Casta Diva - Claudia Muzio

[Matt75003]

Technically, this is not flawless. My mind tells me this. Something else (my heart, my soul?) also tells me that the only proper response to such a performance is to thank God for making this miracle possible.

[reduxmisc]

@Matt75003 Well put....

[diarci]

Between Muzio, Ponselle, and Callas it's simply a matter of personal preference. Ponselle was as technically perfect as Callas, but Callas had a deeper, more personal interpretation. Muzio had a warmth and humanity that no one else had. Of course, if you want to play "what might have been", do a search for Florence Quartararo and listen to her "La Mamma Morte."

[fanufanufan]

beautiful and beautifully expressed

[beachblonde181]

In her 50's, on an old recording device, Claudia Muzio out-sings all sopranos, past or present.  Her natural tonal quality is exquisite. Her technique is flawless.

[MadonnaImperia]

@beachblonde181 She was 46 in 1935, when this was recorded. Her breathing technique and voice production may be perfect. Her coloratura technique is not.

[Tenortalker]

Wonderful singing even with the limitations of ill health. She was very great indeed. Her Addio from Traviata moves me to tears.

[FRANKHODGES39]

I must accept the fact that finally someone equalled the immortal Callas in this aria.

[Alguienteamaahora]

Es inutil insitir... No hubo ni habra alguien como Claudia Muzio... Dios clavo en un corazon las espinas necesarias para que su martirio embelleciera aun mas su voz hecha de suspiros y lagrimas... Por eso a ella se la llama : LA UNICA ... Salve Claudia.

[SHICOFF1]

very fine and even with the old sound you hear her great voice easily and appreciate it.

[KarinWettig]

@reduxmisc

This is just wonderful, her belcanto technique is perfect, more perfect than Callas and she has the same pathos. I love this aria. Thank you for posting.

[lucmanty]

Non sono un intenditore di lirica, ma da appassionato incompetente,ma curioso,queste soprano sono tutte bravissime,anche se, Anna Moffo soddisfa oltre l'orecchio- vista e cuore

[Alleeexoscm]

Bellisimo !!

La primer gran Norma, y la primer Casta Diva belcantista con dramatismo hermoso que se puede escuchar. Y tambien, primera en ser llamada ¡La Divina!, como posteriormente lo seria Maria Callas.

[triptoheaveandho]

@reduxmisc lovely eveyone associates this so much with Callas but Claudia is wonderful

[digidanrud]

wow..I have never heared of this woman before tonight, she has got to be a great of all time, just remember the recording is totally rubish . Yet the tone and power are amazing. thanks

[CanadaPisces]

A lovely performance! Thank you Ron for the posting! She is one of my favourite singers.

[germangarfias]

@reduxmisc wow, I really enjoy this aria, good job and thanks for posting. from mexico

[cantorandopera]

I have been listening to many Casta Divas. They all feature big name sopranos, who give it their personal stamp. Muzio's voice, has always been a favorite of mine, and she doesn't disappoint here. Perhaps, there is a little less drama in the words, but it is made up for in the overall wall of even sound that she produces, with her liquid legato. I love it!

[Nacidodelmar]

@reduxmisc I am shocked! it really does have a Callas feeling ! WOW

[mwk12kev]

@Noacidodlemar --- no Callas feeling...but a Muzio feeling. Callas wished she had that instrument. Yes, she had the dramatic insight but the voice and same control as Muzio....NO!

[primohomme]

@mwk12kev

Callas certainly had better intonation and breathe control than I hear in this recording, as well as greater agility and range...

[Annabelleese1]

I stumbled upon this one by accident as I was comparing renditions of Casta Diva. Thank you. It is just marvelous....mellow, rich...as compelling in many ways as that of Callas without the slight hysteria in Callas's voice at times.

[artedelcanto]

Grazie per questa bellissima edizione di Casta diva con la grande Claudia Muzio. L'avevo ascoltata 40 anni fa e me ne ero innamorata!

[spatch1000]

A stunning, unstrained rendition. The first time I have heard her and will seek out more. Thank you so much!!

[Bamboogein]

Maravillosa voz, dulce y sobria. Suena cómo algo celestial. Gracias por comartir esta "Prima Diva della Opera".

[abracadabranque]

C'est très bien!Pas de pathos vulgaire,tout en retenue,du beau chant!Merci!!

[Robertgrade]

I like Muzio very much, but this performance is not in the same level as Sutherland's, Callas' or Ponselle's.

[abracadabranque]

@ Robertgrade Ts..ts...ts...Pour les aigus peut-être?

[paulostroff99]

@Robertgrade -At least as good as any of them and a better singer by far than Sutherland or Callas. Even Callas agrees that Ponselle was her (Callas) superior. They both learned much from Claudio Muzio.

[primohomme]

@paulostroff99

Ponselle had a more beautiful instrument than Callas, but was not a superior singer in terms of technicalities.

[paulostroff99]

awesome! As good as any that ever recorded.

[hashatz]

Muzio is simply wonderful. AShe is a Norma in the tradition of Rosa Ponselle - solid, sensual, dramatic and eminently musical. What a winning combination. Oh yes, Cerquetti is also in this category.

[MastersoftheOpera]

I'm new to Clauda Muzio. She's MARVELOUS! She is at the level of Callas. This is beautiful Casta Diva and I'm sure her Norma is excellent. I'm glad I found La Muzio. If only today's singers could sing like this.

[dodacon]

May I comment - peaceably - that there is room for many great recordings of the Casta Diva in our ears - I welcome every competing soprano. I am pleased to see that so many people love the affecting and subtle Muzio, as I do. No one (or should I read them all again?) speaks of the wonderful musicianship of the great Maria Callas as her distinguishing qualification - if there was music in the aria, Maria revealed it all, almost better than anyone, whatever her flaws as a vocal technician.

[Vendimi3]

I'd suggest anita Cerquetti too. Another wonder.

[Vendimi3]

This singer is the only I've ever heard that can live up to Maria Callas. She's unhuman.

[liedersanger1]

What year is this from, please?? It's fascinating,and beautiful--but I suspect it's from late in her career.

[reduxmisc]

the year was 1935.... I've just put additional notes in the more info section.

[janejones11]

I think it is from 1935, but I'm not 100& sure.

[Houndentenor1998]

Although I've read a great deal about Muzio, I've never heard her sing. Now I know why she was such a great artist.

Thank you for posting this wonderful recording.

[CanadaPisces]

One of the truly great sopranos! TY!

[KIMAEREE]

작곡가 피아졸라께서 이테리음대 성악/오페라작곡부

졸업하실때만드신작품입니다

우아한 유럽고전음악곡으로 이미800만부이상음반이

출시되어버린 유명한곡입니다

[wattever333]

strange, this time I can hear it much better, and I haven't changed my settings. Well, actually I lowered my overall volume.

[LMBS7]

Really a great artist and a great voice.

[ynad1979]

è sepolta accanto a mia nonna, nel cimitero del Verano a Roma...grandissimo punto di riferimento per qualsiasi soprano, Callas compresa, che si lamentava di non saper leggere la lettera di Violetta nell'ultimo atto come lei (cosa tra l'altro verissima)...

[gioxyza]

Thanks for letting me enjoy her fantastic interpretation.

I am not an expert but I keep the dear memories of my father

ant who sang at La Scala from 24 to 31 ( including a nice picture of Claudia Muzio with dedication).

[operabuff1]

La diva dolorosa, the divine Claudia - short of breath but wonderful ! Thanks for posting this gem and the ravishing photos !

[Heppygirl88]

You must understand that was another time! They cant sing like we now!

Sorry for my English

[INTELIGENCIA666]

1930

[gmmix]

Exquisite! FIVE STARS....

[trumansf]

She wasnt a belcanto, she was verisimo. What are you talking about people? Its completely different technichs of singing. And Casta Diva is a belcanto aria

[liedersanger1]

What year was this? Can someone tell me?

[marioegorga]

Muzio was at her prime a great Norma, and in todays standards no one comes even close to her.She not only had a beautiful tone but her voice also possessed a pathos that made it unique.

[Nacidodelmar]

@marioegorga AGREED ! that pathos wow it gets deep and deeper!

[softballcat210]

i know a relitive a claudia muzio

[thomasdr28]

I had this recording on an original wax 78... Has it been reissued on CD? I've adored her singing for years, but I wore out the cassette copy of the album that I'd made.

[Lohengrin]

in the vocalising part she does sing the "comma" but she interrupts her sound completely After ALL these singers only Callas and Sutherland sing this part with a comma... i wonder is it so difficult to sing it with a comma?

[eternauta72]

it seems that madame muzio wanted to show in this aria that she is prima donna assoluta. but i ask: where is the fullness of voice of Ponselle and Arangi-Lombardi here?? compare Claudia Muzio with Rosa Ponselle and Giannina Arangi-Lombardi is like comparing a fiat 600 with a pininfarina ferrari and a porsche turbo...

[geologicalmap]

You're really a sad man/woman. Maybe You just need a little bit of love. Relax!! Maybe do a little cry and then the life will restart better than now. But please-stopo of talking about opera. You can't. "madame muzio wanted to show in this aria that she is prima donna assoluta"-in my opinion she is just singing. Bu I'm normal! CIAO

[EmilyGreene1984]

I think geologicalmap was a bit harsh to you, but for your information Claudia Muzio trained and used the very same techinque that Rosa Ponselle, Arangi-Lombardi used. (Bel Canto) Now, if you prefer Rosa's voice to hers, that is allright - but geologicalmap is correct in that Claudia Muzio was not trying to show that she was a "prima donna assoluta" - she was just singing in the natural, healthy way that she could do.

[Operafiend22]

The score for this aria is marked "dolce espressivo e pianissimo sempre"...it isn't supposed to be sung with great fullness of voice. You criticizing Muzio is like G. Bush criticizing G. Washington!

[Operafiend22]

Damn Youtube...my comment was a reply to eternauta72

[angelovocci]

That "barrel" quality! It's called an open throat and using complete appogio, almost overly relaxed cheeks, causing that extra resonance. But even this Casta Diva has its technical vocal flaws, like notes being shaken out, the larynx being shaken to hit notes. So what?! I love Muzio. I love Callas! Muzio had a pure tone and was lyric. Callas was spinto, could do Dramatic and coloraturra as a assoluta agille' soprano. Both communicated greatly and are my favorite two female singers.

[gmmix]

Very nice! This is the first time I've heard her Casta Diva.  Who produced the record you're playing? Nice photos. FIVE STARS!

[swe50]

Sixtyfive years old and still infantile. Instead of your insipid comments on the singers why don´t you come with some suggestions of reallly great sopranos at the Colon! I am sure they were not argentinians.

The audience of the Colon is world famous for it´s warmth, enthusiasm and knowledge. You obviously are the exception. Your are making a complete prat of yourself.Find another forum for your vitriolic and incompotent remarks.

[suede008]

You seem to be a ridiculous besser wisser who need this forum to strenghten your self esteem. You launch out at all and everything.

Or are you ninety years old and actually heard her peform ? Need a hearing aid obviously. Yes, Poncelle, was greater. And this, do you find it grotesque too, as you so intelligently put it. Go to sleep !

[8Micky4]

Sto parlando della Callas comunque, il commento sotto è una risposta a birgitnilsson :)

[Spats47]

THE great actress-soprano! Forget Callas!

Of-course, her voice was just beginning to go at the top, but it's still a fine performance!

The other great recordings are by Cerquetti and, way back, the great, great Celestina Boninsegna.

[macciboma]

Una voce molto precisa nel cantare, non direi eccezionale,non da porre al livello delle più

grandi del passato, Callas,Cerquetti ,persino la Ross mi ha inpressionato per la potenza ,ciò che trovo che manchi in questo video.

[8Micky4]

ehm...io spero vivamente ke tu stia skerzando... Non c'è confronto con la Callas! E per quanto tutti ne dicano, nn era il suo ruolo! Callas era un soprano di coloratura, ma ha voluto a tutti i costi essere un soprano drammatico (lei pretendeva di essere assoluto, parole SUE) ma la voce era finta. La Muzio era sopranniminata la Divina. Ora noi kiamiamo Callas la Divina... E'ridicolo. Era musicale, aveva gusto, era eccezionale in scena, ma nn era perfetta, la sua voce non era centrata.

[birgitnilsson]

son d´accordo con parecchie cose che tu scrivi, peró direi piuttosto che la Callas era un soprano drammatico d´agilità,ció che spiega i diversi ruoli che ha potuto cantare e sempre con quella magia che la rende unica.

[8Micky4]

beh, che abbia cantato numerosissimi ruoli è fuori discussione, ma da qui a dire ke li abbia cantati bene ce ne passa :)

Ha fatto pochissimi anni di carriera, se ci pensi, xkè la voce non rispondeva + alle sue esigenze. Lei lo sapeva, si può leggere nelle lettere che mandava al maestro Francesco Siciliani (e la voce non è una cosa che invecchia, nonostante ciò che si pensa ora; i vecchi cantanti lo sapevano, e hanno tutti cantato fino alla vecchiaia)

[8Micky4]

beh, che abbia cantato numerosissimi ruoli è fuori discussione, ma da qui a dire ke li abbia cantati bene ce ne passa :)

Ha fatto pochissimi anni di carriera, se ci pensi, xkè la voce non rispondeva + alle sue esigenze. Lei lo sapeva, si può leggere nelle lettere che mandava al maestro Francesco Siciliani (e la voce non è una cosa che invecchia, nonostante ciò che si pensa ora; i vecchi cantanti lo sapevano, e hanno tutti cantato fino alla vecchiaia)

[macciboma]

Mi dispiace contraddirti ma secondo me sei fuori

strada,la Callas aveva una voce fantastica una delle migliori del 20 secolo,

Il 90% degli intenditori te lo possono affermare. Scusa Walter.

[8Micky4]

Beh, t assicuro ke il 90% degli intenditori di oggi purtroppo nn sanno minimamente ki sia Claudia Muzio o Rosa Ponselle, e purtroppo sn convinti ke la Callas abbia inventato la lirica... ke tristezza, nn trovi? C'è un'ignoranza ormai nel canto ke purtroppo è insanabile. :-(

[rdecordes]

Yes, she had a hollow quality like singing in a barrel and she had a wobble even in her I Puritani days...still great and I love her puritani but she didn't have the haunting purity of tone that came from Muzio's and

Rosa Ponselle's instrument...can't buy bone structure

[rdecordes]

This was in reply to 8Mickey who wrote in Italian about Callas and Muzio...don't know why it showed up here.

[Andante735]

I'm assuming you're talking about Callas? No, she never had the beautiful purity of tone that Muzio, Ponselle, or Tebaldi had- but that's what made that voice even more unique. I do agree about the barrel part though, that always bothers me.

[all276]

I agree with swe50. Can´t you just rest in the beauty of the rendition. To what purpose all the stress of whom is triumphing over the other? Muzio´s voice is lovely and a forerunner to all sopranos who later could benefit from her knowledge and skill. Listen and relax, it´s worth it.......

[jerodo4330]

Here you have a singer who was favorite in only one theater , Teatro Colon.Muzio sang barely 1 or 2 times at LaScala and at the Met she was Ponselle second donna of course

[all276]

World renowned opera critic jerodo is back again. Insulting is all he can manage, poor man. What a dull life you must have. Go back to whatever stone age rock your hiding under!

[birgitnilsson]

Jerodo, o pajero mas bien,terminala con la pavada

[jerodo4330]

birgitnilsson sos una marica argentina no? que pones Italy en tu profile.

Claudia Muzio tenìa una voz FEA y CHICA y suena a rancia y mas antigua que nadie, su fraseo es ordinario y obsoleto.Era horrible su voz y ella por lo que se ve en las fotos.Horrible Claudia Muzio

[birgitnilsson]

Por lo que escribiste, la marica sos tu, y si sos argentina, peor para ti.JAJAJAJA

[swe50]

Jerodo:

Are you completely contadino or just a bitter old man? How dare you to call somebody marica?

How pesado can you get? Don´t be such a cobarde and share your "wisdom" instead! WHO HAVE EVER SUNG ANYTHING TO YOU CONTENT? Your comments no me importa un culo but at least have the guts to come forward with something constructive. Or is this your idea of having fun ? Cut the bullshit and be a man !!

[jerodo4330]

Claudia Muzio had and small and ugly voice.

At her time at The Colon were heard many other sopranos with greater voices than Claudia Muzio

[birgitnilsson]

Jerodo, dejate de joder, escucha mejor y no digas mas boludeces!!!

[Andante735]

And you probably have a small and ugly penis- which would explain your hostility.

[deluzon]

Andante andante, not so harsh, not so enemymente. :-)

[swe50]

Sometimes I feel exhausted by every self appointed expert but I do understand this is a forum for discussion. Muzio is doing excellently and like Ponselle must have been important to the development of singers like Callas and Sutherland. I find this rendition

beautiful and haunting, ornamental figures, chromatic scales, or not...

[birgitnilsson]

I couln´t agree more.

[paulostroff99]

Muzio,Ponselle,Callas etc.Who cares-they were all 3 fantastic and a delight to listen to.Brava divas.

[jfsanin]

I know she was great. Overcome Callas and Ponselle in hinstrionic habilities, but each one of them had her best aria or song. In my opinion, this version is great, but I prefer Ponselles'casta diva

jfsanin

[jfsanin]

Muzio was one of the bests, but I share the opinion with those say Callas was better. And, I should add, Ponselle was better than Callas and Muzio, mainly in this song.

Juan Fernando Sanin

[Ankhsnammon]

Please,don't say blasphemes!!!!

MUZIO was the MAXIM ITALIAN SOPRANO!!!!!!!

At her side,Callas is nothing!!!!!

Ankhsnammon

[BachLoveNat]

Oh... my dear thank you.... divine!

[Ankhsnammon]

Divine like your blessed soul.

Nina

[birgitnilsson]

Are you perhaps some unknown pharaoh of ancient Egypt?

[Ankhsnammon]

no,Madame...i'm an humble dilettante from Argentina...only this...

ankhsnammon

[Ankhsnammon]

no,Madame...i'm an humble dilettante from Argentina...only this...

ankhsnammon

[paulostroff99]

Ankhsnammon-Callas was not vocally in her or in the class of Rosa Ponselle. Callas was the first to admit to this. She was great on stage especially as an actress.

[billyguns2]

Neither Ponselle or Muzio brought the specificity of dramatic intent, superb enunciation of the text, Fantastic rhythmic incisiveness, or great musicianship that Callas was able to do even on her worst day. We are of course speaking about my three favorite sopranos of all time, and while Ponselle and Muzio certainly left us some great recordings (Ponselle's A L'AIME and Muzio's MAL D'AMOR,e.g.) Callas has the best overall legacy.

[billyguns2]

I was in the audience in Cincinnati Music Hall at Callas and di Stefano's last appearance; PLEASE carefully re-read what I wrote in my comment: "dramatic intent, superb enunciation...rhymic incisiveness...great musicianship..." Do you know what these terms mean? I also said that Ponselle, Muzio and Callas are my 3 favorites. What is wrong with you people? Ponselle was a vocal miracle, Callas had everything else, and Muzio had it all. Happy?

[kgarmaker123]

I uderstand why you are frustrated. I feel the same way. I listen carefully and coment on some of these on singers,who may make a good sound, but are not musical. They do not understand or enunciate the text. They have no feel for the rhythms in the lyric portions of the opera, let alone the elusive recitatives.

They cannot no matter how hard they try, be convincing in a role. I just throw my hands up(must be the italian). It takes a good deal more than a voice to be a great opera singer.

[mannail888]

And you, "billyguns2", had all three things too: shit head, bloodless heart and a most hallucinated mind. Thank you for letting us know that there are species like you in this world.

[billyguns2]

I'm always happy to learn about sopranos from old Europe, Italy, Spain, Germany and France, but why are you cryptic? Tel me their names! I also happen to love Kirsten Flagstad, Renata Tebaldi, Victoria de los ANgeles, Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Renata Scoto, and Birgit Nilsson to name just a FEW. My three absolute favorites remain Callas, Muzio and Ponselle. So what is your point?

[Elisabetta611]

Callas was, first and foremost a musician.

[meltzerboy]

I agree with you that much of Muzio's singing of the aria is exquisite. My criticisms refer to the way she sings the descending scales, which sound too forceful to me, and not done in the smooth, shimmering way Callas or Sutherland sing them; you can compare for yourself on YT. The ornaments too are sung in a somewhat less elegant way. That's all I meant; not a harsh criticism, and my opinion based on knowledge and experience. You are entitled to disagree, and I respect that.

[janejones11]

I must agree with you Meltzerboy.I love Muzio too, but her vocal agility cannot be compared to Calls or Sutherland who possessed virtuositic ability in florid singing. Pointing this out is not pretentious. It is valid. Despite that, I think this performance has a number of lovely moments, and the beauty of Muzio's voice always scores points with me.

[meltzerboy]

My comments may sound specious or pretentious to you, but they're not meant to be. Let me make it clear that I don't deify Callas or any other singer; I've criticized Callas in several posts when I believe there are faults in her singing. And, as stated, I've praised Muzio numerous times, but I don't deify her either.

[meltzerboy]

I love Muzio's singing, as I've indicated in several other posts. But not so much for this bel canto aria. It is definitely NOT better than Callas' performances of it, or Sutherland's for that matter. The ornamental figures are not handled so well, and neither are the chromatic scales. The expression is there but not at a level comparable to Callas.

Sorry about this one!

[Andante735]

Sorry about this one too, but this happens to be exquisite. I love Callas's rendition just as much as the rest of the world, but she's not god-- you would think she was by the way she's deified, but she's not. I've no idea what's meant by her "not handling the ornamental figures, or the chromatic scales". Your comments sound specious at best, and pretentious at their worst. Perhaps you'd like to expand your comments for the rest of the youtube audience.

[paulostroff99]

Music of the gods. Even better than Maria Callas on this-the signature song of Callas. This is the voice of a goddess.TY

[janejones11]

Beautiful, silken legato, elegant style and deep, inward feeling. If only she had recorded more from Norma...

[A7sogno]

fantastic.....love this!!!!

[satirocallista]

Could be as good as you wish but she doesn´t have the title "La Divina" there´s only one Divina and her name is Maria Callas.

Peut- être une bonne chanteuse mais elle n´a pas le titre "la Divina" Il y a seulemente une "Divine" elle s´appelle Maria Callas

[reduxmisc]

Over the years there have been a few singers that have received the accolade of "La Divina" Muzio got hers in 1919. It is an accolade that signifies an extraordinary talent. Callas being one of them. Unfortunately today it is an accolade that is thrown around quite commonly and not always deservedly

[procanto]

Really a marvellous bel canto singer!

[primadonna13]

Thank you!!

Muzio is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!