Nacqui all'affanno... Non più mesta: Frederica von Stade

[pinkbeachloverable]

I had no idea that she was so GORGEOUS!!! :)

[tibele1000]

Thank you for your background of Flicka. IIt completes the legacy her father left the world. A Perfect gift..

[GaryRayBetz]

From Composer's Datebook -

"In the closing months of World War II, a young American lieutenant, named Charles von Stade, was killed in Germany when his jeep ran over a land mine. Six weeks later, at a hospital back home in New Jersey, his young widow, Sara, gave birth to a daughter, Frederica, who would grow up to become one of the most acclaimed singers of her generation.

Frederica von Stade never knew her father, but the love letters he sent his young bride from the front survived. "

[Reneza66]

Elkus v. Elkus brought me here... for you law students and law based professionals...

[loverflicka]

How lovely she was, then and now!

[Poet2916]

This is a piece for mezzo-soprano, correct? I'm trying to gather and learn as many mezzo-soprano opera songs as I can, though I'm really interested in trouser roles.

[EmilyGreene1984]

@Poet2916 It is a piece that can be sung by both mezzo-sopranos and contraltos who are able to sing coloratura.

[Isher99]

La più incantevole Cenerentola. 

[andreernestgretry]

brava brava bravaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

[Republicrat74]

She is still so radiantly beautiful at age 35 in this excellent film of the Opera, and has aged far more elegantly than most throughout her great career.

[LeSopraniste]

Ottima interpretazione di una grande mezzosoprano. Peccato solo che questi ruoli, scritti in origine per il cosiddetto mezzocontralto o contralto rossiniano, oggigiorno vengano quasi sempre (se non sempre!) interpretati o da mezzosoprani acuti se non addirittura da soprani leggeri! E' molto raro trovare dei contralti che si esibiscano in questo repertorio rossiniano...

[lipsotino]

@LeSopraniste Vero ma l'effetto è straordinario! Vero'

[53operagirl]

I bought this VHS back in '94. Then, I was thrilled to see it in DVD. I'd say that is my favorite video opera.

[53operagirl]

I bought this VHS back in '94. Then, I was thrilled to see it in DVD. I'd say that is my favorite video opera.

[accttreess]

there's no word good enough to describe this.... Speechless...

[malibu64]

she looks like an angel.

[FloriaTosca90]

A mezzosoprano who seems a soprano: that's really Rossini's dream!

[EmilyGreene1984]

@FloriaTosca90 That's the dream of many contraltos to have talent like Flicka.

[grassone]

Better than Callas in this aria, wonderful

[55werther]

¡¡¡La Adorable Flica; Exquisita Cantante y Actriz. Siempre Maravillosa!!! Aqui en

una de sus exelentes interpretaciones. Siempre es un placer volverla apreciar

y escuchar lo gran cantante, que es, y lo artista, finisima que es. Gran Deleite.

[tenorjacques]

Really a nice singer...and a good artist.

Bartoli shake too much...I think that she will loose a lot of rol because this.

And coloratura is not excential.

Beautiful voice, yes!!

[Kosmusfairy]

Bartoli is amazing in coloraturas, really i think she's incredible, but i prefer the sweet voice of Frederica, her color it's just exquisit...

[philipc67]

A superb rendition of this aria, and the whole visual production remains a marvel, nearly 30 years later. She may not have the fastest coloratura but what legato, phrasing, economy in movement and acting, what noble grace! Watch this, then go and look at Bartoli's hysterical meringue cake rendition, where despite the faster (and marginally more accurate) coloratura she is showing off in the most vulgar way, yodelling, overacting, not Cenerentola at all but Cecilia in love with her own voice.

[dangmills]

So sweet and pure, from the warmth of her contralto to her gentle yet strong high notes... Def on my list of favs

[Docaroo]

How can 5 imbeciles hit "Dislike" on this video? Such a perfect happy ending to a delightfully performed opera... and Flicka.... as always absolutely gorgeous as Cenerentola!!! perfect!! :)

[OSEUC]

Creo que sus coloraturas no son tan buenas (como las de cecilia bartoli). Sin embargo su timbre es maravilloso y en el rol se ve fantástica!!!

[operagirlify]

who is the prince in this video?

[crowjr]

@operagirlify Francisco Araiza

[operagirlify]

@crowjr thanks

[crazycellist973]

Flicka is my favorite mezzo - EVER! But I think that her voice could be just too big for the end of this aria. I don't know, it just sort of feels like trying to lead a stubborn animal. I do think Bartoli is the best for it, but that is because she is the worlds best coloratura mezzo.

[90lysander]

@crazycellist973 Personally, I think Flicka is PERFECT for this aria/role. (She's my favorite mezzo too.) I've certainly never heard her described as having too big a voice for anything before! If there's any hesitancy to the cabaletta, it would result simply from lack of fluency in the fioratura, not size of voice. But again, I think she's perfect for this. She embodies the character in a way no one else does.

[crazycellist973]

@90lysander I think that i described what I meant in a bad way. I just think that the third part of the "non piu mesta" feels.....big and, I don't know. Like an elephant. I don't know if that makes any sense. I do think that she is my favorite in this role as well, but I do like Bartoli's "non piu mesta" and her coloratura a bit better. Some say it is machine-like, but i still enjoy it (that's why she is my number 2!)

[Vsevolod14]

@90lysander

I agree ...but I think any hesitancy in the coloratura is due to the conductor's pacing. I have other recordings of Von Stade singing this scene, with more decorations and faster - and they are staggeringly beautiful... of course! Check out the Rossini bicentennial gala performance (live, with Norrington) or her early Rossini recital. Both are superlative.

[oznoddy]

Well this was a delight to find.....I didn't know Frederica had done this. I still don't think anyone matches Bartoli's coloratura but I just adored the low resonant tones in Frederica's performance.....so warm....and she was so gorgeous.

[mariasarda]

J'adore ce vibrato électrique !!!!!!!!!!!! Diabolique !!!! Ensorcelant !!!!!!

[willthebest1]

Frederica has a very pretty voice--i love the scenery--but i do prefer Bartoli--CeCe is very expressive.

[SlovenskyRaj]

Fantastic tone, gorgeous and resonant lower notes.

[sharky123]

Best Cenerentola ever?  Amen! Also the loveliest!

[federricoilgrande]

Molto dura

[Republicrat74]

This is one of the very best performance of Flicka available on video....outstanding!!

[MastersoftheOpera]

Where can I buy a copy of this performance ? I love the scenery and the design. Von Stade is beautiful and a great singer. I love how romantic this looks, eventhough it's set in the time of early photographaic cameras - possibly the 19th century or turn of the century 1900's. Great performance by Von Stade

[zegermans750]

Gotta say Bartoli sounds better but she sure as hell doesn't look at graceful

[zralokvemigraci]

what a lovely and poetic way of performing this piece...she does it with an admirable lightness, such a deep sensibility...

[a471082]

One question:

She's a soprano or a mezzo?

[suzanneetmoi]

Flicka is a lyric mezzo and will be officially retiring this year. I was so lucky to have been present at her-accidental- Met debut and to have heard her in recital last year. She is a gracious and lovely off stage as on.

[tmh726]

I love her voice! brava! But, I must say, I LOVE her hair!

[ArwenOfLorien]

Elina Garanca is the best

[lisaLunatica]

an angel!

I didn't know her... perfect voice! <3

[Dogaradodia]

And the winner is...

Frederica von Stade...

Best Cenerentola (ever)

[andrewfynn]

@Dogaradodia @operagirl53 For me opera singing and acting cannot be separated. Frederica von Stade IS the role she is playing. She is absolutely enchanting, how can we do anything except watch her. She is able to embody the goodness, the love, the excitement, the joy, the purity, the innocence and all round angelic-ness of roles with these characteristics because that is, it is clear to me, the nature of her soul. We are just lucky - as we recognize - to be able to witness it, even 20 years on.

[andrewfynn]

@Dogaradodia @operagirl53 For me opera singing and acting cannot be separated. Frederica von Stade IS the role she is playing. She is absolutely enchanting, how can we do anything except watch her. She is able to embody the goodness, the love, the excitement, the joy, the purity, the innocence and all round angelic-ness of roles with these characteristics because that is, it is clear to me, the nature of her soul. We are just lucky - as we recognize - to be able to witness it, even 20 years on.

[Axil1991]

Indeed, she is excellent in this role. Sweet, gentle, demure.

[bf2019]

@Dogaradodia Actually Frederica is Excellente here!!!....however Vivica Genaux's Live Performance with Concerto Koln in Sao Paolo....(here on YouTube in the 'shiny' Green dress) is simply Off the Scale...perhaps one of the best Cenerentolas of All Time....Simply Amazing RADIANT Sweetness and Joy...!!!...Thanks baritono for uploading this....

[mollegiante]

wonderful! what a lovely voice it was at that time.

[OldGrampaTed]

Perhaps thirty years ago, when this very production of La Cenerentola was done by PBS, at half-time (in the interval following the first act) Flicka gave a lovely, thoughtful interview in which she spoke of her daughters and of Cinderella. Unfortunately the geezers at Deutsche Grammohophon Geezelshaft foolishly did not include this fine interview as part of their DVD release.

Can somebody who loves Flicka post this interview?

[loverflicka]

Flicka, so beautiful then and now...

Thanks, beloved Flicka, for so many hours

of happiness!

[sschimel]

Not only great technique, but one of the nicest people you could to meet. I saw a recital of hers at Pick-Staiger Hall in Eveanston, Il back in the early 80s and got to meet her afterwarrd. Charming, and gorgeous.

[rosethorn18]

She has such magnificent technique!!

I love her in this role. I think her voice fits it perfectly,

[kleinbittersdorf]

I never have seen such a decent beauty in my life, may be nor in human history ever so far. A perfection itself. Venus freezes with silence.

[blichilde]

Yes, she is beautiful and sings well, but I don't like her in Cenerentola.

[jmahlon]

why must you disparage other singers in fidelity of your favorite? Such a nasty habit.

[blichilde]

I like Von Stade very much, but not as Cenerentola.

[TheBelcantofan]

magnifiquement chanté, j'aime beaucoup son timbre, velouté mais pas trop...

[ligth95]

es muy buna, prefiero a bartoli pero no se les puede comparar

[MastersoftheOpera]

Lovely film and I love that ending with the camera

[MastersoftheOpera]

She sings it beautifully and she looks great as Cinderella. But I have a little issue with the role written for a mezzo. I would think Cinderella would be a soprano character. Rossini preferred mezzos to sopranos and he employed talented mezzos like the daughters of Manuel Garcia. Many singers of the 19th century were skilled at both soprano/mezzo repertoire like Maria Malibran. But still, I would like Cenerentola to be a soprano

[ciociosan]

if you read the Unknown Callas, de Hidalgo talks about how she gave the role of Angelina to some of her lerriera soprani.

[Ruffiello]

I think the fioritura is lovely. It is based upon a legato approach, which is how singers used to sing these types of passages. You can hear the individual notes but everything in bound together in the line. I don't like the punched approach of some current singers.

[BarbaraPloyer333]

Amazing acting.... gosh, such a stunning young woman ought to have been acting on TV- or perhaps singing at the Met with legendary roles set for her.

[chobrusad]

Cantantes hay muchos, buenos, regulares y malos. Pero Rossini solo hay uno. Para él todos los honores.

[psycochikadee]

Whether she's a colotura or not, you have to admit, she's got a lovely set of pipes. :)

I love flicka, and she's absolutely stunning in this.

[vitellia]

Despite her deluxe voice and gorgeous look, this is strangely lackluster. I guess I'm too spoiled by Bartoli and Didonato. She just isn't a coloratura singer; I'll stick with her impeccable Cherubino and Melisande.

[ilovechocolatechip]

I understand what you mean, the coloratura isn't quite as crisp as it could be, and I don't think the film medium helps; I suspect this would be a lot less static if done live. The voice is absolutely beautiful though, and perfect for characterisation.

[skitzo429]

Ive never really liked her, her coloratura is kind of sloppy, and i think her low notes are woofy and ugly. To me her high notes have a soprano-esque brightness to them that i dont really like.

[JEANHIKER]

Wow! What a interpretation! The best and most proper expressiveness for this character! Though the voice isn't as good as her interpretation, but it's very beautiful too. Her timbre is cool and full of charming. It's round and warm! I like her too much! Bravissima, Frederica!

[thecelticspirit]

You're kidding ! Her voice is as good as her acting :D But I agree with you : I love the very peculiar timbre of her, as if she had sobs while singing. She's one of my favorite mezzos :)

[JEANHIKER]

No,my dear! Her voice should better.She doesn't have the agility to do the quick notes as they should be, but she's great. Pau attention, for example, at 4:25 and at 5:00, those high notes are low in pitch and without that brightness requested, at least to my ears, ok?! And the stacattos? No, she's not good in these! But doubtlessly, she's gorgeous! Brava!

[JEANHIKER]

And the worst thing here in this video is because it's is a cinematic production the sound we listen to is not what she is doing in fact. Indeed she's singing but it's not what we hear. This was made after recording the scene, for sure. It's realizable at the effortless appearance in her singing. It's impossible to sing this with that little or apparently no effort! This is no good, but that's for a movie, so OKAY!

[thecelticspirit]

OKAY ! ^^ No need to get on your high horse :)

[JEANHIKER]

Sorry, but whether there's someone acting as a horse that's you not me. Learn how to listen to different poisnt of views.Yours is not the only one, the rightous one. I won't lose my time anymore responding to your silly comments. Good luck!

[thecelticspirit]

Wow, now you're making a fuss for nothing. Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, so a little respect is due here. Plus, it was more a "ribbing" than anything else, but you seem to be soooo touchy. I know that one can have different opinion, that's why I give mine, that's why you give yours. But the point is, even if opinion are different, one can respect the other. Did I say you were a moron because you didn't have the same opinion than mine ? No. You did.

[thecelticspirit]

So it's me who won't loose my time anymore with you.

Cheers. It's always a pleasure to meet charming people on the Internet :)

[operafan10]

que interpretacion! quizas la voz no sea perfecta, pero la interpretacion que hace la pone en uno de los primeros lugares

[captsub]

Love this film of Cenerentola - and love von Stade. She is absolutely stupenda. Only one who's better here? Lucia Valentini-Terrani (God rest her beautiful soul!). Too bad there's only a really crappy video of Lucia doing this at youtube.

[blichilde]

Oh yes, Lucia Valentini-Terrani was the best Cenerentola, without comparison.

[KatherineXIX]

This Cenerentola was so well done. Magnifico and the sisters were hilarious, and Flicka made me feel so sorry for Cenerentola. This is one of the few operas that can actually make me cry out of happiness at the end :)

[operagirl53]

Isn't Flicka an incredible actress as well as singer? I adore this production!

[andrewfynn]

@operagirl53 Mozart asked for Italian leads. But he hadn't heard Flicka!

[andrewfynn]

@operagirl53 Si, proprio incredibile. E per cuesto che non smetto di admirarla.

[oakroom48]

Just beautiful - in every way! Thank you - beautiful :)

[Glenmed]

Frederica was never less than delightful and utterly feminine whether in skirts or in trousers.

[babsalaba]

I remember watching this production on tv. Thank you for posting this!

[Dogaradodia]

Certified Intergalactic!

[bAdAbAdA13]

Von Stade is so beautiful in this film it aches.

[malibu64]

absolutely stunning. Theres no comparison to her in my book!

[BethDiane]

Von Stade in this production looks uncannily like the young Julie Andrews--except for having a lower voice.

[piasecznik]

kudos to Ponnelle and the producers for making those great productions possible.

This Cenerentola, Ponnelle/Abbados Barbiere version with Berganza, Alva and Prey and the Ponnelle/Böhm Nozze with Prey, Fischer-Dieskau, Te Kanawa and Ewing are the Gold Standard for the respective operas.

[linalnrs]

La Bartoli è grandissima, ed è la mia Rosina preferita. Ma secondo me, come Cenerentola, la von Stade è perfetta, così malinconica, esile ed aristocratica.

[Babs22h]

bartoli all the way!

[baritonoguapo]

Suit yourself, personally though, I can't stand to look at Bartoli.

[micioamilano]

Me either!

[baritonoguapo]

Especially when she's singing...

[bf2019]

@baritonoguapo Especially particularily when she's singing with any seasick Vibrato at All !!!

[jhughessings]

When Bartoli sings this she looks so deranged you'd think she was doing a mad scene!

[Kosmusfairy]

Bartoli is amazing in coloraturas, really i think she's incredible, but i prefer the sweet voice of Frederica, her color it's just exquisit...

[Arashi110]

Totally agree with everyone who said this is the best Cenerentola ever! It has everything - gorgeous singers (both in looks and vocals), beatiful production, wonderful Rossini's music and the best conductor for it. A treasure for generations.

[Agnetich]

Yeah! Exactly! The best Cenerentola ever!!!

[turtsik]

I don`t understand why you have to say that...Why does someone have to be THE BEST??They are both just fabulous and the most important thing is that their music touches you, not who`s the best!!!! It`s just beyond stupid!

[nclysander]

I think Agnetich is speaking of the whole production, not just von Stade. Perhaps you meant to respond to the Bartoli vs. von Stade conversation? I agree that both are great singers, but I'm not much into this wishy-washy "their music touches you" thing, and I do think people are allowed to have opinions - often when people say "the best" they mean "my favorite." And Flicka is undoubtedly my favorite Cenerentola - I find her even more believable in the role than my beloved Cecilia.

[sagagossard]

BEAUTIFUL

[aldiboronti]

I agree with Julia, the best performance ever. Von Stade is an angel, both in looks and voice. What a genius Rossini was, and how lightly he wore it.

[EmilyGreene1984]

The role though was originally intended for a coloratura contralto, but as there are few contraltos (with the exception of Ewa Podles) who have been able to master such techinque, lyric mezzo-sopranos are usually the ones who have performed it.

[Shabran87]

How lovely she is!!

[julia59]

In my opinion it's the best performance of Cenerentola ever.

[sincrotto]

Era brava, bravissima, bella e aggraziata ma ad ascoltarla mi pare che fosse un soprano.

[midas45]

A wonderful production ... everyone should buy this DVD. I've had it for years and it continues to delight and amaze.

[leoperarm]

How beautiful she was!!!!!!!!!!!

[loverflicka]

Era... y es, amigo de Honduras, aunque ahora tenga 63 años y arrugas en el cuerpo. La belleza de Frederica ha estado siempre no sólo en su figura, en su rostro y en su sonrisa, que como Ud. dice, eran maravillosos, sino en su voz y, sobre todo y muy por encima, en su persona, y esta belleza sigue estando intacta.

[leoperarm]

Tienes razón, pero creo que con un levantamiento facial y algo de votox podría verse como era antes;)

[loverflicka]

Es posible, y ciertamente he pensado frecuentemente en la razón de porqué Ms. von Stade no lo ha hecho (¡desde luego no será por cuestiones económicas!) y he llegado a la conclusión de que el motivo es, sencillamente, que no le importan esas cosas y prefiere ser tal y como la naturaleza lo determina con sus leyes inexorables, lo cual me reafirma todavía más en mi opinión de que Frederica von Stade es una gran persona, una persona excepcional.

[Dogaradodia]

Excuse me, that ought to be: Stately Stade.

[Dogaradodia]

Stade at her stateliest. Unparalleled production! "The Sound of Music"?

[loverflicka]

Bella, bella, bellísima... como siempre.

Espléndida, adorable, encantadora, dulcísima... como siempre.

Verla y escucharla: puro placer.

¡Gracias, Frederica, por tantas horas de felicidad!

[skylark100]

Flicka was also brilliant in Massenet's Cendrillon which she recorded in the late

1970's.

[soprano2k]

Incredible. Not only is this wonderful, but she is wonderfully versatile -- Strauss to spirituals. Thanks for sharing.

[LindoroRossini]

I do think that von Stade is one of the best Angelina's on record. She has all the elements that you would have wanted for the role: looks, charm, a natural and beautiful tone. One may criticize her coloratura technique but she is more than capable of singing the ornaments :)! In short, she is wonderful ^)!

[baritonoguapo]

I completely agree with you. I can watch her sing this role and believe her completely, whereas watching Baltsa sing it is weird because she doesn't really look gorgeous and innocent, and Bartoli always looks too neurotic, like she's going to bite the head off of a bat in the middle of the aria.

[bobbleheadedbudgie]

roflmfao to the Bartoli comment ;)

[33blueberries]

Hahaha, touche, baritonoguapo, you are too right!

[bobbleheadedbudgie]

She is really beautiful

[riversideharp]

Thank you for sharing this.