Sutherland - Horne - Pavarotti - La Gioconda Trio - Ponchielli (1981)

[tebaldicallas]

It does not suit Sutherland - her diction is so bad - go to Tebaldi for this -

her middle voice is mushy,

[Hako2004]

Four roles....in Tales of Hoffman....lol.

[papoocanada]

wow......La Sutherland was an ugly prognathic dame.......

[Hako2004]

Sutherland was the best Lucrezia I have ever heard, and I have no doubt she would have been fantastic in La Gioconda, if she had gotten around to it.

[christiaandhooghe]

There ar stories about Sutherland planned to record this work, it was prepared...but never came through!!!!!

She did Suor Angelica instead.

Yeeez, imagine this voice in Gioconda...would have been a treat.

:-))

[christiaandhooghe]

Live from Lincoln Centre..verry good!!!

[MrStupendousluvforJo]

Who are you richiesutherland I am so curious you and i seem to have a similar mind...when i read how you thought the narrative and curse would have been good for her (not really inMY opinion, but she was so stupendous and phenominal I wouldn't put anything past that radiant Glory and Exceptional Wonder of this entire World) ( I just LOVE her so much i can't help but GUSH and write ridiculous things sometimes) But anyway the narrative is one of my all time absolute favorites..who ARE you? GDP

[kgarmaker123]

LOL, he claims he is Richard Bonyge.

[MrStupendousluvforJo]

I'm always impressed with the huge size of joan's voice and the secure brilliance of the Top voice....what a facinating singer! I always thought that she should have recorded the Jo Ho To Jo from Walkure it would have been incredible...especially if she had recorded it around 74 75.....After almost three decades of listening to joan, I am still facinated by her!

[Richiesutherland]

I agree with you about Hojotoho! On her Wagner album, she sang the more lyric arias, but I would have preferred the Narrative and Curse, and the final minutes of Siegfried. I asked her once about Brunnhilde's Battle Cry, and she responded that she would even love to sing it live, if La Gran Scena Opera would let her sing with them!

[Richiesutherland]

I won't debate whether or not Joan should have sung Gioconda--parts of it I think are a bit animalistic for her temperament. That said, this trio is a triumph, and I think the phrase leading up to and down from high C at 4'58" is one of the most thrilling ones she ever sang (I was there that night). The two high Cs of this trio are traditional disaster areas even for the greatest Giocondas. To hear Joan sustain with great intensity that first C is to understand Ponchielli. Bravi tutti!

[kgarmaker123]

This is a very careful reading and not particularly impressive legato either of an important and beautiful theme in this opera(the rosary). Does she every \let loose on anthing but extreme high notes? I do not see her as a Gioconda, she is not suited to it tempermentally, and thus it would just be so much going through the motions.

[Richiesutherland]

I don't think you understand what Joan Sutherland's voice was like in the theatre--it was a "let loose" gush of tone, more so than any other singer that I heard in person. Tebaldi sang the Rosary theme better, because it sat in a perfect part of Tebaldi's voice. But since Tebaldi, Milanov, and Callas all had trouble with the Cs in this trio, why not sit back and listen to a great dramatic voice pour out tone up there? And, Duckie, Joan never "went through the motions"--EVER.

[kgarmaker123]

Well, richie, the gush of tone, is not emoted well. I would like to hear changes in emphasis, volume, consonants, rubato etc. . The role requires someone with a solid middle and bottom, along with a serviceable top. as much of it lies low. Joan's voice had that manufactured sound in the middle, she was careful iwth it.but it just doesnt cut it for me on this lovely melody, High C's not withstanding. And as to Tebaldi, well, her voice became harsh and flat at the top of the staff.

[Hako2004]

I hesitate to point out the obvious, but this is a "concert" performance. Many singers, and especially Joan, are quite circumscribed in their delivery under these conditions. There certainly isn't much freedom of movement, and no sets or costumes to play off of. It is a little unfair to be engaging in a critique of a concert performance with barely passable audio. I think those present heard and felt a great deal more.

[kgarmaker123]

Well, dear Richard, Your advancing age, must have you confused, as I have not been comenting, as of recently .. about this video. I have been talking about her Norma Trio, where you have called me a cockroach and a foul opera queen. Please try to keep your comments straight.

[kgarmaker123]

Let me tell you what are pot shots... Cockroach, lets see, "vile", :"foul opera queen".. I have not called you or your wonderful Joan, anything.. I merely called attention to her shorcomings in this piece, vocal and otherwise. Nothing personal.. and frankily how doe this hurt he masses who :listen to her? Why do they have to read any of these comments at all. The only one it is hurting is you, because you have a vested interest.

[kgarmaker123]

Simple: Because I can.. Becajuse this is a free country and I am entritled to my opinion.

[kgarmaker123]

LOL, I have not attacked anyone, and Sills and Callas are among my favorites. God Bless you. And I do not need to be lelctured by you., further you have not hurt me, or insulted me, ... Go in peace.

[kgarmaker123]

BTW, I love opera .. Have since I was very young, Now leave me alone.

[kgarmaker123]

Listen, you insufferable old bore, I will not be intimidated by you. I will express my opinion when i feel like it, and the next time you open your insufferable mouth, I will let you have it, and let everyone know exactly who the hell you are and how you are disgracing yourself, and Joan Sutherland. Now .. threaten if you like, but I will say what i want. Your comments do not contribute to the lisltening enjoyement of anyone.. They can still listen, they do not have to read.

[kgarmaker123]

You ar the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. And the comment section is devoted for just that.. for comments.. or are they only to be comments of adulation or praise? You are a sick man.... Very sick.. But then again, cockroach's , foul pretentious opera queens, like you. are sick, by nature. She sucks in this trio. She should have never sung it.. Who the hell would have paid to hear Joan S sing Gioconda? there would have been no acting.

[Rsutherland8]

SYMPTOMS OF A PRETENTIOUS OPERA QUEEN

1) Can't stand one diva being favorably compared to his diva

2) Has an irrepressible urge to trash performances others may enjoy

3) Feels his opinions are superior to that of an audience full of cheering music lovers.

4) Does not care or 'get' that his negative comments about a great performer are unwanted.

5) Has the kind of ego that makes him feel his trashing of a great performer is no worse than a subsequent trashing of himself.

That about sums it up.

[kgarmaker123]

Guess what? That just about describes you. I guess you know yourself well.

Va Fungulo

[foratti]

@kgarmaker123 : Tebaldi sings a great C in Gioconda 4th act trio in her studio version recorded in 1967 with Marilyn Horne

[foratti]

@Richiesutherland : The three ladies you mention, Milanov, Tebaldi and Callas, the three recorded very good Cs in their Giocondas studio versions. Callas in Votto 1952 studio version, Milanov in 1957 Previtali studio version and Tebaldi in 1967 Gardelli studio version. three very good Cs

Only Callas's C in her '59 recording is woobly and not so good, you know Callas voice in 1959 was very diminished

[kgarmaker123]

@Richiesutherland Really? How can Ponchielli be boiled down to one High C?

[nmcaia]

I attended this concert. I was a devoted jackie fan, but I was amazed at how much louder Sutherland was. And The Pav was like a trumpet. Unbelievably loud. Granted I had the headache of Death and Lauren Hutton, the Dumb Date from Hell, but I will never forget it. So many thanks for posting!

[kgarmaker123]

Pav had a big lyric voice. I have heard him live on two occasions( one other was with Sutherland, and he dominated the duets.). and once when he was sick, and I was still impressed with the sound. I love Marilyn Horne. She is extremely talented.

[R7Baritone]

Adoro a Joan Sutherland!! Es una mujer impresionante!

[hisimperialmajesty]

I've said it before, and I still firmly believe that from 5:28 onward is one of the most beautiful moments in all of opera, and with three of the finest opera singers in history performing it together, it's simply raptuous. Thanks for posting, asdfopera.

[Hako2004]

La Gioconda was one of roles I really wished Dame Joan had

had found time to learn and perform. It's full of wonderful music, and drama. These three great voices together here are a rare treasure.

[alithecrab]

@Hako2004 Aida, Otello, Seraglio, Gioconda, Armida, Roberto Devereux, Vier letzte Lieder (*that* would've been something!)..the wishlist goes on and on! But, you also have to look at the other side of the coin. Sutherland *did* record a good number of the deviations from her standard fare of Lucias and Normas: Turandot, Esclarmonde, Le roi de Lahore, Lucrezia, Stuarda & Bolena, Semiramide, Beatrice di Tenda.. With only so much time, it's not possible to do everything. Turandot or Gioconda? :)

[Hako2004]

@alithecrab

Yes, there was only so much time.....and it does make me wonder what might have been. She managed to cover a vast amount of music, so we can only be grateful. Speaking of deviations from her usual repertoire, lets not forget Suor Angelica, Adriana Lecouvreur and singing all three of the roles in Tales of Hoffman!