Okay, all you mad opera queens out there, don*t throw things at me. I'm a huge Nilsson fan, I just don*t especially care for her singing Eboli. Anyone else feel the same way.
A fascinating recording. People forget (or never knew) how good Nilsson could be in the Italian repertoire (check out her Aida , Tosca, or Forza). A very smart singer, I remember seeing (hearing?) an interview where she explained the stylistic differences (use of portamento etc.) between the Italian and German style. As for singing a mezzo aria, thisone is often sung in concert by sopranos with a good low range (which Nilsson does). Many sections of Die Walkure lie quite low in the voice,
If I remember correctly, this is the soprano transposition (which is almost universally used by mezzos, as well). It was originally written a whole tone lower, but Verdi transposed it up for a soprano at a revival in his lifetime, and that's the key that was published. You can hear the original key in, for example, Dame Clara Butt's recording.
@RobNYNY1957 You are incorrect. The artist who created the role had a freakish voice with a wide range. Verdi wrote both of her arias to show off her range.
la regina del repertorio drammatico,in questo caso un ruolo di mezzo soprano fatto alla perfezione....la Nilsson è fantastica per: SQUILLO,ACUTI,FRASEGGIO E INTERPRETAZIONE. OTTIMA.
I don't liek her in this aria. not dramatic enough, not to mention that I don't like how she "runs" over the parts written for lower register. No wonder this aria was written for a mezzo soprano.
There is a recording of Neilson singing " Pace Pace Mio Dio" from La Forza New Orleans worlds fair early 60's . The last maladizione is so bright and steely its like an intercontinental balistic missel. What a tremendous soprano.
I continue to be absolutely AMAZED at how she hits the B-flat absofrickinlutely dead CENTER perfectly focused at the 3:00 mark!! Every other recording I've heard, the singer always SCOOPS up to it before finding their placement. Then for good measure, she duplicates the feat again on the A-flat at the 3:55 mark!
That's because every other singer to do it is a mezzo, which is what the aria is written for -- and expecting a mezzo to hit a Bb comfortably is a bit of a cruel demand from Verdi in the first place. Not hard for Birgit though, a soprano.
Listen to Cossotto's, Zajick's or Verrett's recording of this aria, and hear a mezzo hitting all the high notes fair and square. All are mezzos by the way, even though Verrett became a soprano at some point.
Although, you know, it wouldn't surprise me to know that this great lady could have pulled it off. She did say that she warmed up with the Queen's arias from Zauberflote and her Donna Anna is much more flexible than I imagined it would be.
Probably not on stage. I admire her for this aria, but I doubt her comfortability for Veil Song. She simplified many coloratura passages for Brindisi in Macbeth. Yes, Nilsson was surprisingly good with Mozart's coloratura passages, but not so with Verdi's; that's probably why she never sang Leonora in Trovatore.
Okay, all you mad opera queens out there, don*t throw things at me. I'm a huge Nilsson fan, I just don*t especially care for her singing Eboli. Anyone else feel the same way.
ian1856 3 months ago
What a truly glorious sound! Bravassima!
SqueakyIri 4 months ago
This womans voice SOARS! Its so thick and lovely hands down one of the greatest voices ever.
smlly990 6 months ago
A fascinating recording. People forget (or never knew) how good Nilsson could be in the Italian repertoire (check out her Aida , Tosca, or Forza). A very smart singer, I remember seeing (hearing?) an interview where she explained the stylistic differences (use of portamento etc.) between the Italian and German style. As for singing a mezzo aria, thisone is often sung in concert by sopranos with a good low range (which Nilsson does). Many sections of Die Walkure lie quite low in the voice,
mjmacmtenor 7 months ago
Non non et non
dapheneo 1 year ago
bellissima voce ! purtroppo fuori repertorio...
bodiloto 1 year ago
not for me..... verrett forever
barneswriter 1 year ago
@barneswriter
I totally agree! verrett is the much more interesting performer
alecs1976 1 year ago
@alecs1976
not even close
mcmulj00 11 months ago
LOVE IT!
TreblesBasses 1 year ago
BRAVISSIMO!!
Ammillcare 1 year ago
If I remember correctly, this is the soprano transposition (which is almost universally used by mezzos, as well). It was originally written a whole tone lower, but Verdi transposed it up for a soprano at a revival in his lifetime, and that's the key that was published. You can hear the original key in, for example, Dame Clara Butt's recording.
RobNYNY1957 1 year ago
@RobNYNY1957 You are incorrect. The artist who created the role had a freakish voice with a wide range. Verdi wrote both of her arias to show off her range.
stubbweeb 1 year ago
Great voice and great temperament!
Albertmaximus1 2 years ago
unbelievable...
Denorov 2 years ago
wow...
tneprescintr 2 years ago
i love Nilsson ... the C flat and the two B flat are thunders
mongemark 2 years ago
@mongemark
C flat? you mean B? hahaha =P
raigekimaru 1 year ago
in score is wrote 'Do bemolle' , in german/english notation is Cflat
read the score
ignorant !
mongemark 1 year ago
la regina del repertorio drammatico,in questo caso un ruolo di mezzo soprano fatto alla perfezione....la Nilsson è fantastica per: SQUILLO,ACUTI,FRASEGGIO E INTERPRETAZIONE. OTTIMA.
marcobenve 3 years ago
I don't liek her in this aria. not dramatic enough, not to mention that I don't like how she "runs" over the parts written for lower register. No wonder this aria was written for a mezzo soprano.
nomsdufrere 3 years ago
Très personnel, comme interprétation. C'est du Nilsson, quoi. Grandiose et... particulier !!!!
mariasarda 3 years ago 3
There is a recording of Neilson singing " Pace Pace Mio Dio" from La Forza New Orleans worlds fair early 60's . The last maladizione is so bright and steely its like an intercontinental balistic missel. What a tremendous soprano.
tenorismo 3 years ago 3
I continue to be absolutely AMAZED at how she hits the B-flat absofrickinlutely dead CENTER perfectly focused at the 3:00 mark!! Every other recording I've heard, the singer always SCOOPS up to it before finding their placement. Then for good measure, she duplicates the feat again on the A-flat at the 3:55 mark!
kmillard 3 years ago 12
That's because every other singer to do it is a mezzo, which is what the aria is written for -- and expecting a mezzo to hit a Bb comfortably is a bit of a cruel demand from Verdi in the first place. Not hard for Birgit though, a soprano.
GBearcat 3 years ago 3
I don't know about that. You really don't hear all that many sopranos either nailing b-flat dead center from the get go like Nilsson. She was unique.
kmillard 3 years ago 5
Listen to Cossotto's, Zajick's or Verrett's recording of this aria, and hear a mezzo hitting all the high notes fair and square. All are mezzos by the way, even though Verrett became a soprano at some point.
AmatureComposer 3 years ago
The first time I did not really like something the great Birgit have done.....
And still she's amazing. Love her!
caspiman 3 years ago
WHERE the HELL did you find THIS? Birgit sings Eboli...who knew.
goldenthroat86 3 years ago
I knew.There´s an old recording of this aria, no CD though.
birgitnilsson 3 years ago
I would have LOVED to have heard the canzone del velo, hehe.
Gigglingatagas 3 years ago
May I ask why, Giggling?( even if I can guess the answer,hehehe)
birgitnilsson 3 years ago
Although, you know, it wouldn't surprise me to know that this great lady could have pulled it off. She did say that she warmed up with the Queen's arias from Zauberflote and her Donna Anna is much more flexible than I imagined it would be.
What can I say? I'm a true Nilssonite.
Gigglingatagas 3 years ago 2
So am I giggling, and we have many good reasons. Perhaps the most interesting voice in the mid 20 th century. Ther most impressive, undoubtedly.
birgitnilsson 3 years ago 4
Bravo! She should've sung it on-stage. Wonderful voice, and really fits for Eboli, too.
Sieglinde84 3 years ago
Ooops!! Sorry!! Didn't mean to pan your comment! Hit the down thumb by mistake and can't undo it!! Sorry again! I actually agree with you!!
kmillard 3 years ago
Probably not on stage. I admire her for this aria, but I doubt her comfortability for Veil Song. She simplified many coloratura passages for Brindisi in Macbeth. Yes, Nilsson was surprisingly good with Mozart's coloratura passages, but not so with Verdi's; that's probably why she never sang Leonora in Trovatore.
kh3205 3 years ago
Does this count as a contribution to the Eboli-contest?
DrottningMargareta 3 years ago