin, really impressive.

[AulicExclusiva]

It's called LEGGIERO, INVISIBILE, a valse-boléro by Luigi Arditi (1822-1903). It was also recorded by Sigrid Onégin.

[meltzerboy]

Thanks, AE, for sending me this: I am familiar with Schumann-Heink's as well as Onegin's recordings, both sung with great spirit and fabulous technique. Thanks to gmmix for the posting.

[fuzzbear6240]

Gmmix, Lovely. I must dig through my Red Seals, I must have some Schumann-Heink laying around and give it a fresh listen! thanks. YF, J.