Our family had been gifted with great voices such as Emma's. Grandfather Henri Calvet adored Caruso. My own two sisters were soloists at the famed Teatro Colon (Opera House), in Buenos Aires, having sung world premieres along many of Opera's greats. I sing a bit as well - not professionally, but I do like to think that such gift within our family reached its epitome with the magnificent voice of Rosa Emma Calvet (known artistically as Emma Calve). Thank you for this tribute to her!
This high chest register technique was prevalent in her day. She was taught by Matilda Marchesi and in Madame Marchesi's vocal exercise book she talks about taking the chest register up to G above Mid C. Her daughter, Blanche Marchesi, did away with that when she took over, teaching the covering of the chest register in that area with the head mechanism.
Aww but Mathilde knew what she was talking about, she said that the chest voice was the origin for all voice types, and even the lightest sopranos must develop it.
Definitely not one of the best Carmens. I don't like the way her lower chest range does not pass smoothly to the higher "head" range. "Ma Lisette" suits her voice better, I find.
@dinastein44 Emma Calve alternated mezzo and soprano repertoire, like Giuditta Pasta or Pauline Viardot, that must have caused the unevenness between register. But an even scale is overrated, it's better to have a powerful chest and a free high register than just one or the other "with a smooth transition".
Marvellous Calvé, who had trained her pianissimi with the castrato MUSTAFA, and you can hear that unbelievable bell-like note in the song MA LISETTE. Her memoirs are really funny to read. Once again, buy a Gramophone wether you want to really hear all the harmonics that a CD or LP can't reproduce.
That unearthly sound of Calve's that you mention was supposedly produced with her mouth almost closed, similar to the way Lily Pons produced her high notes midway in her career. Most of Calve's recordings, however, do not match her tremendous reputation as a marvelous Marchesi student. Neither do Eames' recordings, nor (to a degree) Melba's. Their type of voice did not record as well as Tetrazzini's or Galli-Curci's.
Have you heard Calvé on Gramophone? I think her CD reports really don't do her justice, like Litvinne or Galli Curci who can only be heard at their best on a real gramophone.
student but marchesi didnt make her voice,she only repaired a tired and worn out mechanism,calves voice was alreadfy great at the time she went to marchesi.
Far, far better than Ponselle. Calve is a rare successful Carmen.
gustopheles 2 months ago
Our family had been gifted with great voices such as Emma's. Grandfather Henri Calvet adored Caruso. My own two sisters were soloists at the famed Teatro Colon (Opera House), in Buenos Aires, having sung world premieres along many of Opera's greats. I sing a bit as well - not professionally, but I do like to think that such gift within our family reached its epitome with the magnificent voice of Rosa Emma Calvet (known artistically as Emma Calve). Thank you for this tribute to her!
MarcelaCalvet 1 year ago
@MarcelaCalvet Keep up the job, you make us all happy.
Sadiesexy 1 year ago
@Sadiesexy Thank you!!! I do appreciate your very nice comment !!!
MarcelaCalvet 1 year ago
This high chest register technique was prevalent in her day. She was taught by Matilda Marchesi and in Madame Marchesi's vocal exercise book she talks about taking the chest register up to G above Mid C. Her daughter, Blanche Marchesi, did away with that when she took over, teaching the covering of the chest register in that area with the head mechanism.
lornabegbie 1 year ago
@lornabegbie
Aww but Mathilde knew what she was talking about, she said that the chest voice was the origin for all voice types, and even the lightest sopranos must develop it.
primohomme 1 year ago
Definitely not one of the best Carmens. I don't like the way her lower chest range does not pass smoothly to the higher "head" range. "Ma Lisette" suits her voice better, I find.
dinastein44 2 years ago
@dinastein44 Emma Calve alternated mezzo and soprano repertoire, like Giuditta Pasta or Pauline Viardot, that must have caused the unevenness between register. But an even scale is overrated, it's better to have a powerful chest and a free high register than just one or the other "with a smooth transition".
primohomme 1 year ago
@dinastein44 Your stupid
AuthenticFeirce 1 year ago
Maravillosa Voz !!!!! 5 *****
tukilala 2 years ago
I completely disagree with Mike's choice of Mrs. Calve being one of the best 100 singers in history. I personally find her voice not that remarkable.
EmilyGreene1984 2 years ago
@EmilyGreene1984 then you have no taste.
AuthenticFeirce 2 years ago 2
@EmilyGreene1984
And a lot of ppl hated Callas' voice... so a voice like Calve's was extremely underrated
dangmills 1 year ago
you who have made this 100 greatest singer project, i want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. you really put youtube in good use.
hijodepu 2 years ago 2
Has everybody heard the Mezzo GERMAINE CERNAY?
796824 2 years ago
Her autobiography "My life" is a terrific read too.
CharlotteinWeimar 3 years ago
Yes, indeed. How do yo do my dear?
SENAFOREVER 3 years ago
Marvellous Calvé, who had trained her pianissimi with the castrato MUSTAFA, and you can hear that unbelievable bell-like note in the song MA LISETTE. Her memoirs are really funny to read. Once again, buy a Gramophone wether you want to really hear all the harmonics that a CD or LP can't reproduce.
SENAFOREVER 3 years ago 3
That unearthly sound of Calve's that you mention was supposedly produced with her mouth almost closed, similar to the way Lily Pons produced her high notes midway in her career. Most of Calve's recordings, however, do not match her tremendous reputation as a marvelous Marchesi student. Neither do Eames' recordings, nor (to a degree) Melba's. Their type of voice did not record as well as Tetrazzini's or Galli-Curci's.
meltzerboy 3 years ago
Have you heard Calvé on Gramophone? I think her CD reports really don't do her justice, like Litvinne or Galli Curci who can only be heard at their best on a real gramophone.
SENAFOREVER 3 years ago 3
it is often said that she was a marchesi
student but marchesi didnt make her voice,she only repaired a tired and worn out mechanism,calves voice was alreadfy great at the time she went to marchesi.
hobo1975 3 years ago
She was caught live too. And reveal even more about Calve`
operagodess78 3 years ago
Yes, she was recorded on the Mapleson cylinders.
SENAFOREVER 3 years ago
A quite chic gipsy!!! Fantastic and modern
magicflute3 3 years ago