I've finally found my favorite soprano type-voice: Soprano-Dramatic, then my next fave would be Spinto. I need the high notes delivered in a rich tessitura with power and weight.
I disagree Phanface. Why would any composer hire a singer who can't sing the music? I will answer your comments individually. Embellishments? The practice is to embellish what the composer wrote, not to simplify as Dimi does here by not singing a chunk of the written music, Also, the second part of the cabaletta is exactly the same as the first; that is, the singer makes no attempt to decorate the music: certainly not what Verdi would have wanted.
Verdi would have "preferred" the come scritto in operas like Aida and Falstaff, but certainly not in Nabucco, Trovatore, and certainly not in his even earlier operas. Tenor220 wrote that is "hard to control a voice that size". Well, Dimi should have gone back to her voice coach to learn to control it. Not singing the music "as written" is poor poor artistry indeed.
Oh Gosh, I never thought I would touch so many Dimitrova nerves; I will try to answer to all your different replies in part:
Before I start, PLEASE LISTEN TO (TIME) 1:10 in the recording line. At this point, Dimitrova does a "dramatic" turn and leaves the orchestra to fill in her voice line which requires two full-voiced crescendo trills. In other words, she does not sing what's written. Is this acceptable? Do you think Verdi would have hired her to premiere one of his operas?
@cavallerino It is likely he would have hired her, for either premieres or revivals (if there was a role which her voice suited). Embellishments/variations on the part of the singers had always been a standard practice, and composers kept this in mind while composing their operas. The "come scritto" movement may have been the result of singers being too indulgent, but Dimitrova was one of those exceptional talents whose embellishments could only heighten the evening's success.
I sort of like Dimitrova; lots of heft but no finesse. Why did she not sing the series of trills marked crescendo forte in the cabaletta? No excuse. She stopped singing copletely. No excuse but bad musicianship.
@cavallerino I sort of like "cavallerino"; lots of hallucination but no perception of what constitutes art. Why did "cavallerino" not sound like a genuine human being in this world? No excuse. "cavallerino" stopped functioning copletely. No excuses but a bad case of schizophrenia.
Re: the finesse, she had it sometimes, not others. It's very difficult to control such a huge instrument. I daresay no other comparably voiced singer accomplished what she did in this part. As for the trills, I never heard her sing them. What other conclusion can we draw than she could not? Many singers omit the trills. In fact, I don't believe I've ever heard anyone include them. Callas allegedly did in her Naples performance, but the atrocious sound there precludes clearly hearing them.
@cavallerino Do you understand how hard it would be to control a voice that size? I'm not a big fan of Dimitrova, but she was a damned good performer and to try and take that away from her some omitted trills is completely ludicrous.
Quelle puissance dramatique ! Et dire qu'en 1989 sa voix commencait à décliner (ce qui explique certaines difficultés dans l'aigu). Combien de chanteuses au sommet de leurs forces et de leur carrière ne parviennent pas au quart de ce que nous entendons ici... Dimitrova est réellement UNIQUE!
few could draw you into a character or sentiment the way callas did . her goal was to be able to sing anything and she did, she took chances that other artists would have never taken for fear of shortening their careers but callas got LAZY and did not support her voice with all this singing. the great callas had an ego as grand as her artistry. i don't think she was a very happy person. alas, trying to find love on the stage can hold empty rewards when you want true love.
There is no doubt that Ghena Dimitrova is a VERRA SOPRANO DRAMMATICA and a titanic artist too...!!!! Ms. Dimitrova, thank you for singing for us although it is from recordings.....!!!!
"It is important to note that in these early recordings Dimitrova's voice had not yet reached its signature enormity and in many of these early Nabucco productions, the written, final High C is omitted in the cabaletta, Salgo già. Later in her career, not only did she include these top notes, but she would become the template to whom all other Abigailes would inevitably and unfortunately be compared to Maria Callas to whom they would never get close to."
This not exactly what is written in Wikipedia! They don't mention Callas in any part of the Dimitrova page...Callas was great but in terms of vocal quality I am totally sure Ghena Dimitrova was totally superior! She was as powerfull as any wagnerian soprano but with a italian technique! Please read it well!
Ive checked it and I saw that you are right. It isnt mentioned anymore. In Wikipedia articles change, because they can be edited.
I agree that Ghena Dimitrova was great, but she didnt have either the versatility or the vocal range of Maria Callass voice. Just hear both of them singing Suicidio, pay attention to the low register and you will see what I mean.
Just listen to Lakme, or La Wally with Maria Callas, or a light role, like Rosinas (Rossini). You will find out that Callas was able to sing all kind of roles from Mozart to Wagner and from Donizetti and Rossini to Verdi and Puccini. Thats why she wasnt simply a great soprano or mezzo (one cannot decide yet), but a unique vocal phenomenon.
Yeah. She was great in any kind of roles! But no soprano is perfect. She lacked the richness of Leontyne. The beauty of Montserrat. The power of Dimitrova, The superb top register of Birgit. But I agree with you the most versatile singer ever!
Two different voices: Callas a huge leggero with outstanding coloratura technique. Dimitrova the biggest voice possible...IMHO Callas pushed herself to soprano and that was the reason for her early departure from stages. in order to that her lower register was solid and powerful and great high notes. But Ghena's upper register was superb, way better than Callas'...
I don't want to say any bad comment about a great soprano like Callas. I totally admire Callas. But I simply can't agree with people who think of Callas as an allmighty. She wasn't, She had outstanding qualities and weaknesses too. I reiterate my point about Nilsson's top register 'cause is unparalleled. Callas' prime was great but short. The wobble appeared early and then she took advantage of her many other skills as an actress, musician and performer.
Ive already listened and commented there. I suggest that you listen to Suicidio with Rosa Ponselle, Maria Callas and Elena Souliotis, in order to understand what clear and powerful low register means. Shalom!
Shalom, mein Lieber! Ich kann es verstehen, dass Du griechische Sängerinnen besser findest, aber Dimitrova ist technisch und gestalterisch besser als Callas. Bei Dimitrova merkt man, dass sie eigentlich für hochdramatische Rollen geboren war. Diese dämonische Tiefe hat sonst niemand.
Dass ich Ohren habe und auch hören kann, kannst Du mir glauben. Ich hätte sonst sicher nicht Gesang studiert. Ich bleibe trotzdem bei meiner Meinung, dass Dimitrova Callas haushoch überlegen ist. Callas hätte bei der heutigen Aufnahmetechnik sicher nicht diesen Erfolg gehabt.
Bravissima e insuperabile come sempre, a parte il leggero cedimento sul secondo do, che comunque dipendeva da passeggere oscillazioni di forma passeggere (qui siamo nel 1989 in Francia, io la vidi a Roma una decina d'anni più tardi e temevo ma invece fummo tutti strabiliati, resse benissimo).
anche la Souliotis nell'incisione con Tito Gobbi era forse meglio della Callas.
La Dimitrova è stata una grandissima cantante purtroppo anche lei ha dovuto cantare un po' di tutto e in certi momenti la fatica vocale si sentiva....la Deutekom nel video di You tube sembra che stia cantando un altra aria...fa strani rallentamenti e pause e gorgoglii...forse era già verso la fine della carriera.
Premetto che adoro "Nabucco" e anche la Deutekom....ma non tutti possono fare tutto...
This is such an energetic and emotional performance. It is art in its best, it inspires and makes me shiver! Ghena, with you the world of opera lost a lot! We miss you!
You know guys, usually I am a very pedantic listener and I would say:she is not in her prime, she ommitted the high C in the end (which is not in the original score), she had some problems with the dynamics, she gave up some part of the phrase to prepare for the high note!!!But there are sigers for whom I simply do not care about that! Dimitrova is one of these.
I guess she was not in her best voice here. She never could do the many written trills in this piece, but here, she doesn't even sing the ascending scale (they're supposed to be three ascending trills actually) before the high C, and the last high C goes flat. I think she was wise to omit the final C which probably would've been flat too.
The piece really is a voice killer... Unrealistically written really... It essentially eneded the career of Giuseppina Strepponi who would eventually become Verdi's second wife. Seems like Verdi must have had it in for Sopranos in his early period. Kudos to Mme Dimitrova. NOBODY could play a BITCH quite like her!
Regardless, this is NOT one of her better performances. In Callas's 1949 Naples live recording you hear just as formidable character, and all the notes and trills are actually sung, and sung with meaning. It's on YouTube also.
The point is that if you want to hear what Verdi actually wrote, listen to the Callas 1949 Naples performance. Dimitrova, whom I really like, has done much better performances than this, but even then, she never could sing the score as written.
@ebony1911, Beautiful singing and beautiful voice are not the same thing. Some of the most beautiful singing has been done with voices which in and of themselves were not very pretty. Callas, in her prime, had a solid, wide ranging voice, incredible coloratura technique, plenty of power and volume, and a musicality and sense of words and drama which were on the genius level. Dimitrove, likewise, had a great voice and was wonderful as Abigaile, but here, she was not in her best voice.
I am a big fan of Dimitrova and her Abigaille is the greatest ever, but in this video she obviously has problems with the top notes and doesn't try the final high note (not written, actually) which she usually did. A great lady, despite of that and I miss her deeply.
The more I watch this, the more I am awed by it. She's fighting the weight of her cape the entire time, and they're blowing a fan at her for effect, which only adds more resistance to her freedom of movement. Imagine trying to walk around with a large flag in a stiff wind, and all the time singing at the top of your lungs. That's one powerful gal there!
Wonderful!...The first opera I ever went to was Nabucco with Ghena Dimitrova as Abigalle. I became an instant opera fan, and a fan of her's. Thanks ever so much for posting this.
ignores every trill
asdfopera 2 months ago
I've finally found my favorite soprano type-voice: Soprano-Dramatic, then my next fave would be Spinto. I need the high notes delivered in a rich tessitura with power and weight.
laupernaranjolabelle 4 months ago
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B R A V A A A A A A A A A ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
overhetfeld 11 months ago
I disagree Phanface. Why would any composer hire a singer who can't sing the music? I will answer your comments individually. Embellishments? The practice is to embellish what the composer wrote, not to simplify as Dimi does here by not singing a chunk of the written music, Also, the second part of the cabaletta is exactly the same as the first; that is, the singer makes no attempt to decorate the music: certainly not what Verdi would have wanted.
cavallerino 11 months ago
Verdi would have "preferred" the come scritto in operas like Aida and Falstaff, but certainly not in Nabucco, Trovatore, and certainly not in his even earlier operas. Tenor220 wrote that is "hard to control a voice that size". Well, Dimi should have gone back to her voice coach to learn to control it. Not singing the music "as written" is poor poor artistry indeed.
cavallerino 11 months ago
Oh Gosh, I never thought I would touch so many Dimitrova nerves; I will try to answer to all your different replies in part:
Before I start, PLEASE LISTEN TO (TIME) 1:10 in the recording line. At this point, Dimitrova does a "dramatic" turn and leaves the orchestra to fill in her voice line which requires two full-voiced crescendo trills. In other words, she does not sing what's written. Is this acceptable? Do you think Verdi would have hired her to premiere one of his operas?
cavallerino 1 year ago
@cavallerino It is likely he would have hired her, for either premieres or revivals (if there was a role which her voice suited). Embellishments/variations on the part of the singers had always been a standard practice, and composers kept this in mind while composing their operas. The "come scritto" movement may have been the result of singers being too indulgent, but Dimitrova was one of those exceptional talents whose embellishments could only heighten the evening's success.
phanface 11 months ago
After listening to this, I can't imagine why anyone is a Justin Bieber fan. Spectacular.
saxophonesuperpowers 1 year ago
A breathtaking splendour of a voice and stage presence!
OperaAdmirer 1 year ago
A force of nature--Brava!
georgerannie 1 year ago
I sort of like Dimitrova; lots of heft but no finesse. Why did she not sing the series of trills marked crescendo forte in the cabaletta? No excuse. She stopped singing copletely. No excuse but bad musicianship.
cavallerino 1 year ago
@cavallerino I sort of like "cavallerino"; lots of hallucination but no perception of what constitutes art. Why did "cavallerino" not sound like a genuine human being in this world? No excuse. "cavallerino" stopped functioning copletely. No excuses but a bad case of schizophrenia.
mannail888 1 year ago
Re: the finesse, she had it sometimes, not others. It's very difficult to control such a huge instrument. I daresay no other comparably voiced singer accomplished what she did in this part. As for the trills, I never heard her sing them. What other conclusion can we draw than she could not? Many singers omit the trills. In fact, I don't believe I've ever heard anyone include them. Callas allegedly did in her Naples performance, but the atrocious sound there precludes clearly hearing them.
dimitrovajunkie 1 year ago
@cavallerino Do you understand how hard it would be to control a voice that size? I'm not a big fan of Dimitrova, but she was a damned good performer and to try and take that away from her some omitted trills is completely ludicrous.
tenor220 1 year ago 2
Great singer. I've heard her in Verona in this role.
dermotafan 1 year ago
Just Unbelievable. Is there such voice now days? If someone knows pls, recommend me I want to go and listen live.
Miloslav1987 1 year ago
Quelle puissance dramatique ! Et dire qu'en 1989 sa voix commencait à décliner (ce qui explique certaines difficultés dans l'aigu). Combien de chanteuses au sommet de leurs forces et de leur carrière ne parviennent pas au quart de ce que nous entendons ici... Dimitrova est réellement UNIQUE!
MarioLubenov 2 years ago 4
Great conviction of character. Absolutely powerful rendition of this taxing aria. Viva Verdi, viva Dimitrova!
claudioalexenrique 2 years ago 2
Nooit gehoord van de dame maar ze kan het!
muziekliefhebber1000 2 years ago
few could draw you into a character or sentiment the way callas did . her goal was to be able to sing anything and she did, she took chances that other artists would have never taken for fear of shortening their careers but callas got LAZY and did not support her voice with all this singing. the great callas had an ego as grand as her artistry. i don't think she was a very happy person. alas, trying to find love on the stage can hold empty rewards when you want true love.
11455RN 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
bodiloto 2 years ago
There is no doubt that Ghena Dimitrova is a VERRA SOPRANO DRAMMATICA and a titanic artist too...!!!! Ms. Dimitrova, thank you for singing for us although it is from recordings.....!!!!
MrDramaticfan 2 years ago 11
What a fore of nature was the marvellous Ghena. I adored her.
PietroAntoni 2 months ago
ghena dimitrova- velichaishaia soprano mira..... bravo
kaxaberi73 3 years ago 7
"It is important to note that in these early recordings Dimitrova's voice had not yet reached its signature enormity and in many of these early Nabucco productions, the written, final High C is omitted in the cabaletta, Salgo già. Later in her career, not only did she include these top notes, but she would become the template to whom all other Abigailes would inevitably and unfortunately be compared to Maria Callas to whom they would never get close to."
Wikipedia - Ghena Dimitrova
Aetion 3 years ago
This not exactly what is written in Wikipedia! They don't mention Callas in any part of the Dimitrova page...Callas was great but in terms of vocal quality I am totally sure Ghena Dimitrova was totally superior! She was as powerfull as any wagnerian soprano but with a italian technique! Please read it well!
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago 2
Ive checked it and I saw that you are right. It isnt mentioned anymore. In Wikipedia articles change, because they can be edited.
I agree that Ghena Dimitrova was great, but she didnt have either the versatility or the vocal range of Maria Callass voice. Just hear both of them singing Suicidio, pay attention to the low register and you will see what I mean.
Aetion 3 years ago
Just listen to Lakme, or La Wally with Maria Callas, or a light role, like Rosinas (Rossini). You will find out that Callas was able to sing all kind of roles from Mozart to Wagner and from Donizetti and Rossini to Verdi and Puccini. Thats why she wasnt simply a great soprano or mezzo (one cannot decide yet), but a unique vocal phenomenon.
Aetion 3 years ago
Yeah. She was great in any kind of roles! But no soprano is perfect. She lacked the richness of Leontyne. The beauty of Montserrat. The power of Dimitrova, The superb top register of Birgit. But I agree with you the most versatile singer ever!
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago
Two different voices: Callas a huge leggero with outstanding coloratura technique. Dimitrova the biggest voice possible...IMHO Callas pushed herself to soprano and that was the reason for her early departure from stages. in order to that her lower register was solid and powerful and great high notes. But Ghena's upper register was superb, way better than Callas'...
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago
But two great singers I agree!
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago
First hear the following
Callas adds E flat in Nabucco's great Duet
Callas' phenomenal Eflat diminuendo in Amina's finale
Callas' 1950 No si da follia... with special end Candenza
and then tell me about The superb top register of Birgit.
But no soprano is perfect. What is perfect in this life so that sopranos could possibly be?
Aetion 3 years ago
I don't want to say any bad comment about a great soprano like Callas. I totally admire Callas. But I simply can't agree with people who think of Callas as an allmighty. She wasn't, She had outstanding qualities and weaknesses too. I reiterate my point about Nilsson's top register 'cause is unparalleled. Callas' prime was great but short. The wobble appeared early and then she took advantage of her many other skills as an actress, musician and performer.
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago
Callas had a wider range than Birgit. But Let's talk about the quality of the upper tessitura. Who had a better sound production and ease?
yodavidnavarro 2 years ago
In "Suicidio" Dimitrova's low register is far better. Just listen to "Fra le tenèbre"...
scarpia1965 2 years ago 3
Ive already listened and commented there. I suggest that you listen to Suicidio with Rosa Ponselle, Maria Callas and Elena Souliotis, in order to understand what clear and powerful low register means. Shalom!
Aetion 2 years ago
Shalom, mein Lieber! Ich kann es verstehen, dass Du griechische Sängerinnen besser findest, aber Dimitrova ist technisch und gestalterisch besser als Callas. Bei Dimitrova merkt man, dass sie eigentlich für hochdramatische Rollen geboren war. Diese dämonische Tiefe hat sonst niemand.
scarpia1965 2 years ago
1) Rosa Ponselle war keine Griechin.
2) Es hat mit der Nationalitaet der Saengerinnen nichts zu tun. Das ist einfach zu naiv.
3) Man muss nicht nur Ohren haben, sondern auch hoeren koennen. Das zweite ist das wichtige hier.
Aetion 2 years ago
Dass ich Ohren habe und auch hören kann, kannst Du mir glauben. Ich hätte sonst sicher nicht Gesang studiert. Ich bleibe trotzdem bei meiner Meinung, dass Dimitrova Callas haushoch überlegen ist. Callas hätte bei der heutigen Aufnahmetechnik sicher nicht diesen Erfolg gehabt.
scarpia1965 2 years ago
This is so great! Have never heard an Soprano singing Abigaille like she did!
I will never ever forget this great huge voice : she never have to fight with the orchestra...she just hit the waves to make the goals!
GRANDE!
Heraopera 3 years ago
Bravissima e insuperabile come sempre, a parte il leggero cedimento sul secondo do, che comunque dipendeva da passeggere oscillazioni di forma passeggere (qui siamo nel 1989 in Francia, io la vidi a Roma una decina d'anni più tardi e temevo ma invece fummo tutti strabiliati, resse benissimo).
1970heinz 3 years ago
anche la Souliotis nell'incisione con Tito Gobbi era forse meglio della Callas.
La Dimitrova è stata una grandissima cantante purtroppo anche lei ha dovuto cantare un po' di tutto e in certi momenti la fatica vocale si sentiva....la Deutekom nel video di You tube sembra che stia cantando un altra aria...fa strani rallentamenti e pause e gorgoglii...forse era già verso la fine della carriera.
Premetto che adoro "Nabucco" e anche la Deutekom....ma non tutti possono fare tutto...
taurusbs 3 years ago
Always BRAVISSIMA!!!
pavarottiM 4 years ago
This is such an energetic and emotional performance. It is art in its best, it inspires and makes me shiver! Ghena, with you the world of opera lost a lot! We miss you!
boris1281 4 years ago 3
You know guys, usually I am a very pedantic listener and I would say:she is not in her prime, she ommitted the high C in the end (which is not in the original score), she had some problems with the dynamics, she gave up some part of the phrase to prepare for the high note!!!But there are sigers for whom I simply do not care about that! Dimitrova is one of these.
boris1281 4 years ago
I guess she was not in her best voice here. She never could do the many written trills in this piece, but here, she doesn't even sing the ascending scale (they're supposed to be three ascending trills actually) before the high C, and the last high C goes flat. I think she was wise to omit the final C which probably would've been flat too.
Shahrdad 4 years ago
The piece really is a voice killer... Unrealistically written really... It essentially eneded the career of Giuseppina Strepponi who would eventually become Verdi's second wife. Seems like Verdi must have had it in for Sopranos in his early period. Kudos to Mme Dimitrova. NOBODY could play a BITCH quite like her!
kmillard 4 years ago 3
Regardless, this is NOT one of her better performances. In Callas's 1949 Naples live recording you hear just as formidable character, and all the notes and trills are actually sung, and sung with meaning. It's on YouTube also.
Shahrdad 4 years ago
And your point is??
operamusicfan 4 years ago
The point is that if you want to hear what Verdi actually wrote, listen to the Callas 1949 Naples performance. Dimitrova, whom I really like, has done much better performances than this, but even then, she never could sing the score as written.
Shahrdad 4 years ago
@Shahrdad
But if one is a lover of beautiful singing in Verdi, what has La Callas got to offer?
ebony1911 1 year ago
@ebony1911, Beautiful singing and beautiful voice are not the same thing. Some of the most beautiful singing has been done with voices which in and of themselves were not very pretty. Callas, in her prime, had a solid, wide ranging voice, incredible coloratura technique, plenty of power and volume, and a musicality and sense of words and drama which were on the genius level. Dimitrove, likewise, had a great voice and was wonderful as Abigaile, but here, she was not in her best voice.
Shahrdad 1 year ago
LROEL
Dimitrova was BRILLIANT in this roll. I know why she missed the final high note at La Scala, but to miss it at Orange too!!!!!!
I mean if ur gonna wanna nail it theses would be the places to do so.
Still she did seem to be having difficulty with her breath control.
crewmantle 4 years ago
this is bloody exciting singing!!!! BRAVISSIMA
barleggero 4 years ago
We've lost the best dramatic voice of our time. Even with some problems on the top notes - she is the greatest!
oleganna 4 years ago
I am a big fan of Dimitrova and her Abigaille is the greatest ever, but in this video she obviously has problems with the top notes and doesn't try the final high note (not written, actually) which she usually did. A great lady, despite of that and I miss her deeply.
bigpinkypig 4 years ago
No singer even comes close in this role!
singspieler 4 years ago
Phenomenal voice, brava!!!
barlolita 4 years ago
bravaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!
LittlePasserotto 4 years ago
The more I watch this, the more I am awed by it. She's fighting the weight of her cape the entire time, and they're blowing a fan at her for effect, which only adds more resistance to her freedom of movement. Imagine trying to walk around with a large flag in a stiff wind, and all the time singing at the top of your lungs. That's one powerful gal there!
muchtoomuch1 4 years ago
Actually it's not a fan,it's the wind (the Mistral) that blows in the region and at almost every performance - remember Caballe in Norma? :)
Anyway - BRAVA Dimitrova!!!!
mekarts2 4 years ago
The blowing fan is actually a wind at the Arena in Verona. :)
Operatissimo 4 years ago
This is a great rendition.i have yhis 1 on a dvd withJuan Pons and Maria Guleghina.I love this opera
bobemy1 4 years ago
Ghena is the Best!!!
agentbg 4 years ago
Wonderful!...The first opera I ever went to was Nabucco with Ghena Dimitrova as Abigalle. I became an instant opera fan, and a fan of her's. Thanks ever so much for posting this.
muchtoomuch1 4 years ago