Sills and Sutherland had appeared together in FLEDERMAUS just a little over a year before this George London concert. Sitting to the side of the stage in her hosting duties, already retired from the stage and hearing this performance, I'm surprised Sills would later say the greatest voice she ever heard belonged to Rosa Ponselle. Whatever, Bev.
Astonishing accompanying by Kohn... Anyone can play the notes - he's supporting her like a full orchestra - elastic and rich playing. Bravo. Needless to say the lady is in magnificent voice for the period. What a great document of both artists!
Kohn playing is astounding. Even the clip with him and Horne, you can see occasional grins on his face as he watches the singer. It's great when you have a great voice, paired with a great accompaniest. Stunning.
Even at this age Dame Joan's top notes still had plenty of "ping". I guarantee that if you stood in front of her while she held that last note it would ring.....and so would your head.
I remember something: Joan had plans for retiring in 1991 and somehow she retired in 1990, but certainly in the 80s she was still at her hight. why retire so soon when could sing like this.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Dame Joan wanted to retire about the time of this video, around 1982 but her husband quite obliged her to continue singing about 7 years more, till 1989 a bad choice of Mr Bonynge.Here we can listen Sutherland voice is worn, she has many holes in the middle, the coloratura is hard and not free and the top is rough and does not vibrate well
She did NOT want to retire in 1982, where did you get that from? And you must be deaf if you think the top is "rough and does not vibrate well. I love people who know NOTHING about singing and parade their lack of knowledge here.
richiesutherland: I know what happens when we love an artist, often we loose the objectivity.Since very early '80s Sutherland voice lost sound , her voice had several holes in the middle and the top became harder and didn't ring well
Listen to the clip of her singing the concert version of Anna Bolena in 1985. The D-natural at the end of "In separato Carcere." That D just sang, and it did ring. Perhaps we just caught Joan on a bad day.
Dame Joan's top notes were quite ringing at this point, although not very evident in this recording. The sound here only hints at the real thing. The top notes were most certainly not "rough", not to anyone that actually heard her. The middle voice did have a cloudiness, and an unsteadiness, post 1975, but there were no "holes". No one can sing such florid music, or so long in an exposed repertory, with "holes" in the voice. You are clearly a student of voice, but only that.
Glorious, unbelievable, and at age 56. I know no-one will believe me, but they are using my Huguenots score. Eugene Kohn asked if I had one, and I lent my ancient score, on the provision that Joan would autograph the opening lines of "O beau pays", which she did. Her response: "Are you SURE he wants me to deface this page?" And in true Joan fashion, she tried not to cover up the musical staff--as if I would have cared!!
"I'm gunna try an have a bash at...." She DESTROYED it haha XD BRAVA Dame Joan ^_^
magicmonkichi 3 weeks ago
Fabulous fabulous. Strange that one of the most beautiful voices of the century should be one of the most robust, but there it is. Brava, Dame Joan!
You scarcely miss the orchestra when pianists like Eugene Kohn accompany singers.
CaptFitzbattleaxe 11 months ago 3
Sills and Sutherland had appeared together in FLEDERMAUS just a little over a year before this George London concert. Sitting to the side of the stage in her hosting duties, already retired from the stage and hearing this performance, I'm surprised Sills would later say the greatest voice she ever heard belonged to Rosa Ponselle. Whatever, Bev.
iriisblue 1 year ago
0:00-6:17= Happy ears :D:D:D Thanks you for sharing :D:D
magicmonkichi 1 year ago
Astonishing accompanying by Kohn... Anyone can play the notes - he's supporting her like a full orchestra - elastic and rich playing. Bravo. Needless to say the lady is in magnificent voice for the period. What a great document of both artists!
Alexias6 1 year ago 2
@Alexias6
Kohn playing is astounding. Even the clip with him and Horne, you can see occasional grins on his face as he watches the singer. It's great when you have a great voice, paired with a great accompaniest. Stunning.
magicmonkichi 1 year ago
Even at this age Dame Joan's top notes still had plenty of "ping". I guarantee that if you stood in front of her while she held that last note it would ring.....and so would your head.
Hako2004 2 years ago 2
I remember something: Joan had plans for retiring in 1991 and somehow she retired in 1990, but certainly in the 80s she was still at her hight. why retire so soon when could sing like this.
iWalkure 2 years ago
E' talmente brava e melodiosa che mi vien da piangere!!! Joan, sei l'unica!!!
leprincebeaumont 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Dame Joan wanted to retire about the time of this video, around 1982 but her husband quite obliged her to continue singing about 7 years more, till 1989 a bad choice of Mr Bonynge.Here we can listen Sutherland voice is worn, she has many holes in the middle, the coloratura is hard and not free and the top is rough and does not vibrate well
adolfoa1961 2 years ago
She did NOT want to retire in 1982, where did you get that from? And you must be deaf if you think the top is "rough and does not vibrate well. I love people who know NOTHING about singing and parade their lack of knowledge here.
Richiesutherland 2 years ago
richiesutherland: I know what happens when we love an artist, often we loose the objectivity.Since very early '80s Sutherland voice lost sound , her voice had several holes in the middle and the top became harder and didn't ring well
adolfoa1961 2 years ago
Listen to the clip of her singing the concert version of Anna Bolena in 1985. The D-natural at the end of "In separato Carcere." That D just sang, and it did ring. Perhaps we just caught Joan on a bad day.
ChrisStockslager 2 years ago
Until 1972 Sutherland voice was almost intact, since 1973/74 her voice started to change
adolfoa1961 2 years ago
Dame Joan's top notes were quite ringing at this point, although not very evident in this recording. The sound here only hints at the real thing. The top notes were most certainly not "rough", not to anyone that actually heard her. The middle voice did have a cloudiness, and an unsteadiness, post 1975, but there were no "holes". No one can sing such florid music, or so long in an exposed repertory, with "holes" in the voice. You are clearly a student of voice, but only that.
Hako2004 2 years ago
Glorious, unbelievable, and at age 56. I know no-one will believe me, but they are using my Huguenots score. Eugene Kohn asked if I had one, and I lent my ancient score, on the provision that Joan would autograph the opening lines of "O beau pays", which she did. Her response: "Are you SURE he wants me to deface this page?" And in true Joan fashion, she tried not to cover up the musical staff--as if I would have cared!!
Richiesutherland 2 years ago 9
Wonder story, thanks for sharing it.
Hako2004 2 years ago
@Richiesutherland that's a great story!
belcunto 8 months ago
The grins on the trill's are fantastic~! Brilliant. Thanks you for posting.
magicmonkichi 2 years ago
GEORGE LONDON TRIBUTE. Sutherland, Gedda, McCracken, Horne, King, Thomas, Verrett, Stratas,Blake. Diaz, Sills+. 1982. 1'58".
AmorediPazzia 3 years ago
Indeed, he is just fabulous, overwhelming...
Jabe88 3 years ago 2