19 year old Mezzo Soprano sings aria of Azzuchena

[zecroshac]

lol.......I'm 11 and I'm a tenor lol......

[theonewhoisgleek]

I was trying to work on my voice so I typed how to sing mezzo soprano and this was the first video so I opened it and are you sure it's mezzo soprano cause I was trying to sing mezzo soprano but now I think it will take me thousand yeras

[s8005]

very good voice!!! i'm a mezzo too.

i like your voice!!!

[CallasAfrica]

When i first read the title of this video i thought,.. Is she crazy??.. She's too young for azucena... Then i played it and heard her sing and i was blown away... Obviously she has a lot to learn still but she's definitely a natural dramatic mezzo... Thank God we have one coming up...

[Autovia]

Genial, me encanta...!!

[NymphetMephisto]

she's exceptional... she's dramatic mezzo, right?

[automobile01]

Fantastic... Oh hey low larynx - what a surprise in today's wasteland of voice teaching. Just beautiful.

[Autovia]

Qué pena... No está entero... Enhorabuena!!

[cantatore11]

pri takom glubokom penii sluh ocen' bystro ogrubeet,i nacnet glushit' rybu na ozere,te ne mozhet bolee upravlyat' golosom!

[avalokiteshivara]

Voz enorme pra 19 anos... Mas muito bem desenvolvida!

[Mushicolor]

hermoso! me encanta tu timbre, :D :D.

[kassova1]

Sung very nicely for a young mezzo. But still, it is a little early to put a color on the voice. Would be best to continue training with plenty of art songs and dynamics first, then come back to the heavier repertoire later. Better to be safe and not rush into stuff like this yet.

[MrSkylark1]

This young lady has a good instrument but should be judicious in selecting repertoire

Logic states that It is far more difficult to sing a pianissimo than a forte as noted in the operatic score. She should listen to CONCHITA SUPERVIA and, KERSTIN THORBORG

[79barkingspider]

@MrSkylark1 These are really interesting references, very different types of singers. Thorborg is stunning, but even did some contralto roles. Supervia is an acquired taste that I have acquired. I love that old fashioned voce infantile singing. I wish the modern coaches didn't try to make every mezzo sound like an alto. I guess I need you to clarify what Belkina should be learning from these two. God knows, she won't be singing any Wagner!

[jakestew2008]

she's amazing!!! What a great mezzo voice :))

Where is she from?

[Lenszkij54]

Aboriginal talent, 19 years old end big voice, wonderful profoundness.

[MrSkylark1]

The voice is ingolata. She has to learn how to sing Italian Songs before trying

this which is for a mature singers

[mezzo1945]

FIRST GET THE PROPER SPELLING OF THE POOR WITCH.

AZUCENA

[Prickler32]

I don't think the aria itself is dangerous, it is forcing the voice to sing it un-naturally dark and loud which is dangerous. As long as she is just doing it with piano played lightly (like here) and with her natural vocal color, I don't see a problem

[mwk12kev]

This is incredible and she IS singing correctly in a balanced manner.  Thank god she has a teacher that is not trying to lighten/compress, etc. One hears no evidence of strain, the tone is placed fully in the mask where it belongs and is so easy.

[Itsnotoveruntil]

2007 - 19 year old mezzo making "youtube headlines' with heavy Verdi rep - where are you now? i hope somewhere - beautiful voice -

[classicgrace]

@Itsnotoveruntil there's several videos of her here on youtube, still around and singing beautifully :) Just discovered her today. Fabulous voice. And @mwk12kev I love that her teacher isn't forcing her into a lighter compressed sound either. Many teachers seem to believe color is evil but I for one love it

[ajkmwier]

interesting voice... maybe good Azucena in the future....

[pianomags]

yep, I was wondering the same thing...is this actually a mezzo? Or a young sop who's darkening everything?

[AngeloViolista]

bravissima

[marialuisa1986]

brava. troppo giovane ancora per questo repertorio però....

[tkguy30]

she good she ready good!!!!!

[Turand0t]

Maybe not the healthiest choice of repertoir... Gorgeous voice though, but that wont last if she continues with this repertoir.

[kmillard]

@Turand0t Disagree. It's not like she's going to the high b-flats or c-flat of "O Don Fatale"

or even "Condotta ell'era in ceppi" yet. This is a very tuneful piece that does not go exceeedingly high or low. I think this is an excellent piece for getting the feet wet. I think this suits her vocal color and timbre very well and she can move into the heavier pieces more as she gains technique and vocal maturity.

[highnote32]

She has an amazing voice. Very rich and powerful for a teenage girl.

[EliasRasumeikas]

Verdi! Verdi! Why you do not hear it?Warum hörst du es nicht?

[famble1]

Hallelujah! A young singer who has not been destroyed by the ongoing attempts to homogenise and whiten (in vocal terms only!) the voice, people who tell young singers to lighten off and 'brighten the voice' artificially. It is just as dangerous to undersing and have a high larynx as it is to over darken the voice. In my opin ion, this young lass is headed in the right direction.

[raigekimaru]

absolutely, especially for large voices. fortunately for me, my voice teacher is an extremely dramatic coloratura who understands how to vocalize large young voices and early bloomers. even with adults, today's classical vocal community has developed a big voice phobia. I'm for over exposure to opera during the teen years, but hearing appropriate repertoire sung by a powerful younger voice is quite refreshing.

[Marroiamaxu]

I tottaly agree. I have abig voice and in university all the time teachers told me to sing light and less and less, IT HURT!

Undersinging is as harmfull as over singing!

[Eruionmel]

@famble1 : Keep in mind that the core of her voice IS bright. That's why she has so much presence in her voice. If she didn't, you wouldn't be able to understand her words with the amount of color she is using (quite effectively, I might add). In my experience with vocal teachers, when they ask you to "brighten" the voice, they aren't talking about removing the color. They are talking about adding a focused core, which doesn't mean removing color.

[IAACartists]

This video was recorded 2007 and find now the new videos from Lena Belkina who become member of Oper Leipzig 2009/10

[enlighten5]

Every single hair of mine stood on its freaking end. Bravo to you!

[brazdipr]

Блестящие профессиональные данные. Большое будущее.

[IAACartists]

Please see Lena Belkina with new videos

Che faro, Piangero, Erbarme Dich

[oliban78]

unhealth, tired and old voice...female voices change until 23 years old...take care,kido

[streghettadolce87]

Beautiful color,extreme precision...You'll become a great Singer. But remember you're are so young...

[raigekimaru]

19; I would have thought 30.

[Nightcalyptica]

Her voice is amazing ,so powerful and beautiful =D

[wailukshilouise]

WOW! Very full tone from a 19 year-old.... keep up your good work!

[Operaman41]

Oh My GOD!!

THis voice is Spectacular!!!! If you read this hiney I want to see you at the MET!! THis is exactly what Delores Zajick says that teachers are not doing. THey are not allowing students with Big voices sing the big stuff that they try to compress them to try to keep it small and pretty instead letting them be free and beautiful and BIG! YOu have got it go girl RUn with it!!

[xafnndapp]

Beautiful voice!!

I actually praise her teacher because she sings correctly.

I think that singing this aria, full of legato and some basic coloratura doesn't harm at all the voice, another story would be singing the WHOLE role of Azucena or more drammatic parts of the role!

But it is an impressive instrument! Cultivate it, be careful, study Italian and you can REALLY become someone!

BRAVA!

[silvy60]

very beautiful... but the name is AZUCENA !

[Endoryth1]

Wonderful voice, but I agree with the other comments that this piece should not be sung by a 19 yr old. And for goodness sake...please stay away from chest voice until you are older. It will ruin your high range. Best of luck to you.

[Ire990]

Great voice and very good interpretation(you make me envious)! Brava!

[2ManyHighCs]

Brava Lena !

[SadMinstrel]

She sounds incredibly like Ewa Podles. I hope she's not darkening her voice aritificially. Also bit early for this repertoire. Impressive otherwise.

[oliviacuriosa]

magnifica voz!!eso si, eres muy joven....cuidado....

[twentyattempts]

one question: WHY?!?!? Such a great instrument may go down the drain. There will be time to do this stuff. Not now!

And Azucena, not Azzuchena, please...

[singspieler]

who is your teacher??  get rid of them! shame for letting you sing this so young!

[pesciolinotriste]

great voice

[Bellanca33]

You will be a fabulous mezzo someday. This piece is way too big for a 19 year old and when something is too big a performer sometimes tends to imitate recordings which causes a false sound. I know, I did it too when I was 19. Be careful!

[Greatpretender1]

Great voice, very talented singer!!! But still very early to sing Azucena, it is dangerous to sing such dramatic roles at this age because it results in early loss of voice, no matter how good technique is... so take care of your voice, you are great talent, just be patient :)

[JudyLunghi]

Bravissima!!! Well done!!

[bassodivo]

the next young and uninformed singer to come their way because they are more interested in Sales and making money than the longterm health and career of the singer. So, its up to the singer to know better. The world of opera can be quite shrewd and its important that a young singer has good guidance along the way to ensure a long lasting career. You all do know that its a career. And like any other career she should be able to retire old not young.

[bassodivo]

people who are not singers and who do not know that it takes more than talent to have an great operatic career. It also takes patience, care, and LONGEVITY. Its not about being jealous, but the uneducated public hears a great voice and do not really know the industry, the technique, and the demands of the opera stage. Honestly, there are some opera companies who will take a wonderful young talent like her, use her, abuse her, and when she is all spent and damaged, will discard her and look for

[bassodivo]

I agree with kpamina. As a young opera singer myself, (i am 28 year old bass) which is about ten years older than this young lady is and yet i am still considered young and i know it. I agree that this young lady is simply marvellous. But she must be careful to take care of her voice and choose repetoir that will allow her to continue to develope but will not damage her in the process.

[aleiv]

Incredibile bravissima, so young!!

[emmatoth]

What a beautiful voice!

Keep going, good luck!

This is a great, natural voice!

I don't hear any push!

[emmatoth]

She has a great voice!

Dear singers/sopranos/!

Don't be jealous hearing her , she was BORN with it!

She is not pushing at all, the voice flows naturally!!!

I wish you a great success, what you deserve, and don't listen to anybody, you hve a good teacher, keep going!!

[scarpia1965]

Brava! Good luck!

[datzi4ka]

It's almost unbelievable,she's only 19!!!RESPECT!!!

[kpamina]

sorry, didn't end... a Big and a LONG career. Congratulations, I wish you luck, all the best and I wish you the best guidance. You have a GREAT, beautiful jewel of an instrument.

[kpamina]

Dear Lena, It is a great temptation to be singing this kind or repertoire having such a beautiful color, musicality and voice managment at your age. Please reconsider your repertoire for the next 12 years. You are too young to force your vocal chords into something they are still not mature enough for. You will manage for five years and your instrument will start decaying. Your voice and talent are not common, you have a treasure, take care now so that you will enjoy a BIG

[inthegroove2728]

To operawhoe64, you say she's not pushing? Listen closely to her voice from 1:36 until the end and you'll hear a significant change in her sound from the moment she begins and ends. Also, if you listen and watch closely, she can't hold the same sound for her closed vowels, in particular the "ee". She's definitely seems to be altering her voice to make its tone 'dark'.

[roundrocktx]

I agree with you....great attempt,no doubt,a bit too early!

[DrottningMargareta]

P.S. As Azucena is an old woman (at least old enough to be Manrico's mother, which she is not), you'll still be starting early even 10 years from now...Also, with a voice like yours it's important not to put too much pressure on the vocal chords (happens easily with larger voices), therefore the advice on placement. AND of course you need a strong support! The greater the voice, the stronger the body. I'm sure you know that already! I wish you all the best & hope to hear more of you soon!

[DrottningMargareta]

Dear Lena, you have a beautiful, rich voice & dramatic talent to go with it! BUT: It's too early for you to sing this kind of repertoire, although it's tempting. I'm a dramatic soprano & I know that with a big voice like yours (& my own) it's easy to take "shortcuts" in music. Unfortunately, that will not build the good technique you need as a professional. Work on focusing your voice. Placement, placement, placement!!! With that, you can start looking at Azucena in, say, 10 years... Good luck!

[Federicopera]

Beautiful!!! Go ahead!!!!

[0odalisca0]

Excellent!

[operaclassicc]

she has a great voice! If she study hard she will be one of the best azucenas

[operawhore64]

Oh come on Birgit was singing Wagner at 18.. Price was singing Verdi and Mozart at 18 and some of the great early Divas were singing at 16.. If you sing correctly.. you should be able to sing all and last for lifetime.. the Grand Dames of the last 20 years showed us that.. she is doing a great job here and I don't see her pushing to get the sound.. she is fine..

[claygirl77x]

Frankly my Dear!!! I LOVE IT!!! BRAVO! ANDANTE!

[voceangelo]

First- It's spelled Azucena, not Azzuchena. And while it's a fine voice, and probably will grow into something larger, she shouldn't even be practicing this song until she's 30. Using it as a gauge for how far the voice is coming along in your lessons, is one thing, singing it in recital is NOT healthy.

[herplus18]

GREAT VOICE

 BRAVO

[teresasanders77]

wow.. best version i've heard of this aria.. and only 19! awesome!

[mariasarda]

Très belle voix, grande qualité du matériau, sombre, projeté et large. Timbre agréable et fruité. Mais attention aux grands rôles à votre âge, car on risque de vous proposer trop vite du trop lourd parce-qu'on manque de voix comme la votre aujourd'hui. Soyez prudente, mais surtout... continuez !!!!

[Ariellethepianist]

gut! i am a coloratura. she holds her notes well. a bit back in the throat but still good. i do not have many videos yet.

[Ariellethepianist]

gut! i am a coloratura. she holds her notes well. a bit back in the throat but still good. i do not have many videos yet.

[spintotenor83]

I don't hear how she is killing her voice.

1: She isn't singing over an orchestra.

2: The hall is very live and not that big. She MIGHT be a LITTLE too covered, but that is the "mezzo" sound for a voice of her size.

So...Great job, way to show off your vocals!

IMO: even more phrasing, more detail, straight tone on "la" at the beginning and the starts of phrases aren't "clean". Keep the drama in the words and dynamics, not glottals and slides. Keep technique pure until older.

[Prolyrictenor]

Firstly, quiet a good voice, nothing special but Azzuchena at 19!! Secondly, Ufelan, there are a few people on this website that really do know what they are talking about i.e. professional opera singers who sing in all the main houses and teach at main music schools. Your arrogant replies achieve nothing!

[effie2gether]

You know Ufelan, you don't repect the professional people wh'os talking with you, I'm oper singer, i sing verry verry ofen in the biggest stage so "I" know what i'm taklking about;

I'm sorry for you and "your" incompetent critics!!!

About cantanteporsiempre, it's a plaesure and honnor to talk with you.

About the bulgarian teacher, mine is Guiselev who was a verry good friend with Gena and Ghiaourov!!

[effie2gether]

she is to young and the voice and technik are tired.

Mozart, Rossini, bellini, Puccini,Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov...

There are many many oper she can sing before Verdi!!!!!!!!

[rosskay]

what ages would be a good start for this song?

[Ufelan]

More frivolous and incompetent critics... Sad, sad.

[ChantantReve]

I agree that she's too young to be singing this (not to say she doesn't do it well). If you sing something before you should, you highly rist ruining this beautiful instrument.... hope it doesn't damage her voice. Nicely sung though.

[amneris777]

Твою мать.... Мои увядшие уши, обслушавшись выложенной здесь самодеятельности, начали оживать... Когда первый восторг прошёл - придраться, конечно, есть к чему... ;-) но в целом - супер! Если можно, mastervlad - пападробнее об диве... ;-)

[blckglam]

19 is a lil early for verdi?!?!?!

[cantanteporsiempre]

of course!!!! she should be singing il barbiere, la cenerentola perhaps, not this!!! is her teacher trying to kill her????

[Ufelan]

Please, refrain from commenting on things about which you obviously know nothing. I won't even waste my time by trying to explain you why you are wrong, there are teachers for that.

Miss Belkina, that was beautiful!

[cantanteporsiempre]

please reserv your comments to ignorant people, i am a profesional singer, and my mother was Mr. Christov Brambarov¨s pupil for 5 years, who, in case you don¨t know, was Ghena dimitrova and Nicolai Ghiaurov¨s teacher, believe me, i know what I¨m talking about, this voice is too young to be singing that hell of a monster like Azucena that doesn¨t mean that she can not sing it later, it¨s a very good voice, of course. listen and learn, but listen carefully.

[Ufelan]

I wasn't commenting on what you do or on who your mother was, but on the nonsense that you wrote. And no, you don't know what you are talking about.

[cantanteporsiempre]

that comment has no sense to me! explain why u say that in order you can be credible! and if the explanation convince me, we¨ll be talking seriuosly.

[Ufelan]

Sorry, I'm really not interested in discussing it with you. Our opinions are obviously very different and I don't feel like wasting my time by trying to convince you in what I think is right and you think is wrong.

[blckglam]

nice

[CauldronBard]

Bravissima.

[GeorgeOfZala]

Beautiful voice and singing. Great potential.

[beezoid27]

All I can say is... wow. What a beautiful voice and control. I can only imagine what her version of this aria will be when her voice matures.

[DivaDeb1234]

Very very nice..

Brava

DIVADEB