Birgit Nilsson - Ozean du Ungeheuer

[anubier]

Birgit Nilsson ein Jahrhundertwunder,wahr lich in Ehrfurcht hören wir dieser Stimme zu und schwiegen

[RamirRMA]

Surely this lady was a Goddess.

No doubt about it.

[senilangakali]

She simply was the greatest. And there are very, very few...

[55werther]

Que linda se la ve, y elegante; esto aparte, de su magnifica, una gran interpreta-

cion de esta inmensa, y nada facil, aria. Birgit demuestra, con esta aria, y me con-

firma que era de las Grandes Sopranos, no Heroica, pero si, una Spinto, Neta,

que podia hacer, perfectamente, el repertorio heroico. ¡¡¡Esta Fabulosa!!!

[runhardhooah]

Oh yeah. Saved to faves all day long baby.

[semiramide1945]

I too saw her many times at the met and on their spring tours. I remember at 19 seeing her in Atlanta as Turandot. When she came out the stage door I asked if it were true that she sings Der Holle Rache- She said yes for fun- Then she took me by the hand to her dressing room, called in someone to play and sang the aria, complete with 4 high f's. I was mesmerized- Thought I had died and gone to heaven- she laughed and hugged me- Such an artist and so kind to a kid as I was then.

[jozanesz]

I love Nilsson but I cannot believe she sang it in the right key, maybe transposed half an octave or something.

[semiramide1945]

Well, I'm not sure of course, but I have heard from others who said as a matter of course that she often vocalized up to the high F. I was astonished by the sheer flexibility of her Mozart coloratura though you could tell she was consciously pulling back on the usual volume and lightening her voice. It just staggered me that she would do something like this for a gushing 19 y/o fan as I was (and still am at 64) She was so extraordinarily kind and hugged me as I burst into tears of joy.

[mozzrt]

@semiramide1945 I believe you, Nilsson did not want to be disturbed before she sang, but afterwards she could be great fun - and you flattered HER, because noone realized how flexible she could be. She was justly proud of it. Just listen to her singin in quite old age in the TVshow here on youtube with ZarahLeander. Like a young girl!

[marchesano]

@jozanesz I've checked the pitch. It is correct.

[Operanut9]

@semiramide1945

Is this true?? What a marvelous story. Can't imagine what I would have done at that age to even shake her hand. I would have been so overwhelmed. My first time seeing her was also in Atlanta in recital. She opened with "Dich Teure Halle." I could not believe how gorgeous was the "O Mio Bambino Caro," and when I heard "Wien, Wien," I could not believe ahuman being could create what I heard on the final note. How lucky I count myself, and you are most blessed indeed!

[semiramide1945]

Yes, the story is true- I was at the recital you spoke of in Atlanta too. Seems I also remember her singing Traume from The Wesendonk lieder. Didn't she wear a very form fitting red dress?- Jimmy Carter and his wife were there (he was Governor at the time) and we sat behind them over on the right in those box seats that swept down on each side. Her artistry was I fear lost on the Carters- but maybe not!

[Operanut9]

The Atlanta newspaper said the dress was "hot pink." She was quite stunning. I went on to see her in Elektra several times, Tosca several times, Walkuere once, Turandot once, and Tristan once. Her ovations were endless and wild. Audiences went nuts.

I don't think her artistry was lost on the Carters. I just heard a commentator from the NAtional Opera say Carter was the last prez to like classical music. No wonder we are in a mess. Two of them didn't even READ!

[ketillflatnefur]

she was always gracious and generous to her fans - only disliked people who tried to take advantage of her - she never forgot her roots - this from a woman who was told a farmer could not be a singer, was almost ruined by her voice teacher who made fun of her and fought tuberculosis (all in her bio)..........wow.

[SieglindeMoos]

Thanks for sharing. Priceless experience :)

[vocalpianist]

..............

That must have been, unbelievable. VERY envious of you!

[olympieta]

Gran com la vida!

Bigger than life!

[mongemark]

eccelsa...voce straordinariamente potente timbrata ma capace di modulare

ottima tecnica...

e interprete di classe nonostante le critiche che le sono state fatte di essere fin troppo vocalista

Grande tra le grandi del secolo XX

[senilangakali]

@mongemark  AMEN!

[orovalleydude]

Simply astounding artistry, especially when you realize she was 46 at the time she did this. One of the great voices of the century. None like her working today.

[kvasir1814]

7:07 man...that high note....

[SPTN58]

What incredible technique and artistry. I feel blessed to have seen her many times in performance, both in Vienna and NYC.

[DivaDeb1234]

R I P

[DivaDeb1234]

GREAT!

[senilangakali]

MAGNIFIQUE!

[ellandelachapelle]

Well every concert in Sweden is formal. It will take the horns they used to shake the walls of Jericho to wake up a Swedish audience! :-D (I am Swedish myself.) :-(

Anyway, this is from the same concert in what I judge to be the Stockholm Concert Hall (not the Berwald Hall) during the mid-60-ies that Isolde's Liebestod (here on YouTube) is from. The conductor being the great (but outside of Sweden unknown) Stig Westerberg! (I'll check my 1964-68 diary. I may mention it.)

[lamusicahera]

Brava!

Brava!

Brava!

[Nilssonite]

Yes marchesano I am truly lucky to have been around while Birgit was in her prime and singing 2-3 times a week at the met and her gorgeous recitals too. Her voice, her art her personality are forever burned into my heart and mind. She was a most generous artist and woman. I had the great honor of knowing her personally for over 40 years right up until her death. She was and is Devine. Never to be replaceded forgotten. Thanks again for this amazing video. You have made me so happy:))

[Nilssonite]

Wow Birgit was sure feeling it on this night. Feeling it and giving it her supreme ALL. Her concentration, her emotional involvement and her Voice. Plus she looks so beautiful with her hair up like that. Never before or since has there been an artist like her. A true Goddess. I heard her over 200 times in NYC. She has defined my opera going world. I miss her so much. God bless you for posting this devine video. Brava Birgit

[marchesano]

You are truly lucky to have experienced her live and so many times. In fact, you have received the divine gift. :)

[aptcore59]

@Nilssonite Yes, you are lucky, so lucky...

[gyorgy11]

@Nilssonite I only got to see her live once but she changed my life in wondrous ways. She performed at Yale when I was there, around 68 or 69, in Woolsey Hall. Her voice was IMMENSE. I had never heard a voice so large and yet so perfect. Of course she sang "Ozean, du Ungeheuer"; in fact, it is all I specifically remember her singing. The high C that caps this aria rang in the ears of me and my friend Joe Cone for hours afterward. She started me on discovering the works of Wagner, Strauss. Divina

[vqro]

@Nilssonite

Truer words have not been said. She was a Goddess!

[Beauprix]

Every time I hear Birgit Nilsson, I can only surrender to the following emotional thought: there is no doubt about, and frankly no other explaination for, this woman's voice... a divine gift from above to all mankind, for the ages...stunning and glorious!!!

[vqro]

@Beauprix Yes. In our lifetimes we will not know another voice like hers. It's once every 500 years. She was a goddess and on this night especially here voice was heavenly.

[vqro]

I love the way she turns her head at 8:32. Like saying, "Here, take a ray of my power you stupid dead audience!"

I love Birgit. She's the greatest.

[BeauTenor]

That audience should have been beaten with sticks for lack of appreciation.

[vqro]

Yes! They must have been brain dead to not have noticed the wonder they had just witnessed.

[mxl2003]

You think this audience is bad? Watch some of the facial expressions during the Liebestod I've uploaded (from the same concert). Some poor souls seem to be verging on boredom! If only I were to be there...nothing short of transfiguration!

[elgar34]

She is amazing... go Birgit! You're the greatest.

[ATsarIsBorn]

I wish she had been recorded more in the 50s and early 60s -- by the time I first heard Nilsson, in 1969, she was 50, amazing (the loudest voice I've ever heard), still an impressive actress (I saw her Isolde four times; she never acted it exactly as she had before), but the voice had lost much of its luster. It had become harsh. Here the voice is still beautiful and the technique flawless. I'd love to hear any pirates from the 50s!

[hyppolito123]

I have never heard this aria sung so perfectly, intense, admirable. The voice is marvellous!!! A great singer!!!

[saverioorlando]

Great voice,every IN TONO,fine musician...

[DrGarri]

After all these years, and she still moves us and delight us as if she were still among us. I can not think of a better compliment for an artist, and certainly Nilsson deserves it!

[foropera]

Incredible! Maybe the most perfect legacy of her, because of the quality of her voice here, but also because she looks very human and nervous at the begining, very fresh, which is very different from her Turandot and Elektras of course.

[suede008]

The comment on Bartoli was uncalled for. Nilsson was one of the greatest singers ever to enter a stage. Bartoli´s doing just fine with her repertoire. Nilsson is so in carachter and true to the lyrics, it´s not only her vocal agility but her attitude that

result in such a marvelous rendition.

[cantorandopera]

What a great example of a terrific singer letting the composer and her glorious instrument convey the music. (don't mean to start a new thread - but maybe we could just send this to Ms. Bartoli as an example of what moves people most - not facial contortions or vocal acrobatics - just honest musicianship.)

[UTTINI18131901]

I could not agree more with your praise of Nillson. Then you gratuitiously trash another great singer. Tell us: What is "dishonest" about Bartoli's musicianship and how do you exclude "acrobatics" from Vivaldi or Rossini? Yes, lack of inhibition results in facial expressions. As for moving an audience, I have been in audiences that cheered themselves to the brink of exhaustion for her.

[cantorandopera]

I also admire Ms Bartoli, but as a personal preference (and I know that many would disagree) I would rather she would let her glorious voice and superb musicianship doing the talking.

[reallyharried]

She's got the power, beauty, clarity and agility for this aria. Weber is so difficult to fine the right combinations for, especially Oberon. I guess there are a number of reasons one hears this mostly in concert and can count on one hand recordings and/or productions of Oberon.

[marchesano]

Yes! There were in fact so few people who sang this aria. Eileen Farrell recorded it (but it is early digital transfer-not remastered in good sound), Sutherland did it in English. I can't think of others offhand. Earlier I think Flagstad might have as well, but I've never heard a recording. It is more amazing that this is live in concert!

[reallyharried]

And we here are glad you found and posted it! I cannot remember who sang the recording I used back in the late sixties when I was writing my music history term paper. Joseph Braunstein (Do you remember him from Nonesuch jacket notes?) assigned all the singers to trace the evolution of the dramatic monologue (where recitativo and cantabile became integrated, and leitmotifs appeared.)

[DrGarri]

Maria callas also recorded it in English.

[Operanut9]

I dare say none of these as well as Nilsson did it. She had it all. A once in a century phenomenon.

[birgitnilsson]

@marchesani Flagstad did not have, by any means the easyness of those outpouring highest, notes. SHe was an excellent singer , though.

[tobobba]

Wonderful...Oh it´s so good. What a time they have up in heaven now with all great opera singer.

[lusciousbobby]

Agreed, perfect, perfect pitch.  No doubt her confidence to reach for the big sounds comes from her perfect pitch. The more she reached, the bigger the sound. And she reached far, and the sound was perfect, and big.

Sounds biblical.

[Gigglingatagas]

In a world of swooping, scooping, caterwauling sopranos, the lightning-bolt accuracy of Nilsson's singing is refreshing beyond description. Surely one of the greatest artists in musical history.

[geddafan1]

Amen!!!!!!!!!!! I feel this deeply and could not state it better myself! I can't think of any of the new crop of singers that I can stand to watch or listen to. They do so much to cover up the fact that they haven't worked long enough to get their technique right and they sing everthig they shouldn't. Long live the memory of this wonderful singer!!!!

[culturevulture2011]

@Gigglingatagas I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of today's singers. Swooping, scooping, caterwauling... perfect description! Why is that? Does anybody have any idea? Who trains these people? Why did the 60s produce such a splendid group of "Meistersingers" and now not?

[MrCafiero]

Amazing!  Her voice was so efficiently produced. Virtually no constriction! So full and lush.

[gongli]

Thanks for posting this! This vid was up before, but disappeared.

[mwk12kev]

Thanks for posting this! Like a friend said, "The queen at her blazing best". Just incredible.