Coppia Iniqua - Anna Bolena Contest - Mariella Devia

[TeressaByrne]

All I have to say is, in regards to that final high note - you GO, Ms. Fierce Thang.

[crazymoon81]

Mariella Devia wins this contest, it's obvious. As usual. She wins the majority of the contests: Maria Stuarda, Lucrezia Borgia, etc...She is...simply the best.

Anyway, she was 59 years old in this video,,,

[giant469]

Finalmente una Cantante con la C maiuscola che ha capito alla perfezione come interpretare Anna Bolena (come Donizetti voleva si interpretasse Anna Bolena: chissà perché si tende a dimenticare che quest'opera fu concepita per la voce di Giuditta Pasta). E a 50 anni di distanza dalla prima callasiana, se ne sentiva la mancanza.

Un'Anna Bolena senza le gutturalizzazioni d'una Gencer, senza lo spiagnucolio perenne d'una Sutherland, senza il manierismo e l'innaturalezza espressiva d'una Gruberova.

[FraSarn]

Mah, non nego affatto che la Mariella Devia sia molto brava in questo ruolo, ma non andrei a scomodare divinita' del belcanto come Gencer, Sutherland o Gruberova. Questo tuo e' un commento molto poco rispettoso della maesta' di queste cantanti. :-)

[giant469]

Vedi, FraSarn, io cerco di non avere divinità né religiose, né liriche. Adoro la Callas da sempre, ma non ascolto mai i suoi raccapriccianti concerti degli anni '70.

Un cantante d'opera è come un atleta: quando è finito il suo tempo deve ritirarsi. La Gencer degli ultimi 10 anni non arrivava più a saldare i registri vocali, la Sutherland di Anna Bolena (Decca) è una macchia sul suo blasone, la Gruberova si sta rendendo ridicola: ma lo hai ascoltato il finale di Lucrezia Borgia a Monaco?

[adballet]

Prima donna's voice, prima ballerina's arms.

[LittlePasserotto]

inossidabile.. beata lei

[lassisimo]

ok, i´m not this kind of an expert that i have spoken with donizetti himself about the importance of some notes and the exact execution- like some other persons it seems to be. i can only judge about this video and other familiar parts of this performace- mrs devia sings with astounding youthfully preserved soprano, dramatic well spined lines. she crowns her interpretation with an interpolated Eb, apparently a sign for superior vocalism. open wishes ? no !

[primohomme]

Ignorant people, in operas such as these, the low Bb (that is dodged or taken an octave up by these lesser singers) is far more important than stupid interpolated high Eb's!!!

[coloraturafan]

Did you copy and paste that statement from another post? Anyway, what makes your an expert on Donizetti and this cabaletta, to say what notes are more important than others? After seeing your comment on the Il Pirata video, I have to admit you are no expert in this field. I would suggest that you not call people ignorant and then go around posting ignorant comments yourself.

[primohomme]

As a matter of fact, yes, I am something of an expert, I am a musicologist, I am very familiar witht he so called "assoluta" roles...in which you need kinda of a mezzo-soprano chest voice as well as a high soprano top. Those roles are not Lucia or Amina, you cannot do a strained throaty burp of a low note in the most dramatic phrase and then expect to be redeemed by a squeak at the end of the aria.

[coloraturafan]

Primohomme, I am sorry after reading you steady stream of uneducated comments, either you are the stupidest musicologist out there, or a liar. Do you understand anything about how the singers and even composers of this music changing the line and the variations to fit a specific persons voice. Does the name Malibran ring a bell? Wonder why there are Malibran versions of so many aria's and opera's? Because she was an important singer and they wanted to adjust the line to fit her voice.

[sevoflurane]

So much so that, for example, Bellini rewrote the role of Giulietta for a mezzo, because during a particular season at La Scala, there was no good sopranos to sing it.

[primohomme]

Bellini adapted the part of the soprano in "I Puritani" for Malibran, making it into a more mezzo friendly tessitura. Also Donizetti made the role of Maria Stuarda that is pretty lyrical more flamboyant for Malibran. But Bellini opposed to Jenny Lind performing Norma because she couldn't sing the low Bb or trill so low, and to Grisi doing Norma because she couldn't make justice to the role. One thing is altering the vocal line, other thing is corrupting it.

[coloraturafan]

Primohomme, are you sure you are a musicologist? I have to double check... Jenny Lind sang Norma when she was 15? She was born in 1820, Bellini died in 1835, so she would have had to been 15 for him to dissapprove of her singing in his opera (at any rate her early career in Sweden is usually thought to be 1838 to around 1843 when she made a success in Germany, so I would doubt if she ever sang for Bellini).

[primohomme]

You are right, small confusion from my part. Bellini didn't approve of Grisi's Norma for the reason I gave when he rehearsed her. He judged her incomparable in "pure" and straight-soprano roles, but not in the assoluta roles. It was Henry Chorley (aclaimed music critic) who gave terrible reviews to Jenny Lind whenever she sang Norma, he wrote "The voice and the music had no agreement".

[dougbalt]

@primohomme I agree with you on this one. (I know two years is kind of after the fact, but Netrebko is going to be debuting this role at the Met next season.) The bottom of Devia's range is quite weak, and she lacks the flexibility and the drama needed for many of these roles. Anna Bolena is not Lucia or Amina, and you need a much stronger bottom and middle for this role.

[iosonmedea]

Obviously you have no familiarity with belcanto tradition. People should pass a basic knowledge test before being allowed to post comments on youtube.

[DiegoMartinazzoli]

Nooooooooooo........ What are you talking about??

[sparafucile2]

Brava Mariella.  Sei meravigliosa

[primohomme]

Beautiful singer, but the chest voice is not even close to being what it needs to be for Anna Bolena.

[Woglinde33]

not to mention the middle voice having a wobble that none can separate it from a trill Why did this woman aged vocally so fast in the middle voice?

[iosonmedea]

If Callas is one of your favourite singers, Lohengrin, you should not even start talking about a wobble.

[primohomme]

Callas didn't have a wobble in her middle voice. And she never sounded like the old lady at church choir. Even if she lost her top notes, she could have continued her career as a dramatic mezzo, because the rest of her voice was intact.

[emanuele366]

La Devia ha colto il vero significato della discrepanza tra il testo e la musica. Anna Bolena recita "col perdono sul labbro discendo.." e a parlare è la regina, non la donna. La musica trasmette lo stato d'animo di una donna ingiustamente portata al patibolo, la parola è quella della regina che muore con dignità regale.

[1970heinz]

Molto brava anche se non all'altezza della Callas, ha fatto il mibemolle ma sul do è traballata... Sulla recitazione sorvoliamo, visto che tanto è truccata da Wanna Marchi, questa mi pare sia un'ingrata regia di Graham Wick.

[vivaldiano]

Ma hai mai letto il testo di questa cabaletta?La musica avra pure una certa veemenza,ma Anna Bolena per redimersi dice"col perdono sul labbro discendo...etc": La Callas sembra un'erinni!Sembra che lanci pietre!!!Troppa foga,troppo impeto....FUORI TESTO!!!ECCESSIVA!!!!

[DiegoMartinazzoli]

Penso che la Gruberova con Anna Bolena abbia raggiunto l'eccellenza. Non c'è Devia o Callas che tengano. Certo, molto ma molto meglio la Devia della Callas, sorvoliamo Caballe e non citiamo Sutherland, sperando per loro che nessuno vada a vedere le loro "coppia iniqua"

[iosonmedea]

L'eccellenza de' che? Degli slittamenti di tono? Vai a sentirti la Theodossiou!

[DiegoMartinazzoli]

Sentita la Theodossiou... Non mi è dispiaciuta anche se sui suoi video si leggono solo commenti veramente penosi...E ingiustificati.

Continuo a preferire la Gruberova. Quelli che voi chiamate slittamenti non sono degli slittamenti di tono, ma PASSAGGI da piano a forte... Che lei, soprattutto nel repertorio drammatico usa molto. E a me, personalmente, piacciono, Visto che molte volte sono scritti sugli spartiti, ma che nessuno esegue.

[iosonmedea]

No, tesoro, i passagi dal piano al forte fanno parte della dinamica, in cui la Gruberova eccelle. Gli slittamenti sono altra cosa. Le note vanno attaccate nel centro, senza sporcare la linea, in cui la Gruberova non eccelle, non so se per gusto personale o se perche` cerca la nota.

[DiegoMartinazzoli]

Beh.. slittamenti a dire il vero ne sento pochi. Comunque la Gruberova di 20 anni fa non slittava per niente. Penso non sia un modo di cercare le note,,,, perché io di certo non le cercherei così. Forse perché con l'età ha una minor capacità di mobilizzare aria polmonare e deve "risparmiare" fiato.... Oppure può essere una scelta di gusto...

[1970heinz]

Questo però attiene all'incoerenza tra musica e testo, che la Devia stessa aveva sottolineato nel backstage di questa produzione, cioè un testo che parla di perdono su una musica che sembra la pira del Trovatore... E' chiaro cioè che si presta a varie interpretazioni, perché è ambigua di per sé, e allora io trovo ugualmente credibile un perdono arrabbiatissimo come quello della Callas.

[saverioorlando]

She sings very well,but the role is not for her voice.

[Gigglingatagas]

I absolutely love Devia, but this was pretty rough. Bolena requires a bit more heft, in my opinion.

[kao0706]

l'ho scritto con italiano.abbbiamo capito bene anche inglese grazie.soltanto non bisogna di scrivere parolaccia,volevo scrivere solo questo.

non solo parolaccia.salve.

[kao0706]

torniamo dicorso serio.comunque Devia e' bravissima diva.complimenti!

[iriisblue]

The worst Devia I've ever heard. The delivery is remarkably bland, even for her.

[motardbear15]

Why always back to Callas's interpretation?Why?Don't you know she was "unique",and she will remain "unique" for hundreed years! But is it a reason for "not" singing the Bel Canto Roles?NO!I think that Miss Devia is very clever (like Dame Joan por example)of just taking Anna Bolena on a different way. But also effecient by the singing.And I must say that when Devia or Sutherland,or any other one are directed by a "real" good stage manager,they are absolutely able to give their best dramatically

[kao0706]

faccia da culo?che educata. vedi tu prego.

[motardbear15]

Are sure to understand "english" very well?????I am not really sure....Se vuoi posso scrivere in italiano quello che ho scritto in inglese....Forse capirai meglio, e soppratutto che ho scritto soltanto belle cose sulla Devia ....OK ???

[gattapoly]

canta benissimo, vera belcantista di razza, ma i recitazione vecchio stile e primipiani spietati

[rosellinastanca]

Devia è la dimostrazione di come con una eccellente tecnica lei possa ancora cantare Anna Bolena alla sua età. Adesso si vede che fa fatica ma ha tutto sotto controllo! Come recitazione avete ragione...ma di Callas ce n'è una sola!!!

[DiegoMartinazzoli]

Ci sono state tante altre soprano bravissime nella recitazione. Smettiamola con ste paragoni con la Callas. La Devia quando canta è sempre IMMOBILE!! Per un cantante con una giusta tecnica vocale l'immobilità non esiste.

[gattapoly]

Canta benissimo, vera belcantista di razza , ma la recitazione assomiglia ad una ginnastica braccia sù e braccia giù, poi , non le gioovano i primi èiani...

[midlochblidloch]

look at her face while singing the high eb. :-/

[riccardo699]

Her acting is no pathetic it's actually funny. What is she doing with that extended arm? Hailing a cab in NYC????

[midlochblidloch]

I didn't say anything about her acting, I said her face looked dangerously while snging the eflat.

[riccardo699]

Right, she looks like the late Jim Bailey doing his Barbara Streisand impersonation, and believe me, it wasn't pretty. But I still say that even though she had a great voice, Devia has to be THE WORST bel canto actress/singer I have ever seen. She is best listened to and not watched. The Italians would call her "faccia da culo."

[midlochblidloch]

you have no discernment, I don't think I want to discuss this topic with you.

[sediziosevoci]

We, Italians, would call you "Testa di cazzo". But I am sure you know that already.

[albertogrilo]

Ok. This man is from George Bush country. You must forgive him.

Gruberova and Devia are non american opera Divas. :)

[sediziosevoci]

No they are not Rolex singers... thank God for that!

[albertogrilo]

Nice comment. No they are nor Rolex singers Thank God. But, too me they are golden singers... Thank God we have them...

[artdanks]

Unimpressed. (Actually, pretty ugly!)

[magicflute3]

technically very clever...but why does she want to sing operas that are not for her voice or temperament ( as, also, Il Pirata?)

[sevoflurane]

Because there are lots of people who enjoy her singing, mate! That's why!

[franz0woyzeck]

Well this may be slightly beyond her range at times but she is a delightful singer and on mark. You should hear her sing Charpentier's Depuis le jour. Her high eb was flawless!

[idreno2001]

Some of th cooments are very ungenerous:

1) first of all: it is a reharsal with all the limits of it;

2) secondly the performance was more than dignified and the sovracuto perfect;

3) if this performance is considered "embarassing" how many sopranos are left to perform around the world this very difficult title?what level of expectation do we have from a life performance?

[sevoflurane]

That's absolutely true. This is indeed a rehearsal, nothing like what we heard in the theatre. It is clear that she only "accenna" in this particular contest.

[operabuff1]

Brava, Mariella! 5/5

[CzarDodon]

3/2 btw

[CzarDodon]

Poor Devia, I was there, you couldn't hear her half the time, in concertati she simply vanished. This recording is taken from a rehearsal with mics close up. By the end of the performance whe was very tired and gave an absurdly careful performance of this cabaletta. She simply should not sing such parts. A old pussy cat will never be a lioness. It's a pity because her career was very dignified up until a few years ago.

[sevoflurane]

lol! I was there too. Show me another tired singer who can sing "Al dolce guidami" with endless breath spans in the prone position and a cabaletta with all the trills and an E flat... then I will buy your comment!

[CzarDodon]

Finding another tired soprano who can, or cannot do it will add nothing!! The whole point is that this tired old soprano didn't need to sing this role which was too much for her. Yes, "A dolce guidami" was beautiful, but it is not posted here. I'm not selling my comment, it free :-) take it or leave it. Did you think she has what it takes to sing Anna Bolena? It's better to retire gracefully than to blow your last years singing repertoire that is too heavy in the provinces.

[sevoflurane]

Yes, yes... you got yourself into a pickle with your own arguments and you cannot get out of it! Chill out sweetie, if you do not like a particular singer, all you have to do is to avoid to go and see their performances.

[CzarDodon]

You have nothing to say so you accuse me of having no arguments, wonderful approach! I have great admiration for Devia, but not adoration, here she absolutely overstepped her limits, Bolena is not for her, and that is sad because through almost her entire career she made very appropriate choices.

I'll go to the theatre whenever I like, and when I see something I don't like I'll have my say.... sweetie!

[sevoflurane]

Sorry but I refuse to get involved into a fruitless discussion with judgemental posters. Take care!

[CzarDodon]

Refuse to listen to the obvious facts, bacuase being a "devoted" fan rather than an objective listner your beloved Mariella can do no wrong

[iosonmedea]

Clever interpretation! 5/5

[tamerlano]

I think she would be amazing in "A dole guidamoi" but she sounds too careful here -- 2/5

[javierdetelleria]

Verona, a few months ago.Unforgettable

5/5

[CzarDodon]

yes unforgettably sad really, and quite boring too

[operajk]

She is amasing in Bolena and the best is in her first aria.

mariella is a great Bolena

Note: 5/5

[mdancer01]

i am not fan of Devia but i recognize good interpretation 5/5

[mrrk]

She is still singing well after all these years. 4/4

[coryisawake]

I find Devia uncharacteristically strained in keeping with the tempo and attack of notes other than the Eb. She shines in legato lines, but her lack of resonance in her lower range doesn't do this role much justice.

[gvjps123]

Devia is in very good vocal shape especially considering she is 30 years into her career! The final eflat is thrilling, and she is much more emotionally involved in this role than in some of her others.

4.5/4

[borias12]

5/5

[fiesco75]

4/4.

[rawdonqueen]

No Question. 5/5. And if she does sing in another production I believe she will develop further. She has always had a taste for unconventional productiond.

[AnnElliot]

I'm biased too, having seen this live. I was very impressed by the direction and the staging and it shows how intelligent it was in creating a different Anna, Vick really tried to keep her away from the romantic, sentimental image that was so much more used and easier to approach. Vocally, one of the best I've heard, 5/5

[Orombello]

4/3

[sevoflurane]

I found Vick's and Devia's approach to the role really clever. Too often Anna is portrayed simply just as "one of the Donizetti heroines'". The whole production gave a feeling of coldness: from the palace with its glassy walls to the movements of the artists on stage. Monarchs lacking warmth of feelings, unable to communicate to each other and surrounded by the cold landscapes of Albion. A masterpiece!

[OperaBR]

This is a role that fits Devia's current voice. One never feels the heaviness and wider vibrato of her voice affect the singing - instead, it helps convey the mature demeanor of Anna. Some of the vocal runs don't sound effortless and precise and she seems to be (intelligently) saving her voice, but the final top note is amazing and she completely masters the Bel Canto style. I'd rather a more complex characterization, combining vulnerability and strength, since it looked sort of "cold". 4.2/3.7

[Orfeus80]

What you say actually proves that her characterisation worked. In an interview the director, Graham Vick insisted on a cold, distant portrait of Anna Bolena. I recall him stating that Callas and Simionato played the two ladies like Italian women.

[OperaBR]

So this was the director's choice, but I'm afraid this interpretation isn't to my taste. One must interpret Donizetti's Anna Bolena, not the real Ann Boleyn. Besides, I don't think being Italian or British matter in such dramatic situation. Anna is a heroine in its true sense, determined and deign, but she mustn't be indifferent to her emotions and her personal drama. This is not to say Devia wasn't involved in her character, but this approach made her look cold in a way I don't like much. ;-)

[ezayitas]

That doesn´t prove anything. Everybody has an opinion and could´ve been completely different from what OperaBR wrote here. What if she or he would´ve written exactly the oposite?. I like Devia no matter what. Nowadays I try very hard not to pay attention to productions cause they really get on my nerves with so much crap. This one looks nice though.

[sevoflurane]

In an interview she stated how difficult it is to couple the words of the libretto with a music which has the vigour of "Di quella pira". I think she did brilliantly. This is probably the shooting of a rehearsal, in the theatre she sang all the trills. I would like to stress that on stage this came after singing "Al doce guidami" in the prone position!!! Personally this is why I go to the Opera: to see magic on stage! 5/5

[hotazzoperastud]

This is a very belcanto Anna Bolena. So many sopranos tackle this opera as if it were Norma, with heavy attacks and labored coloratura. This is a very refreshing approach. 5/5

[patjan92]

BRAVA MARIELLA 5/5

[Orfeus80]

Another thinking Bolena! (like Ricciarelli and Theodossiou). I'm biased since I saw Devia live in this role. Technically however it's quite clear she tackles this difficult cabaletta better than all the others and her cold but determined approach makes her Bolena unique - I love the grin before the Eflat implying that Bolena is proud of herself. 5/5