Selma Kurz sings Mimi on Polydor

[dodacon]

One gets used to the German versions of Italian arias - the adjustment is more difficult, I find, if the original aria is in French... Mahler (with whom Kurz had a romance) did a production of LA TRAVIATA in Italian, at the Vienna Opera, with Lili Lehmann, in the aughts - many critics asked why he would do such an odd thing...

[2ndviolinist]

What a shame to have so few views of something so beautiful. She has endless breath and such a smooth voice. Maybe a bit slow but I enjoyed every second.

[AulicExclusiva]

Kurz was 49 when this disk was made in 1923, and had been at the Vienna opera for 24 years, since September 1899. Amazing.

The slow tempo gives her interpretation a singular tenderness and wistfulness, full of poetry. So beautiful.

[meltzerboy]

Gorgeous, poetic singing by Kurz, who is equally adept at purely lyrical and florid coloratura pieces (and sings a pretty good "Vissi d'arte" as well). Did she not begin as a contralto? I also admire Hempel's recording of this aria, and Melba's is lovely too. Of course, virtually every soprano under the sun has performed this, but only a few versions--such as this one--really stand out.