The "Nacqui all'affanno" Contest - Frederica von Stade

[Desigovia]

5/5 from me. Like I remarked on another post.There are no facial contortions or histrionics. The voice just flows effortlessly from mezzo to soprano and both low and high notes are nailed with ease. A beautiful singer, actor and person.

[dangmills]

I can't find this album... only the DVD ARRGGGHHH Help please?

[Faircrowd1]

Suely the best mezzo-soprano in the world. thank you!

[ALEAM77]

I like a lot this mezzo coloratura... it's a real coloratura...with the lightness of the coloratura, the color of the soprano for the acute note and also the very rich tone of the mezzo (not too dramatic for this role)...Just my feeling...sorry for my english I'm french...

[g4thz]

It's equally accurate, it's similar timbre, it's just as fast as anything I hear from "these days"... (I'm thinking of Joyce)

But it lacks the soul. This is more: I have a pretty voice, listen to me sing.

Now we get a little more soul that von Stade doesn't seem to attain except for on the high notes right at the end (particularly 5:56)

[nclysander]

Watch her rendition from the Ponnelle film (also on YouTube). Von Stade had plenty of soul.

[leoperarm]

I LOVE your contests!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sacopenapa]

I really love Von Stade, but there is also Teresa Berganza!

[bripat22]

Von Stade OWNS the role of Cenerentola

[vitellia]

She has a beautiful voice, but I think her coloratura could be a little more aggressive and articulate, a la Bartoli and Larmore. Her embellishments aren't that great either. (Where was Dr. Gossett?!) But then she sounds much more feminine and even vulnerable, which is interesting. 3/4

[EmilyGreene1984]

I agree with dannymaestro, although I think her voice contributes an air of delicacy that, IMHO, would fit the character of Angelina very well. A very beautiful aria, one of my favourites. I would give this, a 5/5.

[musoph21]

i didnt know frederica could sing like that . brava but still the the dramatic effect of marilyns voice

[dannymaestro]

Her voice is a little bit tiny, but she uses it very intelligent and interresting. Very nice pianissimos and lovely characterization but I prefer a little bit wider voice that floats above the orchestra like von Otter! ***/****

[operadm]

although i generally prefer horne's voice, this is a wonderful characterization and singing 5/5

[alexmacias]

Perfection! 5/5!!! To me, the winners are Kassarova and von Stade! Great idea to have this kind of contest! Could you do a Una Voce Poco Fa now?