Giuseppe Verdi - Attilla - "Santo di patria" (Joan Sutherland)

[raigekimaru]

in response to the description, I think Attila OWNS Rigoletto. you have one of the best bass roles and one of the best soprano roles in the same opera and the music is sheer epicness. besides, who wants to listen to an opera about an old, hunchbacked jester when you can listen to an opera about a bad ass conqueror? Rigoletto is tragic and melancholy; Attila is epic and heroic

[raigekimaru]

this is the most epic recording of the human voice in all of human history

[domi2020]

@raigekimaru I couldn't agree more- it is phenonemal! No one can sing like that- not even CALLAS!

[CaptFitzbattleaxe]

Enveloping, glorious, thrilling.

This is on my list of favorite JS recordings.

[ChrisStockslager]

I'm fairly positive this may be Joan Sutherland's best recording. For once, at the end, she just lets loose, goes nuts, and lets the drama take hold over the music. She practically screams that E (yes, it's supposed to be an Eb, but God bless her, she goes sharp, where all other sopranos would go flat), and it may be one of the most incredibly thrilling things that ever came out of Sutherland's mouth. Imagine if she sang all of her pieces with this kind of conviction!!

[operachad]

Riposa in Pace, Cara Joan.

"La Stupendissima"

[FeelinMinnesota]

This is the very best rendition of Santo di patria. A huge voice but at the same time heroic sounding, feminine and teh absolute best coloratura ever. Beats any Bigger voiced dramatic soprano (lol I think voices bigger than sutherland's, the fingers of one hand are enough to count them) who has to be taking breaths every two words and half assing the coloratura.

[Herur22]

Pure magic.

[Glenmed]

A monument here to a towering voice and dazzling technique. An all-time great lady who departed today. R.I.P. Dame Joan - and thank you.

[saintbarbara]

You will always be here. Rest for awhile.

[raigekimaru]

why didn't joan ever perform this role? she would have made a much better odabella than any of those screeching, wobbly dramatic sopranos (and mezzos!) who have attempted this role. the tessitura is extremely high, the coloratura is extensive (especially in Joan's interpretation) and the dramaticism spectrum ranges from dramatic to extremely lyric. dame joan is the only singer I can think of that could have possibly sung this role correctly

[franz0woyzeck]

does anyone know the title and artist of the painting in the clip?

[jd7x7jd]

If you would like another peak musical experience, enter in the search bar "Evgeny Kissin plays Johann Strauss" and prepare to have your socks comprehensively knocked off. :-)

[otacs2]

Thanks for uploading! I love Sutherland's voice...

What's the name of the painting?

[raigekimaru]

do you know if Sutherland has a recording of Liberamente or Piangi (Odabella's other aria)?

[Homoclassicus]

@raigekimaru Yes, she has. I'm uploading an excerpt of her "Liberamente or piangi" in the next few days as part of the Lyric Sutherland videos I have been uploading. It's a 1985 recording, so it's pas her prime, but still beautiful and very involving.

[raigekimaru]

@Homoclassicus

thankyou =) but I found it a little disappointing. something about the timbre was weird for some reason. the collection as a whole was great tho =)

[mariloly38]

BRAVA

[clown84700]

superbe! j'ai découvert cet air sur le blog d'opera20 sur skyrock. c'est d'une beauté ...

[adolfoa1961]

@65attila : Brava. Sutherland is the best Lucìa, best Norma, best Elvira/Puritani, best Lucrezia borgia, best Sonnambula, best Contes d'Hoffmann (3 roles), best Anna Bolena, best Maria Stuarda

[MastersoftheOpera]

Sutherland's Odabella doesn't do it for me. I like the fierce interpretation by Ghena Dimitrova.

[raigekimaru]

@MastersoftheOpera

Joan is fierce, it's just in a more majestic epic way than a nitty gritty, raw type of way. Ghena sounds like a crazy wild woman who is ready to kill at will. Joan sounds more like a noble warrior princess fighting for her ideals. the emotions she portrays are just as intense, they're just more ethereal and sereal sounding (I have a hard time believing some of her more lyric roles because the woman sounds more like a valkyrie or an angel than a human)

[MastersoftheOpera]

I like Joan Sutherland; don't get me wrong. But I don't think Odabella suits her. This aria was written to sound stronger, with a patriotic flair. Sutherland has a more lyric voice. The entrance - "Santo" is an attack & Sutherland caresses it, not attacks it. She sings this beautifully but it's not thrilling like Dimitrova. I also like Andrea Gruber's more recent performances of Odabella.

[raigekimaru]

@MastersoftheOpera

Joan's flair is slightly vulnerable and easier to sympathize with than Dmitrova's. it's precisely this quality that Atilla admires in her. Atilla is scary as hell and no one has dared stand up to him except this girl. The emotion that needs be displayed hear is courage, not fearlessness. Odabella may be strong willed, but she is still a young girl standing up to a fearsome conqueror. the listener should be able to sympathize with Odabella.

[jirizika1962]

@MastersoftheOpera I am not a Joan Sutherland fan but she sings like goddess here!! It is probably from the years she became famous for, huge range, strong voice from the bottom to the bright top notes, rich in energy a expresion which is often missing in her later recordings.. Brava Mrs. Sutherland, you have no rivals here.

[tonyimmaculate]

@raigekimaru have you or anyone here seen the actual opera? can you tell me your opinion of it? I'd like to see it but only if its worth the $

[raigekimaru]

I've only seen the barber of seville actually. the rest I just watch on youtube ^v^

[tristanchord85]

Judging by this track alone--the closest anyone has come to The Next Callas.

[raigekimaru]

Callas and Sutherland are about as comparable as salt and pepper. both great singers, but on completely different sides of the spectrum. on one side you have Sutherland with her perfect technique and bright timbre that sounds like something out of Prose Edda. on the other side you have Callas with her raw, emotive voice that gets right down to the nitty gritty.

PS: Callas was also a mezzo, hard to compare different fachs

[tristanchord85]

P.S. -I don't know how long you've been into opera but Callas was a soprano. I don't know any mezzo soprano who specialized in Traviata, Norma, Lucia, etc.

[raigekimaru]

she was able to sing soprano rep, but her vocal center was mezzo if you listen to her sing where she is comfortable. listen to her Carmen and Rosina and you will see what I mean. I think the reason for such a short career was singing roles that just weren't her. many mezzos have great notes above high C (look at Bartoli and DiDonato) but that doesn't make them sopranos. Callas was more comfortable in the middle and lower registers.

[raigekimaru]

also, if you listen to her high notes in Lucia, Traviata, etc, she has a prominent wobble and sounds like she's straining on the notes above high C. they sound disconnected and not lined up with the rest of her voice. if you listen to a true soprano like Joan, the high notes will connect better to the rest of the voice and come naturally and easily (singing is not something that should ever be forced)

PS: I'm not trying to slam callas, I love her, she just didn't make the wisest rep decisions =)

[tristanchord85]

OK, I agree that Callas and Sutherland are very different, like salt and pepper as you say. But you assert that because they have differant fachs, there is no basis for comparison: but they both sang the same fach! they both sang the coloratura repertoire, so there is no reason they shouldn't be compared, although they are quite different. What they had in comman was this: both had very large voices that were still able to handle coloratura like much lighter voices.

[tristanchord85]

The reason I wrote "judging from this track alone" in my original post was because the two are so different, and based on Sutherland's other work I would say that she lacked the fire and commitment La DIvina showed. But not here: she is absolutley thrilling!

And as for Callas "really being a mezzo" thats like the argument that Domingo is "really a baritone". We could argue about what a singer really is, but when they have a 40 year career as a tenor, I think its safe to call them a tenor.

[raigekimaru]

1) it's really not the same argument. Domingo had a 40 year career, Callas had a 10 year career (which would have been much longer as a mezzo)

2) just look at her mezzo clips compared to her soprano clips. in her soprano clips, you can clearly hear and often see straining and her face usually looks unhappy and forced.

when she's singing mezzo roles, her body and voice are relaxed and she smiles and has fun with it because it's easy and natural on her voice.

[65attila]

@tristanchord85

Maria Malibran was another pushed up- mezzo who sang the bel canto soprano roles.

[Scala977]

@65attila I first heard this recording a number of years ago in a reissue of Sutherland's "The Age of Bel Canto" album on the Decca Classic Sound series. It's one of the very few among her Decca studio recordings that really do justice to the magnificent opulence of her voice. Thanks to John for sharing and LindoroRossini for posting.

[RVP57]

@raigekimaru Callas was a mezzo like I'm the fuckin Pope.

[ChrisStockslager]

Just think: if her acting was always as good as it is on this recording, Sutherland would be the ULTIMATE soprano (except the diction)!!! -- Major epicness going on in this recording, and the dramatic tension in the high E is otherworldly. She sounds like she's about to stab someone!

[tristanchord85]

Exactly-and I found another clip where she is on fire dramatically as well-check out her live recording of Elettra's D'Oreste d'iace"

[puccinislarondine]

Just AMAZING... what else can I say? This aria is freakin' FABULOUS and Joan is "off the hook!"

thanks for posting this!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[SiEtIn1]

omg you heard it in the future?!?!?! :-P

[Nhlvrnfla]

people who said that about our Joan are nothing but deaf. AMEN.

[raigekimaru]

and people said she didn't sing with emotion....right

[ChrisStockslager]

I agree. She almost screamed that last E-flat! Awesome.

[TheJayBee1988]

High E natural, not E-flat...

It is a half tone higher!

[albertogrilo]

Yes, ii'a a perfect and beautiful Mi naturale :)

[Hako2004]

The high note is an E natural.

[jbearch60]

It is an E-flat.

[TheJayBee1988]

High E natural

[GrandeGhena]

Great aria (and cabaletta!!) and GREAT rendition!!

[16thCenturyArt]

This isn't just the a great rendition of this beautiful and challenging aria. this is the real deal...The Standard... which incidentally has never been bettered nor surpassed. I do so wish Sutherland wold have recorded the entire Opera, so that we could enjoy one more splendid rendition of her vast and wonderful repertoire. thank yo8 for sharing this.x

[jbearch60]

This was the kind of music Joan Sutherland was born to sing. To have the high notes is no big deal; to have the low notes is no big deal; but to have them all and with an ability to sing a dramatic aria like a dramatic soprano is beyond most singers capabilities and will be for some time to com.

[raigekimaru]

to have high notes is not a big deal. to have good high notes is a very big deal.

[FoggyRoad81]

The Metropolitan is doing Attila this next season. Who on earth nowadays will even be attempting this demanding aria? Frankly, they might as well play Joan's spectacular rendition over whoever is going to butcher it. It will be an improvement.

[uyildiz]

Violeta Urmana is listed

[FoggyRoad81]

Oh. Dear. God.

[jd7x7jd]

@FoggyRoad81 You said it all Foggy, you said everything there is to say.

[senilangakali]

disaster.

[BeauTenor]

Isn't it funny how once you hear this, you measure all others against it? This was the first rendition of this aria I ever heard, and NONE have ever matched it for me. This is the STANDARD that I hold every other rendition up to, and so far they've all paled in comparison.

[lmp7631]

Beau, I feel the same way with Sutherland's Ernani.

[jacekpta]

joan sutherland sing this aria as an angel

[wesskin]

Fantastic-Brilliant-Superb-Dam­e Joan Sutherland is so wonderful here !!!

[raigekimaru]

edda moser would've owned this piece.

[16thCenturyArt]

Hi Londoro. I have been trying to find the entire Attila Opera featuring Sutherland singing ''Santo de Patria''. Could you possibly tell me which is your source for this beautiful recording?

Thank you. x

[LindoroRossini]

It is available on several records, including, if I am not mistaken, "The Age of Bel Canto", but I have it from "Coloratura spectacular" with Sutherland "joined" by Horne & Jo :) (it actually has several items from the above-mentioned album, though I would advise you to go with the first one, the latter is a bit uninteresting :P).

[timsuffolk]

She never recorded the entire opera, just this aria

[16thCenturyArt]

@timsuffolk ... hI Tim, happy New Year. just a short note on the''Snato de Patria'' aria by Sutherland. I have found a reference regarding the only known performance by Sutherland of Verdi's ATTILA. It has been cites as Attila, Novemver 16, 1960, Dallas (source: gulfnews.com/etertainment, 13 Oct 2010). I am investigating if there is indeed a recording of that Opera. If so, I will be sharing with you all.. alex

[timsuffolk]

@16thCenturyArt Hi Alex

Happy New Year to you too, thanks.

If you could find a live performance of Joan singing this it would be absolutely wonderful. Thank you very much indeed

Tim

[Eiswirth]

@16thCenturyArt Unfortunately, she never recorded the full opera, only this aria, which has never been sung more spectacularly. 

[kngiht84]

LindoroRossini, do you by any chance know the name of the painting you used as the background ? I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know.

And thanks for the post, magnificent singing by Joannie as always :-)

[raigekimaru]

it's a painting of Joan or Arc with the angel Michael.

[greateststarbyfar]

wow!!!!!!! truly incredible!!!!!!!

[andreasscholl]

Brava La Stupenda!!!!!

Sutherland in her prime was able to sing this music like no other.

Would she not have met Bonynge she would and could became Wagner and more Pucinni singer.

Though how wonderfull did she sing Handel atc....

Hail La Stupenda!!!!

[jirizika1962]

I am not Joan`s fun, really, but she truely shines above most of other sopranos here and is recorded here in one of her peak ever.

[raigekimaru]

verdi liked to write for the high dramatic end of each fach (basso cantante, verdi baritone, spinto tenor, and dramatic coloratura were his favorite voices)

[16thCenturyArt]

Sutherland owns this aria and other renditions may be good but not as splendid and full of power.

[emartlop]

I must differ. Beverly Sills can certainly be compared to Joan on this aria -- and she certainly even surpasses Joan. Joan is good as always, but Beverly is excellent. She sings this aria with fire, beauty, and intelligence. When she addresses the sword, she is most believable. Joan doesn't even sound as though she knows what she is saying. The orchestra and the horns bring out the beauty of Beverly's coloratura and even pale in comparison to the voice. No wonder Attila has to cede to Odabella.

[Jabe88]

As much as I admire Sills...

You can't compare both of them singing this aria. Joan has a heavier/more dramatic voice, and is technically superior; by far!

[raigekimaru]

Sills has a lovely voice, but Sutherland is a valkyrie. the end gives me chills every time.

[kngiht84]

Yes, the orchestra and the horns do indeed bring out the beauty of Sills' coloratura but Sutherland's coloratura itself, without any complements, outstands everything else. I admire Sills, really, but I think she tried so hard with her ornamentations, which sounded quite confusing to me sometimes...

P.S: and unless you're Italian, no one else can understand whatsoever is sung on stage, so I'll choose to overlook dictions here myself.

[timsuffolk]

I totally agree with you about the diction, I am not Italian so it didn't matter to me at all!

[Turand0t]

Come on!!!!!!! Sills is a lyric coloratura and doesn't seem threatening whatsoever! This IS a dramatic coloratura role, no need to protest. Sills couldn't scare anyone if she wanted to and she certainly do not belong in this repertoire.

[moghedien13]

sills is light, but i think she always makes her point dramatically. there is no arguing though that she does not have the thrust or impact of joan who is the best ive heard in this aside from varady.

[robertdonkers]

There is simply no one who can be compared to her in this aria. Not in the past nor present. Deutekom, if you can overcome her strange coloratura did quite a good job.

[jacekpta]

Najlepsza Odabella jaką słyszałem. Myślę ze Verdi napisal tę partię dla takiej śpiewaczki jak Joan Sutheland. Głos artystki jest unikatowy a ornamenty wprost bajeczne.

[SadronAphaderuiondur]

How this aria hasn't became a widely known masterpiece is a mistery.

BEAUTIFUL!

[JuillHope17]

i know, right? it's sooooo amazing... but the colorautra are not in the score and most sopranos don't sing them. i think this aria hasn't become so popular because many sopranos can't sing it right. it takes a huge voice (which sutherland had, contrary to popular belief she was a dramatic soprano), but it takes such agility and ease of motion which most dramatic sopranos don't really have. so it moves to much for dramatics, but it taxes on the moveable voices. sutherland is one of few, for sure

[Turand0t]

Hmmmm...Weird. I have the Ricordi score and have sung the aria myself. The coloratura are indeed written in the score, though not the variations she puts in there in the end of the cabaletta. It is hardly any dramatic sopranos out there with the ease required to sing this piece, so we have to enjoy the few that has been, like our beloved Joan Sutherland. Because of the lack of proper sopranos singing it well it is not widely known, nor will ever be... cause with the wrong singer it sounds bad...

[JuillHope17]

the coloratura i'm talking about are the ornaments in the cabaletta, so we agree. i'm glad you're one of few who actually knows sutherland was a dramatic.

[Turand0t]

There's no doubt whatsoever that Sutherland was a dramatic soprano/dramatic coloratura and without doubt one of the greatest. I sung this aria in my examconcert two years back. Probably too early for me, but I am a dramatic soprano/dramatic coloratura so I figured "why not?!" Well... It's heavy and not recommended for young singers to do even though they can, but I don't plan to sing the entire part just quite yet anyway. ;)

[phanface]

I'm a singer myself, and I if you took this chance to sing this for an exam, I admire you and sincerely wish you the best of luck.

[raigekimaru]

blown away by the mighty tempest of the voice

[cantorandopera]

Thank you for making such a lovely play list -where I found this. Since this is early Sutherland I was curious to hear how she negotiated Verdi. Ok - she lives on some parallel universe where she was given ultimate vocal and musical gifts, but is willing to share them with us mortal earthlings. There aren't enough superlatives to put in my comments about this audio. This is glorious thrilling singing at the highest level. BRAVAAA (Who is around today to sing all her repertoire?)

[amourfrance]

F a n t a s t i c

[metropolitan1966]

Sutherland is one of my goddesses! Always has and always will be. She is peerless in her fach. One of only a few opera singers that could actually sing, and not scream. Oh! the difference is as vast as her range. Pavarotti, Leontyne Price, Tetrazzini, and Lotte Lehmann come immediately to mind as being other joyous voices that one can never tire of or cease to be amazed by. Brava!!!!

[RVP57]

This is nothing short of FABULOUS! Odabella is not a woman to be toyed with, nor is Dame Joan Sutherland. She makes us bow before her. GO ON GIRL, SING YOUR SONG!!!!

[yiudiumui]

the song is like a rollercoaster...so exciting. but joan just sails through effortlessly~!!

[brianmiles34]

I`m not a big fan of Sutherland`s timbre and style, despite having the utmost respect for her amazing technique, but this is just beautiful!!

[LASCIATE1981]

que maravilloso virtuosismo vocal.......sutherland per secula seculorum

[operabuff1]

this is magnificent !

[Orbazzano]

Divina Joan ti amooooooooo!

[Nachtgreifvogel]

PERFECT !!!

[Hako2004]

The huge range is obvious, down quite low and up twice to high E natural. The brilliance, fire and agility complete this astounding recording.

[ChrisStockslager]

Wait, I thought the last high note was an E-flat. Is it an E?

[TheJayBee1988]

High E natural not E-flat

[kellyjkeenan]

I am such a Dame Joan Sutherland fan that I have actually pushed out the boat and bought a second copy of a 2 CD set after I lost track of my original copy; for me this Attila aria encapsulates all of the intelligence, beauty and drama of the singer's magnificent vocal gift: Kiwi admirer

[milizakorjus]

I love Sutherland singing this aria - it is so exciting. I heard Rae Woodland sing it at Sadlers Wells in the early Sixties - what I missed was Rita Hunter singing the same part which must have been spectacular.

[agnellodei]

Those are some pretty good lower notes there, usually Joan didn't show much of her lower register. And the high note is amazing!

[Cloudon]

This is simply wonder- wonderful! Incredible voice.

Persons who don't agree probably prefer Rap music ?

[VivaMariaCallas]

Now that's spectacular!

[Jabe88]

I think I stood jaw wide open for at least 2 minutes after I heard this.

People who say she wasn't good must be big time retarded (and I mean BIG TIME).

[63Attila]

For those who think Joan's singing lacked drama. Will this shut you up?

[ciociosan]

hahahaha! you said it!

[Richiesutherland]

Truer words were never written, Attila. At one point I believe that it was announced that Joan would sing Odabella in Hamburg, but it became a production of Lucia instead. Had she sung it, I am sure the audience would STILL be there screaming! However, I think Joan wisely avoided parts that overtaxed her lower register rather than forcing it. She and Bonynge knew what they were doing! We have this supreme document, and Odabella's other aria, on a much later Bel Canto Arias CD.

[raigekimaru]

her voice is pure resonating power!!

[ATsarIsBorn]

It's not really fair to the opera or the role that the best recording of the aria is Dame Joan's -- recorded in the studio, with as much warm-up as she liked. In the opera, Odabella has to enter (right after the overture) and declaim this monster. Cruel cruel cruel. Joan wisely never sang the opera. The part I'd have liked to hear her sing is Helene in Vepres -- no one else can manage it, and it's a little kinder to the singer than this is.

[mxwhisper]

Bravo Joan. I have been fortunate enough to have seen you many times in performance and have a massive collection of your music.

This aria is one of my favourites. I cannot imagine anyone else singing it!

Bravo Bravo.

STILL manages to give me goosebumps when I hear you sing it!

[tamerlano]

This aria, along with her "In Questa Reggia", I think best illustrates the awesome magnitude of this sound. NOBODY sings this better.

[davcos22]

Bravo, that's why Joan is known as La Stupenda, Brava Stupenda, voice from heaven.

[Orbazzano]

DIVINA!!

[crewmantle]

I have several Attia's, but the floor that houses my collection is under reno... I agree fully with Czar from what I recall of what Odabella's I own. Sutherland is in 'do with it what you can' mode and is brilliant. For an excellent all around interpretation see Sylvia Sass. It IS a tough role to be sure.

[CzarDodon]

She was no fool and didn't blow her voice on this dangerous part, especially when there was plenty of music better suited to her voice and temprament. I have never heard this aria sung the way it should be, but if you hear the live Gencer in 1972 you get an idea of the interpratation but the voice is sadly badly compromised. Deutekom tries very hard for Gardelli but it's an imitation of a dramatic soprano. Studer....does what she can

[CzarDodon]

Sutherland manages superbly here, but it's not her territory, Essentially a lyrical voice though very big, she lacks the bite in the lower range of the voice. She doesn't compromise by using pumped chest notes and that's very smart. She never sang this on stage because she knew it wasn't for her. Odabella is Abigaille's sister and has nothing to do with Gilda or Violetta.

[63Attila]

CzarDodan

Joan's voice is more spinto and Odabella is definetely related to Norma, Lucrezia Borgia and Esclaramonde roles which she sang. No recording can do justify to the size , weight of her voice in the theater.

[CzarDodon]

I disagree with your placing Odabella alongside Norma, Lucrezia Borgia and Esclaramonde, they are tough roles but these early Verdi viragos are more muscular and aggressive than even Norma. Now I don't doubt for a moment that Joan could actually sing them very well, her command was supreme, but her tone is essentially lyric. By this I mean she hadn't got the metallic colour like Callas, Dimitrova, Nilsson.. that kind of burning sound.

[CzarDodon]

Moreover she wasn't that kind of interpreter. Indeed she didn't follow that path, She sang what was good for her voice and what her voice was good for.

[63Attila]

Got you about JS rounder less agressive tone for this role/

Peace

[CzarDodon]

I don't think there was ever war :-) we are both admirers of La Stupenda

[63Attila]

CZARDODON

I never thought there was a war. I also use Peace sometimes at the end of my Amazon Music Discussions. Have you seen her on stage? Would love to hear your input. Best wishes- JOHN My real name.

[CzarDodon]

Unfortunately, I came to Venice too late to hear her, I could afford what was still available at Covent Garden to hear one of her last Lucrezias :-( So I'm left with the discs and videos

Liam

[operafreak535]

Seriously!!!! This voice makes my heart pound and my body shake! She is totally amazing. There are no words to describe the sheer supernaturality of her voice.

[meltzerboy]

Complete mistress of dramatic coloratura singing! Power and expression combined with tonal beauty and fabulous technique, and the utmost taste in ornamentation.

[niklausse]

increible singing! amazing performance from one of the greatest coloratura singers ever!

[davcos22]

Santo di patria indefinito amor!

Allor che i forti corrono

Come leoni al brando

Stan le tue donne, o barbaro,

Sui carri lacrimando.

Ma noi, donne italiche,

Cinte di ferro il seno,

Sul fumido terreno

Sempre vedrai pugnar.

[despina92]

She's the best belcanto singer of '900. Her "Santo di patria" is..wow!, wonderful! Thanks Joan, I love you!

[Fredzeblak]

JS goes further and stronger. She sounds free, boundless, without any safety net. Stupendous!

[chamisaguy]

Listen to the whole "Age of Bel Canto" set with her, Marilyn Horne, and Richard Conrad for some of the best recorded singing ever!!!! (this is from that set!)

[davcos22]

What incredible performance.

This is better than great. I just do not have words to express how I feel.

Her voice is a miracle

[nikolaimedtner]

this one really stops the time...

[mdancer01]

absolutely brilliant and perfect she doesnt have comparison

her voice is clear and clean so virtuosa

she is not human

[bigsteel]

OMG! she's amazing!

[Hako2004]

The Greatest soprano voice of the last century...perhaps ever. Power, brilliance, range, accuracy

and total command of every register.

[Iareto]

Unbelievable. She is, always has been, and always will be the greatest coloratura ever. That was OUTSTANDING. I'm virtually speechless...her singing has taken over my brain and all I seem to be able to say is "La Stupenda". Brava La Stupenda!

[hyperborean07]

Possibly the BEST rendition I have ever heard. She is simply amazing. I don't care what anyone says.

[FoggyRoad81]

She is on a different plane. This is one of the few times where I feel she is even pushing herself beyond her usual incredible abilities. The results are indescribably perfect.

[MI19060]

Absolutley Astounding. The Greatest Opera Singer ever.

[Cloudon]

Beauty, emotion, absolutely fantastic. Thanks to Verdi and Joan.

Jean

[OperaBR]

A truly heroic interpretation! This is a lesson of how to convey all the incredible dramaticism that Bel Canto can bring. Who said Sutherland isn't dramatic? The squillo and power of her voice are unsurpassable in this aria and she enunciates the text and sings the vocal lines with amazing bravura! And her high notes alone are more intense than thousands of histrionic effects!

[SinoSene]

The first time I heard this my jaw dropped to the floor. I had waited for AGES to get my hands on her "the Art of the Prima Donna" recording and could wait no longer, so I bought an aria compilation with various singers and this aria. Really, it changed my life there and then.

[Operaphile]

SAME!!!! This is a life-changing recording for any operaphile :)

[tenorbear60]

Cramnella I agree with you... this has got to be one of the most amazing specimens of true heroic vituosic singing; Sutherland is on fire - such a treat to hear her squillo! And for those who think she was not very "italianata", I'd ask them to listen to this one recording. She sounds like a mad, and giant nightingale. I will never forget the first time I heard it!

[foropera]

A pity that she didn't want to sing it on stage, because she thought it was a too dramatic part for her.

[alfemv76]

Categóricamente, magistral. Una soprano coloratura que puede cantar un aria de lirico spinto sino es que de soprano dramático.... Hermosisimo!!

[JDOopera76]

She IS expressive here; compare her sound in this to, say, "With Plaintive Note", form Handel's "Samson"...VERY different sound! Here, she is wide open, raw, and fabulous! :)

[Cramnella]

This is, in my opinion, the greatest coloratura recording ever. That's all I have to say.

[JDOopera76]

Have you heard her virtually-hidden (until now) recording of the alternate Lucia aria (the "Voice of the Century" cd set shows that is is from "Rosmonda d'Inghilterra", but also was an alternate to "Regnava" scena)? It is gorgeous! A lighter sound than here, but flawless staccati, and a few e-flats!!!

[Cramnella]

I just happened upon your post. Sorry it took me so long to respond. I do have the "Voice of the Century" set. Superb!

[Operaphile]

Same. The highlight was definitely the Rosmonda. It made Fleming look like she was still at kindergarten! Hehehe

[drdre333]

I'd be interested to know what sanyotsai believes is a voice "expressive enough for Verdi." Sutherland is a classic, especially for the early to middle period of Verdi, such as Gilda, Violetta, and IMO, the role in I Masnadieri and Odabella in Attila. These periods of Verdi essentially require a dramatic belcanto voice with coloratura facility, and I think Dame Joan overwhelmingly fits the bill. This has always been my favorite assumption of this aria, and I think rightly so.

[Cramnella]

I agree on all counts and will go farther: this is the greatest recording of an Heroic Coloratura aria EVER! Stupendous, indeed!

[ariodante76]

You are SO correct; this is a recording that moves heaven and earth! Honestly, could you imagine the PRIVILEGE of being in the recording studio, when Joan unleashed this mighty tempest???

[ChrisStockslager]

Holy crap. I'd probably pass out.

[Operaphile]

I concur!!!! No-one, not even Callas has given us a more perfect, more astounding, more firey, more virtuosic recording of dramatic coloratura music EVER!!! And that her voice isn't expressive enough for Verdi?!? What the f**k?? Cuckoo cuckoo!!

[sanyotsai]

Sutherland is wonderful, but her voice is not expressive enough for verdi. The Santo di patria here is, after all, nothing but a showpiece. I appreciate the sharing very much though!!!

[Operaphile]

Sanyotasi, listen to her Desdemona on "The Art of the Prima Donna", listen to her Violetta with Bergonzi, listen to her Gilda, and the rest of her Verdi recordings, then please come back to us and offer us superior alternatives - the recordings pelase so we can hear for ourselves. Thank you

[operadm]

absolutely glorious!

[rjw0886]

AMAZING!!!!

[remrom2]

brava.

remrom2