Bellini - Capuleti - Rare fragment with Beverly Sills (1968?)

[dansingart]

This brought tears to my eyes.

[Paddy818]

Sills had a voice like none other! Remarkably clear and penetrating and best of all instantly recognizable!

[7CALLAS]

THE BEST

[beachman831]

it doesn't get better than this...

[maestrojimbo]

Here's the earlier recording (1967 possibly) of this mesmerizing aria recorded in a German sound studio. Embellishments are different - wonderful, but not as shocking as the Bellini Donizetti Heroines record release later. Enjoy!

[SangpourPlaisir]

Omg this is one of the greatest things i ever heard. I wish you had the whole aria!

[mmbriggs]

aggeed this is an alternate to the pirate concert track that was availabile at the operaphile record store in nyc on 8th street c1968 when it seemed that these pirates were being allowed to help promote sills and such colleagues ass caballe, horne, etc, in promoting the careers, while record company offerings were just begining at sills westminster abc label. the difference here is that the opening takes a higher leap, and it is of course roland gagnon's beautiful and emotional embellishments

[maestrojimbo]

I agree that Sills' O Quante volte is one of the greatest arias to EVER be recorded! Try listening to Caballe's or Freni's version - this aria sounds very ordinary and non-descript by comparison. I used to play the track over and over in the early 70's and still today it affects me strongly.

[DonRolini]

That is DEFINITELY Sills! she used those cadenzas in an early studio recording..no one else sings this song with so much grace!

[beachman831]

this sounds like the Bellini/Donizetti album from 1968. it's phenomenal. the embellishments were written especially for her. I had the great fortune of working at City Opera just before she left...but sadly, I was the only employee NOT to have met her. she was without peer..an exquisite artist.

Thomas Lucia

[motardbear15]

Oh what a great singer ! Oh sad she is no more with us ! Dear Beverly , we will never forget you , you are still in our hearts ! After Callas came Sills

[moghedien13]

i have the full version of this. probably one of the greatest versions of any aria committed to record.

[Houndentenor1998]

I have this one too.  It is from her Bellini and Donizetti recording and was issued in 1968

Love it

Love Sills!

[Ronizetti]

Absolute perfection ... and one wonders why I love Sills? It's the liquid voice, the technique and the HEART ~ Brava, Beverly!

[DivaDeb1234]

Effortless. She makes me never want to sing again...

[nclysander]

I've posted this complete recording in stereo sound if you're interested.  It truly is a masterpiece. (See video response.)

[Tenorboy29307]

Hmm. Where is the video response? I'm very interested. I want to hear the whole thing! :-)

[Rapicienta]

Yo tengo completa esa grabación.

[taytaytoo]

The complete 1968 recording of this aria is available now on CD! It's on the 2 disc "Beverly Sills: The Great Recordings" from Deutsche Grammophon. It's also on an English import, a remastering of the original LP: "Bellini & Donizetti Heroines." This disc is from the Millennium Classics label. A live 1968 performance of this aria (with different ornamentation) is included in the Arkadia disc "Opera Arias - Recital - Paris 1971 - Koln 1968." It's also breathtakingly beautiful.

[senesino83]

Thank you so much! :)

[taytaytoo]

You are so welcome! I strongly recommend you purchase both versions. They are on the short list of the most beautiful music I've ever heard.

[beefnotfish]

I have all these old albums....can you believe how she approaches and sings the high notes!!!! some people don't like her embellishments...I just adore her. only one role she  recorded too late - the Gilda with Milnes - she was too old for that role(at that point) and the vibrato got in the way.

[petelovesbevsills]

Sublime perfection at its ultimate best. Yes this certainly IS Beloved Beverly singing from the "Bellini and Donizetti Heroines"Recording.

How I wish that ABC/Dunhill had sat Beverly down in their recording studio and said "sing your heart out" for a month solid, just imagine what we would have been able to listen to today. Beverly's voice was in pristine condition in 1968. Thank you senesino83 for this wonderful clip!

[senesino83]

You are most welcome, Pete! :) Now I really want to get hold of the album! :)

Love,

Flavio

[petelovesbevsills]

If you can't get hold of it let me know. I have the facility to copy LP's to CD's and It will be sent to you NO CHARGE!

Love

Pete:}

[countertenorbuff]

The singer IS Beverly Sills. Your recording is the second half of Oh! Quante volte. Sills recorded it in June of 1968 (age 39) with the Vienna Volksoper Orchestra and Jussi Jalas conducting. Your clip is probably from around the same period, but I dont think it is from this actual vinyl recording released by ABC records. I would have to play them side by side to tell for sure. Nevertheless, the embellishments are same (written by Roland Gagnon) as the June 1968 recording.

[senesino83]

Thank you SO much, "Countertenorbuff"! I must get the complete recording for sure... THANK YOU! Wow, Beverly was amazing...

Yes, I can hear the overtone thing :) It's fascinating.

Of Beverly I only knew the most famous things (especially the very funny operatic medley with piano :), Traviata, Cleopatra... :)

Thanks again!

[taytaytoo]

This clip is from the recording. I've been listening to it, transported every time, for 40 years.

[countertenorbuff]

What I loved most about her sound was that while her vibrato (even in her prime) was a bit wide, there was an overtone in her voice that had a fast vibrato that created a halo in her sound. Sills also understood line in her phrasing like few other singers. Get a hold of her Victor Herbert album, NO ONE sings Kiss Me Again with such passion.

[Palmerito]

I also am a big fan of her Victor Herbert album. The recording of Ah, Sweet Mystery of Love is fantastic!

[countertenorbuff]

Sill then later recorded the opera with Janet Baker (as Romeo) in 1975 with the New Philharmonia Orchestra and Giuseppe Patane conducting. A lovely recording, but not many of the high notes you hear in 1968 recording. I hope you explore and discover more of Beverly Sills. In her prime her technique was amazing, solid from bottom to top.

[senesino83]

And what about the perfect trills!

[MehdiCaps]

Gorgeous (despite some strange vibrato and some very high notes that do not sound effortless).

Raggio del tuo sembiante,

ah! parmi il brillar del giorno:

ah! l'aura che spira intorno

mi sembra un tuo sospir.

(from the aria "Oh! quante volte")

Even more French in this aria, hehe: Natalie Dessay.

[senesino83]

Yes, it's gorgeous... and so mysterious :) I cannot believe how it sounds effortless in the E-Flat and D...

[senesino83]

Wow... :)

[nectenorboi09]

This is DEFINITELY a young Beverly Sills, from one of her 1st recital discs.

[melonpanda]

definitely, it's so beverly sills