I was a HUGE Rolandi fan during the NYCO days...didn't she do a telecast of BABY DOE? I seem to remember her, Frances Bible and Richard Fredericks? Am I creating performances in my aged brain?
I saw her on a PBS special presentation of La Cenerentola. Not only was I knocked over by her singing and stage presence-and passion but ticked off she was not my girlfriend.
I've heard Joan Sutherland do Lucia -- Gianna Rolandi is more dramatic with a more powerful voice. When will her LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER performance be available on DVD?
@hankwallace Don't be fooled by the seize of a voice you only hear in recording. Sutherland was so exceptional because her voice was large, extremely large for a coloratura hence her singing Aida, Unballo in Maschera etc earlier in her career. These roles she perforrmed at Covent Garden with some huge voices singing with her like the Amneris of Constance Shacklock.
Thank you for these video clips. I was a super with NYCO on its tours to LA in the late 70s/early 80s. Ms. Rolandi was one of three sopranos who took over Sills roles when she retired (Ashley Putnam being one of the others). I particularly remember Ms. Rolandi as Cleopatra in a revival of the famous Guilio Cesare production (first time since early 70s). She was terrific (and better than many of the more famous sopranos nowadays).
She also sang a very good Zerbinetta at NYCO in the early-mid 1980's. She was one of the best at either the Met or NYCO then, and at NYCO at that time there were excellent singers (Van Ness, Hadley, Ramey, Mills etc.). I often wondered why we did not hear much more of her......guess she must have been busy dating Mr./Sir Davis! Nice to hear this voice again.
She was a magnificent musician/singer/actress.
billwingfield 1 month ago
I was a HUGE Rolandi fan during the NYCO days...didn't she do a telecast of BABY DOE? I seem to remember her, Frances Bible and Richard Fredericks? Am I creating performances in my aged brain?
laddnyc 5 months ago
I saw her on a PBS special presentation of La Cenerentola. Not only was I knocked over by her singing and stage presence-and passion but ticked off she was not my girlfriend.
RPenta 9 months ago
Comment removed
Trillidotia 6 months ago
YEAAAAAHHH THAT'S MY MOM :D
EFDavis930 10 months ago
@EFDavis930 You are so lucky!!!
jovi1715 9 months ago
I've heard Joan Sutherland do Lucia -- Gianna Rolandi is more dramatic with a more powerful voice. When will her LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER performance be available on DVD?
hankwallace 1 year ago
@hankwallace Don't be fooled by the seize of a voice you only hear in recording. Sutherland was so exceptional because her voice was large, extremely large for a coloratura hence her singing Aida, Unballo in Maschera etc earlier in her career. These roles she perforrmed at Covent Garden with some huge voices singing with her like the Amneris of Constance Shacklock.
robertdonkers 10 months ago
Gianna Rolandi is one of the best examples of drama and singing combined. Her live Lucia is the best in my opinion.
fingerofdestiny 1 year ago
What a beautiful voice this is. i heard her here in Chicago.
7inga7 1 year ago
Thank you for these video clips. I was a super with NYCO on its tours to LA in the late 70s/early 80s. Ms. Rolandi was one of three sopranos who took over Sills roles when she retired (Ashley Putnam being one of the others). I particularly remember Ms. Rolandi as Cleopatra in a revival of the famous Guilio Cesare production (first time since early 70s). She was terrific (and better than many of the more famous sopranos nowadays).
mjmacmtenor 1 year ago
Reminds me a lot of Sills....with a prettier voice!
Dymension 1 year ago
@Dymension
Reminds me a lot of Sills....with a blander voice!
operatube 1 year ago
@operatube Don't need to be nasty!
Dymension 1 year ago
wow, a spectacular fall!
operatube 1 year ago
She also sang a very good Zerbinetta at NYCO in the early-mid 1980's. She was one of the best at either the Met or NYCO then, and at NYCO at that time there were excellent singers (Van Ness, Hadley, Ramey, Mills etc.). I often wondered why we did not hear much more of her......guess she must have been busy dating Mr./Sir Davis! Nice to hear this voice again.
dt195k2 1 year ago
Superb!
eradesso 1 year ago
Very rare and beautiful documents about this magnifiscent soprano.
Thank you.
SENAFOREVER 1 year ago
once again, your clips made my day!
i hope more people will watch this tribute to gianna rolandi!
sevoflurane 1 year ago 2