Sorry, but the tempo is waaaay too slow and she doesn't bite into the words enough. The sound she makes is quite impressive, but really not enough for Lady Macbeth. She clearly doesn't understand the words she's singing.
@timct222 :-) Why do you find every tempi too slow? You surely know as a musician(?) that the tempo dispends on the power and width of the sound (Celibidache says so), and as large as is her voice, she goes fast!
un mio caro amico mi ha consigliato di contattarti direttamente
sto cercando il video completo di questa fantastica edizione per un regalo ad una persona molto speciale. Mi potresti dire se e dove posso trovare il file dell'opera intera?
Grazie. f.pittari@gmail.com questa è la mia mail privata.
Mother Shirley had solid high notes with bite, chocolate-covered low notes, clean coloratura that you rarely find on a mezzo/soprano of her size, a real trill, and a sensibility to text that allowed her to declaim a recitative with deep meaning. She always gave an amazing voice lesson in breath and optimal mouth position for maximum resonance. When she dropped that jaw and curved her shoulders inward, you knew what time it was: The Mother Shirley Hour. RIP till Jesus comes, Shirley. Miss you.
Un fil di Voce!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have jet to hear any other singer Out sing this............ Brava Diva.... thank you for your hart work and respecting the composers Shakespeare and Verdi. This is just THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Un fil di Voce!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have jet to hear any other singer Out sing this............ Brava Diva.... thank you for your hart work and respecting the composers Shakespeare and Verdi. This is just THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Babs22h I think a lot of the whiteness is due to the weird balance of this video, actually. Compare to the footage coloraturafan posted (of the exact same footage) - the video quality is better, and her face doesn't look as white.
Even if this weren't the case, it could be due to lighting, not makeup.
More than any other soprano, save for Maria Callas, Shirley Verrett truly understood all there is to know about singing Lady Macbeth. She is fierce, intense and has a dark, evil bite. Her use of both chest voice and high soprano registers, make her a cruel, mad Lady Macbeth and her Sleep Walking Scene is a true Verdian Mad Scene. Shirley is the best Lady Macbeth - at the same level as Callas, from whom she drew inspiration.
I LOOOOOOOOOVE how she sings the line 'vieni' at 1:45 while bringing it up from the bottom to the top (clearly, Im no musicologist) of her chest voice. She sounds like a trumpet. In a beautiful way.
My introduction to Shirley Verrett was her Macbeth recording, and one of the things that immediately struck me was her chest voice (as well as her top notes, but that's another story altogether). It's GORGEOUS, and it's so powerful. Her "O don fatale" is my favorite because of her utter conviction and railing out those low notes, as well as her easiness on the high notes. And: on the comments about her acting ability (flawless): she's up there with Maria Callas and Beverly Sills as far as acting
Concordo, e' meravogliosa come Lady...nulla da aggiungere su quello. Ti suggerisco di ascoltare/vedere anche la Ghena Dimitrova, estremamente brava in questo ruolo, nonche', sempre la Shirley Verrett come Eboli in Don Carlo. E per finire, uno straordinario duetto nella "confrontation scene" fra Verrett (Elisabetta) e Gencer (Maria) in Maria Stuarda. Da non credere anche quello.
Shirley Verrett has everything, incredible legato, a singing actress' sense of tempo rubato, a beauty that seems to morph into the character she has created (Stanislavsky!) and simply sings like a "power mezzo" and then some! Who is there today to take up the baton and run with this diva's legacy? I'm waiting for an answer from anyone. Please don't say Renée Fleming; I just ate beef stew.
I'm with you on Renee. I'm sure she is a nice lady and she does have a lovely lyric instrument but she cant come within a continent of Verrett, one of the great singing actresses of all time. Such total commitment. You're right it is very Stanislavsky. I'm ambivalent about her choice of soprano repertory but apparently the soprano/mezzo distinction is a relatively recent one. I said relatively. But she had musicianship by the fistful to make up for any vocal problems. I love her here.
I don't question anything that woman ever did, or could have done. I abhor the term "professional" to refer to musicians, and tend to describe them as "master performers" etc. Everyone makes some wrong turns now and then. But once she fully matured into a great artist, there was never a mannerism or a camp vocal trick (hate to say it, but Price had a long period in the 70s when her vocalism was ridiculous and unmusical). She retired a queen!
As much as I like Miss Price, there was that period in the 70s where she sounded like a caricature of herself. She tells a story of either recording or rehearsing Trovatore with Von Karajan in the late 70s sometime. He apparently was having none of her scooping whooping and assorted other tics, put on a recording of hers from the early part of her career so she could hear the difference and left the room.
such different voices- Renee is great in her own right in the proper repertoire. That being said, we do lack sopranos that can really nail these dramatic verdi roles
Verret is the best Lady appearently. Her interpretation is close to La Gencer's interpretation. I think Gencer's interpretation and her flexible voice with dark tones is an amazing mixture to interpret to Lady. But still Verret's Lady is the best. Brava Gencer, Brava Verret !!!!!!!
SINGULAR...Nothing else like it!!! She just took her place, no-- SEIZED her place, and made us all listen. Intense from start to finish. Yes, Shirley!!! Work it out!!!
Concordo in pieno con te. Eccezzionale. Ma a parte le incredibili doti canore...hai visto che grinta? Che sguardo! Guardala a 6:05, sembra trafiggerti con gli occhi. Divina.
Maravilllosa Shirley Verret en Lady Macbeth, para mí, nadie como ella ha interpretado esta espléndida aria, y nada menos que la Scala rendida a sus pies.
I am with you 100% on this! Neither will the MET...... If teachers don't start understanding big voices, this kind of singing will NOT be happening anytime soon. I understand not pushing a voice too soon, but it's gone the other direction now... with lots of "covering" and hooting....
Brava! Verret is the only real mezzo who did it for me in this role! Try listening to Callas and Nilsson for different approaches, all unequalled. I don't know what Callas was like on stage since there isn't any footage of her in this role...But Nilsson was commanding and Verret was Lady Macbeth! I can't get enough...!
she's not a mezzo. this role is for a dramatic soprano with coloratura. verrett never specifically classified herself in a voice type, she just sang what was comfortable.
Don Peppino Verdi immaginava una voce aspra e demoniaca per la sua Lady. Shirley ha un timbro stupendo, forse troppo bello per i desiderata verdiani, e canta da dea, con una tecnica incredibile.
Divina. Nothing else to say. I can't stop watching it! I love madly her voice, but also her presence on the stage. This video just turns me on!!!!!!!!!!!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Verrett done a good enterpretation here. But her vocals are a bit on the delicate side not intimidating enough for me as a dark heavy metal type character. Pretty much a pushed Mezzo or spinto type quality,not that big wide punchy rivetting metalic chest register power of Callas's rendition.
The first telecast from La Scala was the Otello with Placido, December 7,1976.
The Macbeth produccion by Strehler was premiered in 1975, but of course it was repeated many times since, and this performance was taped around 1977-1979.
@xafnndapp im young and a huge fan of all the great singers of the past but naturally i wasnt around to see any of them live. what was her voice like hearing it in the audience?
@moghedien13: I heard her in Macbeth and others, and the voice was filling the house completely... A very large voice with molten metal like burning sound on the médium and high notes.
I can't believe the audience memebers were able to contain themselves after the cavatina as it was such phenominal singing. I wonder how the letter was read at the theatre(presumably by Cappucilli himself?!). It sounded to me like it was dubbed afterward. For those reasons, I didn't even realize this was a live performance!
She looks so much like Lucy Liu(!) at 4:11-16; in fact, in this clip, doesn't look much like a black person at all. Must be the make up?
Some Mondays, well, you know... driving to work I need one of my favorite "lifters" and yes, Shirley's Lady Macbeth is always there. It changes my mood and lifts my spirit. I never get tired of her impressive gift. Her voice rings so beautiful and goes in so deep... how could one ever get tired of it? E cuanto mi piace ascoltare come parla l'Italiano...
Maybe I was not clear. What I meant was, the batch of singers coming out today around the 90's have what I call "cookie factory" type of sound. The sopranos sound all the same, there are no individual voices anymore due to the "massification' of technique taught today that RIDS all vocies of its "natural peculiar" timbres in favour of the so called 'preservation' of the instrument.
Bravissima ! This is the most electrifying Lady Macbeth I have ever seen ! Shirley is Perfection ! There are no words to adequately describe this magnificent performance, and the performances of the rest of the cast as well, all under the divine leadership of the THE Maestro, Claudio Abbado ! We are so lucky to have this cherishable video. Many thanks for the posting !
This is just another example of one of the greatest singers of all time. She was neither soprano or mezzo - just fantastic! For those of you who love Ms. Verrett, check out her scene from Aida where she sings Amneris in a British TV broadcast - truly amazing.
I am not a Person that has studied Voce or anything like that, but i must say i am so sick of people like Bill Glazier, Just stop it she is just the Best at this and that is it. BASTA!!!!!!!!! Brava Diva Verrett thank you for your hard work, and all these so called Opera singers should look at this and take Notes.
Great to see this back, Onegin65. I have missed all your fantastic and otherwise inaccessible vids while you've been away.
This is spectacular. I find it hard to care about her 'spread "eh" sounds' given that it I have never come across any comparable performance. Can we not just give credit (and thanks!) where it is due and just enjoy the opportunity to see a superb artist at her thrilling peak?
While I admire Verrett's commitment to this aria and while we presently have no one who even comes close to her today as a great voice and artist, it is very distreeing to hear all those spread sounds For every EH vowel she spreads the hell out of her position which must cost her a great deal in stamina. As exciting as her singing of this aria is, she is threadbare at the end and only a great instrument could finish the opera after so much vocal brutality. Bill Glazier
Callas was the first operatic voice I ever heard, and I'll always love her. But what I love about opera is that you can listen to ten different artists (or even the same artist on ten different nights) and have ten amazing experiences. Remember, at the end of her Julliard master classes, Callas told her students that whether she kept singing didn't matter -- it was the job of the younger generation to continue the traditions in their *own* unique ways. (By the way, Go Shirley!!)
fantasual - you are definitely fantasizing way too much. Wake up dude, this is the best Lady Macbeth ever. Forget Callas - forget everyone else. It SIMPLY DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!!!
Oh really..lol..Forget Callas and forget everyone else? Now that's the funniest comment i received yet. And you say i'm fantasizing too much? oops you dropped an egg..lol.
Very good performance indeed from Verrett but it can not replace Callas's Legendary Lady Macbeth. Callas's voice rocked the freakin house in this aria as well as her excellent portrayal of character. Shirley verrett next to hers is the daughter Macbeth.
ummm...no. Sorry. I love Callas, but this is better, more secure singing, and the characterization is every bit as good. Verrett was not the "daughter" anything. As faer as I know, the only video representation of Callas singing this aria that exists is a concert version, which just does not compare with this; I've seen it. Verrett had the goods, no doubt about it.
Hmmm...based on youre comment on comparing Verrett's complete filmed opera to merely a small concert piece of Callas's in an aria from the opera,wich i'm most certain is some time after her Legendary and incomparable performance of 1952 ? Then i would have to say you have truly missed the show of a lifetime. Sit back and really relax with youre eyes closed and visualize what you here from the music then you can see what you are missing. :>)
Point taken, but this is what I mean when I say that you really can't compare the two; it's like apples and oranges. They were two highly individual, astoundingly talented artists. I couldn't make a choice if someone asked me to, because I love them both.
Please Never take this one Off OneGin65 OMG i would not know what to do i love this i could at this point hear this Aria in my sleep.... O Man miss Verrett if you wanted to make a point You DID Love it.
Hmmmmmmmmm Ok i dont want to start any drama, I love Maira Callas,But i feel like miss Verrett is in her own Class WagnerOperas. I wonder how long it took her to study for this role, it seems as if she was more than ready for Macbeth. Brava Brava Miss Verrett I love you.
Based on this run of performances alone, La Scala was prepared to offer Shirley Verrett a five-year contract to sing whatever the hell she wanted, which she sadly turned down. The pandamonium following the opening night was so great that her fans pushed the limo all the way to her hotel! She was so into character, she swept all the flowers tossed onstage away with her cape, following the aria.
Brothers and sisters, the time has been well spent...let us give the closing prayer and all go home in awe and silence, reflecting upon the message so powerfully brought to us by Sister Shirley Verrett...now raise your right hand for the benediction: A-MEN.
I am so glad this is on here...Shirley is on staff at University of Michigan and I have had the pleasure of meeting and singing with her...She is truly an AMAZING woman!...I love her!
wow she handled that really well her runs and high notes were awesome usually when her and grace get into the upper register they lose it awesome shirley i'll gie you that
Verret was absoluely stunning in soprano roles as well. Her Norma Dido Tosca where incredible. Real proper singing. Btw her Carmen,Eboli,Adalgisa,Cassandra were pretty well AMAZIN' too.
Sorry, but the tempo is waaaay too slow and she doesn't bite into the words enough. The sound she makes is quite impressive, but really not enough for Lady Macbeth. She clearly doesn't understand the words she's singing.
Tim
timct222 2 months ago
@timct222 :-) Why do you find every tempi too slow? You surely know as a musician(?) that the tempo dispends on the power and width of the sound (Celibidache says so), and as large as is her voice, she goes fast!
foropera 2 months ago
@foropera >depends on
foropera 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Ciao onegin65,
un mio caro amico mi ha consigliato di contattarti direttamente
sto cercando il video completo di questa fantastica edizione per un regalo ad una persona molto speciale. Mi potresti dire se e dove posso trovare il file dell'opera intera?
Grazie. f.pittari@gmail.com questa è la mia mail privata.
Grazie mille.
lindoro2004 6 months ago
5 n'aiment pas ! Mais c'est sublissime !
guilhem1951 7 months ago
But... who the f*ck votes this down???? Are there any idiots watching this???
...
If we are not safe from them here, where then? There is no hope for mankind.
Handelove 8 months ago 5
Unbelievable. The reaction of the audience says it all really.
Telltaleheart79 8 months ago
¡¡¡Estupenda y Estremecedora Interpretacion; Una Locura!!! Este personaje, le
valio a Verret, Un suceso impresionante, y sobre todo en la Scalla, que lo vol-
vio a repetir en 1978. Realmente esta Fantastica.
55werther 11 months ago
I am still in shock. I just found out Shirley Verret is dead. RIP. Wow, she was among the greats!
cincytuckyblk 1 year ago
unbelievable what power and expression still comes through - even with this bad videoquality!
45antar 1 year ago
Mother Shirley had solid high notes with bite, chocolate-covered low notes, clean coloratura that you rarely find on a mezzo/soprano of her size, a real trill, and a sensibility to text that allowed her to declaim a recitative with deep meaning. She always gave an amazing voice lesson in breath and optimal mouth position for maximum resonance. When she dropped that jaw and curved her shoulders inward, you knew what time it was: The Mother Shirley Hour. RIP till Jesus comes, Shirley. Miss you.
GylchrisSprauve 1 year ago 3
You 'll be missed. RIP.
ninawally 1 year ago 2
We've lost one of the best. Rest in peace diva...
ashkay369 1 year ago
omg RIP Shirley
lyrictenore 1 year ago
RIP, grande ARTISTA!
xafnndapp 1 year ago
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Un fil di Voce!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have jet to hear any other singer Out sing this............ Brava Diva.... thank you for your hart work and respecting the composers Shakespeare and Verdi. This is just THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
waterfordwinstons 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Un fil di Voce!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have jet to hear any other singer Out sing this............ Brava Diva.... thank you for your hart work and respecting the composers Shakespeare and Verdi. This is just THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
waterfordwinstons 1 year ago
Who the hell cares about her makeup. She sing the hell out of thos--brava!!
georgerannie 1 year ago
@georgerannie Couldn't agree moore - f-k her makeup, it's her gorgeous voice and spectacular singing that counts.
zgopify 1 year ago
Love this opera; love the aria and the rendition. Thank you for your many great postings
chengducat 1 year ago
they used such light makeup on her face...i wonder why?
Babs22h 1 year ago
@Babs22h wow.
monicalvr36 1 year ago
@monicalvr36 well i mean doesnt make her look any less black.... just a black prson wih white makeup!
Babs22h 1 year ago
@Babs22h I think a lot of the whiteness is due to the weird balance of this video, actually. Compare to the footage coloraturafan posted (of the exact same footage) - the video quality is better, and her face doesn't look as white.
Even if this weren't the case, it could be due to lighting, not makeup.
90lysander 1 year ago
i think ive said before this is great, but on an unrelated note does anyone hate this new youtube set up?
moghedien13 1 year ago
@moghedien13
I completely agree with you about the new youtube set up !
quidam69 1 year ago
More than any other soprano, save for Maria Callas, Shirley Verrett truly understood all there is to know about singing Lady Macbeth. She is fierce, intense and has a dark, evil bite. Her use of both chest voice and high soprano registers, make her a cruel, mad Lady Macbeth and her Sleep Walking Scene is a true Verdian Mad Scene. Shirley is the best Lady Macbeth - at the same level as Callas, from whom she drew inspiration.
MastersoftheOpera 2 years ago 3
Here's a truly great instance of a mezzo-soprano absconding with a soprano role and making it her own. Fantastic!
jrtrmish 2 years ago
I LOOOOOOOOOVE how she sings the line 'vieni' at 1:45 while bringing it up from the bottom to the top (clearly, Im no musicologist) of her chest voice. She sounds like a trumpet. In a beautiful way.
Liwah 2 years ago
Incredibile... perfetto
operadefondosaioa 2 years ago 4
This is incredible.
dermotafan 2 years ago 8
Better and better every time I listen to it. Fantastico
not8rious 2 years ago 13
My introduction to Shirley Verrett was her Macbeth recording, and one of the things that immediately struck me was her chest voice (as well as her top notes, but that's another story altogether). It's GORGEOUS, and it's so powerful. Her "O don fatale" is my favorite because of her utter conviction and railing out those low notes, as well as her easiness on the high notes. And: on the comments about her acting ability (flawless): she's up there with Maria Callas and Beverly Sills as far as acting
opera7bubbles 2 years ago 3
La classe non è acqua minerale !!!! Teniamoci ben caro questo ricordo ... Lady così non ne vedremo mai più ... Sigh Sigh
TheChiambretti 2 years ago 15
Concordo, e' meravogliosa come Lady...nulla da aggiungere su quello. Ti suggerisco di ascoltare/vedere anche la Ghena Dimitrova, estremamente brava in questo ruolo, nonche', sempre la Shirley Verrett come Eboli in Don Carlo. E per finire, uno straordinario duetto nella "confrontation scene" fra Verrett (Elisabetta) e Gencer (Maria) in Maria Stuarda. Da non credere anche quello.
FraSarn 2 years ago
@TheChiambretti Non potrei essere piu' d'accordo con te. Divina. E poi che grinta! Che presenza su quel palco! Una vera regina. Ciao. Francesco
FraSarn 1 year ago 2
Comment removed
sillyboydeux 2 years ago
Shirley Verrett has everything, incredible legato, a singing actress' sense of tempo rubato, a beauty that seems to morph into the character she has created (Stanislavsky!) and simply sings like a "power mezzo" and then some! Who is there today to take up the baton and run with this diva's legacy? I'm waiting for an answer from anyone. Please don't say Renée Fleming; I just ate beef stew.
sillyboydeux 2 years ago 4
I'm with you on Renee. I'm sure she is a nice lady and she does have a lovely lyric instrument but she cant come within a continent of Verrett, one of the great singing actresses of all time. Such total commitment. You're right it is very Stanislavsky. I'm ambivalent about her choice of soprano repertory but apparently the soprano/mezzo distinction is a relatively recent one. I said relatively. But she had musicianship by the fistful to make up for any vocal problems. I love her here.
whatever456 2 years ago 2
I don't question anything that woman ever did, or could have done. I abhor the term "professional" to refer to musicians, and tend to describe them as "master performers" etc. Everyone makes some wrong turns now and then. But once she fully matured into a great artist, there was never a mannerism or a camp vocal trick (hate to say it, but Price had a long period in the 70s when her vocalism was ridiculous and unmusical). She retired a queen!
sillyboydeux 2 years ago
As much as I like Miss Price, there was that period in the 70s where she sounded like a caricature of herself. She tells a story of either recording or rehearsing Trovatore with Von Karajan in the late 70s sometime. He apparently was having none of her scooping whooping and assorted other tics, put on a recording of hers from the early part of her career so she could hear the difference and left the room.
whatever456 2 years ago
such different voices- Renee is great in her own right in the proper repertoire. That being said, we do lack sopranos that can really nail these dramatic verdi roles
operadoc 2 years ago
@operadoc
please tell me fleming didn' t try to sing this role hahaha
raigekimaru 1 year ago
Verret is the best Lady appearently. Her interpretation is close to La Gencer's interpretation. I think Gencer's interpretation and her flexible voice with dark tones is an amazing mixture to interpret to Lady. But still Verret's Lady is the best. Brava Gencer, Brava Verret !!!!!!!
mali2327 2 years ago 2
Listen to that applause! Truly amazing!
Gav640 2 years ago
ineccepibile, nn s'è risparmiata niente!!!!Bravissima,fa paura davvero!!!!!
FirefoxWhite 2 years ago 2
What a performance! Maybe the best on You Tube of this aria. Brava Diva!
Operaddict 2 years ago 4
SINGULAR...Nothing else like it!!! She just took her place, no-- SEIZED her place, and made us all listen. Intense from start to finish. Yes, Shirley!!! Work it out!!!
UrsulanChild 2 years ago 2
Please, buy the best recording of Macbeth ever- sung by her. It's something out of this world!!!!!!
gondorado1 2 years ago
YESSIR...You are ever so right! Heard that recording back in '93, and I've been hooked since.
UrsulanChild 2 years ago
There's only one thing to say: Wow!
ChristophePhilippe 2 years ago 2
truely amazing...perfect dramatic but with fantastic agility
ZsaZsadoll 2 years ago
strepitosa, incredibile, non ci sono parole... non si può fare meglio!!!
neapolis1982 2 years ago 3
Concordo in pieno con te. Eccezzionale. Ma a parte le incredibili doti canore...hai visto che grinta? Che sguardo! Guardala a 6:05, sembra trafiggerti con gli occhi. Divina.
FraSarn 2 years ago
Sorry! volevo dire "eccezionale", una "z" di troppo. :-)
FraSarn 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
She is G O R G E O U S !!!!!!
mozzrt 2 years ago 2
Maravilllosa Shirley Verret en Lady Macbeth, para mí, nadie como ella ha interpretado esta espléndida aria, y nada menos que la Scala rendida a sus pies.
Tita398 2 years ago
Fantastic performance!
operafan85 2 years ago
Great intelligent singing,with great conductor and great orchestra.Unforgettable evening.
saverioorlando 2 years ago
well, what can l say, l sang lady Macbeth myself and .... well.. is very special... Very true lady...
joanabanyeres 2 years ago
Great GREAT performance. Drama and voice totally gripping. And doesn't the La Scala audience let you know it!!
Glenmed 2 years ago 2
FANTASTIC. I love her!
patjan92 2 years ago
A great share, Ray, thanks.
Glenmed 2 years ago 2
A voice that is a legend and deserves it...
mozzrt 2 years ago
Splendida. La più grande Lady....con la la Callas
carlo331 2 years ago
Magnifica.
guztavo76 3 years ago 2
Verrett inégalable en ces années-là... Bien sûr, Callas ...
verdiana29 3 years ago
Well, La scala won't ever hear that kind of singing again unless they start getting their act together!
cleanears 3 years ago
I am with you 100% on this! Neither will the MET...... If teachers don't start understanding big voices, this kind of singing will NOT be happening anytime soon. I understand not pushing a voice too soon, but it's gone the other direction now... with lots of "covering" and hooting....
timopragod 2 years ago
mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix, ma divine - que de souvenirs... merci, à jamais
giandoroma 3 years ago 2
me too....
SieglindeMoos 3 years ago
Oh my God! I'm trembling.
bloydaage 3 years ago 2
Divine! Such majesty.
SwitchbladeRaider 3 years ago 2
La meilleure Lady !
verdiana29 3 years ago
3:27 - 4:20, and that's all i have to say...
well that and DAMN.
JuillHope17 3 years ago 3
Brava! Verret is the only real mezzo who did it for me in this role! Try listening to Callas and Nilsson for different approaches, all unequalled. I don't know what Callas was like on stage since there isn't any footage of her in this role...But Nilsson was commanding and Verret was Lady Macbeth! I can't get enough...!
Frufrucucu 3 years ago 5
she's not a mezzo. this role is for a dramatic soprano with coloratura. verrett never specifically classified herself in a voice type, she just sang what was comfortable.
JuillHope17 3 years ago 2
Don Peppino Verdi immaginava una voce aspra e demoniaca per la sua Lady. Shirley ha un timbro stupendo, forse troppo bello per i desiderata verdiani, e canta da dea, con una tecnica incredibile.
neronnenn 3 years ago 3
Divina. Nothing else to say. I can't stop watching it! I love madly her voice, but also her presence on the stage. This video just turns me on!!!!!!!!!!!
FraSarn 3 years ago 8
Qué impresionante, esto si que es cantar; La Verrett es la mejor Lady Macbeth de lejos con cualquier otra
jolucascan 3 years ago 2
I am never tired of watching this video. Love Callas but Lady Macbeth is VERRETT for ever.
Genauxbr 3 years ago 7
Brava Diva..... Just love it i also keep coming back to see this.. I love Callas...I do.... But I give this Opera to Miss Verrett.
waterfordwinstons 3 years ago 7
I would have loved to seen her live. I love this.
spizzell1 3 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Verrett done a good enterpretation here. But her vocals are a bit on the delicate side not intimidating enough for me as a dark heavy metal type character. Pretty much a pushed Mezzo or spinto type quality,not that big wide punchy rivetting metalic chest register power of Callas's rendition.
sicuro75 3 years ago
God just sang through her voice. This is just perfect
Ebonysoprano 3 years ago 4
Why would God sing about the things Lady M is singing about? She isn't talking about snuggling with puppies.
BorisGodunov 3 years ago 4
It is a metaphor for the beauty created by God.
mm9913 3 years ago
I'd rather give credit to Verrett for her amazing talents. :)
BorisGodunov 3 years ago
"No matter how many times I've watched this it still gives me chills!" (2)
Genauxbr 3 years ago 5
No matter how many times I've watched this it still gives me chills!
courtjesting 3 years ago 3
I was there in the audience, two performances in two different years.
By the way, this telecast is from 1978 and not 1976.
Absolutely MAGIC!
The only sad thing is that RAI didn't release yet a DECENT copy of this fabulous broadcasting! Unbelievable....
The only sad thing about
xafnndapp 3 years ago
I'm sorry but wasn't Macbeth at la Scala in 1978 with Verrett; the performances were December 75 and January 76
Onegin65 3 years ago
The first telecast from La Scala was the Otello with Placido, December 7,1976.
The Macbeth produccion by Strehler was premiered in 1975, but of course it was repeated many times since, and this performance was taped around 1977-1979.
Believe me!
:)
xafnndapp 3 years ago
OK thanks!
Onegin65 3 years ago
@xafnndapp im young and a huge fan of all the great singers of the past but naturally i wasnt around to see any of them live. what was her voice like hearing it in the audience?
moghedien13 1 year ago
@moghedien13: I heard her in Macbeth and others, and the voice was filling the house completely... A very large voice with molten metal like burning sound on the médium and high notes.
foropera 2 months ago
Duncan should have known better than to keep those wire hangers in his wardrobe...
wotanman 3 years ago
wow
viverito 3 years ago
The bad thing about this is that once you hear Verrett's Lady Macbeth you are never satisfied with anything else.
fdh1004 3 years ago 8
I can't believe the audience memebers were able to contain themselves after the cavatina as it was such phenominal singing. I wonder how the letter was read at the theatre(presumably by Cappucilli himself?!). It sounded to me like it was dubbed afterward. For those reasons, I didn't even realize this was a live performance!
She looks so much like Lucy Liu(!) at 4:11-16; in fact, in this clip, doesn't look much like a black person at all. Must be the make up?
vitellia 4 years ago 3
Vitellia -
I just finished reading Ms. Verrett's autobiography and she said that at the performance the letter was read over a loudspeaker.
I think she is just AMAZING!
carlissima28 3 years ago
Yup.... my Monday morning "lifter"...
Some Mondays, well, you know... driving to work I need one of my favorite "lifters" and yes, Shirley's Lady Macbeth is always there. It changes my mood and lifts my spirit. I never get tired of her impressive gift. Her voice rings so beautiful and goes in so deep... how could one ever get tired of it? E cuanto mi piace ascoltare come parla l'Italiano...
Reinaldo146 4 years ago 2
I'm not sure which is better: the acting or the singing.
tenornmd 4 years ago
this is incridible
zovirotto 4 years ago
La mejor Lady Macbeth de TODOS LOS TIEMPOS... (reconozco a Rysaneck y a Callas, pero esta...) Best Lady MAcbeth ever..
nqqa 4 years ago
Just fantastic! I cant imagine anyone topping this. I love Callas' 1952 and studio recording too. Brava Shirey!
opera1dan2 4 years ago
Wow, wow, wow... amazing! Miss Verrett best Lady Macbeth ever
secabun 4 years ago 3
A singer this, like Callas, Dimitrova, Sutherland..etc..only comes about once maybe twice every 50 years.
pirocagrande 4 years ago 2
Funny you should name 4 singer who have sung within the same 25 years, more or less... A bit paradoxal, don't you think?
Shouldn't we just enjoy them, as many as they are, and stop complaining?
SwamiTom 4 years ago
Maybe I was not clear. What I meant was, the batch of singers coming out today around the 90's have what I call "cookie factory" type of sound. The sopranos sound all the same, there are no individual voices anymore due to the "massification' of technique taught today that RIDS all vocies of its "natural peculiar" timbres in favour of the so called 'preservation' of the instrument.
pirocagrande 4 years ago
The Best Basta.....................Prefection. thank you miss Verrett..... This is lady Macbeth reborn
waterfordwinstons 4 years ago
Wow.
damac777 4 years ago
Bravissima ! This is the most electrifying Lady Macbeth I have ever seen ! Shirley is Perfection ! There are no words to adequately describe this magnificent performance, and the performances of the rest of the cast as well, all under the divine leadership of the THE Maestro, Claudio Abbado ! We are so lucky to have this cherishable video. Many thanks for the posting !
midas45 4 years ago
I love her - I love her - I lover her - I love her - the best for ever as Lady Macbeth - sorry Callas'fans : but Verrett rocks !
Genauxbr 4 years ago 6
This is just another example of one of the greatest singers of all time. She was neither soprano or mezzo - just fantastic! For those of you who love Ms. Verrett, check out her scene from Aida where she sings Amneris in a British TV broadcast - truly amazing.
cantorandopera 4 years ago 3
I will say it in a few words : THIS IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. !!! BRAVA VERRETT !!!!
Greatfan 4 years ago
OMG, OMG, OMG, what impressive, wondelful. This rendition by Miss Verrett will be for the HISTORY of the opera. BRAVAAAAAA!
jokenruth 4 years ago
There is no one today, 2007, who can come close to singing this as magnificently as Madame Verrett. Brava Shirley!!!
DG
leontyne2 4 years ago
I am not a Person that has studied Voce or anything like that, but i must say i am so sick of people like Bill Glazier, Just stop it she is just the Best at this and that is it. BASTA!!!!!!!!! Brava Diva Verrett thank you for your hard work, and all these so called Opera singers should look at this and take Notes.
waterfordwinstons 4 years ago
Great to see this back, Onegin65. I have missed all your fantastic and otherwise inaccessible vids while you've been away.
This is spectacular. I find it hard to care about her 'spread "eh" sounds' given that it I have never come across any comparable performance. Can we not just give credit (and thanks!) where it is due and just enjoy the opportunity to see a superb artist at her thrilling peak?
Thanks again for your postings.
hoggm123 4 years ago
she is ravishing! where do you get all these beautiful videos from?
thank you!
canzonettasullaria 4 years ago
While I admire Verrett's commitment to this aria and while we presently have no one who even comes close to her today as a great voice and artist, it is very distreeing to hear all those spread sounds For every EH vowel she spreads the hell out of her position which must cost her a great deal in stamina. As exciting as her singing of this aria is, she is threadbare at the end and only a great instrument could finish the opera after so much vocal brutality. Bill Glazier
Mefistodevil 4 years ago
You haven't seen the whole performance then. She makes it through fine. This caused jubilation in the streets.
FoggyRoad81 4 years ago
so you prefer the timid European voices eh?
mm9913 4 years ago
We love you Ongin65 Bravo.
waterfordwinstons 4 years ago
One of the very best vocalists and stage artists of all times! Verrett rules!
Later she taught in Michigan University and still very powerful in her voice!
Doooku 4 years ago
Stop it!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is just the best.
waterfordwinstons 4 years ago
Only the very best can sing this monster of an aria and Shirley Verrett must surely rank as a wonderful performer of this role.
rjs1yorkshire 4 years ago
Perfect
operaficionado 4 years ago
Callas was the first operatic voice I ever heard, and I'll always love her. But what I love about opera is that you can listen to ten different artists (or even the same artist on ten different nights) and have ten amazing experiences. Remember, at the end of her Julliard master classes, Callas told her students that whether she kept singing didn't matter -- it was the job of the younger generation to continue the traditions in their *own* unique ways. (By the way, Go Shirley!!)
Jokanaan 4 years ago
Oh my God!! Peaple calm down this is a good performance but noble prize ?...lol! Stop the madness..
fantasual 4 years ago
fantasual - you are definitely fantasizing way too much. Wake up dude, this is the best Lady Macbeth ever. Forget Callas - forget everyone else. It SIMPLY DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!!!
dchemaly396 4 years ago
Oh really..lol..Forget Callas and forget everyone else? Now that's the funniest comment i received yet. And you say i'm fantasizing too much? oops you dropped an egg..lol.
fantasual 4 years ago
You are funny indeed dude!
dchemaly396 4 years ago
Very good performance indeed from Verrett but it can not replace Callas's Legendary Lady Macbeth. Callas's voice rocked the freakin house in this aria as well as her excellent portrayal of character. Shirley verrett next to hers is the daughter Macbeth.
fantasual 4 years ago
ummm...no. Sorry. I love Callas, but this is better, more secure singing, and the characterization is every bit as good. Verrett was not the "daughter" anything. As faer as I know, the only video representation of Callas singing this aria that exists is a concert version, which just does not compare with this; I've seen it. Verrett had the goods, no doubt about it.
BeauTenor 4 years ago 3
Hmmm...based on youre comment on comparing Verrett's complete filmed opera to merely a small concert piece of Callas's in an aria from the opera,wich i'm most certain is some time after her Legendary and incomparable performance of 1952 ? Then i would have to say you have truly missed the show of a lifetime. Sit back and really relax with youre eyes closed and visualize what you here from the music then you can see what you are missing. :>)
fantasual 4 years ago
Point taken, but this is what I mean when I say that you really can't compare the two; it's like apples and oranges. They were two highly individual, astoundingly talented artists. I couldn't make a choice if someone asked me to, because I love them both.
BeauTenor 4 years ago
Oh my god, this is unbelievable. Verrett is the best lady macbeth ever. Jane eaglen is pretty darn good, but nothing rivals this performance. Brava!
Tortelier18 4 years ago 2
Please Never take this one Off OneGin65 OMG i would not know what to do i love this i could at this point hear this Aria in my sleep.... O Man miss Verrett if you wanted to make a point You DID Love it.
waterfordwinstons 4 years ago
Without Question the Greatest Lady MacBeth E-V-E-R.
operachad 4 years ago
I am wordless, speechless...where am I ? Her performance took away my senses....
BRAVA MRS. VERRETT
as long as I live I will never forget this particular performance !
God bless you !
Genauxbr 5 years ago
Shirley Verrett is amazing! BRAVAAAAAAAAAA!
Duncan456 5 years ago
Hmmmmmmmmm Ok i dont want to start any drama, I love Maira Callas,But i feel like miss Verrett is in her own Class WagnerOperas. I wonder how long it took her to study for this role, it seems as if she was more than ready for Macbeth. Brava Brava Miss Verrett I love you.
waterfordwinstons 5 years ago
The best Thank you Onegin65 you the Best brava
waterfordwinstons 5 years ago
I don't have words. BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAVAAAAAAAAAAA!
vicdomi 5 years ago
Spinetingling, spectacular - beyond compare.
sandraNorway 5 years ago
The audience basically had an orgasm..do you blame them?
FoggyRoad81 5 years ago
Based on this run of performances alone, La Scala was prepared to offer Shirley Verrett a five-year contract to sing whatever the hell she wanted, which she sadly turned down. The pandamonium following the opening night was so great that her fans pushed the limo all the way to her hotel! She was so into character, she swept all the flowers tossed onstage away with her cape, following the aria.
ariodante76 5 years ago
Brothers and sisters, the time has been well spent...let us give the closing prayer and all go home in awe and silence, reflecting upon the message so powerfully brought to us by Sister Shirley Verrett...now raise your right hand for the benediction: A-MEN.
InformedListener 5 years ago
This simply spectacular! Verrett is absolutely amazing!!!
barleggero 5 years ago
Great video , Shirley Verrett is like Maria Callas ! Onegin , thank you for posting this five stars video.
WagnerOperas 5 years ago
BRAVO ! BRAVO ! BRAVO ! BRAVO ! BRAVO ! I am not tired of watching this video ! I guess that this is the 10th time.
Genauxbr 5 years ago
You mean BRAVA! BRAVA! BRAVA! BRAVA!! I have also watched this video several times and it always electrifies my senses.
dchemaly396 5 years ago
Fantastic! What a high C. Can you give this ten stars?
nickbaritone 5 years ago
A true Diva!
benderpm 5 years ago
I saw this production, don't know if it was this performance. WOW it was incredible!
BelCantoTennis 5 years ago
I am so glad this is on here...Shirley is on staff at University of Michigan and I have had the pleasure of meeting and singing with her...She is truly an AMAZING woman!...I love her!
fliedlice101 5 years ago
Does anyone know is there a recording of her singing aida and not amneris that high C was on point
bigsteel83 5 years ago
Wonderful voice lovely acting and colorful so much power she is there with the great Divinas Like Callas
MAPIAKALLAS 5 years ago
I got a big bag of crabs here and I'm gunna' put them in my mouth. Oh YEEEEESS!!! Vai hands are bananas....
PinkShinobi 5 years ago
Pellmeli
She's like Callas!
pellmeli 5 years ago
Chills!
FoggyRoad81 5 years ago
wow she handled that really well her runs and high notes were awesome usually when her and grace get into the upper register they lose it awesome shirley i'll gie you that
bigsteel83 5 years ago
Deliciously sung! Brava Diva!
benderpm 5 years ago
I really have no clue, but I have been meaning to find this video. I have not seen the film that you mention.
dchemaly396 5 years ago
This is the best ever ever ever Lady Macbeth. Verdi is looking at Verrett from heaven and saying "Grazie Signora Verrett per vostra bella voce"
dchemaly396 5 years ago
this is tough stuff to sing, she does it amazing
chubblove 5 years ago
I am still breathless!!!!
dchemaly396 5 years ago
Verret was absoluely stunning in soprano roles as well. Her Norma Dido Tosca where incredible. Real proper singing. Btw her Carmen,Eboli,Adalgisa,Cassandra were pretty well AMAZIN' too.
Tristiano 5 years ago