Eleanor Steber sings "Come Scoglio" from Cosi Fan Tutte

[johndlabella]

actually some of this translation is brilliant. The finale of Act 1, where Despina arrives disguised as a doctor, has some priceless lines.

[erniemajor]

whoa...thankyou!

[hullguy123]

Brava!

[erika64F]

I am Mozart's fan and of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's voice, but that, is a great rendition of this special piece of music. Thank you from France

[AmericanEvita]

Although sung in English and not the original Italian, this was gloriously sung by Eleanor Steber. She had a grand lyric soprano voice and technique. Any opera singer who can sing various languages including English, is truly talented. 19th century legends like Malibran, Patti, Melba and Nordica all sang in English. I really enjoyed this and it's very good, and speaking as one who normally dislikes opera sung in English.

[musicallyfit848]

She's a beautiful person.

[Dogaradodia]

Certified Intergalactic! The Steber Star! Sounds German. Great voice though of Eleanor Steber.

[LLehmannfan]

@Dogaradodia You might be right in some cases like that.

But besides that, Steber was a great Mozart singer. Especially in this aria she reminds me of her German colleague Elisabeth Grümmer, who is also amongst my most admired singers.

[Randidan]

@Dogaradodia Actually, her voice has much of the typically "American" sound in it; one of its glories! Compare to many of theothers and I think you'll come to hear it...

[cleanears]

This voice was full of sunlight and could produce real eclipses whenever necessary. So terriblyunderrated during her life, at least she's getting her due reward now, albeit too late for her. This singing transcends any discussion about operas in translation.

[gimmeachallenge]

@cleanears: Absolutely correct on the point of singing opera in languages other than the original. I normally detest it, and see it as disrespectful to the composer; and, would place myself firmly in the camp against opera in translation. However, with Steber's artistry I frankly could care less what language it's in; it is always perfection regardless of the language choice. A goddess.

[Randidan]

@gimmeachallenge I agree completely! ...and have you heard the VAI cd releases that contain a few BelCanto pieces? Too bad Puritani etc. weren't in the standard rep at the time... Definitely right up there with the Great Stars of USA opera along with Ponselle, Farrell and one or two others!

[MegaBrooklynny]

ksenia molodec

[RVP57]

The Met used to do less-familiar works in English. Cosi was just such such a 'rarity' in the 50s, as was Onegin or even Boris. This is a great souvenir of that era, with the stellar, ever-glamorous, ever-fabulous Eleanor Steber. Brava!

[sagagossard]

que asco en ingles

[Orbazzano]

DIVINA!

[Rapicienta]

Qué lástima teniendo la voz para cantar el aria perfectamente y lo arruinaron con el idioma inglés...:S, que lástima, pero ante todo, ella es una diosaa y mozart le quedaba bellisímo.

[paminaase]

English operas : killing Mozart.

[nicksum29]

Lovely, lovely, lovely. But oh! The English translation is so horrid.

[horndiapason]

@nicksum29 True - I ALWAYS do my own English translations, with care taken to, as far as possible, match the vowels of the original language. My worst efforts are head and shoulders above this one. But I'm really quite modest and retiring.

[nicksum29]

@horndiapason Hee-hee. Very glad that you are so modest. A bad translation can turn Mozart into Gilbert & Sullivan.

[horndiapason]

@nicksum29 So true! And heaven forbid. (Actually, I'm a big G&S fan, and there have been times I've been tempted to "Gilbertize" just a little - but so far I've resisted. (angel icon goes here) LOL

[robertwbecker]

Thanks for the wonderful photos of Ms. Steber and of course this wonderful example of her singing. Thank you! The younger generation of singers need to know of her accomplishments and wonderful singing!

[b13ne]

Pity that rating have been disabled,even if five stars wereb't enough - there should have been at least ten, fifteen... who cares if it's in english or albanian? Steber is amazing more than ever, and this Come scoglio is on the edge of PERFECTION!

[elsr5]

it sounds a little bit odd in english to may taste, but GOD WHAT A SINGER! Her rendition of this terrible aria is just perfect!

[jacquesurlus]

***** Sublime Fiordiligi, une grande Mozartienne.

[songcatcher2000]

A big thank you to primobaritono for posting this excellent performance! I have always been a big Steber fan.

[davidperk]

Anybody know:

Is this from a live performance?

[Randidan]

@davidperk No, this is from a Columbia recording of the opera, made at the Met along with too-few others in the late forties, now mostly on cd's from Sony and others. They are well worth hearing in spite of not being in the original language... snap them up if you get the chance!

[oboistCONDUCTOR]

Fantastic!even if it is a little extrage to listen in another language than italian. elena

[Gigglingatagas]

A shame it's in English, but what a recording! I adore Eleanor Steber; there's a particularly fierce recital disc from 1956-58 that's amazing. Here, she is almost unbelievably good.

[vichitoj01]

Absolutely gorgeous, incredible and all the superlatives one can think of. She is as exciting here as when I saw her do Sophie at the Old Met as a fifteen year old. I fell madly in love with her that evening - her looks - her voice - her stage presence, and I have never stopped loving listening to her these past sixty odd years or so. Thanks for posting.

[sirenadellopera]

Hello! I also adore Steber. I was wondering, did you, or anyone you know, ever here, or hear of, a tenor, Giovanni Rufini, at the old Met? He did Chenier, and he was my teacher's father. We are looking for recordings or programs...He was there in the late 20's, I think...(I don't know your age...!)

[sirenadellopera]

Hi v! I tried to respond to your email, but could not...anyway, thanks!